AN ARTICLE is making the rounds online about 18 "badass" women you didn't hear about in 2014.

No doubt there is a lot we didn't hear about in the past 12 months because the internet was too busy being won by other things, like celebrity selfies, leaked nude pics and Kim Kardashian's rear.

2014 -- the Year of Bling - full of shiny, beautiful, entertaining or amusing distractions.

Like the paper straw.

The jar isn't so much the problem as the straw that comes with it. 

Multi-coloured and swirly it distracts the drinker from the chunks of dissolving paper swimming around in their beverage.

Maybe I'm being too harsh.

Some of the year's trends were worthy of our attention.

The ice bucket challenge?

Next year will bring its own irresistible clickbait but hopefully these trends, be they fun or amusing, won't sweep the important stuff away with meaningless hype.

The Bachelor

Trashy viewing that proved irresistible for some. But as my mother shouted at the TV (as she watched the Bachelor) have we gone backwards? What happened to the women's movement?

Tinder

Roaring flames, a few short-lived sparks or a smoky haze of obscene requests? If you're using one of the year's most popular apps hopefully you've had at least one hot date. Many have not.

Taylor Swift

The reigning queen of pop must have something in her brain, despite what people say. Taylor Swift is a seven-time Grammy winner, the youngest recipient in history of the music industry's highest honour, the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the best-selling digital music artist of all time.

The selfie

Useful for convincing friends you're having fun on your own. Helpful if you're a celebrity getting a photo with other celebrities.

The Selfie Stick

See above. Also useful when your arm isn't long enough to capture the fun you're having with such a huge group of friends.

That YouTube video of the cat

When I say "that" I mean "all". Most YouTube videos of cats are helpful. Sad, happy, bored, lonely - the antics of cyberspace felines will help you weather all kinds of situations. They also provide hours of entertainment at boring dinner parties.

Beards and Man ponytails

A good portion of men opted for caveman-esque faces in 2014. A good portion of their meals ended up stuck on said faces.

That photo of Kim Kardashian

I don't want to talk about it anymore.

TRENDS THAT NEED TO STOP

• Paper straws
• Decorative moustaches
• The Bachelor
• Wedge sneakers
• Bum-baring shorts
• Keep Calm and Carry On anything, but mainly shirts
• Saying #hashtag

TREND FORECASTS FOR 2015

• The fashion authorities are predicting flares are about to make a come-back. As are sneakers and jeans, latex and gingham.
• Cat YouTube videos. They will never die.
• Coloured underarm hair. Apparently this left-field use of hair dye is already happening. Will it take off? Unlikely.
• Wearable technology. You might have seen the smart watch but what about the smart bra? Inspector gadget style clothing is expected to evolve in the year to come.
• The tin can is rumoured to become the new jar.
• Liquor mash-ups. .