Happy almost-weekend! I don't know about you, but it's been a crazy week over here. Rob and I are off to Virginia this morning to spend a few days in Roanoke before heading to Williamsburg for a wedding on Saturday. I'm so excited to see my family and spend a few days at the lake!

This afternoon I finally have a much-needed acupuncture appointment, and tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut. Lately I've been thinking that it might be time for a change. What do you guys think? Part of me wants to go lighter, part of me wants to go shorter, and still a big part of me wants to just keep doing what I'm doing and leave it alone. I tend to err on the side of just leaving it alone.

Haircut or not, before I head out of town I wanted to share a new-to-me service that rewards you for the online searching that we already do every day.

Bing Rewards allows you to earn rewards for using Bing as your search engine--it's easy as that! You can rack up gift cards to Starbucks, Amazon, and Sephora (among others). We are currently in the midst of making the most summer in Minneapolis (we're moving soon--more on that later!), so I've been doing a lot of Minneapolis parks, lakes, and restaurant searching online over the past few weeks. Bing has made it easy and even better, they're practically paying me to do it. I think you all know how I feel about coffee, and a Starbucks gift card in my wallet every now and then is nothing to complain about.

Bing has helped me discover some of my more recent favorite spots in the city, and I'm so excited to share more of them with you this summer! They even have a super-intuitive mobile app to make searching on the go easier.

So if you aren't using Bing Rewards yet, give them a try--sign up today and start earning rewards! What will you search for this summer?

I'm required to disclose a sponsored partnership between our site and Bing. I have been compensated in exchange for this post in the form of payment, product or experiences.

Bing Rewards

Thank you so much for your support as I continue to work with sponsors.

Rob and I live in a one-bedroom apartment and have more stuff than we know what to do with; so although I would love a little bench by our window, something at the foot of the bed, and a number of other little pieces that would make our place feel even homier, we have managed to refrain from any recent furniture purchases. But when Rust-Oleum® asked me if I'd like to use their Universal® Spray to do a little home project, I couldn't resist.

We picked up a cheap utility cart from Ikea and I got to work! It was originally white, but I wanted to paint it black so it'd match our coffee table, kitchen table, and just generally look a little shinier.

This is my kind of DIY, which is to say that it's incredibly self-explanatory. All you need is a bar cart (extra points if you can find a cool vintage one or build yourself a new one--I couldn't) and some spray paint.

1. In a well-ventilated area or outdoors, lay out newspaper or big huge pieces of wood that you bought during a failed attempt to build a bar cart (actually don't do that--maybe just stick to newspaper) and spray each shelf with smooth, even strokes. I used Rust-Oleum® Universal® Gloss Spray in Black.
2. Let dry overnight before assembling or putting any bottles/glasses/etc. on the shelves.
3. Stock the bar cart! I like to just include the basics (for us, that's vodka, gin, or scotch and some tonic water), with a few little extras (in this case tequila, dry vermouth, Goldschlager or some other fun liqueur). A bowl of limes serves as a nice garnish for drinks and decorates the bar itself.

Rust-Oleum® Universal® Spray Paints offer a variety of on-trend colors and unique finishes, and boast the first-of-its-kind 360 degree any-angle delivery system that allows DIYers to tackle those hard to reach areas, even upside down.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Rust-Oleum® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Rust-Oleum®.

Hello from Roanoke! I have an awesome giveaway for you guys today. Ooh Baby Designs is a sweet little shop that sells bags, scarves, and other adorable handmade items. (I have two scarves and a tote bag and I love them all!) Stephanie of Ooh Baby is giving away one spring scarf to a lucky Freckled Italian reader! Enter below and good luck--I'll pick a winner as soon as I get back from my honeymoon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway