5 Summer Loose Dresses With Style

Photo: Fancyinn

When summer gets boiling hot, you don't want dresses grabbing you at the waist or wrapping around your legs. Yet every body part that must be covered can still be serenaded in style. The following 5 (under $40) go-anywhere-do-anything dresses -- are designed to keep fashionistas flushed (inexpensive), cool, and cute all summer long: 

1) Fancyinn Shift Dress with Pockets & Bell Sleeves - (See above image👆) - The ruffles and bell sleeves are feminine, girlie and fun. Pair with sandals, sneakers or ballet flats to dress it up or down.

2) Columbia Freezer III Dress - Usually I stay away from polyester in a dress ... unless it's designed by my favorite Japanese brand, Uniqlo (in their Airism tops and dresses); or this Freezer III dress with what is called advanced technology, i.e. a signature wicking fabric that pulls moisture away from the body to keep you dry and cool. In addition, this dress has UPF 30 in its fabric to block UVA and UVB rays.

3) Patagonia Alpine Valley Dress - Did you ever think you could buy a Patagonia dress for under $30? This Fair Trade Certified™  sewn dress is it! Made ultra-comfortable with soft cotton and a built-in bra. The brand is normally much more expensive!

4) FZ Fantastic Zone Summer T-Shirt Dress - Contains 65% cotton with 35% polyester to keep it soft and stretchy and wrinkle-free. With bonus swing pockets, the fit is loose but not baggy! How cute paired with a sunhat! 

5) Uniqlo's Cassie Byrne Camisole Dress - Must order up from your usual size, the retailer's quality is always top-notch and budget-friendly,  but recently their sizes are all over the place. I have dresses and tops that run from medium to extra large -- you never can tell what size to order anymore!

Uniqlo has a Marimekko collaboration dress with a substantial cotton fabric I love, but it's a wide and boxy-cut dress that goes below the knee, so I don't think I'd enjoy walking in it on a hot day. Tried-on, the dress looks shapeless too!  In spite of being 100% rayon, I prefer this Byrne Camisole dress that sits right above the knee.

These 5 versatile and comfortable dresses are all you'll ever need this summer ... with a few dollars left in the pockets for some ice cream!

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Weleda Offers A Century of Skin Care

Photo: Care To Beauty

Weleda is the world's leading maker of holistic, natural, organic and anthroposophical skincare, makeup and pharmaceuticals. The merchant is well-known for its baby and mother care products, as well as, its Weleda Skin Food line and homeopathic preparations. Arnica, birch, calendula, iris, lavender and wild rose are "leading plants" i.e., some of the main raw ingredients the company uses in their beauty treatments for their healing properties and to promote well being.

The vendor's name sounds odd to English-speaking ears. Founded in 1921, Weleda derives from the Germanic prophet and healer, Velda. Its philosophy is based on the principles of social thinker and educator Rudolf Steiner; and its botanical formulas aim to "awaken the skin's natural functions" as well as, balance the mind, body and spirit by only using the plants and components of nature.

The products are never tested on animals and contain no paragons or phthalates, synthetic fragrances or preservatives. The retailer promotes sustainability and respect for nature in its business practices.

In summary: After studying plants for 100 years, Weleda's ingredients are "certified natural per nature."

Sold at Target, Walmart and Costco, the Weleda beauty and skincare line includes a wide range of pure skin washes; rich moisturizers; body butters; lip balm; and antioxidant-rich-anti-aging treatments ... all created to nourish, support and re-balance the skin.

Its rubs remind me of what is commonly found in English and German pharmacies which tend to embrace alternative therapies in beauty potions. Not all the retailer's claims are supported by science, yet the price points are affordable for a garden of pure and rich skincare. Think: Superior moisturizers and body butters containing good clean ingredients for less! 

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5 Walking Sandals With Arch Support + 2 for the Pool

Merrell Women's Sandspur Rose Leather Sandal

No longer do I make the mistake of wearing unsupportive sandals. Sure, I aim for cute and stylish, yet I've become a sensible shoe woman. I've crossed the rubicon, and there's no turning back! All my shoes, including my sandals, must be fit for walking miles on unforgiving concrete and thus support my feet. It's the numero uno quality I look for in footwear and will forgo style if necessary. That said, if I can find both fashion and foot doctor approved sandals, I'd buy them, but the shoes don't go home without function!

Nowadays all my shoes including sandals must have 4 details: 

1) Arch support - I have high aches. They scream for structure!

2) Stable heels - 1 & 2: Like peanut butter and jelly or locks and bagels. 

3) Leather uppers - Any shoes I've owned not made of leather have failed me. They don't conform to my feet, and they  don't let my feet breathe, so they get hot. I'm done with synthetic upper materials in shoes. Finito!

4) A firm yet soft foot bed - Forget rock hard. Finita!!😂 After a certain age, we start to lose the fat that pads the soles of our feet, so the cushioning must be in the footbed of our shoes. 

Now that we know what to look for, the following are 5 sandals to consider if you walk a lot on city pavement:

1) Merrell Women's Sandspur Rose Leather Sandal - Luckily I found these sandals on sale last winter, yet they start at a reasonable price, and many other Merrell styles have the same arch support and stable heels construction. These are super stylish on the feet!

2) Berkenstock Women's Arizona Soft Footbed Fashion Sandal - Super pricy and popular with men and women. For the money look for 100% upper leather with the soft footbed selection. Paying $100+ for synthetic Berkenshock sandals is crazy! Like the other sandals selected by THE SAVVY SHOPPER, this one conforms to the shape of your foot and heels. Comes in women's and unisex sizes.

3) Therafit Eva Women's Leather Adjustable Strap Slip On Sandal - For women who love slides. Offers superior arch support and deep heel cups for stability. 

4) Rockport Women's Briah Perf Sling Wedge Sandal - A garden party sandal, obviously not for hiking miles and miles in, but supportive and stable enough to get you to the party on public transit without the need to carry a change of shoes to the party. Full grain leather with a soft breathable interior including cushioned heels and a supportive outsole. The upper Nubuck leather is made to look new for the life of the shoes. Very affordable shoe, as well as, shoe brand!

5) Vionic Backstrap Sandal -Vionic sandals have built-in orthotic arch support that is especially supportive for plantar fasciitis sufferers. Like the other choices, the shoes are made to ease heel pain.

Bonus sandals for the beach and swimming pool: 

1) Arches Support Flip Flops - They are bonus sandals because they aren't leather; and according to podiatrists, you shouldn't walk long distances on city pavement in flip flops ever ... and yet, sometimes you must go near the water where leather would be ruined! 

To be honest, I wear $3 Old Navy flip flops, or $10 Crocs from T.J. Maxx at the beach or by the pool, as well as, around the house, but Arches have the podiatrist-favored real arch support and are made strong to last. After a season of wear the thongs sometimes break on my Old Navy and Croc flip flops ... once causing me to walk 2 blocks home barefoot in my neighborhood. Arches are reinforced to not have such inconvenient "blowouts."

2) LLSOARSS Plantar Fasciitis Feet Sandal With Arch Support - Customers claim they are as supportive as Vionic sandals for less. At times Amazon lists them as low as $12. LLSOARSS flip flops have superior arch support and are constructed to stop heel pain. They prevent sore and tired feet too. A few customers say they experience foot odor when wearing LLSOAESS, which won't happen if you save them for the pool.

The numero uno element of supportive sandals is met in this list of 5 sandals  plus 2 for the pool ... and with style!  Looks like we don't have to skip fashion this summer!🏖

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Chocolate Mirror Glaze With Berry Mousse

Photo: Renee Robinson - So pretty!

The cake recipes I publish on THE SAVVY SHOPPER are for cakes I tweak and bake myself with the exception of today's cake: Chocolate Mirror Glaze With Berry Mousse. I haven't gotten around to making it yet and therefore, I'll share Renee Robinson's experience as published on Facebook. The top image, ingredients and directions are hers. Renee's finished cake looks amazing! So away we go ... 🎭

Chocolate Mirror Glaze Cake with Cranberry and Blueberry Mousse

 

The Baker: Renee Robinson

Renee says, "I followed the recipe exactly as written [see link below] for the chocolate cakes layer, but have written it out for you, in what I think is easier to understand language." 

Ingredients for the Chocolate Cake:

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour

Photo: recepetineats

2/3 cup cocoa powder (it wasn’t specified, but I {Renee} used dark Valrhona cocoa)
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 egg yolk
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
1 cup milk
2/3 cup hot strong brewed coffee

Directions for the cake: 

Grease and line with parchment paper two 7 inch cake pans. Preheat oven to 325°F.

In a medium bowl mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat oil and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. 

Add egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract; mix. Gradually add flour mixture to oil mixture alternately with milk, in three batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. 

At the end add the hot brewed coffee and mix together only 30 seconds. Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes (or longer - until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean). Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack.

Cranberry and Blueberry Mousse

The baker says, "The original recipe called for fresh or frozen black currants. I don’t have access to either, so I substituted other berries and changed the amounts of other ingredients, as seen below."

Ingredients for the Mousse:

300 grams blueberries

500 grams cranberries

Juice of half lemon
Scant 1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons powdered gelatin
2 cups whipping cream
10 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions for the Mousse:

Place blueberries, cranberries, and sugar in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook only until sugar dissolves and fruits burst. Let cool for a few minutes. Add lemon juice. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. 

Place 1 tablespoon of the gelatin in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes to swell. Gently heat softened gelatin in a double boiler or microwave and stir to dissolve. Add to half of warm puree and mix together. Whip half of whipping cream with half of powdered sugar until stiff peaks. 

Gradually add prepared half of berry puree and whip together.
Line the bottom of 9 inch spring pan with parchment paper. On the base – in the center of the pan, place the first chocolate cake and pour over black the berry mousse. Place in the fridge for ½ - 1 hour.

After this time make the second half of the berry mousse, repeating steps described above. Remove the pan from the fridge, place in the center the second sponge and pour over the second half of the mousse. Even the surface and place to the fridge overnight.

The next day carefully remove the cake from the pan. Place on a serving plate and decorate with mirror glaze.

Photo: mandarinpie

Here is the link to the original recipe for the cake.

https://sweetstyledhme.com/.../chocolate-cake-in-black...

Here is the link to the recipe used for the mirror glaze. Renee followed the steps exactly as written in the recipe. https://www.recipetineats.com/chocolate-mirror-glaze

And finally, what does THE SAVVY SHOPPER think? This cake requires more steps than a basic cake, since we must cook and cool things as we bake the cakes (the dreaded have jobs before you do a job syndrome!), and yet finished and plated, it should taste amazing. This summer I'll return here for the recipe to challenge myself by making this fancy, fussy, multi-steps cake, and now my dear readers, you can too! 

If looking to bake a less work homemade cake, try this buttermilk layer cake. There's no shame in an easy recipe as long as a cake is delicious!! I prefer them. As Jon Bon Jovi knows, "You do what you can."🎵🎂

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A Natural Fiber Rug That Never Sheds

This Nourison wool rug from Macy's isn't it. Opps, the pink tips of my Croc ballet flats are in the shot!

Ideally I hoped to feature a wonder spray or list ingenious tips to stop wool-and-natural-fiber rugs from shedding. But guess what I surmised? If you can't tolerate shedding, avoid rugs made of wool (sorrel) and jute, 2 popular natural materials. Synthetic rugs shed less, yet are often less desired and less durable. Jute rugs last, add texture to a room and shed. Wool rugs made by hand (hand-knotted or hand-woven) are said to shed less than more affordable wool rugs made by machines (or hand-tufted). 

I don't think the usual tips given to reduce the shedding are very insightful: 1) Lay the rug in a low foot traffic area (oh, c'mon!); 2) Lightly vacuum (tell me how?); 3) Vacuum against the grain (which end is it?); and 4) Use a high-quality rug pad under the rug (well, it's a given and doesn't much reduce shedding, although it extends the life of a rug).

My Safavieh seagrass rug from Overstock

So where does this leave us?: 1) Still looking for a miracle liquid or sure-fire practices; 2) Acceptance of the shedding; 3) Never vacuuming with a beater-bar setting; and 4) Buying rugs made of natural seagrass. Oh, that's the ticket ... for some areas!

In my home, my big area rug is wool, which I bought at Macy's. Neither cheap, nor expensive, somewhere in the middle price-range; 100% wool; and made in India. I vacuum it once a week and must accept some shedding. Always, if I walk around my apartment in socks, I pick up little fibers on the bottoms (like owning a short-haired dog).

For accent rugs such as a doorway; or an enclosed patio room; or perhaps a dining room, I highly recommend natural seagrass over some other natural fiber rugs. Seagrass doesn't shed ... luckily discovered after I bought the rug! It's water-resistant, durable, and feels smooth underfoot, but I don't think I'd want it in a living room. There's no shedding, and yet you'd give up the cozy softness of a wool rug.

Readers, I've researched this topic to death on a number of occasions, and this is the best remedy I can come up with. Perhaps one day somebody will invent the miracle product I keep searching for that will stop wool rugs from shedding. Watch this space! 

Meanwhile feel free to share any tips you have to reduce the shedding of wool or other natural-fiber rugs. For sure, inquiring minds and homeowners want to know!

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A Better Aperol Spritz, The Drink Of The Summer

Photo: New York Times

Everywhere there is outside dining in Manhattan I see this sunset-colored orange drink. Yesterday as I passed the Mark Hotel's fancy outside linen tables I pulled the waiter aside to ask, "What's everybody drinking?" His answer: Aperol Spritz!" 

He asked if I'd like to have one. "Thanks," said I, "I never sit and drink alone, not even at home. I'll return with a friend." The gracious man understood. 

Meanwhile out of intellectual curiosity (isn't it why you're interested too?😋), I had to google the cocktail. According to the New York Times, it's become the drink of the summer, as well as, an instagram hit after Campari, the maker of Aperol, launched a successful marketing campaign. Yet according to the publication, Aperol is too sweet, not a bitter enough aperitif (a before dinner beverage to stimulate appetite) and therefore, not the ingredient to use for the best version of this popular Italian spritzer. Instead use any of the following superior bitters ...

Photo: New York Times - click to go there or enlarge

Another necessity is to use good champagne or sparkling wine. Never mix cocktails with inferior ingredients that taste less than great if you were to consume them straight. Advise I hear often even in cooking!

For this in favor Italian Spritz you can use a delicious Prosecco. I've never tried the NYT's high brow quality sparkling wine suggestion - pétillant naturel. But hey, if you have it at home or wish to hop to the wine store, opt for it!

This is an ultra easy cocktail to make at home. For the most delicious spritz I've consulted several sources to learn you always use a 3:2:1 ratio of: 3 parts dry, tasty Champagne or sparkling wine: 2 parts aperitif (bitters): and 1 part carbonated (soda) water. 

So let's turn this ratio into a refreshing recipe, shall we? - per serving: 

Best Italian Aperol Spitz

Ingredients:

3 ounces brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine

2 ounces aperitif (go with bitter, not sweet)

1 ounce club soda or plain sparkling water

Directions: 

1) Start with ice cold ingredients and have ice on the side. Heck, ice the glass before you start too!

2) Pour the ingredients in the order and ounces into a glass (or pitcher). Give it a stir and pour over ice in a glass.

You can garnish with an orange slice (or olive) if you wish.

So readers, here's your chance to sip a better Aperol Spitz, the drink of the summer, by following this simple recipe, as well as, saving the $30 bucks charged by the Mark Hotel. You're welcome! I love you too!!😍

Thank you, New York Times for the nitty-gritty tips (article linked)!

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New Hair Product Launches: Garnier, Shea Moisture and Schwarzkepf

 Whenever you walk into a drugstore or beauty store with free samples, take one. See if you like a newly launched product without risks. The following items were introduced to me as free samples, and I highly recommend each of them:

Enlarge to read benefits

1) Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Leave-in Conditioner - In general I'm not a big fan of leave-in conditioners, but the moment I rubbed a dab of this one between my fingers I knew I'd like it in my hair. Non-greasy, no perfume, and it doesn't leave a residue on my skin. Moisturizing and clean on my skin ... to moisturizing and clean with no residue in my hair. My no-fail test for any hair conditioner is how clean it feels on my hands. Readers may recall I normally spray Tsesumme Heat Tamer and Protector on my hair before blow drying it daily, but I think this Garnier new product works as well. So now I have two options, not just one hair protector and can buy the lowest priced when I go to replenish.

Click to enlarge.

2) Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intense Hydration Treatment Masque with Fig Extract & Baobab Oil - Let me cut to the chase, I highly recommend every beauty item this company makes, and they are many. I use them all for my skin or hair type, and I've never bought a failed skin or hair care product from the Shea Moisture line. I regularly use the soaps, moisturizers and treatments on my face, body and hair. The products are organic, affordable and fantastic!💙💙💙

3) Schwarzkopf Got2b Insta Hold High Hold Hairspray - Honestly I don't use hairspray much, but was happy to see the half tin-sized sample at CVS because, indeed, I needed some. Over the years, I've used a light spitz of hairspray in my hair on high humid or rainy days to tame and get the locks to behave. In NYC we've had several days in a row of high humidity this spring, and I'm not detecting any stickiness nor residue after a light spray. I brush through my hair after a spitz to avoid stiffness. Got2b stops flyways and unruly hair from doing its own thing.

Thanks Garnier, Shea Moisture and Schwarzkepf for the samples. I'm your newest customer -- numbers: 1, 2 and 3 are SAVVY SHOPPER approved!

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6 Best Fabrics To Wear In Summer

Photo: Stitch Fix Style

I must overcome my bias for natural fabrics to give you more shopping choices for summer clothes. In fact, if the price is right at Uniqlo or Old Navy on cute summer dresses in a manmade material, I make an exception; and in the past, it has worked out. So let's begin ...

 6 Best Fabrics To Keep Us Cool On the Hottest Summer Days:

Photo: Cotton Citzen

1) Cotton - A natural fabric that starts as a plant, cotton keeps you cool because it breathes and absorbs sweat. Cheap and plentiful; soft and comfortable; can be machine washed and dried; and I find it to be most durable -- lasting over many summers of wear. Includes: Denim, a sturdy cotton twill fabric. Most of the world's cotton is grown in the USA, Uzbekistan, China and India. Other leading cotton-growing countries are Brazil, Pakistan and Turkey. Cotton is a personal favorite, as well as, the most popular and versatile fabric in the world.

2) Linen - Cloth woven from flax that is light and airy. A tad stiffer and more sophisticated than cotton, yet still soft, casual and cool. Moderately priced and affordable. Very durable. Winkles are accepted in linen clothing. Nowadays linen is often treated so it can be washed and line dried. The garment label will say if it's machine washable. Includes: Chambray - a cotton or linen-finished gingham cloth with a mottled appearance. (Photo of shorts: H&M)

Photo: Old Navy

3) Rayon - A manmade fabric from regenerated cellulose (viscose). Honestly I don't 100% like rayon, yet I appreciate it enough to own several Old Navy summer rayon swing-style dresses. Cheap and flattering, machine wash, gentle dry, but not as durable as cotton or linen and doesn't hold up as well. Rayon is wrinkle-resistant, and the price super budget-friendly, so perhaps that's the trade off. The dresses stretch longer after a summer of washings, but they don't cost a lot to replace. So literally, the pros and cons of rayon are a wash!😊 Includes: Cupro - discussed in #6.

4) Modal - A semi-synthetic fabric consisting mainly of beechwood pulp, it is shrink-resistant and unlikely to fade. Frankly I'm not completely in love with modal either as it too stretches and I find it warmer than cotton ... yet every source I consult says it keeps us cool. I do have a modal sweater (and of course, it's cooler than wool). Modal is popular nowadays with retailers, so if the price is right, you might consider buying one stylish garment (or two).

5) Silk - Fine, strong, lustrous fiber spun by silkworms in making cocoons. The silk fiber is turned into fabric. Previously expensive, but demand and modern industry have lowered the cost. Super light and cool ... another favorite fabric of mine. Still I tend to save my silk dresses and shirts for work or attending events, not running Saturday errands. Not as cheap as cotton, and I don't as mindlessly wash it. I suppose it's why I don't mindlessly wear it, yet I do love it.😍👗 Silk includes: Chiffon, taffeta, and crepe de cine. (Photo: Silk dress: Halston) 

Photo of BraTop: Uniqlo

6) Nylon with moisture wicking technology - Uniqlo and a few innovative retailers combine Nylon with cupro (Cupro is made of regenerated cellulose fibers from recycled cotton linter. A type of rayon, made using copper and ammonium, it is "breathable and regulates temperature like cotton, drapes elegantly," and feels soft like silk) and spandex to manufacture its pieces of clothing with a cool touch and moisture wicking technology. Sold as Airism tops and dresses, they are also anti-bacterial with odor control. I love Uniqlo for its affordable, inventive and stylish clothing! Wear its bra tops with shorts or under dresses to absorbed sweat. That way you can wash the bra top and save the dress!

Sometimes an apparel maker uses fabric blends, for example 95% cotton with a touch of 5% spandex, to give a dress or blouse a benefit like wrinkle resistance, or strength or shape which I don't mind in a dress despite a tad less softness in the blend. (However, for bed sheets pure 100% cotton is a must.) 

With the knowledge of what fabrics will keep you cool on soaring hot days, have fun shopping for your summer wardrobe!

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Zircon Is A Favorite of Gem Dealers And Collectors

Another radiate gemstone, a favorite of jewelers and collectors yet usually overlooked by the general public, is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4), which is its chemical name. Known in the jewelry trade as zircon, the mineral rates a 7.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, making it durable to wear as jewelry. Don't confuse zircon with cubic zirconia, a cheap lab created diamond substitute, only their names are similar.

Natural zircon is one of the earth's oldest gemstones (at 4 billion years old) and rivals diamonds in sparkle.

In fact, zircon has a higher refractive index (a/k/a brilliance; or sparkle) than sapphires, rubies, emeralds, spinels or tanzanites (and tanzanite is priced as a gemstone for its high refractive index). It turns out, zircon has more fire than most colorless and colored gemstones. Brilliance is the colorless (or white) light emitted from a gemstone, while fire is the colored light, or sparkle you see when the stone is exposed to light. Zircon has both brilliance and fire in abundance, glittering nearly as much as a diamond. It's a semi-precious, affordable stone.

Natural zircon comes in an array of beautiful colors: Blue is the most popular and green is the rarest. Historically, blue zircon comes from Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Burma. White zircon, with its excellent brilliance and fire characteristics, makes a very fine budget-friendly diamond-substitute for anyone who desires a natural, as opposed to, a lab created gemstone. Jewelers call "yellow" honey zircon. Tanzania has become a main source for mining red, orange and honey zircon. As in the case of other gemstones, heat treatment is allowed in the jewelry world to enhance zircon's colors and the process doesn't lessen its value. Heat is an accepted treatment because it doesn't weaken, nor change the composition of the natural crystal, and heat is the same element that over billions of years caused the formation of precious and semi-precious stones.

Photo: JTV

Unlike either diamonds or manmade cubic zirconia, zircon is birefringent -- making it unique -- it has two different refractive indices [indexes] whereby a ray of light is spilt by polarization into two rays of light, each taking slightly different paths.

So now that you know more about zircon, do you want one? If so, what color appeals to you?

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