here is what i believe the difference between loving something and being in love with something is:

using today's loose connotation, loving something is inconsistent. you can love objects, colors, people, sounds, etc. overall, considered an "easy" emotion. loving something is more platonic than being in love with something.
being in love is, more or less, a long lived infatuation. if you love something, the feeling is touch and go, and may not last forever. when you are in love, there will always be a trace of admiration that lingers for you to cherish. you cannot be in love with someone if you do not love them first. however, it is easy to love something without being in love.

a clear understanding on loving versus being in love is nearly impossible, and will often oscillate between who you are asking and what you are loving

loving you was easy
but **** it, i was never in love.