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I hate being a debbie downer, but Nice, France and the state of our world is heavy on my mind and heart this morning. Another week, another reminder to hug your loved ones close and say many, many prayers for the safety of our country and strong leadership to guide us and unite us. Seems like we are needing it more and more every day. 

I hope you all have a great and safe weekend. We are taking it easy in Lexington with some golf tonight (ha, I haven't played for about 8 years!), pool time, grilling, and lots of relaxing. I'm really looking forward to it. 

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shopping  |   Like every other blogger, I'm shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I'm not going to lie, I feel like last year's selection was a little bit stronger, but I'm of course struggling on what to purchase. In consideration: this Barbour jacket (to splurge or not to splurge?!), this coat, this cardigan (loved it on Liz), these booties, and this watch. So many choices, so little money. If I could afford/justify it, I'd buy this Tory Burch cape in 2 seconds.

listening  |   Who else grew up on MmmBop!?! We were obsessssed with it when we were younger. Hanson's acoustic version is pretty bomb and a nice update from 1997.

reading  |   Many of you have probably seen Jennifer Aniston's letter to the media on body shaming, but I thought it was just so well written that it's worth sharing again. If you haven't read it yet, take the time to. You go Jen!

cooking  |   I finally tried zoodles for the first time in this baked ziti zoodle recipe and LOVED it! So delicious and fulfilling. Have y'all gotten on the zoodle craze yet? My basil plant is doing SO WELL (!!!!) so this weekend I'm planning on making pesto for my next zoodle recipe! Look for something soon on the blog!

traveling  |   Another week, another trip. It's been a busy summer! I'm headed to Austin, TX next Thursday for a friend's bachelorette party and so excited. I have never been to Austin but have obviously heard all the great things about it. Can't wait to explore and eat my weight in tacos! Anywhere I should go?!

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Hallelujah it's Friday! And this is an extra special Friday for two reasons: 1. long weekend/the 4th of July is Monday! and 2. I'M GOING ON VACATION TOMORROW!!!!!!!

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Excuse the all caps, but I'm just so freaking excited. Like Kristen Wiig on Saturday Night Live. We are headed to Asheville tomorrow morning and spending the night there, then onto Charleston Sunday. So much fun in store!!! I'm going to attempt to get outfit photos while I'm in Asheville and Charleston. Simon will be my photographer, but he doesn't know it yet (hehe). So that should be interesting!

It was a good week here, full of kickball and being outdoors and watching LOTS of Olympic Trials, specifically swimming. I swam competitively growing up and through high school, so naturally swimming is one of my favorite, favorite events in the Olympics. But I get sucked into just about everything when it comes to the Summer Olympics, even archery. Tonight I'll be taking it easy, watching trials, doing last minute laundry and packing before leaving at 6 am tomorrow.

Have a safe and fun-filled, America loving weekend, loves!

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shopping  |   Loft has 50% off the entire store. I picked up these shorts for vacation and just love them. This romper and this lightweight dress are super cute for hot summer days. I'm also thinking I need to finally snag this top from J.Crew since I've had my eye on it and it's 40% off. 

blogging  |   Love these tips for finding blog inspiration. I pinned this one, for sure. 

reading  |   I'm not planning a wedding or honeymoon yet, but many friends are. Would you postpone your honeymoon? This article gives some pretty good rationale for why you should wait a year.

watching  |   Everything about this video. Truth: I do not know how to change my tire or sew on a button. But I could probably sew the button if I tried.

eating  |   In the most important news of the week, Chipotle is FINALLY offering a rewards program for this summer. Done and done. 

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I hope everyone had a good week! It was a little quiet around here - a little bit of a rollercoaster week with work. But next week I'll have plenty of fun, new posts ready for you. I'm excited for this weekend - tomorrow morning we are heading down to a friend's houseboat for a day full of sun, lake, and beers! It's supposed to be like 93 degrees and sunny here, so it's a perfect weekend to be on the lake. 

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shopping  |   There are SO MANY good sales going on right now. Shopbop has an extra 25% off sale through midnight tonight! I bought these sandals and love this dress, these heels (perfect transition to fall), and this top). Loft is 40% off everything, Anthropologie has tons of markdowns, and Madewell has an extra 30% off sale.

listening   |    Broadway stars gathered to record "What the World Needs Is Love" as a tribute to the Orlando shooting. I can't stop listening - it seriously gives me chills. Every song purchase on YouTube goes straight to the LGBT community in Orlando.

reading   |   Loved this blog post from Whitney. A good reminder we all need now and then.

voting   |   No, not in the election. But my blogging friend Annie has been nominated for a lifestyle blog award in Charleston. She's pretty amazing, so you all should go vote for her!

Have a great weekend! See you all Monday! 

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It's been a sad week around the world, so let's fill it with a little positivity and happiness, shall we?Guys, I'm so excited for the weekend! I've had a lot of great weekends recently, and this one will be no exception. I'm headed to Nashville (!!!) for no particular reason other than to hang with my sweet friends. I can't believe it's been over a month and a half since I was there last - time seriously flies by! There's not too much on the agenda - cocktails somewhere fun, wandering, the Sounds game, and probably out! Follow along on Instagram (@lovethislifeblog) or Snapchat (@rblack2761) to see where I go!

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shopping  |   I am loving J.Crew's new arrivals. It feels like the old J.Crew again, and that warms my heart and makes me happy. I've rounded up some of my faves below. So much to choose from!

reading  |   Two books, actually. The first is for my bible study - we are doing Annie Down's study Looking For Lovely and I'm loving it so far. Really puts things into perspective, and I highly recommend it! I'm also reading The Light Between Oceans but haven't gotten as far as I'd like. So far so good, though!

loving  |   Man Repeller. I haven't visited the site for a long time (why, I don't know), and there's just so much goodness to it. Particularly, this article on women and how they view success (loved it), how fashion is getting too close to the 2000's (terrifyingly true), feeling inferior around teenagers (seriously WHY are none of them awkward?!). The site is literally a black hole I could have spent hours on. No regrets.

traveling  |   Nashville this weekend, Charleston in two weekends! A Bit Of Charleston put together a nice little travel guide for me, which was awesome! Some great suggestions that included a few things we are already planning on. I'm so excited to get to the city and meet up with Annie!

watching  |   I need to see Me Before You and Finding Dory, ASAP. My friend Kaitlyn saw Me Before You last night and said it was amazing and her face hurt from crying. #allthefeels.

beautifying  |   I'm about out of my Bare Minerals tinted moisturizer which I love, but I'm thinking about switching it up and trying the BeautyCounter tinted moisturizer. I've heard nothing but good things about them and I love the mission behind the company. Any opinions out there?!

Have a great weekend, everyone!