Dominican Joe

I enjoy a good cup of coffee. I even specifically remember when I started enjoying it, too. Up until a certain point, I thought coffee was disgusting and I didn't know how my parents could endure the taste. But then one day, probably about 7 years ago now, I was in New York with my best friend, and we were staying with her aunt. We had to get up super early on a chilly fall morning, like before the sun early, because we were catching the train into the city. My friend's aunt made a pot of hazelnut coffee, and we all drank a cup before we headed out. I remember the aroma of it mingled with the excitement for the day ahead, and I remember falling in love with that flavor and that smell and maybe even the possibilities I've associated with a good cup of joe ever since. :)

I also enjoy a good coffee shop, and there are plenty to choose from here in Austin. A couple of my other favorites are Houndstooth and Vintage Heart. Today I'm sharing some photos from Dominican Joe. Such a great little place, and a company with conscience. Stop by, if you're ever in the neighborhood! 

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My Unblemish Story (and a Rodan + Fields full regimen giveaway!)

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today I'm reviewing Unblemish by Rodan + Fields, the same folks who made Proactive. If you have problem skin, you'll want to listen up to this!

It can be easy to fall prey to the assumption that everyone on the Internet is perfect. Perfect home, perfect family, perfect wardrobe, perfect skin, perfect life. But it's important to remember that PHOTOSHOP. And professional photography, and great light, and that you are seeing a filtered version of reality, not the real reality. I try to keep it real on this blog, and that's why I'm writing about my skin today. It's not the best. It's never been the best, but about two years ago it decided to FREAK OUT on me, and ever since then I've been waging this war against adult acne that can be very  frustrating and embarrassing at times. Bonnie, a Rodan + Fields consultant, contacted me to sponsor several months back, and that's when I first became aware of the Unblemish line. After his first stint advertising with me, I bartered some ad space for the Unblemish regimen, on the promise that I would review it IF I had a good experience. And you guys, I did! I really did. 

I debated even posting this before and after picture because I look like death warmed over in the first photo especially (just got out of a hot shower, so my skin was still angry and I had no makeup on except for the eyeliner I did a terrible job of washing off). But I think it's important to see what a difference 6 weeks of Unblemish made for my face, specifically my forehead, which I have the most trouble with. If it takes the shittiest imaginable photo of me to do so, so be it.

I know, I know. Nevvverrr looked better! But this gets the point across, right? That ish WORKS! It worked for me anyway. I feel I should also mention I spent a little time in the sun between the before and after, which I'm sure helped clear me up a little, too. But I haven't been in the sun for about a month now at this point, and my skin is still clearer than it has been in two years.  I am so grateful for Unblemish, and plan to continue using it as long as it continues working for me.

Now excuse me while I go hide my face in shame for posting those god-awful pictures of myself on the Internet. I did it because I love you, people. I did it because I love you.

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If you're interested in winning your own full Rodan + Fields regimen (a $160 value!), then consider entering the giveaway below. There are several different lines to fit all different skin types! Go here if you want to bite the bullet and purchase a regimen today.

GOOD LUCK!

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Three Ways to Customize your Ikea Frames

Today we have a fun art tutorial from my contributor, Brittany from the blog, brittanyMakes. This project is so creative and easy! You are going to love it. 

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Hey everyone! I'm so happy to be back! I was away in July, you know, just getting married and stuff, but I'm finally back from all the wedding shenanigans and here today to share another easy DIY.

Ikea frames are fantastic, they're perfect for the budget-conscious decorator. Ikea's frames are super affordable, and you can pretty much find a style and color that suits your tastes. There's nothing wrong with how Ikea's frames look, but sometimes grouping too many together can look too "Ikea". I think you know what I mean. There are literally thousands of ways you can customize a frame to make it more "you" and to better fit your tastes, but for today's post, I wanted to share with you 3 ways to spruce-up your Ikea frames using household supplies you probably already have lying around!  

Polka Dots!

 

 These definitely aren't your average polka dots. These polka dots were made using two ingredients: adhesive dots and glitter! Adhesive dots come equally spaced on a strip of tape, all you need to do is lay a long piece of the tape on the matting, apply a little pressure on each dot to make sure it's secure, then pull off the back side of the tape to leave perfectly placed adhesive dots.  

The adhesive dots are super sticky, one quick shake of glitter and you're covered! I used a plastic container to catch the glitter.

 

I chose Adhesive Dots over Glue Dots because Adhesive Dots are perfectly round, Glue Dots are kinda misshapen, and I knowing how OCD I am I needed the polka dots to be perfectly round and equally spaced.

 

Voila!

Stripes

You will always go right with black and white, am I right? Ha! I give you permission to make fun of me now :P Anyway, instead of drawing or painting stripes, just grab a roll of electrical tape! First, I 

grabbed an Ikea Virserum frame... 

Then, some electrical tape....

and started taping off stripes. I just eyeballed the spacing of the stripes, but you can use a ruler if you don't trust your measuring skills. But seriously, this project took like 5 minutes and looks crazy good!

 

Chalk it Up

Chalkboard paint isn't just for walls! Using a little artist brush you can turn the matting from your Ikea frame into a chalky doodle board in about an hour.

 

You can draw a cute boarder like I did, or do something crazy like draw thought bubbles and insert captions to pictures. Literally, the creativity is yours!

Learn about all of my great contributors on my Meet The Team Page. 

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Hi! I'm Brittany from the blog brittanyMakes, where I journal my adventures in DIY projects ranging from everyday home decor to handmade jewelry, from tips in photography to stories of bulldogs, and everything else in-between.   I am a fierce accountant by day and a zealous DIYer by night.  I spend my time balancing my love for home decor and design with the everyday responsibilities of my corporate day job.  My main mission is to inspire my readers to do what they love, take risks, and above all, to exercise their creative muscles!