{Who's That} The Craft Monkey

I'm so happy to have Heidi visiting again over here at Scraps and Scribbles!  If you didn't catch her first guest post, you can check it out here.  She's here today sharing something really fun with you all-enjoy!

Hey Y'all! I'm Heidi@TheCraftMonkey and I'm so excited to be guesting at Scraps and Scribbles today! Thanks so much Courtney for having me! This week I'm Co-Hosting a Summer Safari with 2 other fabulous ladies, Lauren@The Elephants Trunk and Kyla@The Funky Polka Dot Giraffe! You can visit The Elephants Trunk to link up a front porch project, then on Friday you'll want to head to The Funky Polka Dot Giraffe for a Summer Recipe Party! 

But today, I'm hosting a PENNANT PARTY! I'm a girl who LOVES a fun pennant! So make sure to head over to my blog and link up all of your fun pennant projects {past or present}! 

Since I'm hosting a Pennant Party, of course I HAD to show you a fun project I made that's accented with a pennant! I recently made a Starfish Flag {inspired by The Lettered Cottage}. Here's my version, made using Paint Stirrer Sticks! {You can buy them at Wal-Mart for about a quarter each!}

How do you like that Pennant Banner on my mantel? I won it from Day Dream Believers! Adorable, right!

After I made the flag, I decided I wanted to make it double sided so that I could get twice as much use out of it! When I flipped it over, it totally looked like a picket fence! So there was my new project! I painted the back white, added another paint stirrer and strung it with a pennant made from yardstick and twine!

Isn't it just as cute on my mantel as the starfish flag!

See, doesn't it look like a cute little picket fence!

Here's a close up of the paper pennant!

Thanks again Courtney for having me! I hope you will all visit The Craft Monkey Blog and link up your pennant projects, and remember they can be an old project or a new project!

How fun!  Thanks so much for sharing this cute project, Heidi!  If you have a pennant project, go link it up and check out the rest of the Summer Safari fun!

{Tips and Tricks} How to Beat the Heat and Still Look Cute

Summer is right around the corner-for some of us, it's already here.  Here in Florida, it's been in the 90's for a while!  With summer comes the hot weather, which means a change in our beauty routines.  As a native Floridian, I am more than familiar with the challenges that the heat and humidity can bring when it comes to keeping your make-up, hair and clothes looking put together.  Here are my how-to's for looking your best all summer long:

Switch your moisturizer.

This one is simple and easy.  In the summer, your skin, especially your face still needs moisturizer, but not the heavy stuff you were using in the winter and spring.  Switch to a light-weight, fast-absorbing formula that has SPF in it-that'll save you the added step of putting on sunscreen AND will put less product on your face.  In the summer, less is always more when it comes to your skincare routine.  I personally like a tinted moisturizer, which gives me just the right hint of color and knocks out the need for foundation.

I swear by this moisturizer.  It's mark.'s Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15.  It's super light-weight and gives a great flush of color.  And at only $10, it's cheaper than anything else comparable to it on the market!  So you can look fab AND not break the bank.  On days when I'm rushed, I put on some of this, a swipe of mascara and I'm good to go!

Ditch the foundation.

I already mentioned that I use a tinted moisturizer in lieu of foundation.  To keep my face from getting shiny, I set it with this awesome cream-to-powder mineral make up that mark. just launched.  

It is amazing!  It gives great coverage, lasts all day and is light-weight.  And it keeps me looking put together even in the hot Florida sun.  Again, the less you put on your face, the better your make up will hold up.

Primer is a girl's best friend.

It's usually diamonds, but trust me, in the summer, primer will quickly become your BFF.  If you have oily-prone skin, primer will get you through the summer months like nothing else.  You'll wonder how you ever lived without it.  Primer creates a nice, even surface on your skin, so that when you apply your make up, it stays put!  And it holds up in the heat.  mark.'s Primed to Perfection Face Primer is a steal at only $10 and works like a dream!

Even if you don't have oil issues, I strongly recommend AT LEAST using an eye primer.  It does the same thing, but for your eyelids.  It'll keep your eye make up in place ALL DAY LONG!  No more raccoon eyes, or case of the disappearing eyeshadow.

You will never catch me without my Please Hold Eye Primer from mark. on.  This little compact lasts and lasts and does the same for your eye make up.  And it doubles as an eye concealor.  AND it's only $8!

Tame that Frizz.

The humidity can bring out a side of our hair we'd like to hide under a hat.  And that is a great option-not only are hats super cute but they also keep the sun out of your eyes!  But there are going to be occasions throughout the summer where you just can't wear a hat.  So, what to do with that frizz?  First things first, determine the cause of the frizz.  Many of us assume it's the humidity when in actuality, it's damage caused by coloring or heat styling.  Never fear, there are fixes for all of these reasons.  I lovelovelove LOVE John Frieda products.  There is something for nearly every cause of frizz that will leave your hair absolutely gorgeous.  My most favorite and trusted John Frieda product?

Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Cream.  It's is very aptly named because it really is my secret weapon to pretty, frizz-free hair.  You just smooth a tiny amount on after doing your hair and it tames all of those little flyaways.  And it even works great on curly hair.  Headbands are great in the summertime because they keep your hair back and off of your face, which can make you oily.  And if you don't feel like dealing with your hair every day, there are plenty of cute, simply ways to style your hair. Check out totalbeauty.com for inspiration and how-to's.

Keep it light.

Clothing-wise, I stick with light fabrics and light colors.  Darker colors do actually trap more heat, which will make you hotter.  Whenever I can, I'm wearing shorts or leggings or a skirt.  And my new favorite is the maxi dress.  Some think "Why would I want a long dress in the summer?"  Answer:  It'll keep you cooler than you think.  It's all in the fabric choice.  Look for something light-weight, but not sheer (cause then you're going to need a slip to keep the world from seeing your bits, which means adding another layer, which totally defeats the purpose of the maxi in the first place) and something "breathable."  

I LOVE this new one from mark.  It has a gorg pattern, is nice and light-weight and uber comfy.  I pair it with a black Wonder Tee (from DownEast), some cute sandals and I'm good to go.

What are your must-haves for keeping cool in the summer heat?

{Fashion Friday} It's Almost That Time!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express. All opinions are 100% mine.

{So this was supposed to be up Friday, but I was having some technical difficulties, so here it is, a few days late : ) } 

I'm talking about swimsuit season, people!  Here in Florida, it's just about warm enough to hit the beach and actually get in the water (if you're the play-in-the-sand type, it's already warm enough for that.)  So, it means it's time to pick out a cute suit once again.

I'm loving all the cute looks over at Express.

You can never go wrong with a simple black suit and I love the boyshorts

I just love the patter on this kinda retro suit.  Very cute!

Bold patterns in bright colors are going to be big this summer and this bikini fits the bill perfectly.

Speaking of bold patterns, I love the animal-style print on this monokini

I'm a sucker for stripes-they're simple yet make a statement.  And I'm really liking purple for swim suits right now.  Isn't this one just adorable?

Cute ruffles in a pretty, bright color-how could you go wrong in this binkini?  It comes in other colors, too!

So, head on over to Express to check out all of their  women's swimwear and dive into the season’s sexiest swimwear.

Hey, and while you're there, sign up for Express e-mail-you'll get updates on sales, special offers and be entered to win 1 of 10 $200 Express gift cards!  Who wouldn't want that?!

(Be sure to check out the sweepstakes rules for all of the details.  Contest ends on 4/21.)

Hot Hot Hot!

I'm a native Floridian.  Lived my entire life, except during our brief adventure to the wild, wild west (aka New Mexico.)  I love living in the Sunshine State.  It'll be my home, no matter where I live.  You can take the Courtney out of Florida, but you can't take the Florida out of Courtney.  I'm used to the heat, the humidity and the mosquitoes.  But just because I'm used to them, doesn't mean I like them.  It was hot today.  Very hot.  Like 90's hot.  It's like we skipped spring and went straight from winter to summer.  The funny thing is we actually had a very cold winter here.  So I thought it would be a little while before it got this hot.  Apparently that was just wishful thinking.  The nice thing about it being so hot is that the pool at our apartment complex has warmed up, so we're able to go swim to cool off.  And the beach isn't that far away.  I love the beach.  So does the hubs.  And the little man.  Bad thing, my electric bill is definitely going to go up since I've been running my AC so much.    Our snakes have been enjoying the balmy conditions, though.  They like it hot.

What are you all doing to beat the heat?

Be sure to stop by tomorrow.  I've got some fun up my sleeve : )

It's (Almost) Summer!

Running with my beach-y post from the weekend, I wanted to share some of mark's new items to help kick off the summer.  They've teamed up with legendary designer Carlos Falchi (Sex in the City fans, you've probably seen his Hands bag) and have come out with an amazing line.  The whole line is inspired by Rio and has everything from fashion to jewelry to, of course, make up.  And mark has a first for summer-their first ever bikini!  Designed by Carlos!  And TWO new fragrances to whisk you away to Rio.  You can check out what's new on the mark tab up above or go to mark's website and click on What's New.  Who says you have to wait to June 21st for summer to start?