Influenster #TLCVoxBox

A couple weeks ago I received my latest VoxBox compliments of Influenster! This one is called the TLC VoxBox and it's designed with moms in mind. It included: Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother, Puffs to Go, Neosporin Neo to Go, Ivory Bar Soap, a Shell Fuel Rewards Network card, and a coupon for a free Breyers Gelato Indulgences! 

The gelato was yummy, and the travel tissues & Neosporin are super handy. I LOVED the throwback packaging on the Ivory Soap! I haven't used the Shell card or the Avon Anew yet but am looking forward to it!

Cropping a photo as a circle or oval in PS

Every year when I make invitations for my kids' birthday parties, I have to re-teach myself how to make a circle or an oval crop of their sweet faces, and this year it's going in the blog for posterity!

First, open your photo in Photoshop. Using the Elliptical Marquee Tool, draw the circle/oval over the area you want to keep. Holding down the shift key while doing so will give you a perfect circle. Next, choose Select -> Inverse. Use the Magic Eraser to erase what you can of the background, then use the regular eraser tool (in a large size) to erase the rest. Because only the inverse is selected, the area within the circle/oval will not be erased even if you go over it with the eraser. Now choose Select -> Deselect, and voila! Now you can crop the image closer to the circle/oval and save it for later use ;)

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam mascara

I received this mascara as a part of my Influenster Rose VoxBox and tried it out. I love it! I'm pretty picky about mascara and absolutely hate when it clumps my lashes together and I have to manually separate them with that tiny metal comb thingy that I'm always worried I'm going to stab myself in the eye with. No worries with this Retro Glam mascara - perfect, clump-free lashes after one swipe! This product is hitting shelves this month and I would definitely recommend picking some up!

Slim-Fast Strawberries ’N’ Cream Shake review

I recently joined the Influenster program, and my first VoxBox contained a Slim-Fast Strawberries 'N' Cream shake, some cocktail recipe cards, and a cute little plastic cocktail glass (which Evie has declared as her own and is now sitting in my living room covered in stickers :) I've tried Slim-Fast shakes in the past and actually really liked them, so I was excited to try the newly repackaged line (they've switched from a can to a plastic bottle with a screw-top lid, which is awesome if you want to keep leftovers in the fridge).

When I opened the shake, the smell was off-putting. I'm not a big fan of strawberry shakes to begin with, so I was pretty skeptical. I tasted a little, and it tasted much better than it smelled. The Mister (who is a HUGE strawberry shake fan) tried it and said it actually reminded him of a McDonald's shake. High praise indeed, sir! I whipped up the Sassy Strawberry Colada recipe that came with my strawberry shake - it included coconut rum, which was promising! It honestly looked a bit like a glass of Pepto Bismal, but luckily the taste was better than the visual. I think it could've used a bit less rum, which is hard for me to say, because coconut rum and I have a love affair dating back many moons. I think maybe the flavor of the shake just wasn't full enough to support the booze. Overall, it was definitely drinkable, but I probably wouldn't make the cocktail again, though that probably has more to do with my strawberry-flavored apathy than the actual quality of the product/recipe. The shake itself is reasonably tasty and conveniently packaged, and I'd be interested to try the other flavors (Rich Chocolate Royale, this means you). 

This post was created in connection with my appointment as a SlimFast Ambassador.

Bow Ties

Several new bow tie patterns will be hitting the shop over the next few days - some are up already, so stop by and check them out! Meanwhile, here's a peek at one of my favorites! Meet Owen:

IG

Now that Instagram is available on Android phones in addition to iPhones, make sure to follow @shanacranedesign for sneak peaks of new products hitting the shop! :)

Productivity

Miss E inexplicably slept late this morning (YAY!), so I was able to finish up and mail out 4(!) orders - and I'm feeling pretty darn proud of myself, can you tell? :)

One order included a Kimberly shabby chiffon headband and a Rosemary crocheted hairbow. I didn't realize until I took the picture how pretty and patriotic they look together! :)

Happy Little Bows

I've been having so much fun crocheting these sweet little hair bows lately! They haven't made it to my shop yet but will soon! :)

Blog Makeover Giveaway

Jessica over at Jessica Sims Design is hosting a Blog Makeover Giveaway! Stop by and enter for a chance to win a basic blog design package or check out her adorable free templates :)

Treasury roundup 4

Wow - Shana Crane Design items have been featured in a lot of great treasuries lately - check them out!:

First up, it's "You don't have to drink wine to enjoy a vineyard" by INK handcrafted, featuring my Petunia headband.



 "If I was any cuter, you might burst an ovary...", is a really adorable collection by Tiki Tales featuring my Pretty in Pink tutu tushie onesie :)


"Labradorite Flash" by Dances with Flowers features my Joshua bow tie - such a pretty collection!


"Purple Shopping Mania" by Meadow Song Arts features my Peggy hair bow and my favorite color ;)



"Autumn Harvest" by Brown Owl Designs features my Sophie headband and a bunch of other sweet fall-inspired items.



Finally, "Orange You Glad It's Fall" by Loopy Gear features my Olivia hair bow and lots of other lovely orangey items :)