I’ve written the intro to today’s CRL a million different ways and nothing feels quite right. How do you even find the words to try and capture what you feel when you’re faced with such immense tragedy, again and again. A tragedy that you know is preventable if it weren’t for politicians clinging to power and lining their pockets with money from the NRA. It’s actually sickening to think about. And yet we’re expected to just keep going, showing up to work and life as if it’s just another day in America. Sadly it is.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, an important holiday to honor those who’ve died serving in our military. I can’t stop thinking about something I read this week. Americans cause fellow Americans more harm than any foreign enemy. “More than 1.5 million died of gunshots in the past 50 years vs. 1.2 million in all the wars in the country’s history. This year alone, mass shootings have killed or injured more than 1,800.” That’s not to take away from the sacrifice of any military member or their family, but to recognize the magnitude of the crisis of gun violence in this country. There’s no holiday to remember the victims of gun violence.
With so much tragedy and loss I keep going back to the podcast episode from Brené Brown and Karen Walrond on Accessing Joy and Finding Connection in the Midst of Struggle. “Accessing joy and accessing gratitude is what reminds us what we’re fighting for.” Don’t forget to find your pockets of joy. We have a long road ahead. We can’t throw up our hands or bury our heads in the sand. It has never been more important to find the strength within ourselves to keep fighting for the future our kids (and all of us) deserve. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourselves. Wishing you a safe and joyful weekend.
If you’re looking for something to buy, try, read, share or pin, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the best of the week…
Jess (J) & Caylin (C)
Click. Read. Love. 5.27.22
Call your effing Senator. And even though this list is of Senators who oppose common sense gun legislation, call them whether they are in support or not. They need to hear from you and know you support HR 8, which would expand background checks, and HR 1446, which would increase the background check waiting period.
How to buy a gun in 16 countries…it’s really interesting to see the difference in process in every country and how that changes the instances of gun violence.
If you want to donate money, make your dollar go far with a donation to a Democratic candidate running against an anti-gun safety Republican.
New FBI study shows mass shooters aren’t just loners who suddenly snap.
Let’s not forget teachers, who are notoriously underpaid and overworked, who have to deal with safety concerns…
America’s gun culture is priming us for authoritarianism.
If you need a break from doom scrolling, season four of Stranger Things returns on Friday! (Caylin)
Why haven’t more moms returned to the paid workforce?
So cool to see Vanessa Carlton’s Rhode Island home AND that it was designed by my neighbor growing up, Kate Gray. (Jess)
Nice to see a popular reality show taking a stand against fast fashion.
A cool feature about pro surfer Kai Lenny.
Season 2 of Hacks is saving me this week. (Jess)
A beautiful essay about the Uvalde School shooting and what to do next.
Shannon Watts in response to gun violence: “Nobody Can Sit on the Sidelines Anymore”
An interview with Ukraine’s first lady.
A Few Memorial Day Weekend Sales
Madewell
Get 25% off everything at Madewell with code LONGWEEKEND. I love these white jeans I got (sized down), this white midi dress (30% off!), this flowy linen blouse, these sweatshorts and this super cute tennis skirt.
Sephora
The beauty sale is up to 50% off at Sephora and there’s a few great deals. This vegan lip mask (so soothing), and the Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops (these are my fave so great for face tanning).
Chappywrap
Get 20% off with code SUMMERFUN on select Chappywrap styles. These are the best blankets and make great gifts too. I love the scallops print and the blue stripes.
Equilibria CBD
It’s 25% off all one time purchases at Equilibria. The recovery roll on is so good (great Father’s Day gift idea) and the Daily Gummies are my favorite for everyday (I take one in the morning).
Sixpenny
It’s 20% off orders over $1000 at Sixpenny. I’m planning to order some new slipcovers for my Neva sofa and Gabriel Daybed. Here’s my full review of my Sixpenny Furniture.
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Thank you! Thank you! I always look forward to your Friday posts, but this one particularly resonates with me. I’m a therapist who has spent my professional life working with adolescent males in the justice system. I thought of many of those young men as I read the pieces on gun violence. I had a baby a few months into the pandemic and have not returned to paid work yet. The Oprah link about moms and the workforce was so so validating. It’s a huge privilege to be able to step away from paid work, but also complicated and draining to be the full time caregiver for my child with the isolation of the pandemic. Thank you for always posting such thought provoking links!
Thank you so much Anna. I so appreciate the feedback. It’s really nice to hear when the things we share resonate with our readers. Really appreciate it. Have a great weekend.