Happy Friday! It's a holiday weekend, my birthday is on Wednesday, and tomorrow Rob and I are going to the Minnesota State Fair to pet sheep and eat everything in sight.

I have a list of links for you this weekend! Hope you enjoy.

Blogs and Things
I'm in love with Kelly Ann's new online space. And I love seeing Cave Girl on her Design page!
Just a few more days to advertise on Freckled Italian for 75% off (and enter to win some free ad space).
My soon-to-be mother-in-law went to Africa and took some awesome photos. I can't wait to see the rest!
Don't forget to enter to win this beautiful tote from the Moorea Seal shop!
Julia Child's My Life in France (pictured above) is just delicious.

Cute Things
This dress is so sweet.
I need a pair of big, chunky platforms like these.
Love these photos from Allison's wedding. Happy anniversary, you guys!
Just look at Tara's kitties! They're so pretty.

Culture and Society
Interesting piece on  polyamorous relationships.
This made me so sad. I can't imagine! People can be too mean.
Oxford English Dictionary Officially Updates Marriage Definition to Include Same-Sex Couples. That's right!
Sex Drive-In Opens for Business in Switzerland. I actually think this is fabulous.
11 Untranslatable Words From Other Cultures.

Food and Health
Yikes! 59% of the "Tuna" Americans Eat Is Not Tuna.
What Happens to the Brain When You Meditate. Rob and I want to try to make meditation a thing we do.
Coming Out of Whole30. I thought this had some really great tips. I've never done a Whole30 but I know people often struggle with making lasting changes once they've finished.

Other Stuff
25 Things That Get Harder After 25. Yes to all of these, already.
The most beautiful comic."To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed, and I think you'll be happier for the trouble."
Sponsored: I've been working with Ice Mountain® over the past couple of weeks.  Check out their Facebook page here. It's been fun! Thanks for your support when I work with sponsors--it means a lot to me.

What are you up to this weekend? Anyone else headed to the State Fair tomorrow?

Happy Friday! I have lots of links for you this weekend, so let's get right to it:

Books, TV, and Movies
Loved this piece on Laverne Cox and Orange Is The New Black. Are you watching it? I'm ready to start.
I read How I Live Now in a Literature for Young Adults class in undergrad and loved it. The film looks like it's going to be amazing (I love Saoirse Ronan), but I'm curious to see what they do with the whole sex-with-her-cousin thing.

Materialism
Fall makes me want to wear jeans and my favorite tees every day. I'm feeling the need to stock up at Everlane soon.
Currently on my wishlist: this bright jumpsuit, these little boots, and this fabulous watch.

Blogs
Melissa is such a sweetheart. I appreciated her post on not offending when offended.
A beautiful post by Dani.
Maddie is so fun, and she can whip up a mean cocktail. See here and here.
I'm dying over Robyn's kayaking adventure in Canada. I'm not that outdoorsy, but something about having to paddle your way to a magical little hideaway sounds, well, magical.

Wedding
Rob and I are taking engagement pictures at the end of September and I have been wondering what we're going to wear. Our photographer posted some tips on what to wear on her blog. Perfect timing, Ashley!
I would totally walk down the aisle to this song if the lyrics weren't so crazy. Think I can make it in forty seconds?
And while we're at it, if I lived in California, Joelle would so totally be my wedding planner.

Videos
The New Mumford & Sons Music Video Parodies Itself and It's Amazing. And I cried.
I'm loving this song so much, and the video is just as beautiful.
A Pep Talk from Kid President to You
She's a Legend covers Mad World. No big deal, that's just my brother's band.

Rob and I are hitting a rooftop happy hour this evening, and tomorrow I predict a night in with Pad Thai and a movie. There's still some unpacking to be done around here. What do you have planned this weekend?

Hello from Minneapolis! It's awesome being here with my mom and Sean. And Rob, my brother, and I are all going to see The Postal Service play tonight in St. Paul! Until then, check out some links I've been hoarding over the past week or two:

Culture
Beautiful words written by a professor I had at Longwood. Her blog is just good in general.
Randomly came across this fantastic campaign the other day and was overwhelmed: Six Overused Creepy Sentences That I Wish Always Had These Surprise Endings.
Interesting study: Women Buy Expensive Gear to Ward Off Rivals.

TV, Movies, and Books
Game of Thrones Characters Return from the Dead at Comic-Con. I must go to Comic-Con.
23 Tips from Famous Writers. I particularly love Neil Gaiman's advice.
Awesome essay on heteronormativity in Ender's Game that tasks, How Queer is Ender?

Cute Things
I'm so not going to need these for very long in Minnesota, but I still love them.
My ModCloth dress obsession is going nowhere fast. See here, here, and here.
(That last one would be perfect for my bridal shower next year and my birthday is in September. Just sayin'.)
Not ready for boots yet, but I've had my eye on this UGG bag for years now.

Inspiration
This looked like what was probably the most culturally rich and interesting wedding I've ever seen.
My Posthumous Advice for My Daughter. This had me laughing and crying at the same time. How beautiful.
Loved these thoughts on majoring in English.

Other Stuff
72 Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Tail Unearthed in Nearly Perfect Condition. So cool.
New blog friends to say hi to this weekend: Britt and Alison.
Remember that e-book giveaway that was hosted by Sarah a few weeks ago? Until August 31, you can use the coupon code FRECKLED13 and get 20% off her book. Get it here!

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Have a wonderful weekend! We're showing Sean and my mom around and soaking up as much time with them as possible before they head back to Virginia. What will you be up to?