I’m starting to develop a hint of a tan thanks to daily walks and some time by the pool, and nothing looks better with a healthy glow than sunny colors. I think that’s why I’ve been drawn to yellow, orange, and gold this week.

(White is also another favorite – but that’s getting a post of its own soon!)

So fresh and invigorating!

So, what ended up in your (imaginary) shopping cart this week?

Gold Dot Necklace

Nanette Lapore Frolicsome Tank

Summer Fun Bobby Pins

daniblack Greet Sandals

Santorini Cardigan

Kate Spade Jamesport Natia Purse

Congratulations to the winner…Tina Renyolds!

Here are your random numbers:

19	

Timestamp: 2010-04-07 16:50:04 UTC

Great news! This giveaway is a Prizey Pick! Thanks to Prizey for recognizing what a great giveaway this is and welcome to everyone from Prizey – good luck!

My mom always said that when a couple gets married, the husband is absorbed into the wife’s side of the family and the wife struggles to be accepted into the husband’s side of the family. I think that’s an astute observation that’s proved at least somewhat true in the majority of marriages amongst my friends and family.

I don’t think that dynamic is intentional, but being from a family of mostly girls, I think it’s the result of women having closer relationships with their family than men. I’m sure there are studies to prove me wrong and mother’s of mama’s boys that will say differently, but that’s my observation.

This all makes for an interesting relationship between Mother-in-Laws and Daughter-in-Laws, which Ellie Slott Fisher diplomatically addresses in her latest book, It’s Either Her or Me: A Guide to Help a Mom and Her Daughter-in-Law Get Along.

Issues in any relationship are never entirely the fault of one person, and as much as any Mother-in-Law or Daughter-in-Law will point the finger at the other, Ellie suggests they sit back and consider the following…

For the Mother-in-Laws

• Why it’s important for moms to give up control and let the girlfriend or wife take first place;
• When it’s appropriate for a mother-in-law to voice an opinion and how to do so without putting her son on the defensive;
• How moms can reach out to the new women in their son’s life without being overbearing;

For the Daughter-in-Laws

• How girlfriends can show respect to their partner’s mother, while simultaneously setting boundaries;
• Why you should trust your boyfriend or husband when dealing with an issue with his mom;
• Why it’s important to involve your future mother-in-law in the wedding process;
• How to navigate the often difficult dynamic with a sister-in-law and why that can be so challenging.

Don’t think the son/husband is innocent in all of this! There’s a whole chapter on his role in the relationship and how taking a back seat does not improve the situation. Communication must be clear and concise and it starts with him!

I was also pleasantly surprised to see Ellie discuss how sisters play into a guy’s relationships. I am a sister (although not to a guy, but I do have a 15 year old cousin that’s very much a brother-sister relationship). I have a sister. Sisters can be nasty.

It’s quite startling how many relationships It’s Either Her or Me covers. Mothers, sons, sisters, mother-in-laws, daughter-in-laws, wives, girlfriends, husbands, and brothers. If you’re one of these people in a strained relationship, you need to read this book.

Lucky for you, I’m giving away a copy!

Main Entry – that means you must complete this entry to win!

• Are you a Mother-in-Law or a Daughter-in-Law? Are there any aspects of your relationship that you’d like to improve?

Extra Entries – you can complete any or all of these for extra entries. Please leave a separate comment for each entry!

• Subscribe to my log by RSS feed or email subscription
• Follow @CorrinRenee and @EllieSFisher on Twitter
• Tweet a link to this post and include @CorrinRenee and @EllieSFisher in your Tweet

The fine print… Entries will be accepted until midnight, Tuesday, April 6th. One (1) winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, April 7th. Winner will be contacted by email and/or Twitter and will have 48 hours to respond. Please use your real first name a valid email address when entering. I am not responsible for incorrect contact information. Prize will be shipped directly from sponsor. Good luck!

This is a sponsored giveaway. I received a copy of It’s Either Her or Me from Random House in order to craft my review. The author is also a client whom I am assisting with online book promotion. Please see my site policy if you have any questions.

Always Forever and No Matter What Wall Decal from Etsy

Does that sound like a threat to anyone else?

Reminds of the ” Nicole 4 EVA” scene in Fear. The one where Marky Mark carves that touching phrase into his chest. You know the scene. Don’t get all shifty-eyed like you haven’t seen Fear. Marky Mark was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, you know.

I admit it. I love to tan. I like the way I look with a tan, I like the way I feel with a tan, and I like relaxing by the pool for an afternoon whenever I can.

But after the Great Skin Cancer Scare of 2009, I’ve laid off of the sun worshiping and am now an avid SPF50 (Okay. Fine. SPF15.) user. As much as I love having a tan, I’ve stayed away from self tanner because 1.) it stinks 2.) I’m lazy and 3.) I prefer not to look like Christina Aguilera.

Since I’m unemployed and have nowhere to go so nobody cares if I’m orange or stink, I threw caution to the wind and tried Smart Shield Self Tanner.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it smells great, but it’s not nearly as offensive as other self tanners. I didn’t come out looking like Xtina, which is good, but I didn’t look like a bronze goddess after several applications, either.

I’d recommend Smart Shield as a great moisturizer and SPF15 sunscreen as opposed to a self tanner. It’s not oily or greasy, it contains vitamins and aloe vera, and it has the added benefit of gradually giving you a little color.

Sidebar: Does anyone else miss Xtina and her dirrrty persona? I sure do.

I was sent a bottle of Smart Shield Self Tanner in order to craft my review. Please see my site policy if you have any questions.

I love this video. It’s mushy and sweet with a slight twinge of disgust. The girl is clearly annoyed but trying to be polite and gracious since she’s being filmed.

You know she thought it was going to culminate with a proposal – because even though she says she hopes he isn’t going to propose, you know she thinks he’s going to. I would have thought so, too!

Instead, it just ends abruptly; her with an armful of prickly flowers and an uncomfortable look on her face and him thanking everyone for helping him…do what, exactly?