And we're off!
A new year is a time for renewal. A fresh look on life. A self-awareness plan you get to adjust each year.
A year is just the compounded minutes and days, then weeks that make up your years.
How are you spending your minutes?
An even better question...how do you WANT spend your minutes?
I love the idea of a bucket list and spend your minutes on experiences rather than buying stuff.
We will all kick the bucket sooner or later (morbid, but it is true!)
You have to take your time on this earth seriously and shine to others who need some light.
Here's a notated list of my bucket list:
Go skiing
Skydive
Learn to crochet (this year)
Travel to all continents
Pay off all debt (2016, baby)
Share my story from a stage
Feed the homeless
Play instrument, maybe the drums
Have a few chitlins
Foster some chitlins
Get a dog!
Learn photography
Wear a bikini & be proud of my size
Cook well
Be a servant leader
Sailboating in a sea
Make piece of pottery
Muddy 4 wheeler ride
Make my own vino
Sea to table dinner
Stay on the beach in Rio
Grow a garden & can our own food
Earn a pink cadillac
Surf
Blogging (here we go :)
Learn to sew
Take my pops to Hawaii
Sing at church or in front of audience
Meet Darren Hardy
Bless tons of people
Grow leaders in my organization
Go on the Prize is Right!
Spend time in Cali (going next week)
The list keeps growing when you give yourself permission to dream. Have you given yourself that permission? God has such an amazing world out there just waiting for you!
But you have to take the first step. He will give you what you need, but you have to grab it from his hands.
What are some of your dreams??
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Monday, December 28, 2015
My mantra for 2016 is "Start With You." We can all think of what resolutions we made last year. And which ones fell by the wayside only a few weeks in. We can beat ourselves up or we can choose to keep going. I've made sure to change my language and these are not resolutions but commitments I make to myself. Doesn't always work for me, but it's getting better each time.
So to start 2016 off right, this is my 2016 Life Commitment plan.
I will be tracking my progress in all different parts of life & hope you enjoy the ride. :)
Monday, November 10, 2014
Prevent Wrinkles ~ Stop doing these 8 things!
No matter your age, you have probably thought of wrinkles. While there are an abundance of pricey products out there claiming to get rid of all wrinkles, what we really want is to age gracefully. These are everyday habits you can check off your list that will keep your face less prone to wrinkles.
1. Leaving it vulnerable to pollution.
When mastering how to prevent wrinkles, there are some things you can't control, pollution being one of them. Pollution actually reduces the oxygen and collagen in your skin and can mess with your skin tone, leaving it blotchy and causing breakouts. Seriously? Combat pollution by using SPF, washing your face every night before bed, exfoliating up to 3x per week, and moisturizing.
2. Over-washing and Under-moisturizing.
Washing your face feels amazing. But too much of a good thing can turn ugly. Excessive face washing can dry out your skin, leaving it dull and highlighting damaged areas, even making them worse. Wash you face with a cleanser that is formulated for your skin. After washing, your skin should not feel tight, which indicates moisture has been stripped away. And when you do wash your face, moisturize with a product that matches your skin type. Even oily peeps need moisture! (Oil-free moisturizers are out there)
3. Stretching your skin to apply makeup.
This is one of the most important BAD habits to break if you want to age gracefully without buying a new face (which could be pretty expensive). The more you contort your skin to get your makeup just right, the more wrinkles you will end up with. Like, tomorrow. Brushes can help you break this habit so you don't touch your face with bare hands and product goes in the right place every time. Keep those mitts away.
4. Not getting enough sleep.
Ever heard of Beauty Sleep? There is a reason they call it that. When you're dreaming at night, your skn regenerates the cells in your body. The less sleep you get, the less time your skin and the beauty products you use have time to do their thing. A study by the UH Case Medical Center found women who only slept five hours each night for a month had TWICE as many wrinkles and spots than those who slept for seven hours. Do whatever you can to get your head on that pillow.
5. Not drinking enough water.
As we age, our skin looses moisture and gets thinner. We must drink water to keep our skin moisturized as well. Daily, aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water dialy. Drink up!
6. Drinking water from a bottle/straw.
Think of how we contort our mouths when we drink through a straw. What about when you purse your lips to sip from a water bottle? Both of these movements are creating more lines and wrinkles around your lips and can even create more lines around your eyes as well. Either pour your drinks into a glass, or find a water bottle that has a glass-sized opening.
7. Going to bed with your makeup on.
Don't raise your hand if you've done it. Just make a mental note: we have all done it from time to time. But when this becomes a habit, you are basically inviting wrinkles to enjoy your face. The makeup, along with pollutants from the day, seep into your pores and break down your skin's elasticity. Always cleanse & moisturize before bed. Every. Single. Night.
8. Neglecting your neck and hands.
Many of us obsess over the wrinkles on our face, but neglect moisturizing our neck & hands. Think of your neck as an extension of your face so you aren't plaqued with the dreaded "turkey neck". Hands are one of the ways the carnival kids are taught to tell your age at those dreaded games! Make this a daily routine and you will win a prize everytime!
XOXOX
Mrs. Hall
1. Leaving it vulnerable to pollution.
When mastering how to prevent wrinkles, there are some things you can't control, pollution being one of them. Pollution actually reduces the oxygen and collagen in your skin and can mess with your skin tone, leaving it blotchy and causing breakouts. Seriously? Combat pollution by using SPF, washing your face every night before bed, exfoliating up to 3x per week, and moisturizing.
2. Over-washing and Under-moisturizing.
Washing your face feels amazing. But too much of a good thing can turn ugly. Excessive face washing can dry out your skin, leaving it dull and highlighting damaged areas, even making them worse. Wash you face with a cleanser that is formulated for your skin. After washing, your skin should not feel tight, which indicates moisture has been stripped away. And when you do wash your face, moisturize with a product that matches your skin type. Even oily peeps need moisture! (Oil-free moisturizers are out there)
3. Stretching your skin to apply makeup.
This is one of the most important BAD habits to break if you want to age gracefully without buying a new face (which could be pretty expensive). The more you contort your skin to get your makeup just right, the more wrinkles you will end up with. Like, tomorrow. Brushes can help you break this habit so you don't touch your face with bare hands and product goes in the right place every time. Keep those mitts away.
4. Not getting enough sleep.
Ever heard of Beauty Sleep? There is a reason they call it that. When you're dreaming at night, your skn regenerates the cells in your body. The less sleep you get, the less time your skin and the beauty products you use have time to do their thing. A study by the UH Case Medical Center found women who only slept five hours each night for a month had TWICE as many wrinkles and spots than those who slept for seven hours. Do whatever you can to get your head on that pillow.
5. Not drinking enough water.
As we age, our skin looses moisture and gets thinner. We must drink water to keep our skin moisturized as well. Daily, aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water dialy. Drink up!
6. Drinking water from a bottle/straw.
Think of how we contort our mouths when we drink through a straw. What about when you purse your lips to sip from a water bottle? Both of these movements are creating more lines and wrinkles around your lips and can even create more lines around your eyes as well. Either pour your drinks into a glass, or find a water bottle that has a glass-sized opening.
7. Going to bed with your makeup on.
Don't raise your hand if you've done it. Just make a mental note: we have all done it from time to time. But when this becomes a habit, you are basically inviting wrinkles to enjoy your face. The makeup, along with pollutants from the day, seep into your pores and break down your skin's elasticity. Always cleanse & moisturize before bed. Every. Single. Night.
8. Neglecting your neck and hands.
Many of us obsess over the wrinkles on our face, but neglect moisturizing our neck & hands. Think of your neck as an extension of your face so you aren't plaqued with the dreaded "turkey neck". Hands are one of the ways the carnival kids are taught to tell your age at those dreaded games! Make this a daily routine and you will win a prize everytime!
XOXOX
Mrs. Hall
Friday, September 5, 2014
BE Vibrant!
A good anti-aging regimen may not take 10 years off your face after a few applications, but using the right products regularly to nourish, rejuvenate and repair skin will lead to a noticeably smoother, softer, and more vibrant complexion.
In the face of the seemingly endless shelves of anti-aging products that claim to erase lines, diminish wrinkles, plump up waning skin and repair damage inflicted by sun and time, how can you tell what really works? Here are a few tips to help navigate choices and maximize results. (Mary Kay is pretty awesome btw...just saying... 😘)
Read Ingredient Lists
The front of the package may wax poetic about active ingredients, but read the fine print to see just how active they are. The further down the ingredient appears on the ingredient list, the less of it the formula actually contains.
Simpler is Better
Products with everything and the kitchen sink are not necessarily the best. Simpler formulas may contain higher amounts of active ingredients than those with dozens of them.
Products with everything and the kitchen sink are not necessarily the best. Simpler formulas may contain higher amounts of active ingredients than those with dozens of them.
Use as Directed
If a little is good, more is not always better. Active ingredients can be detrimental to skin if too much is used. Applying too much or too frequently can lead to irritation, clogged pores, and blotchy skin.
Be a Loyalist
Using too many products can overload your skin rendering products less effective and can cause irritation. Make sure to also use one brand of skincare, not a cleanser from so&so and moisturizer from that-brand-off-shelf. All products from Mary Kay have been used, & will follow the claims, if you use Mary Kay products, not use other brands along with it.
Show Product Patience
Some products may yield immediate results, but many work best over time. Try using the same regime of products consistently for at least 2 weeks before giving the verdict.
Search for a 100% Guarantee
Most brands do not give you your money back if their product doesn't do what it says it is supposed to. With some companies, such as Mary Kay, they offer their own 100% guarantee and will refund your money if you don't like the products for any reason. Good Housekeepingg is also a great resource when it comes to finding out what products really work. They are an independent company that tests products to see if they do what they claim...novel idea!!! All our skincare lines have the Good Housekeeping Seal, not too shabby, eh?
What's your tip when trying a new skincare line??
Stay Beautiful!
xoxoxoxox Amanda Hall
What's your tip when trying a new skincare line??
Stay Beautiful!
xoxoxoxox Amanda Hall
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Are you a VIP??
I always say a new tube of mascara is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. I swoon over opening a new tube. I actually get pretty excited when I run low! It goes on so smooth, just the best. It is seriously one of the best moments ever. #makeupgeek
It's scary to know that there can be all kinds of funky stuff in there after a while. Rule of thumb is replace your mascara about every 3 months; because your eye is such a sensitive area, you want to make sure to abide by this rule pretty closely.
You deserve to have your makeup hygiene up to pYou deserv to have safe mascara and have quality products.
Hence, Mascara VIP.
You are sent a mascara every 3 months so you can throw your old one out before it gets funky & grows crazy bacteria.
No shipping charge, 100% guaranteed, Good Housekeeping Seal of approval. Can't get any better!
You check your mailbox on the 3rd of every 3rd month & get the goodies out of your mailbox. End of story.
Since you are ready to sign up, send an email to bleedpink101@gmail.com with your name, address, and phone#. I will call to arrange payment info.
For the whole year, pay only 65 bones and get a special limited edition bonus gift once a year.
Cancel anytime.
Much love,
Amanda
It's scary to know that there can be all kinds of funky stuff in there after a while. Rule of thumb is replace your mascara about every 3 months; because your eye is such a sensitive area, you want to make sure to abide by this rule pretty closely.
You deserve to have your makeup hygiene up to pYou deserv to have safe mascara and have quality products.
Hence, Mascara VIP.
You are sent a mascara every 3 months so you can throw your old one out before it gets funky & grows crazy bacteria.
No shipping charge, 100% guaranteed, Good Housekeeping Seal of approval. Can't get any better!
You check your mailbox on the 3rd of every 3rd month & get the goodies out of your mailbox. End of story.
Since you are ready to sign up, send an email to bleedpink101@gmail.com with your name, address, and phone#. I will call to arrange payment info.
For the whole year, pay only 65 bones and get a special limited edition bonus gift once a year.
Cancel anytime.
Much love,
Amanda
Sunday, June 29, 2014
10 things you need to know if you want to DIY your Wedding Makeup
Through my own wedding planning process, there have been lots of decisions. Like, a million of them. From dinner entrees to vendors to what cups to use, it has been a lot of decisions.
Once you get all the big things out of the way, like photographer, venue, caterer, you get to the fun stuff. The dress, the hair, the makeup. What do you want to look like on your big day? Are you the Glam girl that loves to play up her eyes? Or the natural girl that doesn't wear much makeup? Whatever your style is, rock it on the big day! This is the time to absolutely be your amazing self.
As I make preparations for my own wedding day, I am blessed to have this makeup thing down pat! Every girl should have the option to do their makeup on their big day if they feel comfortable. With that being said, make sure you use these tips to make the most of your makeup and keep it looking stunning all day. This post if for anyone, the mascara-&-lipbalm chic or the glamour-girl, here are some tips every bride needs to follow.
***Note: I'm a makeup professional and HIGHLY encourage brides to have a makeup artist do their makeup the day of. Those pictures do last forever! Whether you choose to have a makeup artist or not, make sure that you have spoken with them about your likes & dislikes and they clearly understand your vision. You don't want it to turn into their version of what they think you should look like on your wedding day. It is your beautiful version that should always be #1 priority.***
#1 Don't skimp on the essentials.
It doesn't have to cost a fortune to get high quality, luxury makeup. There are some products that you should spend a little more on than others to get the look you desire & will last all day long.
Foundation primer- We don't need our makeup to go anywhere...especially since there are many factors against you that day. White dress + makeup runs = disaster! Foundation primer ensures it's not going anywhere.
Makeup Finishing spray- These are not all made equally, so be careful when purchasing. You should be able to put on makeup finishing spray, go to the gym for an hour, sweat profusely, & your makeup stay in the same spot. Try it out. (And MK has a 100% guarantee...so if you don't like it you can actually return it!)
Eyeshadow primer/base- You don't want you makeup to go anywhere, especially anything around your eyes. Once you apply eye primer, also put on a concealor base that is one shade lighter than your foundation. This is guarantee your shadow looks like the color it is meant to, without the blue tint from the veins on your eyelids, which will tint the shadow.
Mascara- A high quality mascara is the best thing in the world. It is like Christmas to me when I get to open a fresh new tube. Heavenly! Mascara makes all the difference in the world, especially if you are rocking falsies. I suggest the Lash Love black mascara...waterproof of course. :)
Brushes- These will make all the difference in the world. You shouldn't put on any product without a brush. It's designed to use brushes and that's how you will get the best look. Not to mention, it makes your product last almost 2x longer! Love it!
#2 Trends vs Classic
Remember the blue shadow in the 80's? Brides that used this look on their big day probably regret it when they look through their pictures now. Make sure to pick a look based on your eye color and your likes/dislikes. a Mary Kay beauty consultant can provide this service...for free! They will custom design a look to fit your needs and make you look stunning.
Just because it is on trend now doesn't mean it will be in 30 years, when you still have your pictures to prove it.
#3 Purchase & use a consistent skincare routine at least a year in advance
You want to have radiant skin. Period. We all do. Make sure to find skincare that does its job and gives you the best results. Invest in skincare, not off the shelf at Walmart. A professional consultant will be able to assess your skin and your needs to provide what products will work best for you. If that skincare needs to be tweaked, you need ample time to be able to do that. You also want to have enough time to get your skin looking so wonderful you don't need a ton of makeup if you don't want to. Makeup is fun, but skincare should be the #1 priority.
#4 When is your wedding? What part of the year?
Now, onto makeup. You should wait until about a month out to purchase makeup for the big day or do any makeup trials, especially if your complexion gets lighter or darker according to the seasons. I love tanning (after I slather on the SPF, of course!) and my foundation, concealor, and even blushes that I use during the winter look horrible on me now that I am tan. You need to wait so you can make sure the colors are exactly what you need to compliment your skin tone.
#5 Adding eyeliner on your waterline under your eye will make your eyes look smaller
See what I'm saying? To make eyes look bigger, don't go all around, just from the outer corner about a third or half toward the inner corner. And make sure to smudge your eyeliner on top so it gives you a softer look, not such a rocker-chic look, unless that's what you are going for. You can also purchase a white eyeliner to use on lower waterline to make your eyes look whiter & you look much more awake. Especially helpful if you had a little too much fun with the vino at the rehearsal dinner. :)
#6 Your makeup WILL look different in professional photos than on your smartphone camera
You may need to add a bit more makeup to make sure the effects will be seen on film. Keep this in mind and do a few test runs. Ask a friend with a semi-professional camera to shoot a couple pics so you can see what you need to amp up. Ask yourself, what needs to be added? The most common are blush, mascara, and lipstick. Try to find the middle ground of "what looks good in real life" and "what looks good in pictures".
Also check your makeup in artificial light & natural light. Take a mirror along and take a walk in both. Do you look a tad more yellow/pale in some? You may need to change the shade of your foundation and match your undertone more.
#7 To wear or not to wear fake lashes?? That is the question!
There are tons of videos online about how to apply fake lashes and most of them are decent. If you don't want to wear fake ones and want to make the most of yours, you can also check out this video on a step-by-step tutorial & products she uses to make hers look amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6qm18ZkO2w
#8 Contouring...how bad can it be??
It doesn't have to be scary! It can pop your features or help hide problem areas. Watch it to get amazing cheekbones & an awesome glow, even better for those summertime brides!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Me1URO9inM
#9 Let's talk about eyebrows...
Don't be a statistic with crazy brows, like I know you have seen on Pinterest. Just watch a video to learn how you need them to look! It's really a lot easier than you think it is. If I can learn, anyone can! I adore our mechanical brow pencil, it gives a softer look and puts color on your actual brow rather than your skin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfYld985CT8
#10 Use a lip primer & make your MOH your lipstick holder/watcher
Any primer is going to keep whatever product you put on last way longer than normal. On the wedding day, you will be talking, drinking, all kinds of things and will need to reapply your lipstick. If you wear a gloss, it will wear off faster. Your MOH can have that job of maing sure you always have lips on. Soooooo important in pictures! Without any color whatsoever on your lips makes people look a little on the undead side.
And there you have it! There are tons more tips and tricks for bridal makeup & DIY application that you can learn from your own Mary Kay consultant. Don't know one in your area? Head to marykay.com and click "Find a Consultant." Enter in your zip code & voila!
In the Kentucky area? Hit me up and I am at your service!
bleedpink101@gmail.com
Have more tips on DIY bridal makeup??
Comment below! We would love to hear from you!
Once you get all the big things out of the way, like photographer, venue, caterer, you get to the fun stuff. The dress, the hair, the makeup. What do you want to look like on your big day? Are you the Glam girl that loves to play up her eyes? Or the natural girl that doesn't wear much makeup? Whatever your style is, rock it on the big day! This is the time to absolutely be your amazing self.
As I make preparations for my own wedding day, I am blessed to have this makeup thing down pat! Every girl should have the option to do their makeup on their big day if they feel comfortable. With that being said, make sure you use these tips to make the most of your makeup and keep it looking stunning all day. This post if for anyone, the mascara-&-lipbalm chic or the glamour-girl, here are some tips every bride needs to follow.
***Note: I'm a makeup professional and HIGHLY encourage brides to have a makeup artist do their makeup the day of. Those pictures do last forever! Whether you choose to have a makeup artist or not, make sure that you have spoken with them about your likes & dislikes and they clearly understand your vision. You don't want it to turn into their version of what they think you should look like on your wedding day. It is your beautiful version that should always be #1 priority.***
#1 Don't skimp on the essentials.
It doesn't have to cost a fortune to get high quality, luxury makeup. There are some products that you should spend a little more on than others to get the look you desire & will last all day long.
Foundation primer- We don't need our makeup to go anywhere...especially since there are many factors against you that day. White dress + makeup runs = disaster! Foundation primer ensures it's not going anywhere.
Makeup Finishing spray- These are not all made equally, so be careful when purchasing. You should be able to put on makeup finishing spray, go to the gym for an hour, sweat profusely, & your makeup stay in the same spot. Try it out. (And MK has a 100% guarantee...so if you don't like it you can actually return it!)
Eyeshadow primer/base- You don't want you makeup to go anywhere, especially anything around your eyes. Once you apply eye primer, also put on a concealor base that is one shade lighter than your foundation. This is guarantee your shadow looks like the color it is meant to, without the blue tint from the veins on your eyelids, which will tint the shadow.
Mascara- A high quality mascara is the best thing in the world. It is like Christmas to me when I get to open a fresh new tube. Heavenly! Mascara makes all the difference in the world, especially if you are rocking falsies. I suggest the Lash Love black mascara...waterproof of course. :)
Brushes- These will make all the difference in the world. You shouldn't put on any product without a brush. It's designed to use brushes and that's how you will get the best look. Not to mention, it makes your product last almost 2x longer! Love it!
#2 Trends vs Classic
Remember the blue shadow in the 80's? Brides that used this look on their big day probably regret it when they look through their pictures now. Make sure to pick a look based on your eye color and your likes/dislikes. a Mary Kay beauty consultant can provide this service...for free! They will custom design a look to fit your needs and make you look stunning.
Just because it is on trend now doesn't mean it will be in 30 years, when you still have your pictures to prove it.
#3 Purchase & use a consistent skincare routine at least a year in advance
You want to have radiant skin. Period. We all do. Make sure to find skincare that does its job and gives you the best results. Invest in skincare, not off the shelf at Walmart. A professional consultant will be able to assess your skin and your needs to provide what products will work best for you. If that skincare needs to be tweaked, you need ample time to be able to do that. You also want to have enough time to get your skin looking so wonderful you don't need a ton of makeup if you don't want to. Makeup is fun, but skincare should be the #1 priority.
#4 When is your wedding? What part of the year?
Now, onto makeup. You should wait until about a month out to purchase makeup for the big day or do any makeup trials, especially if your complexion gets lighter or darker according to the seasons. I love tanning (after I slather on the SPF, of course!) and my foundation, concealor, and even blushes that I use during the winter look horrible on me now that I am tan. You need to wait so you can make sure the colors are exactly what you need to compliment your skin tone.
#5 Adding eyeliner on your waterline under your eye will make your eyes look smaller
See what I'm saying? To make eyes look bigger, don't go all around, just from the outer corner about a third or half toward the inner corner. And make sure to smudge your eyeliner on top so it gives you a softer look, not such a rocker-chic look, unless that's what you are going for. You can also purchase a white eyeliner to use on lower waterline to make your eyes look whiter & you look much more awake. Especially helpful if you had a little too much fun with the vino at the rehearsal dinner. :)
#6 Your makeup WILL look different in professional photos than on your smartphone camera
You may need to add a bit more makeup to make sure the effects will be seen on film. Keep this in mind and do a few test runs. Ask a friend with a semi-professional camera to shoot a couple pics so you can see what you need to amp up. Ask yourself, what needs to be added? The most common are blush, mascara, and lipstick. Try to find the middle ground of "what looks good in real life" and "what looks good in pictures".
Also check your makeup in artificial light & natural light. Take a mirror along and take a walk in both. Do you look a tad more yellow/pale in some? You may need to change the shade of your foundation and match your undertone more.
#7 To wear or not to wear fake lashes?? That is the question!
There are tons of videos online about how to apply fake lashes and most of them are decent. If you don't want to wear fake ones and want to make the most of yours, you can also check out this video on a step-by-step tutorial & products she uses to make hers look amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6qm18ZkO2w
#8 Contouring...how bad can it be??
It doesn't have to be scary! It can pop your features or help hide problem areas. Watch it to get amazing cheekbones & an awesome glow, even better for those summertime brides!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Me1URO9inM
#9 Let's talk about eyebrows...
Don't be a statistic with crazy brows, like I know you have seen on Pinterest. Just watch a video to learn how you need them to look! It's really a lot easier than you think it is. If I can learn, anyone can! I adore our mechanical brow pencil, it gives a softer look and puts color on your actual brow rather than your skin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfYld985CT8
#10 Use a lip primer & make your MOH your lipstick holder/watcher
Any primer is going to keep whatever product you put on last way longer than normal. On the wedding day, you will be talking, drinking, all kinds of things and will need to reapply your lipstick. If you wear a gloss, it will wear off faster. Your MOH can have that job of maing sure you always have lips on. Soooooo important in pictures! Without any color whatsoever on your lips makes people look a little on the undead side.
And there you have it! There are tons more tips and tricks for bridal makeup & DIY application that you can learn from your own Mary Kay consultant. Don't know one in your area? Head to marykay.com and click "Find a Consultant." Enter in your zip code & voila!
In the Kentucky area? Hit me up and I am at your service!
bleedpink101@gmail.com
Have more tips on DIY bridal makeup??
Comment below! We would love to hear from you!
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