The last few days have been pretty sad, news-wise, don’t you think? If you’re one of those people who spends tons of time on-line looking at blogs, news sites and social media posts (GUILTY!), it can all get a bit over-whelming. While I do think staying up-to-date on the happenings of the world is of super importance, there is something to be said for balance–especially when all the news you’re consuming over the course of a week strikes such a raw cord. So, check out these links below (which are mostly fun escapes with a few more timely, serious accounts thrown in) and then take time today to do something unplugged. Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park. Do a relaxing yoga flow. Go to the dollar store, pick up a coloring book and some crayons and do some mindless art. Stay healthy, y’all! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wedding photographer‘s fees explained.

Thoughts on fatherhood from the Instagram dads who went viral.

Play outside!

3-ingredient peanut butter cookies.

I’m sick of reading about Lana Del Rey but…

Old garage + salvaged materials = gorgeous studio apartment.

On the Pacific Crest Trail.

This movie looks intense in the best way.

Writers and their cats.

A cute interview with my former teammate.

If you’re not feeling up to anymore serious news right now, stop here, or come back later when you’re in a better head-space. I’ll completely understand. : ) If you ARE feeling up to it, please continue…

Heart-breaking statement from Zelda Williams on the passing of her father, Robin Williams. (He will be greatly missed by so many. I found it so touching to see how strongly he affected those in the Forensics community. As character-poppers and joke-tellers ourselves, he was a magnificent source of inspiration. Mental illness is real, y’all. We MUST do a better job talking about it to erase the stigma and offer helping hands to those suffering.)

Horrific first-person account of the after-math in Ferguson, Missouri. (What sat with me most in Ashley’s article was a random police officer’s words to her. As she was walking through the streets of Ferguson, headed to the candle light vigil for Mike Brown, to show support for, like herself, a mother of an African-American child, a cop told her, “You’ll be shot if you go up there.” Subtext: There are black people up there and you are white. Here, is where I had to stop reading as all the times those words have been spoken to me came flooding back. All the times, as a white woman, someone tried to “warn” me of the presence of black people with the super secret code words…”but you’ll get shot!” And THIS is why the racial profiling, undue fear, and murder of innocents continues to happen. And I’m angry. And perhaps this will get it’s own post on another day because for now, I need to go take MY media break and let the sunshine in so I can send it to yet another mother who lost a son too soon and another mother trying desperately to make sense of the world we’re creating for hers.)

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I think each and every one of you are amazing!!! Thank you for stopping by–now go create some sunshine in your day! ❤