Major Yikes: A Recap of the Republican Debate

Happy Halloween! This week Republican debate #3 happened! (wow! exciting! politics!) I'm briefing the debate  because 1) I've been sick all week and stuck at home and 2) the name of my blog is Pink and Political, and so I figured I would deliver on the 'politics' aspect. The 10 candidates (finally) agreed on one point: they dislike the media. They didn't debate anything particularly polarizing ( á la the 2nd debate). Think: how high the debt ceiling should be raised, Social Security, the retirement age, and tax plans. (Roll your eyes every time a candidate mentions that they're 'realistic'. Such a fun game to keep you occupied!)

Here's a 'lil blurb on each of the candidates during the debate:

Governor John Kasich (OH): AKA the one who gesticulated way. too. much. He kept the pace of the debate going (he truly sounded interested in all of his answers) and he reminded Americans that he was the one who made the House Budget Committee efficient again. 

Former Governor Jeb Bush (FL): AKA who really needed a comeback (major yikes at everything in the news about him, not to mention his declining support). He promised Democrats- and I quote- a "warm kiss" if they cut spending. (PS: the debate was a great backdrop for the Bush/Rubio debate showdown.)

Donald Trump: WOW! He actually let others talk this time (snaps for you, Trump)! He spent the majority of his time defending his own companies (and their bankruptcies) and mentioned how he likes to carry a gun but also likes to be "unpredictable". 

Dr. Ben Carson: AKA the one leading the polls (bye, Trump!). He stated that he didn't see himself as POTUS, but his supporters sure do. He introduced his new tax plan, and the moderators had a hard time with the math. 

Senator Marco Rubio (FL): Marco had a lot to be defensive about this week. Recently, a Florida paper published a scathing article saying that he should probably show up to his job or resign from Senate. He basically said "sorry, not sorry" and returned to his platform (both literally and figuratively). 

Senator Ted Cruz (TX): roll your eyes every time he says "famous Colorado brownies". When asked a question about the debt ceiling, he used his entire minute scolding the moderators about "liberal media bias". He got a lot of "amens" on stage, though. 

Carly Fiorina: AKA the one who brought up her past career leading HP as CEO. Obviously, her memory of it was a little different than how most people viewed her time at the top. PS: she wants to reduce the tax code to 3 pages (yes, 3!!). Sans italics (and parentheticals). 

Governor Chris Christie (NJ): AKA the one who denied questions about (brace yourselves) fantasy football. He wants Americans to know that the government has "lied to you" and "stolen from you" via Social Security. (oh, what would we do without the extreme candidates?)

Former Governor Mick Huckabee (AR): AKA the one who was 10/10 during the debate. The only weakness he had: analogies (major yikes!). He claims to help the grandparents of America by being the only candidate on stage that wants to expand Social Security. 

Senator Rand Paul (KY): AKA the sad candidate at the end of the debate lineup. He stated, and I quote, that his weakness is that he'll "rein in government spending". And I repeat, weakness. 

This debate was fun to watch (as fun as watching debates can possibly get) but there were no clear frontrunners yet, just a whole bunch of really opinionated candidates trying to get their points across. 

PS: Thanks @ Donald Trump for cutting the next debate by an hour. 

Joanna

Monday Punday (Party!)

Happy Monday (Punday)!! Over the summer, I threw a mini party for my golf team to kick off the season (my last one!) and I figured I would share the punny par-tee with y'all!! We had a very casual brunch in my backyard so everything was super light/conversation food. I hope you enjoy these pictures and the puns, I feel like I'm getting the swing (haha) of hosting parties now!  

Side note/Classic Joanna moment: I accidentally dropped the cake stand (yikes) so I pulled out a Christmas platter- never too late to start celebrating the holidays!

I monogrammed everyone's cups so it would be easy to find a seat. There's nothing more awkward at a brunch than having to find a seat last minute!!

pink & green and livin' the dream

 classic me not being able to pick a picture (seriously so indecisive) so here are a bunch of pictures of me 

 giggles! I have a bunch of all my teammates but they prefer to have the pictures of them on private Facebook albums/Instagrams

feelin' shady (hehe)

xoxo,

Joanna

Lovely Links

Woohoo I can cross #50 off my 101 in 1001 days list! If you haven't read it yet, you can here! 

One// The 52 Best Colleges in the United States
I'm a senior this year (hello, college apps and essays!) so I've been researching schools every chance I get. This list provides great insight into some things that I didn't even think to look into (ability to graduate in four years, social life, and the surrounding area). It just makes narrowing down the list so much easier!

Two// September 
I can't believe it's almost September AKA the best month ever. It's my birthday month (yay for brunches!), the weather is *finally* getting cooler so it's socially acceptable to order venti soy lattes, it's back to school season, and it's NYFW! I was on the Saks site and can't stop looking at this Zac Posen, Elie Saab, or Christian Siriano, if only I had somewhere to wear those to!

Three// Inside Amazon
This 6,000-word New York Times piece details Amazon's ideology of pushing their employees to their absolute limit, and after reading the article, I stumbled across this response. "I wish I lived my life differently." That line terrifies me, because I'm such an indecisive person, and that line is even more applicable now since I'm starting to apply to colleges and choosing my major. Some of the last lines really resonated with me: "If you're going to devote the best year of life to work, do so intentionally. You can do great things AND live your life well."

Four// Marnie the Dog 
Hi my name is Joanna and I spend way to much time on Marnie the Dog's Instagram. But seriously though, nothing cheers me up more after my AP Literature class than getting to see a picture of Marnie show up on my feed!

Five// Obama's Summer Playlist 
Reason #593824 why Obama is great.

101 in 1001

If I had a dollar for every time I said "I'm going to bucket list that!" but never do, I could do so, so many things (which would go on another never-going-to-happen list). 1001 days, 2.75 years, is a great compromise between keeping a running to do list with short term goals and making a bucket list. I'm so excited! 

With a little inspiration from Mackenzie Horan, I am starting my very own list of 101 things I plan to do in the next 1001 days. Some of these are big, like moving into a dorm or purchasing another car, and some of these are very small, like eat another lobster roll or buy flowers.

P.S.- Some goals will have links to blog posts, and others (like paying it forward, writing handwritten notes) will not!

Day Started: August 14, 2015

Day Ended: May 11, 2018

1. Read 50 new books. 
2. Put $20 into savings for every goal accomplished.
3. Go on a crazy roller coaster.
4. Throw a surprise party.
5. Visit 5 new states.
6. Take a calligraphy class.
7. Go to Martha's Vineyard.
8. Host a dinner party.
9. Ride a Vespa.
10. Go a full month without Starbucks.
11. Go on a picnic.
12. Attend a polo match.
13. Vote in every single election I possibly can when I turn 18.
14. Go to the Melrose flea market.
15. Give 5 "just because" gifts.
16. Run a 5k.
17. Try SoulCycle.
18. See a movie outdoors.
19. Invest in 10 things.
20. Take a surfing lesson.
21. Spend a day exploring Catalina Island.
22. Go swimming with belugas or dolphins or any sea mammal, really.
23. Start collecting coffee table books.
24. Go to a concert (or two).
25. Kiss under the mistletoe/in the rain.
26. Go boating in Vineyard Vines.
27. Spend an afternoon at a botanical garden.
28. Start a blog Instagram and keep it updated.
29. Travel to a new continent.
30. Plan a staycation.
31. Post 5 "how to" posts.
32. Inspire someone to blog!
33. See 15 new movies.
34. Send 25 handwritten notes. (not including thank you notes)
35. Try a juice cleanse.
36. Go unplugged for 24 hours.
37. Move into my dorm.
38. Get my license.
39. Purchase personalized stationary.
40. Try 12 new recipes (and blog about it!). 
41. Graduate high school.
42. Take my parents out for dinner.
43. Do yoga on the beach.
44. Invest in a handbag.
45. Drive down PCH with the windows down.
46. Go to a music festival.
47. Go to bed before 11pm for a month.
48. Embark on a fun trip with my friends.
49. Go vegan for a month.
50. Buy flowers #treatyoself
51. Peruse a farmer's market.
52. Watch the sunrise.
53. Take a yoga class every week for a month.
54. Have a no spend week and donate to a charitable cause.
55. Organize my laptop's hard drive.
56. Visit a new museum.
57. Help someone accomplish a goal.
58. Attend a regatta (bonus points if my brother is rowing).
59. Have breakfast in bed.
60. Make a life decision 100% based on what I want/what I think is best.
61. Have a spa day.
62. Meet a presidential/senatorial candidate.
63. Blog with a schedule for a month.
64. Get a DryBar blowout.
65. Make someone proud.
66. Get a pair of reading glasses I love.
67. Attend a ball/black tie event/charity gala.
68. Hike in a new location.
69. Take a skiing/snowboarding lesson.
70. Buy a car.
71. Host a brunch and make all the food.
72. Try 10 new restaurants in Orange County.
73. Do one thing completely out of my comfort zone.
74. Buy a party clutch!
75. Get my first big girl job. 
76. Pay it forward.
77. Find the right shade of red lipstick.
78. Discover a lavender field.
79. Eat another lobster roll from San Fransisco.
80. Play a full round of golf with my dad.
81. Learn how to ride a bike (and buy a bike!).
82. Buy a cashmere sweater in a fun color.
83. Paint my nails something other than pink.
84. Plant a vegetable garden.
85. Use my planner everyday for a month.
86. Make someone's day!
87. Send someone a care package.
88. Attend a professional athletic event.
89. Start a LinkedIn profile- and complete it.
90. Spend a day with my grandma.
91. Buy my mom something she wants, but wouldn't buy for herself.
92. Find a go to perfume.
93. Make pasta from scratch.
94. Let a friend know that I care about them.
95. Initiate something.
96. See a new Broadway show.
97. Build a snowman.
98. Update my resume.
99. Reconnect with an old friend.
100. Visit a lighthouse.
101. Learn how to pop a bottle of champagne. 

Lovely Links

I just got back from representing California at the National Judicial Competition in Chicago and I'm missing the city (minus the heat and humidity) and my friends so much that I figured I would include a picture on my blog :)  Onto the links...

One// Agenda Season
It's that time of the year again! I'll be doing a more in depth post on planners (I'm a tad bit obsessed) but I just picked up this Lilly Pulitzer planner! This Lilly Pulitzer nautical boat print one, Kate Spade polka dot, and Ban.do planner are so cute as well!

Two// He Named Me Malala
Rolling Stone just published Malala Yousafzai's upcoming documentary. She is such an inspiration, and definitely on my list of role models. (Check out her website to learn more about her story!) I just picked up her book, and I can't wait to watch the documentary when it comes out in October!

Three// Scallop Flats
I work in an office setting and while I love wearing heels, it's just not practical when I have to walk around all the time to deliver documents and make multiple trips to the copy room. These Chloe flats are uber comfortable and don't require any time to break in (I'm looking at you, Tory Burch) and the scallops just add a preppy touch.

Four// The 15 Best Things I Ever Ate
Oh. My. Golly. The foodie in me couldn't resist reading this post. I might even need to write my own!!

Five// Baby Seals Playing
How adorable is this video?!? Sea mammals never fail to make me happy, and I even saved this video for when I need a pick me up!

Welcome!

I’m sitting on a train that’s been pulled over for mechanical issues for what seems like the past hour, so I’ve had an hour to just sit and think (my phone is dead and my laptop is on the 25% mark. Eek!) Soooo I’m guessing this whole train fiasco is the universe’s way of pushing me to start my blog. I’ve always thought of blogging, and even had a food blog, The Pink Teaspoon, last year until I realized that I wanted to blog about much more than my favorite kale salad recipe. And that leads us up to here- a blog about my travels, experiences, and mere ramblings about life.

I’m in the middle of the infamous “east coast college tour” that a whole bunch of juniors take over spring break. I even bumped into a few of my friends in the area! So far I’ve been to New York, New Haven, Boston, Providence, and DC, and I’ll split up those areas in future (very, very, soon, trust me) posts with my recommendations for things to do in the area! Thanks to everyone that even clicked on my blog link and managed to read through all of my jumbled thoughts, see you soon (hopefully)!

Xoxo, J