Friday, I'm in Love, v.12 {2011 in Review}

It's the last Friday of the year and here's what I loved "best" in 2011...

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Best film: Super 8. To be fair, I haven't been to the theater near as much as I should've this year, so I know there are some gems I've still yet to see. But this film was fantastic. It was nostalgic, enchanting, well executed, and had just the right balance of genuine, character-driven storyline with the signature J.J. Abrams sci-fi twist.



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Best album: Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars. Since downloading this album in February, it has been in heavy rotation in my car, on my nightstand dock (I alternate between "The Violet Hour" and "My Father's Father" as my alarm), and during my travels. I was ecstatic to see that their cover of Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love" made it on the album. It's flawless.



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Best legislation: labeling regulations for sunscreen. I am not generally a huge fan of the FDA, but they finally took a step in the right direction when they introduced regulations for how sunscreen may be labeled and marketed to consumers. They certainly have a long way to go in terms of enforcing truth in labeling across the board for the products they oversee (specifically food, but that's another soapbox for another time), but this is an important change and one that will hopefully create awareness about sun safety.   

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Best trend: demure elegance a la Kate Middleton. I heart Kate. I really do. She has brought modesty back in vogue, which this prude really appreciates, and did so in a way that is timeless and elegant beyond her years. She is also a minimalist, which I adore. Homegirl could be draped in diamonds, yet she chooses understated pieces, classic lines and an exquisite color palette. Cheers, Mrs. Wills!

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Best song: "Down in the Valley" by The Head and The Heart. It's tough not to pick one of the many lovelies off of Barton Hollow, but I positively adore this song. It's layered, rustic, melodic, and simply demands the listener sing along and tap their feet. The transitions within this tune create a sense of receiving an awesome two-for-one. I can't get enough of it. 

What were some of your "best" loves in 2011?