15 Girl Boss Moments of 2015

2015 was a notoriously BIG (or notorious R.B.G., as it so were) year for females. We laughed, we cried, we banded together, we kicked some corporate ass, and we had some fun in the process. As we're gearing up to say goodbye, we tip our hats and kick off our heels to the women who owned this year. You make our future look bright. 

1. Patricia Arquette started the year off on the right fancy foot. When the actress won Best Supporting Actress at the Oscar's she took the time to address wage inequality and a rallying cry for all women. "It's our time to have wage equality once and for all," she exclaimed, which got both Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez out of their seats. 

2. Jennifer Lawrence continued the wage convo, when she penned an open-letter about the Hollywood pay gap for Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter, entitled: STORIES Hollywood’s Gender Wage Gap Jennifer Lawrence Letters to Lenny Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner Get That Second Wave Style Laia Garcia How Sports Gave Me Swagger Gina Prince-Bythewood Becoming Grace Jones Doreen St. Fél

"Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co‑Stars?"

 “Are we socially conditioned to behave this way?” she wrote. Not if boss women have anything to say about it. 

3. During the Superbowl Always #LikeAGirl commercial struck a chord with the nation. And then the U.S Women’s Soccer Team showed the whole world what playing like a a girl really meant. The U.S. team defeated Japan to win the FIFA wold cup. According to some news outlets it was the most watched soccer match in the history of television— men or women. Annndd then Obama mic-dropped everyone: "This team taught all of America’s children that 'playing like a girl' means you're a badass.”

"This team taught all of America’s children that 'playing like a girl' means you're a badass.”

4. In 75 years of ABT (American Ballet Theater) there was never an African American female principle dancer. In June of 2015 Misty Copeland broke down that barrier. “I’m here to be a vessel,” she said at the April 2015 TIME 100 gala, “for these brown ballerinas who have come before me.” 

5. Adele said FU to the male gaze on the cover of Rolling Stone, and sold 3 million album copies in one week. Hello. It’s me. The boss. 

6. United we stand. 35 women banded together to fight Bill Cosby and a history of sexual assault. On the July cover of NY Magazine, 35 women sat in chairs facing the world: "I'm No Longer Afraid," they told announced. Together. One chair remained empty for all voiceless victims of sexual assault. 

7. Hillary Clinton announced her run for the 2016 Presidential bid. "I'm running for President," she said in a video that also featured a diverse group of American stories.  

8. Gloria Steinem dedicated her book, "My Life On the Road," to Dr. John Sharpe who performed her illegal abortion when she was 22 years old who made her promise him: "you will do what you want to do with your life."  

9. In March Monica Lewinsky gave a TED Talk: The Price of Shame, where the now 41 year old took back her narrative. 

"Public shaming as a blood sport has to stop." 

10. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has been known for her “incrementalism,” -- a slow-but-steady approach to feminism that really hit its stride in 2015 (thanks to the Internet and a few great memes). As an architect for the women's rights movement in the '60s and '70s, Bader Ginsberg has been fighting for gender equality for decades. The now 82-year-old is the oldest Justice on the bench, bit that's not slowing her down. 

"Now I happen to be the oldest. But John Paul Stevens didn't step down until he was 90."

11. Viola Davis became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy in the Best Actress in a drama category.  “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that simply are not there,” she told the crowd.  

12. Female-friendly, safe place on the Internet, HelloGiggles- the website founded by Sophia Rossi and Zooey Deschanel, sold to TIME Inc. this year for a reported 20 million dollars. These ladies proved that you can play nice on the Internet and win. 

13. Nepal made history when it elected its first female President. A long-running proponent of equal rights for women, Bidhya Devi Bhandari is seen as cultural shift in male-dominated Nepal politics.

14. The Pentagon announced that women can now serve in front-line ground combat positions. 

15. Saudi women not only registered to vote for the first time (in a country where they still aren't allowed to drive), but Saudi women also won a monumental 20 seats in the municipal polls. 

AND finally, our hats are off to the following female CEOs and leaders of HUGE tech companies, proving that women have broken through that glass ceiling once and for all: Marissa Mayer, CEO Yahoo!, Meg Whitman, CEO HP, Virginia Rometty, CEO IBM, Susan Wojcicki, CEO YouTube, Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook, Angela Ahrendts, Senior VP, Apple, and Ursula Burns, CEO, Xerox. 

When Your Office Feels Like Home: Touring the C & C Home Base

With everyone home for the holidays, we wanted to give you a peek into our second home: the Create & Cultivate office. 

To design a space where the C & C team and guests were happy to hang, Veronica Valencia of The Design Hunters chose a blend of smaller, LA-based companies as well as larger brands. Companies like Fragments Identity, Park Studio, Parachute Home, CB2, Framebridge, Helix Sleep, and Artfully Walls. It's a space that doesn't feel like an office -- but also one where work gets handled. 

Be sure to check out The Founder's Office as well as the C & C Guest Bedroom. 

C+C Holiday Gift Guide Nº 3: The Wellness Babe

A healthy lifestyle isn't just a fad to her. The Wellness Babe in your life lives it through and through, so gift her something useful and fashionable this holiday season. 

1. My Mira Fit, $169. A fitness bracelet that also serves as a piece of jewelry. It will track her lifestyle without interrupting her fashion. 

2. Farmers' Market Basket Small Square, $14. Crafted in stoneware in the same shape of farmers' market berry containers, perfect for storing her morning fruit for smoothies. 

3. David Kirsch Wellness Energy Bubbles, $39.99. The healthiest and non-sugary way to give her body an energy boost. 

4. Alo Moto Legging, $110. Leggings that fit into her lifestyle, she can go from mat to meeting or running about town. 

5. Yogitoes Skidless Mat-Size Yoga Towel, $59.70. For super-sweaty workouts, this mat towel keeps her from slipping and sliding. 

6. Eyeko Sport Proof Mascara, $25. For beautiful eyelashes the day and night long, this smudge proof, waterproof, and sweat proof mascara can keep up with her lifestyle. 

7. Be Biotin Capsules, $32. She can't squat her way to better hair and nails. but biotin capsules are super-potent to keep both looking great,and can be taken every day. 

8. Pointe Studio Grip Socks, $12. From barre to pilates, ballet and yoga, these grip socks with compression arch support will keep her in-step in class. 

9. Keep Not Settling The Everygirl Mug , $15. She doesn't do anything halfway. Not her workouts and not her morning coffee. 

10. In Transit Muscle Therapy, $22.99.  For her tired muscles after an early spin class, this is pain relief that she can bring on-the-go.

11. Frends Mother of Pearl Headphone Caps, $50. To dress up daily headphones, mother of pearl makes that jog on the treadmill a little fancier. 

12. Adidas by Stella McCartney Track Pant, $77. A comfortable and stylish choice for running a mile, or running errands afterward. 

The Season's Most Wanted Bags According to BagSnob

Tina Craig of BagSnob (now Snob Essentials) knows bags. And with everyone making holiday lists and plans to get out of town, we asked her about the season's must-have bags and what you should be carrying when you head to the airport. 

Don't worry, not everything will cost you December's rent. 

5 BAG HIT LIST

Loewe V Shoulder Bag

I am having a serious Loewe moment. I’ll wear anything J.W. Anderson creates! Available on My Theresa and at Nordstrom for $2,450.

Coach Wanted Surrey Satchel

Also having a love affair with Coach, thanks to Stuart Vevers and his reinvention of the brand. The Surrey bag says it all: Wanted. At Coach for $605.

3Derek Lam’s 10 Crosby Mini Prince Bucket Bag

This swingy bag will be swinging from my arm all season long. It’s the perfect mix of bohemian ease and urban chic; the result is a piece that’s impossibly cool, much like Derek himself.

Donatienne Mimi Backpack

I’m obsessed with Nikki Erwin’s graphic backpacks! Laidback, nonchalant, and effortless: her brand Donatienne illustrates the very definition of LA style. At Donatienne for $595. 

Victoria Beckham City Victoria Canvas and Leather Tote

 Few women exude sexy sophistication as well as Victoria Beckham. I’ll wear just about anything she tells me to, just in hopes of capturing a bit of her breed of glam for myself. On NET-A-PORTER for $2,120. 

BAG SPLURGE

Matching Chanel Mosaic Paneled Flap Bag and Pencil Skirt

As decadent and striking as can be, Chanel’s intricate mosaic motif in a coordinating pair is a must for the season.

BAG SAVE

Elizabeth and James Croc-Embossed Cynnie Sling Backpack

Elizabeth and James is a favorite of mine. Their croc-effect Cynnie bag eerily resembles the real thing without the hefty price tag of a legit exotic. 

BEST BAG FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Snob Essentials Gisele Tote

Our Gisele tote will take you from plane to fun effortlessly! The large pockets hold everything from passports and boarding passes to the iPhone 6+. It’s super-roomy for stashing a sweater or scarf and a pair of flats, yet the size is not overwhelming. It comes with removable shoulder strap for those hands-free days when you need to balance your Frappacino while texting your BFF the latest gossip. At Snob Essentials for $128. 

LBD OF THE BAG WORLD

Chanel Classic Flap

A bag that needs no introduction speaks for itself. There is truly no bag more timeless, aside from perhaps the enduring Hermès Birkin, than the quilted Chanel Flap, and it’s definitely the most versatile of all. 

Links We Love: What Everyone Is Talking About This AM

Monday is here! But don't let that get you down. We've rounded up some good reads that will make for a few laughs and good chatter around the water cooler. 

Ryan Gosling hosted SNL for the first time in his entire career. He laughed as much as The Notebook made you cry. Vulture recapped the whole spiel. This is first on the list, because, well, it's Ryan Gosling. 

In case you missed the news, Facebook mogul Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla gave birth to a baby girl, Max. With the announcement of their little bundle of joy came the pledge that the family would donate 99% of their Facebook shares, currently valued at over 45 billion dollars to charity over the course of their lifetimes. But Forbes breaks down what kind of tax break that might mean. 

Carrie Fisher of Princess Leia fame said that talking about her weight loss for the almost here Star War: The Force Awakens is "a stupid conversation." After 40 years in the spotlight, her press tour for the movie just might be the best thing ever. 

A bit of controversy has sprung up between British model Cara Delevingne and brand Otherwild, a Los Angeles-based, queer female owned company. Delevingne posted a photo wearing a sweatshirt with the slogan "The Future is Female." What followed was a bit of nasty fight. Here's hoping that the female future looks a little different than this. 

Texas politician Wendy Davis (of 13 hour filibuster fame) talks about why she hates losing for Lenny Letter. Spoiler: just as you've always suspected, the things worth fighting for are always the hardest. 

For a little #MondayMotivation. Did you know that Bea Arthur of Golden Girls fame was one of the first female marines? Now you do. Now take go take your Monday by the cojones.