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As the season starts to change and the weather gets a tad bit chillier, the kiddos make their way back to school for the 2016-2017 year.  I remember as a kid, going back to school was my favorite time of year because it meant that I would have the opportunity to impress a new set of teachers and meet new friends.  My boys returned back to school at the beginning of August and while it has been a busy month so far, we are so excited and they have been absolutely loving school.  Today I share with you a few of their favorite finds for Back to School from affordable selections that we love and a few Celebrity faves.  Since back to school can be a fun time for kids or some may feel a bit uneasy, it’s the perfect time to pick up some new goods that will surely put a smile on your littles’ faces.

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Going back to school after a fun summer break isn’t always easy for littles.  But, finding cool Back to School gear and supplies always make for a great start.  This year I wanted the boys to be able to develop their own sense of style (see the twins with their mohawks and sunglasses in the photo above? lol), but I also wanted them to select basics that would make their year fun and functional.

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A quality made backpack is always an important part of back to school.  My eldest Kevin has a full schedule of classes and a heavy workload and homework sometimes.  It’s important that he has a backpack that can take him to and from school while still offering him the option to use for extra curricular activities and sports.  His choice of gear for this year was the Mountainsmith Approach 25 backpack (retail: $89.95).

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This multi-pocket backpack is perfect for on the go for work and office, school or sports, or for a hike to climb the highest summit.  It features a dual-anel loader system which is idea for travel and trail), a front panel stretch-mesh pocket with daisy chain attachment loops, Anvil Airway ridged EVA back panel padding which make it comfortable on the back no matter what you carry in it, tool / trekking pole carry, side compression straps, dual side-panel mesh pockets, an internal hydration sleeve to hold 3 liters and an eleastic sternum strap and bit valve catch with a safety whistle.

This backpack is sturdy and unisex.  He has it in burgundy with brick red trim and it looks stunning and manly.  It’s comfortable on and Kevin can stuff this backpack with his school supplies and homework without worrying about it falling apart.  It’s a great backpack to have for anyone of any age and is not only for school but anything.  I plan to pick one up for myself as well since it will be great for my forest treks.

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Luke opted for a fun and stylish backpack from Chooze.  Chooze is a brand selected and loved by celebrities alike.  Matthew McConaughey’s little girl is a huge fan of the versatile and affordable clothing and accessories Chooze offers.  Luke wanted the reversible ChoozePack in Quest (retail $43.95).

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These ingenious packs feature a reversible design that has two functional sides to give your kiddos the power to choose which print to display.  It offers padded convertible straps (which Luke says are BOMB because they are so comfortable) and you can flip each strap from side-to-side to provide a different look.

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Of course, no back to school list and gear would be complete without a way to carry your lunch and snack to and from school.  Kevin opted for something he could use for school and sports and went with the Mountainsmith Takeout insulated lunch pack (retailing $17.95).  It is the perfect sized carry-all for school, office and tailgating and has a look that any teen would enjoy.

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To help carry his favorite mom’s delicious soups to school for lunch, he also selected the Hydro Flask Food Flasks.  He has them in the 12 oz. (retails for $29.99) and the 18 oz. (retails for $34.99).  These flasks are perfect to carry his favorite soups or a hot cocoa on those chilly mornings.  They fit perfectly into any lunchbox and are the perfect way to give kids a balanced healthy meal.  They offer improved temperature control technology and can keep hot food items made in the morning steamy until lunchtime.  He also enjoys holding his milk in these and pours a small box of cereal inside for breakfast on the go.

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Luke & Isaiah decided that getting a traditional lunchbox was the way they wanted to go this year.  Each of them selected a Personalized Lunchbox from I See Me! (retailing for $29.99 each, currently on sale for $17.99.  Isaiah chose the Kick, Score, Run Lunchbox and Luke chose the Outerspace Lunchbox.  I See Me! is a brand and leader in personalized storyboks and gifts for kids, offering over 30 customizable book titles.  They also offer lunch boxes, stickers, growth charts, puzzles and so much more.  This fun company is a favorite of celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Brooke Shields.

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Did I ever mention how much I enjoy Quinoa?  Well, I couldn’t resist putting some of these yummy snacks in the boys lunch boxes.  I Heart Keenwah snacks are perfect for any kiddo on the go or to pack with their lunch.  These Grab n Go (1.5 oz) snacks are great afterschool or lunch treats that taste great and are fun and nutritious.  I Heart Keenwah quinoa Clusters and Puffs are a healthy alternative to chips, crackers or sweets.  They are made of organic, Non-GMO ingredients.  They are a protein-rich superfood snack and gluten-free with the perfect crunch to fill and fuel your little ones bodies.  I love them myself and the boys think they taste great.  We find them at our local Safeway and Wholefoods at a reasonable cost.

Setton Farms International Premium Quality Snacks are also a great buy.  Our favorite are the Creme Brulee Blend that has cashews and toffee peanuts.  The Creme Brulee Blend incorporates all the creamy sweetness and crunch of the traditional Creme Brulee without the spoon.  It combines freshly roasted cashews and toffee peanuts with creamy butterscotch and white chips for an irresistible treat.  They are available in 5 oz resealable bags and available in major grocery store chains across the country – Price Chopper, Market Basket, King Kullen and more.  Setton Farms sent us a variety of treats to try but the Creme Brulee Blend is our favorite.  I hope we can find more of these in our local stores, so far I’ve only found them at http://www.puritan.com/ and I’ll need to be purchasing more soon.

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When it comes to back to school, the boys are simple shoppers which makes my job easiest.  I remember as a child wanting to have all the pretty notebooks and pens for back to school supplies.  This year, when I did the boys school supply shopping, I also took advantage of some discounts for myself too.  Whether it’s Crayons or Pens, Notebooks and Planners or a tablet, the options are endless and come in a variety of price points.  Some of our favorites included:

  • Crayola Crayons 24 Pack – these are perfect on the go or to keep in the desk or at home.  When shopping during the sales you can get these for about $0.25 each.
  • Calendar or Planners – some of my favorites are the Blue Sky Planners from Target.  Of course, you can’t go wrong with an Erin Condren Life Planner, Happy Planner or your traditional binder planners like Kikki K, Filofax or Dokibook.
  • Pens – anyone who knows me, knows that I’m a huge pen collector.  Some of my current favorites include the Paper Mate Ink Joy Gel 0.7mm Pens, Pilot Frixon Pens and Pilot G2.
  • Pencils – Oh, how I love me some pencils.  Currently my favorites at the moment are any type of Mechanical Pencil with 0.5mm lead, BIC Pencil 0.7mm (the metallic ones have won me over), Dixon Ticonderoga #2 Pencils (have you seen the beautiful metallic ones?)  The Ticonderoga pencils are perfect for sketching as well as writing and erase cleanly.
  • Notebooks – Spiral, composition tablet… you name them and they are available in all kinds of paper style and cover design.
  • Folder / Filler Paper – ah, hand me a ream of college ruled please!  The twins use Wide Ruled, Kevin uses College Ruled.  I love that they are available from a variety of brands and price points.
  • Amazon Fire Tablet – for less than $50, you can get your hands on a Tablet that acts as a Reader or Internet hub.  The Amazon Fire Tablet is affordable but gives your student (or you) the option to get online, use amazing apps or just play games.  It’s definitely a great tool to have for the student or the mentor.

Now – you don’t need to pick up these particular items.  Honestly, I just wanted to include some of my favorite school supplies (or mommy supplies) because I was feeling a bit left out. lol

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Last but certainly not least in our Back to School finds are some great threads.  Each child is an individual and I really love seeing them shop and select their own clothing, accessories and shoes – even their own hair cuts.  All three of my boys are simple guys but they do enjoy fun pops of color to their outfits and clothing selections.  Whether it be plaid shorts with a solid color shirt or fun hats and accessories, the boys take pride in finding something to wear that is not only comfortable and functional – but reveals their style.  Isaiah is absolutely enjoying his Rocket in Listen modern sneaker boot style shoes from Chooze ($54.95) and he wanted to show them to our readers today.

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This modern sneaker boot style shoe comes with a side elastic gore added for comfort.  It has a signature dual design with easy access side zipper entry making the shoe easy to take off and put on.  It has padded throat for extra comfort and soft canvas uppers.  The flexible support offers comfort while the removable, padded, anti-stink insoles make these the perfect footwear for an active little guy.  They wipe clean easily with a damp cloth or can be washed in cold water and air dried.  Chooze offers a variety of footwear designs for both girls and boys and they are stylish and fun to allow your child to make a statement all their own.

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Luke likes a shoe that can allow him to run and play with a little swagger and Kevin, well – if he’s not in his Nike Basketball shoes most of the time, you can find him in a pair of flip flops (rubbah slippahs as we call them here in Hawaii) and a cool pair of shades to finish off his look.  The boys were quite ecstatic to return back to school because the new school year meant that they were all beginning their football season for Pop Warner but most importantly, they got to go back to school and learn… I mean, hang out with their friends, just kidding lol.  The boys love school and love learning new things so shopping for new gear for back to school is always a huge highlight.

No matter what you decide to get for your child (or yourself) this Back to School season, make it fun and colorful and let it represent your own individual style.  Have your kiddos gone back to school yet?  If so, do they sport a relaxed and casual style or do they really like to dress up and have some fun?  Wishing all the students a wonderful 2016-2017 school year filled with lots of fun, friendships and learning.  From our house to yours… Aloha!

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  Some of the products mentioned in this post were sent for review and feature consideration.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to feature these products.  Some products were also purchased with my own money.  Affiliate links are posted through out.

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I love getting flowers for Anniversaries, Birthdays, Mother’s Day or “Just Because”, but I’m always open to fun ideas and little things that make these occasions fun, exciting and sentimental.  While flowers are nice, I love finding products that are practical and will have a purpose.  This year, I wanted to share a few items that I have been loving lately that would make GREAT Mother’s Day gifts.  Whether you are buying this as a treat for yourself or making the day of that special mommy in your life, these gifts are definitely some that will make any woman happy.  Read on if you want to check out this round up of Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.

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I have had my fair share of great Mother’s Day gifts.  My husband and I are so in-tune with one another that we usually know exactly the gift we want to get for one another or something that is practical and we’ll get a lot of use out of.  My goal for this list is to offer a variety of goodies for any woman, whether the stay-at-home or work-from-home mom, busy business woman or the granny with style, these gifts will surely please.

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Let’s start with a little makeup – shall we?  I recently was introduced to Youngblood Cosmetics, a beautiful line of mineral cosmetics created by Pauline Youngblood.  From Foundation to lipstick and everything in between, Youngblood Cosmetics offers a wide range of color cosmetics that is made with quality ingredients and great black and chic packaging.  I have been using a few of the products from the line and look forward to trying more.  Anything from Youngblood is gorgeous, but two of my favorites is the Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in Shanghai Nights ($43 USD) and Mineral Radiance Compact (pictured) in Splendor ($43 USD).  Each or any of the products are perfect for the sophisticated woman that is looking to add a little color to their life or the makeup and beauty loving mom that wants to try something new.

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A great cleansing oil and a fantastic mud mask is perfect for that mother in your life.  One of my favorite gifts to give to my favorite gals is the Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask for Face and Body so I just had to include the Fango Active Duo Set as a gift option.  This two piece set retails for $60 USD but the Fango Active Radiance Facial Oil retails for $60 on it’s own, so it’s like you get a free product or gift with purchase.  This set is gorgeous and I love how Borghese products display on the vanity.  The Radiance Facial Oil has a blend of botanical oils that help to transform the skin’s texture, soothe dull and dry skin and nourish and restore lipid loss due to aging and environmental damage.  The Fango Active Mud for Face and Body is one of my holy grail masks, offering a detoxifying mineral-rich mask that hydrates and firms the skin while reducing fine lines and providing you with smooth and toned skin.  Paired together, this not only makes a wonderful gift – but a great treat for anyone.

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Can we just talk about the design of this unit for a second?  My gosh, it’s so pretty and girly and would make the most wonderful Mother’s Day gift for any mom.  The Michael Todd Soniclear Petite is one of my favorite skin cleansing tools.  I have raved about it time and time again here on my site and would recommend ANY of these units for a gift.   This cleansing tool is the petite version, smaller than the original and the elite but perfect for travel and comes with a universal USB enabled charger which makes this great for those on the go.  It’s a waterproof unit with 3 speeds to help tailor to your cleansing needs and is antimicrobial.  What makes it so great is not only the design (and the pattern) but that this product is reasonably priced at just $109.00.  I seriously wouldn’t mind unwrapping one of these as a gift and I know it would make a fabulous present for anyone.

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I wrote about these two products from LATHER on my blog a few weeks back and they continue to be favorites of mine so I know they would make any mom or mom to be happy.  The LATHER coconut creme body whip ($22 USD) is one of my favorite body butter / lotions to date.  I have used MANY, trust me, and I find that it not only smells yummy – it moisturizes my skin wonderfully and leaves a light fragrance that is so delish.  This body creme is silky and whipped to perfection and my skin is left soft and hydrated for hours.  This is the perfect creme for any mom or mom to be.  I highly suggest this as a gift to that “mom to be” because this would make a great body creme to lather on the body while pregnant too.  The Vanilla & Argan Lip Scrub ($10 USD) is a must have for anyone.  It is moisturizing and tastes delicious and sloths away any dry skin on your lips leaving them plump and soft for your favorite lip product or for kiss… teehee.  What’s great about these products is that they come from a great brand and are made with quality products.

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With the summer months just around the bend, nothing says beachy and ready for some sun like a great tote.  This gorgeous striped Sportswear Tote by Helly Hansen ($50 USD) is lightweight and the perfect bag to store your everyday essentials for all your summer fun activities.  It’s available in three different colors:  Navy, Aquamarine and Sorbet and has a shoulder strap and carry handles.  Marine stripe fabric and detailing give this tote the perfect look for sporting and toting around this summer.  As a handbag lover, I know that I would love to get this quality made bag as a gift this Mother’s Day.

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The next gift is one of my favorites… for moms like me who like to take their hair ties and rubber bands and turn them into an unsightly fashion statement as we wear them on our wrists.  The Bittersweet Hair Tie Bracelet ($45 USD) was created by Maria Shireen – a functional fashion accessories company.  It was a gift from her husband as he had it designed and created so that she could  eliminate the pressure on her wrist from the elastic bands but also make her hair tie look like a stylish bracelet, by creating a channel that holds the hair tie in place.  Hello – total genius, simple, unique but functional.  This bracelet has literally changed my fashion game up hugely.  If you have seen any of my outfit posts here on the blog – then you know that I have turned my many hair ties into the ugliest thing to grace my wrist, but I NEED them at a moments notice so I keep them handy that way.  Now with the Bittersweet bangle I can literally look fashion forward without being a fashion faux pas.  This literally makes a great gift for any mom and I know they will make use of this bangle as much as I do.  I love it so much – I have my eyes on the gold and rose gold too.

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You can’t go wrong with buying your favorite mom a perfume for Mother’s Day and Pacifica Beauty offers a set of three for just $19 USD.  The Daydreamer Roll-On Trio offers three delectable scents that would make any mother happy.  Tuscan Blood Orange, Tahitian Gardenia and Indian Coconut Nectar (one of my favorites) this set offers a roll-on perfume for everyone.  Pick up the whole set and gift it together or break up the set and make three mother’s happy this Mother’s Day.  Pacifica offers cruelty free products and are available on their website: Pacificabeauty.com, Target and Ulta stores.

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Now, of course – I know there are moms out there that may be stationery, planner, pen or paper addicts… like me.  So, I wanted to make sure that I included something that would satisfy those moms too.  I LOVE pens and some of my favorites come from PenGems and from their signature collection.  I probably have 8 or 10 of them and I love them not only because of the way they write, but because they are beautiful, stylish and just a great statement to any planner, purse or notebook.  Pens, pencils and notebooks can be great gifts for mom from children or grandchildren.  I love searching through Target’s One Spot Dollar Spot section for cute notebooks, pens and pencils as well to give as gifts.  You can get a great selection for about $1 to $3 and you’re bound to find something you will enjoy as well as the favorite mother(s) in your life.  These kinds of gifts are easy to personalize and make great little presents to open.

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Of course, we can’t leave out the techie gadgets and nothing says awesome like the gift of a camera.  The Sony RX100 iv ($950.00) is the perfect gift to give that will help that special mom capture every moment that her family has.  It’s compact and powerful.  With the ability to capture images in 21MP at up to 16 frames per second and record videos in 4K or HD – this is the perfect camera for a beginner or camera enthusiast, offering an impressive compact camera for every day use or for special occasions.

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Whatever gift you decide to get that mom or moms in your life, I’m sure it will be wonderful.  These are just a little suggestions of products and goodies I’ve been loving lately.  Of course, as I mentioned previously – I love flowers and welcome them with open arms (especially my favorites) but when you want to think a little outside of the box, some of these presents would be perfect gifts for your loved one.  I look forward to Mother’s Day each year because it reminds me that being a Mommy is so much more than presents – it’s love and happiness year round.  I look forward to my sons making me beautiful handmade cards that take them hours to complete and while Mother’s Day is everyday in my house, I think it’s a day worth celebrating.  Besides, I wouldn’t be a mother myself without the help from my mom and those that have come before me… right?

xo

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  Most of the products discussed, mentioned and featured in this post were sent to me for review and editorial consideration.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to feature these products.  Affiliate links are posted through out.

Happy Thirsty Thursday!

I have been getting a lot of questions lately regarding my take on Breastfeeding in public so I figured I would touch base on this subject in this weeks Thirsty Thursday episode.  Also – a sweet friend of mine also asked about my cleaning and daily routine as a Stay at Home Mom or (SAHM) so I also share that with all of you and a little something about what I think a Woman’s Worth is.

Click on the video and watch all about it – this TT is a little long, but I think I have a lot to share.  Hope you enjoy.

Have a wonderful Thursday and a fab weekend!
xo

Signature Honey

Each year in the Fall, my family and I have journeyed up to the local Pumpkin Patch at the Kula Country Farms to choose out the perfect pumpkin for carving.  This year was no exception and the family enjoyed their time there as we always do so we wanted to share with you the fun and excitement.  The Kula Country Farms located on the slopes of beautiful Haleakala on the island of Maui turns it’s grounds into a fun Pumpkin Patch and Fall Extravaganza with corn mazes, garden games and fun for the entire family.  For the last 4 years my family and I have ventured on over to the patch to spend a few hours enjoying the animals, buying fresh Maui grown produce and of course – picking our own pumpkins.  Today I share with you one of our Family Adventures.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - Kahoohanohano Family Adventures

Let’s face it – living on Maui has its perks and benefits because frankly, we are living in Paradise.  But, it can often mean that we are left without the resources that other towns can offer.  So when the Kula Country Farms started the annual pumpkin patch a few years back, my family and I have taken part in it each year.  There have been many changes and improvements to the patch this year, including a new parking lots that allows for easier parking for families so that they are not limited to parking on a very busy street.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - Kahoohanohano Family Adventures

The pumpkin selections are far and wide in between, giving you the choice to choose a really large pumpkin or something small for coloring and painting.  Prices of the pumpkins range from $5 – $20 depending on the size and my family tends to pick up a pumpkin for each of us to carve or decorate as we see fit.  The location is HUGE – offering a wide variety of activities for your family from picking your own pumpkin to taking part in the corn maze and everything in between.  The boys look forward to swinging on the tire swings (while you can see this up year round) and taking part in any fun age appropriate activities for kids.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - K Family Adventures

The boys absolutely love seeing the chickens that roam the grounds freely and the ponies / miniature horses that they can pet and feed.  There is also a huge bunny that has been there for years for the children to befriend.  This year we decided that we would take the time to not only choose our perfect pumpkin, but also spend some time checking out the vendors that were stationed up at the farm.  There was a kettle corn vendor that made the kettle corn fresh while we were there (you could smell the chocolate through out the farm) and different food vendors that sold plate lunches and snacks through out.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - Kahoohanohano Family Adventures

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - Kahoohanohano Family Adventures

The farm was pretty busy on the Saturday we chose to visit.  Cars were parked up and down the street and since I now have a small car, we were able to find a parking spot along the road side.  There were children everywhere, examining all of the fun activities and my boys absolutely enjoyed their time there.  If you are planning to visit the farm in time for Halloween pumpkin carving, I suggest going early in the month of October.  With the weather here in Hawaii being pretty warm, some of the pumpkins were already starting to rot (such a bummer) and last minute pumpkin pickers are scrambling for the perfect find.  We visited at the beginning of October and found that there was a huge selection of pumpkins to choose from, with many different sizes and types.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - K Family Adventures

My husband picked me up the perfect pumpkin for carving and Kevin Ka’eo chose his pumpkin for his first year of carving on his own.  The twins each chose little pumpkins that they decided they would later paint.  We all hiked the pumpkins up the hill to pay for them and finish off our family adventure for the day.  The pumpkin fields can be dirty and dusty and sometimes icky but seriously, the look on these boys faces each year as they find the choice pumpkin for the holiday are priceless.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - K Family Adventures

Some of the flowers were in bloom at the farm as well, which was an incredible site.  If you know anything about me… then you know that sunflowers are some of my favorite flowers and I look forward to seeing them.  They scream Fall to me which is one of my favorite seasons.

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - K Family Adventures

Annual Trip To The Pumpkin Patch - K Family Adventures

Since my husband has a pretty crazy work schedule sometimes and we are constantly busy, we are always looking for opportunities for family time.  With the holidays right around the bend, our daily lives can keep us on our toes so having a fun day like we did definitely helps us to make memories that will last a lifetime.  Our annual visit to the Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch is the beginning of our Holiday Family moments and reminds me that family – no matter how big or small, is something to cherish.

What are some of your Fall family traditions? Do you visit a pumpkin patch with your family to pick the perfect pumpkin?  Happy Fall!

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