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 Last week I did something I never thought I would do. I bought the most expensive lotion Zoom Tan had to offer!! Before you think I’m a baller with unlimited cash to toss around, Zoom Tan happened to have a killer sale going on. I had about 3 more uses of my current bottle, so when the tanning lady told me all lotions were 50% off, I was interested in what Zoom Tan had to offer. The first bottle she grabbed was the Sahara Jewel since it was the best deal in the house. Normally $119, on sale for $59 was intrigued. I usually spend $40something a bottle, so it wasn’t going to cost me THAT much more to have the best bottle money could buy! I said heck yeah, ring up a bottle of the Sahara Jewel and I figured I would share my opinion since I can’t be the only one that has always wondered if those beautiful, very expensive bottles are actually worth the loot!!!!  Sahara JewelIf you had three wishes, would a beautiful bronze be on the list? Are you longing for a transforming, gorgeous glow? Your wish is our command! Prepare to take a magical ride to a new state of glowing perfection with the 30X Bronzeuphoria Complex™ Discover a whole new brilliance with Color Bursting Beads for instant, ravishing dark color, while Cushion Silicone drapes skin in a feeling of pure extravagance. Enriched with splendor and mystique, the magic within is waiting to be released! Fragrance: White Sands Zoom Price: $119  Was It Worth It?I’m not even going to lie, Sahara Jewel really is the best lotion I have ever tried. I was pretty pale when I walked into the salon. I’ve been pretty lazy with all things beauty maintenance lately. I blame the rainy weather for not wanting to venture out of my house so I hadn’t been tanning in about a week. I walked out looking like a bronzed goddess. If you’re lazy like me and dread heading to the tanning salon in crappy weather, this is the bottle for you. I felt like it was like two tanning sessions in one. That’s how dark I got.
Would I spend $119 on this bottle? I would have to say no. I did get super tan after one use. The lotion did smell fantastic AND my skin felt soft, clean and not dry at all when I left the salon, but it wasn’t spend $100+ fabulous. I just can’t justify spending that type of cash on a lotion if you’re someone like me with a tanning package. Would I spend $59 again?!? Heck yeah I would!!! I would probably spend anything under $70 for this magical bottle of awesomeness. It really is THAT good!!! I just used the lotion for the 4th time today and I’m still so very in love with it. One of the better beauty purchases I’ve made lately!!! I highly recommend Sahara Jewel if you spot it on sale!!! You will not regret it! The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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Mommy & Me Swimwear ~ Yaffi4/30/2019  Thank you Yaffi for sponsoring this post!!!! Ahhhhhh Vegas!!! Literally one of my favorite places to travel! If you plan ahead, you experience a 4-5 star Vegas vacation pretty cheap. One of the many reasons Sin City will always be a top destination for me!!! It’s totally “Boujee on a Budget”! My favorite way to travel!!!!  Before we left for our little Las Vegas adventure, we were approached by Yaffi Fashion about collaborating on a swimwear post. If you know anything about me, mommy and me fashion is a favorite of mine!!! So heck yeah we decided to collab!!!  Yaffi FashionYaffi is a fast-growing family-friendly fashion brand online. The company mainly focus on matching swimsuit for mom, dad, boy, girl and your littles, but it also offers matching pajamas, children’s clothing. Yaffi mainly targets North America and Europe. They have been holding the philosophy that “Share your life & share your family” to make everyday memorable.  Leaves Printed V Neck Family Matching SwimwearThe print we decided on rocking during our Las Vegas vacation was the Leaves Printed V Neck Family Matching Swimwear. Not only was the print totally adorable, the leaves are also green! Obviously the iconic MGM Grand is green and I knew from Instagram that the MGM pool tubes were green as well. We just HAD to match!!!!  Our Thoughts?I was honestly shocked on the quality!!!! The swimsuits are pretty cheap, so I was expecting some thin, but cute swimwear to arrive. Basically disposable wardrobe. Boy was I floored when two swimsuits showed up at my door thicker and better quality than my TJ Maxx suits I normally buy!!!! The chest section was also pretty padded! No nipples showing!!! Nothing worse than a paper thin swimsuit & this specific swimsuit was as thick as a suit can be! As for sizing, I would size up if you’re on the taller side. I’m 5’8 and have the longest torso of all times. Ordered a large and as you can see from the pics, the swimsuit fit me perfectly!!!! I was so pleased with our choice. I will definitely be ordering more mommy & me suits in the future!!! Let’s ChatAre you planning any summer vacations?The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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 New stirring wheel who dis?!? So I may have made a huge #BossBabe move last week. Hubby traded in his Grand Cherokee and decided to drive my Benz while searching for his dream truck and I upgraded to a mom SUV!!! It’s crazy how futuristic my Cadillac looks compared to my Benz and it’s only been what? 5 years since the Benz was made? Technology sure does amaze me! My Cadillac likes to be all creepy and tell me where I’m going when it’s hooked up to my phone. I might just be taking my location of my iPhone for awhile to avoid any more old lady freak outs lol.... I’m not ready for my car to be smarter than me. Not yet!  Anyway, back to the reason y’all stopped by! My beautiful Black Gold Accent Stiletto Nails. I may have made it so my nails match my new car. Weird? Maybe? But my nails came out looking just as fab as my new ride!!!
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Disney Inspired Nails3/21/2019  I know Spring break already happened for you southern folk! But us here in the Northeast, we have to wait all the way until Easter for a glorious week-long break! We may be headed to Vegas for our week of relaxation, but I know many of you are headed to see Mickey as we did for February break & might be in need of some Disney Nail inspiration!  My Disney Inspired Nails were such a hit everywhere I went in Florida, I decided to share the fabulousness here. I’m not usually a nail design type of gal. I’m all about the stiletto blacks and nudes, but when I hit up Disney, I always try to spice things up with a themed nail. Our last trip I dedicated my nails to Minnie Mouse since my daughter and I were dressed as Minnie while we roamed magic Kingdom!  Let’s Chat!Are you headed anywhere for Spring Break?The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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Lavender Scented Heart Soaps1/28/2019  Ahhhhh ‘tis the season of all things heart shaped!!! I’ve been on a roll lately with the heart shaped content!!! Lavender Scented Heart Bath Bombs, now Lavender Scented Heart Soaps!!!! I just love this time of year!! So girly!!! So fabulous!! So fun!!!!  Making homemade soaps and bath bombs has been a favorite past time this winter!!! My daughter has a bath bomb and colorful soap obsession and making our own has been a great mommy/daughter bonding time activity. So fun and so easy to make!!!  Supplies • ¼ lb melt and pour soap base • 1 drop lavender liquid soap dye • 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil • Small glass bowl • Wooden craft stick • Small silicone heart mold  Step 1. Put soap base in glass bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir very well. If not completely melted, put on for another 10 seconds. Step 2. Stir liquid soap dye and essential oil into the bowl.  Step 3. Spoon mixture into the silicone mold.  Step 4. Let set for about 30 minutes and remove from mold.
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Lavender Scented Heart Bath Bombs1/23/2019  Who isn’t totally obsessed with bath bombs?!?! My daughter and I just can’t get enough of them! With our closest Lush store being and hour and twenty minutes away, I feel we can never quite stock keep them in stock! We are always running out before our next trip to that specific mall. Since bath bombs are our obsession, I thought it would be fun to start making our own. While I’m still obsessed with Lush, I think our Lavender Scented Heart Shaped Bath Bombs come in a close second place. Way better than what you can pick up at Walmart! Enjoy!  INGREDIENTS ● 2 oz Epsom salt ● 4 oz baking soda ● 2 oz corn starch ● 2 oz citric acid ● 1 tbsp grapeseed oil ● ½ tbsp water ● 1 drop violet soap dye ● 20 drops Lavender essential oil  1. Mix the dry ingredients first (Epsom salt, baking soda, cornstarch and citric acid), using the whisk. Mix well to ensure there are no clumps. 2. Pour the wet ingredients (grapeseed oil, water and food coloring (and if you’re using essential oil)) into jar, secure the lid and shake well. 3. Very slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture, about a few drops at time, while whisking. If you’re not pouring slowly enough, the mixture will start to fizz and you don’t want that to happen. 4. Once all of the liquid has been poured into the dry mixture, mix very well until the color is consistent.  5. Immediately fill the molds with the mixture.  6. Firmly stuffing each side full.  7. Secure both parts of the mold together and let set. I always give it about a day, just to be on the safe side.  8. Carefully release bath bombs from molds and put into an airtight container, or individual cello bags.
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 The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and received the product. Omg guys!!!! The best thing ever happened!!!! Best Buy sent me a Michael Kors Access Runway Smartwatch for review!!! This was literally a pinch me moment since I have a huge obsession with all things Michael Kors! Take one peak into my closet and it will look like a mini Michael Kors store spit up all over lol... I just can’t stop buying all things Michael Kors! My 6 year old daughter even has an obsession since I have been grooming her from a young age to love the New York designer. I already know what you’re thinking. I get sent things all the time so what makes this special? But seriously guys!! This watch has been something I have been eyeing FOREVER and it’s now mine to try out. Keep on reading while I spill the tea on the Michael Kors Access Runway Smartwatch.  Michael Kors Access Runway SmartwatchFashion meets function with this designer brand: fresh, eye-catching design is perfect for transitioning from a workout to a night out with ease, and you can customize your dial (watch face)! It has a gold-tone finish that embodies timeless sophistication, and its smartphone connectivity lets you take selfies, ring your phone, access music and keep track of personal goals. The round 42mm case of this Michael Kors smart watch makes it easy to see the interface.  FeaturesSo what exactly are some of the great features of the OS by Google: Michael Kors – Access Runway Smartwatch? • Makes it easier to be healthy with the Google Fit app’s two new activity trackers—Heart Points and Move Minutes—which were designed in partnership with the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. These evidence-based metrics measure activity intensity, and smarter health coaching makes your fitness goals more achievable by motivating you to stay active throughout your day, every day. (Additional background.) • Provides proactive help from Google Assistant—from viewing upcoming flight info to dinner reservations. • Quick access to Google Pay—so you can pay with a wave at almost anyplace that accepts credit cards. • Maximizes Your Time: Get more done and maximize your time with more glanceable, easy to manage notifications, with smart replies to respond quickly on the go. • Compatible with iPhone/iOS and Android.  Set UpI know this is probably the biggest question on your kind! How easy is the setup? The good news is setup is easy peasy!!! You download the Wear OS app onto your smart phone and the app will literally walk you through the steps to sync your phone to your watch! It will take you about 5 minutes, maybe 10 if you’re someone like me who reads EVERYTHING during setup.  Y’all already know!!! Goodbye cheap looking Apple Watch and hello classy and chic Michael Kors Access Runway Smartwatch!!! I was obsessed with this watch before I somehow manifested it into my existence and that obsession just got bigger once the watch was in my possession. I was also shocked that a Google watch was able to sync so smoothly with an iPhone. I was worried that there would be glitches & delays and so far I can honestly report I haven’t experienced any! My iPhone xsMax is also gold so I’m loving the fact my phone and watch match each other. Y’all better be prepared for all the insta flatlays featuring my matching phone & watch coming in the near future!!!! This watch is my new favorite accessory! Opinion Purchase!Want to purchase one of these fabulous smart watches for yourself? You can do so at your local Best Buy or by visiting the Best Buy Website!!! I love hitting up Best Buy for all of my electronic needs since 1. Geek squads is there to take care of all the complicated tech stuff 2. Price match so I always know I’m playing the lowest price on the market!  Let’s Chat!Do you own a smartwatch?The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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Get Holiday Party Ready With Me12/16/2018 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hot Tools for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine. 'Tis the season of Holiday Parties!!! I don’t know about you, but from November through January, my schedule is booked solid due to holiday festivities!!!! Since I work from home with zero reason to rock anything besides leggings, lipgloss & my favorite scent most days of the week, you best believe I take full advantage of the holidays and get as glammed up as possible every chance I get! Last weekend Hubby & I attended our first formal Holiday Party of the year! Thanks to the new Hot Tools Signature Series, I was able to make myself look salon perfect without actually stepping foot in a salon since Hot Tools launched the Signature Series line, bringing styling tools from a trusted brand used by professionals! Perfect for us work at home boss babes that can’t fit in that salon appointment between running our empires and chasing our kiddos around! Get Holiday Party Ready With Me To achieve this look, I washed my hair the night before and made sure to instantly dry my hair with the Hot Tools® Signature Series Salon Turbo Ionic® Dryer, 1875 Watts. Drying your hair instead of by air will make all of those frizzes disappear! You want your hair to be as straight as possible & this fabulous hair dryer does the trick! Hot Tools Signature Series Digital Flat Iron, 1 Inch The day of your holiday party, have your party outfit on & your makeup all ready to go! Nothing worse than being hair and makeup ready and having that holiday party dress flatten and smudge it all!!! Have that dress on before you start to holiday glam yourself!!! Once that dress is on and your makeup is good to go, grab that Hot Tools Signature Series flat iron, 1 Inch and start straightening away! Your hair should be pretty flat from drying it the night before, but this fabulous Flat Iron will make your hair ultra sleek and have your golden locks shining away!!!! Everyone deserves beautiful, and that’s what you get with these tools. Hot Tools Signature Series Gold Curling Iron/Wand, 1 Inch Once your curling iron is nice and hot, you will want to curl After your hair is looking nice and sleek from your flat iron, it’s time to move on to your curling iron! While your Hot Tools Signature Series is heating up, I usually play with the part in my hair so my hair will lay flat on my scalp! I love the messy part look! Makes your hair look like you did nothing at all and your hair is just naturally this fabulous! And just like that you have a holiday party look that looks like it came straight out of a salon!!! No one would ever guess that you achieved this look for the fraction of the cost in your very own bathroom!!! This look is also a favorite of mine when I travel! Minimal effort/time and leaves you looking like a bombshell straight off the runways! All thanks to Hot Tools!!! The Hot Tools Signature Series is available now at Walmart, Amazon and other mass retailers! #EveryoneDeservesBeautiful! Let’s Chat! Are you attending any holiday parties this year? The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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 And just like that another Bath & Body Works Candle Day has come and gone! Crazy that it’s already December!!! December is my favorite time of year to shop for myself, so I make sure to get all of my holiday gift shopping finished BEFORE Thanksgiving! That way I can take advantage of all those fabulous deals that show up in my inbox daily without a guilty conscience!!! I’m happy to report that 99% of my shopping was completed way before Thanksgiving, so this Bath & Body Works Candle Day, I was able to splurge on every last thing that I wanted guilt free! Listed below are the candles I scooped up during the sale, in the order of how fabulous they ended up smelling for me once at home! No idea what Bath & Body Works Candle Day is? Make sure to check out my last post so you can take advantage of the next Bath & Body Works Sale!!!  CHERY FROSTFRAGRANCE ~ White Cherry, Orange, Juniper with Essential Oils OPINION ~ I am shocked to say this candle is tied for my number one spot on my favorites list!!! Cherry Frost & In The Stars were the most powerful scented candles I purchased in my Bath & Body Works Candle Day Haul! If you love cherry, you will be obsessed with this candle!!! Plus, can we talk about how cute the packaging is?!?! Ahhhhh I love the whole girly Christmas vibe Bath & Body Works went with this season!!!!! Honestly, I purchased this candle for packaging reasons, so that’s why I was shocked that this candle smelled the best! So wasn’t expecting that!!!  IN THE STARSFRAGRANCE ~ Make every moment glow with an addictive fragrance that radiates from start to finish like the stars above. In The Stars is a warm, sparkling blend of starflower, sandalwood musk, sugared tangelo, white agarwood & radiant amber. OPINION ~ I LOVE THIS CANDLE!!!! The scent is super powerful!!! Smells like an expensive perfume, which makes this the perfect candle to burn while getting ready for those Christmas parties!!!! I really wish I would have picked a few more of these up to add to several gift baskets I have made for a few girlfriends! A total steal for only $8.95!  CHAMPAGNE TOASTFRAGRANCE ~ Bubbly Champagne, Sparkling Berries, Juicy Tangerine with Essential Oils. OPINION ~ Champagne & Cranberry, the candle below, are tied for the middle spots on my favorite candle list! I was pretty excited about this candle since I’m champagne obsessed, but at the same time didn’t have my hopes up since most champagne and wine scents tend to be disappointing . This past fall Bath & Body Works had a Champagne Apple & Honey Lotion and I wasn’t too impressed. All I smelled was Apple! Now the Champagne Toast Candle? Bravo Bath & Body Works!!!! Still not as powerful Champagne-wise as us bubbly lovers would like, but it’s a huge step in the right direction!!! Love that I bought this candle!!!! It will definitely make for a great conversation piece when guest come over!  FROSTED CRANBERRYFRAGRANCE ~ Iced Cranberries, Blonde Woods, Red Apple with Essential Oils. OPINION~ Frosted Cranberry smells exactly what what you would expect! That’s always a good thing when spending big bucks on candles. You could totally buy this candle at full price and feel you got your money’s worth!!! I love cranberry, especially around Christmas time, so I was glad I picked this candle up!!! Plus, the packaging is pretty fab itself!!! Girly Christmas galore!!!!  TWISTED PEPPERMINTFRAGRANCE ~ This is what Christmas smells like: Cool Peppermint, Sugared Snow, Vanilla Buttercream, Hint of Musk with Essential Oils OPINION ~ This was honestly the candle I was most excited to pick up!!! It looks exactly what I imagine girly Christmas to look like! It was the first candle I lit up and boy was I disappointed! For $8.95, it didn’t smell bad. It did smell delicious, but considering this is a $24.99 candle on a normal day. Boo! The scent was on the weak side for a Bath & Body Works Candle since most of their candles are pretty powerful scent wise. Glad I didn’t pay full price.I feel this was a candle that deserved that $8.95 price tag!  FREE CANDLE HOLDER!!That’s right! I said FREE Candle Holder!! If you receive Bath & Body Works coupons in the mail, then you know there is a free gift coupon in the December mailer!!! I obviously took advantage of the free gift during the Bath & Body Works Candle Day Sale! This holder was $12.95 & the coupon was for anything under $13. Pretty fabulous candle holder if you ask me! Glad I was one of the crazies at the Bath & Body Works door when they opened so I could actually scoop one of these babies up! I bet they were gone pretty quickly during the sale since I’m sure a ton of shoppers were taking advantage of that free gift coupon!  Let’s Chat!Did you take advantage of the Bath & Body Works Candle Day Sale?
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Bath & Body Works Candle Day TIPS11/28/2018  Omg!!!!! I just found out Bath & Body Works Candle Day is this SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st!!!!! If you’re not a Bath & Body Works obsessed gal like myself and have zero clue what I’m talking about, this is the day Bath & Body Works discounts all their 3 wick candles down to $8.95. These candles can be marked as high as $24.99 on a normal day, so this is a killer deal if you’re someone like me who needs all the candle scents all the time! Since I’m a seasoned Candle Day Veteran, I thought I would share a few of my Candle Day tips to help you get the most out of your Candle Day experience!  1. Don’t Just Stock Up On Christmas ScentsThis is literally the number one rookie mistake! As much as we want ALL the Christmas scents, who wants to be burning Christmas candles all year long? I know once New Years hits, I’m done with Christmas for the year & that means candle scents as well. If you’re planning on doing a large candle haul, grab a few non-Christmas scents so you have candles to burn all year long! Shopping for a besties Christmas gift? I would also suggest snagging that non-Christmas scent so they can burn it all year long! 2. Call Your Local Store The Night BeforeSome Bath & Body Works Stores actually open early for Candle Day! Some years I have heard of stores opening as early as 7am! If you have certain scents on your must-have list, I would suggest calling your local store to see if they happen to be opening early. Nothing worse than arriving at usual opening time only to find out your scents are sold out because the store had been open for hours! 3. Get There EarlyIf you are someone after the trendy Christmas scents, I would suggest going to the sale early! Everyone has Christmas candles on their mind since they are the newest, so the trendy Christmas scents are going to be the first to go! Get their early to snag your candle! 4. Last Seasons ScentsWas there a scent you were obsessed with last summer? Years past I have actually spotted candles from previous seasons! Just do a little digging and walking around. You never know what you might stumble upon!!! Nothing better than finding that scented candle you were obsessed with and thought you would never lay eyes on again!! It really can happen in candle day! 5. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask!I know you can feel silly asking an employee a simple question. Makes me nervous thinking about it since I’m one of those people who likes to shop without being bombarded by employees asking me if they can help me! But if you can’t find a scent you know should be out on display, ask an employee if they have more in the back! Every time I have thought a candle was sold out, I built up the courage to ask if they had more and they did! Candle Day is crazy busy, so most of the time, if you’re at the sale early, they didn’t have time to restock. If you’re at the sale later in the day, still ask! You never know. Maybe that specific scent isn’t popular in your town and they do have more! 6. Coupons!I know, y’all are like CourtneyLynne said the word coupon?!? Is the world ending?!?! While I might not be a coupon gal most days, it’s not my fault I forget those suckers at home! I am a huge fan of coupons on candle day! If you’re on the Bath & Body Works mailing list, you can use the December coupon book you received in the mail on candle day! That Dollar Discount Coupon will be your bestie!!! You can take off $5, $10, or $15 depending on how much you spend! Just take your coupon book to the store with you and use the coupon for your total amount at checkout! That coupon will make your candles even cheaper!!! Example, spent $20? You will get $5 off with that Dollar Discount Coupon! There is also a coupon for a free gift with purchase in the December coupon book! They won’t let you use the coupon for another candle, I watched someone try one year! But use that baby to score yourself one of the cheaper candle holders for all those new candles you just purchased! That’s what I did at the last Candle Day sale! 7. Stack Mailer Coupons In StoreIf you receive a coupon book with several coupons all attached on the same card, you can use ALL three in one transaction! So if you have the December coupon book, you can use the that Dollar Discount Coupon AND the Free Gidt Coupon in the same transaction! Jackpot!! 8. Best Ways To Use Free Product Coupons.That awesome Free Product Coupon in the December Coupon Book is pretty awesome!! Since you can get pretty much ANY product valued under $14 with any purchase. That’s right, buy one candle and get anything under $14 for free, make sure you use it for something good! I personally use them for candle holders! Other people I know love to use them on the Aromatherapy collection items since they rarely go on sale! 9. OnlineIf you’re not able to shop in-store for Candle Day, they usually release the sale online too, but unfortunately you’ll have to pay to ship. If you’re on the fence about their candles, they smell AMAZING! I actually prefer them over Yankee Candles as they make my entire house from top to bottom smell delicious! 10. Get Free Gift Wrapping Supplies In-Store.Planning to gift those candles you just purchased, but don’t have time to buy a gift bag? Be sure to ask at checkout if you can have cello bags, gift tags, and ribbon! They will give you a set of wrapping supplies per candle!
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Chamilia ~ PEPPERMINT JOY CHARM11/25/2018  As most of you know, we travel A LOT during the holidays. With my family living all over the place in Texas, my besties thousands of miles away back in Orlando, it’s life on the road once the holidays hit since we are located in New York. It it can be rather tough trying to scheme up that perfect Secret Santa gift when you have things like luggage weight limits to worry about on those fights! That’s why I’ve been a huge fan of CHAMILIA when I need that beyond fabulous gift when I’m on the road. Small enough to be tucked away in a carry on bag and fabulous enough to give to even the picket person on your holiday shopping list since everyone loves Swarovski!  About ChamiliaThe Chamilia story isn’t just their story; it’s the story of women all over the world who share the belief that life is meant to be lived in the moment. That the perfect life is the one we live every day. That we live with all our hearts. Our charms and jewelry reflect this passion for living. Love. Milestones. Passions. Relationships. Inspiration. These are the subjects that inspire the Chamilia assortment of charms, beads, bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings. Whether in search of romantic sentiment, a family motif, a symbol for a favorite animal or hobby, or a token to congratulate or motivate, Chamilia designs inspire creativity and self-expression. Find countless ways to personalize your jewelry and tell a story that is yours alone. Chamilia was founded in NYC in 2002 as a charm company, and since its purchase by Swarovski in 2013, has blossomed into a leading brand of both charms and jewelry designed for women to accessorize with meaning. As a Swarovski company, Chamilia is fortunate to be supported by quality experts around the world who help us deliver impeccably-crafted collections that last a lifetime and beyond. Interested to learn more about how Chamilia jewelry is created? Visit the Craftsmanship page.  Since I’m someone who is all about themes & my Secret Santa gifts are usually passed early in the holiday season, I’m all about the Christmas charms/ bracelets when it comes to gift giving! Something festive the recipient can rock around the Christmas tree throughout the season!!!! My favorite charm this year? This beyond adorable charm called Peppermint Joy. This sterling silver charm features light oxidation, opaque red enamel detailing, and white SwarovskiPure Brilliance Zirconia and can be paired with any Chamilia bracelet or necklace. Depending on who I’m shopping for, I will buy either just the charm since they already have a bracelet, or bracelet & charm to get them hooked on the fabulously that is Chamilia. Then every year I can buy another festive charm to add to their collection!!! Such a fun and exciting gift!  Let’s Chat!Are you a Chamilia Charm Collector?
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How To Mall Walk Like A Pro11/18/2018  This post was sponsored by Reebok as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. I’m a hater of all things winter. I truly am. I dislike the cold, the snow, the gloomy & ridiculously depressing sky. Winter is literally my nemesis & I’m counting down the days until I can once again walk the pup around the neighborhood in 70-degree weather. Part of my daily routine is that I like to walk. A LOT! Walking is my form of exercise. It’s how I get all my energy out after a stressful day and my life feels all wonky if I’m unable to get a walk in. But during winter? Walking the neighborhood is not happening. I’ve tried. People don’t shovel sidewalks. Plows push ice and snow on the few paths that are shoveled. It’s agonizing to me!!!  The next best thing? Mall walking of course! Mall walking offers a safe, free, comfortable, walker-friendly way for the public to be more physically active. Why Walk The Mall? • Malls offer an indoor environment so you can avoid harsh weather. • Malls have security! • Level ground, which can reduce the risk of trips and falls • Company of fellow mall walkers • Well-lit restrooms, access to free water fountains, and benches or places to sit and rest! The first few times I hit the mall for a nice long walk, I bumped into several other mall walkers. There are even clubs and these people are serious about their daily walks. They have headphones in, they have created their own “lanes” and to them, if you aren’t moving quickly, you’re in their way. It can quite intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! That’s why I created a list of tips for those of you wanting to get into to mall walking! With these tips, you will be mall walking like a pro in no time!  Comfy Shoes!The right shoe can literally make or break your walk. You braved the cold, scrapped snow off of your car & made the trek all the way to the mall, so you definitely don’t want to cut your walk short due to an uncomfortable shoe! That’s why my go-to mall walking shoes are Reebok Classics!! Reebok ClassicsThe reason I’m obsessed with Reebok Classics is because not only are the super comfy, but they are so versatile! I can go walk a few laps at the mall in total comfort and then head to dinner or run some errands rocking the same look! No need to change or anything! My pair of Reebok Classics have rose good accents all over the shoe, so I’m constantly getting compliments on my favorite shoes!!! Want a pair for yourself?!? You can scoop up a pair online at Shoe Carnival!!!  ClothingIf you're like me, you don't necessarily want everyone to know that you're at the mall to work out. The solution is simple: Don't wear workout gear, just wear regular clothes (something comfortable). That way you don't stand out! This is another reason why I love wearing my Reebok Classics for my mall walks! They are comfy enough for a workout, yet match my everyday clothing! Avoid Eye-ContactIn my experience, no one smiles at each other. There is no small talk!! And I love it!!!! The worst part of hitting the gym is all the small talk. None of that happens at the mall. We all divert our eyes to not slow our pace!  Take BreaksI feel I get the best walks in when I take breaks. I will bring a bottle of water with me. Switch which hand I’m holding my water in as if my water bottle was a weight. When I start to feel sluggish, I find a chair or bench and take a water break! Once I down my bottle of water, I’m off to the second part of my walk! Walk BrisklyNo strolling aloud. Walk briskly. Swing your arms and prepare for a real-life game of Frogger!! You will burn more calories the faster you walk and the more you swing your arms!  Take The StairsTake the stairs and not the escalators or elevators. This one should be pretty obvious, but I felt I should toss this tip on the list! Stair climbing is such a fabulous workout! Whenever I have extra energy, I love speed walking stairs over and over!!! I even do this in my own home. My legs always feel like jello after and I love it!!!! Stop Into StoresDon't just walk the length of the mall, stop into the stores and walk around! This will not only give you extra steps, but you'll be so distracted you won't notice you added more steps to your workout! I love going into stores when I start to get bored and haven’t met my steps goal since stores change their stock all the time. Stores are constantly giving me new things to look at while walking.  Let’s Chat!Are you a mall walker? Do you have any mall walking tips of your own?The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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 Thank you Boscov’s for sponsoring this post! Regardless of compensation, all opinions, stories & typos, 100% my own!!! The hype. The hysteria. The holidays! It’s officially that time of year again folks! Tis the season to hook a drain tube up to your wallet and watch your cash flow disappear faster than a Kardashian marriage in the name of Jolly Old Saint Nick! The good news is, holiday shopping doesn’t have to be stressful & it certainly doesn’t have to drain your savings. All you need is an effective strategy & good list making skills to help you stay on task.  Boscov’sThe most important part of your strategy willl involve figuring out ways to save on your holiday shopping. When you’re spending money, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. This is the only way to stretch your budget further & make sure you have enough cash to cover all of those peeps on that shopping list. That’s why hubby & I always head to Boscov’s for our holiday shopping! With incredible deals all year long, FREE gift wrap and a department for every gift on my shopping list, Boscov’s is literally the one stop shop to get that holiday shopping AND wrapping done in a flash!  To make things even more easy peasy for you, I’ve compiled a list of gift tips,tricks & hacks that will ultimately help you nail the role of Santa Claus and help you save that money this holiday season. Whether you’re doing your holiday shopping at Boscov’s online or in-store – these tips will cover it all.  New Relationship Gifts!This is the shopping tip that really started this post! We went to dinner a few nights ago with a co-worker of my hubby’s and he was asking me all sorts of gift questions. He’s in a new relationship and wants to nail that special gift! While jewelry is nice, unless you’re loaded & can afford straight up diamonds that no female could resist, I would shy away from jewelry until you learn her jewelry taste. Some girls are all about the bling while others are more modest. You don’t want to screw that detail up! It will look like you aren’t paying attention to her. A nice designer handbag would be my gift of choice for that new relationship! Plus, you can usually find awesome deals on Michael Kors, Betsy Johnson, etc at Boscov’s making it easy to find that bag within your budget. No matter what walk of life the girl in your life comes from, every girl needs a bag at some point, so the bag will definitely get used. Stick with safe colors like black, white and brown and I promise you, your girl will have the biggest smile on her face Christmas morning.  Gifts For HerIf you have been married forever like I have, then I bet you know what the love of your life would buy for herself. If you don’t, I have you covered with a few hacks!!!! 1. Head to her closet and check the sizes on the clothing items she wears the most! 2. Write down the names of her favorite designers for perfumes by raiding her collection. While there, check to see which bottles are almost empty. That way you know she needs a new bottle AND she likes that specific fragrance since the bottle is almost gone. Shopping for fragrances during the holidays is my favorite since most perfume’s come in cute gift sets making that gift extra blingy & special AND at a discounted price! 3. & don’t forget to jot down those shoe sizes!!! Unwrapping a new winter jacket, bottle of perfume, and/or a new pair of designer boots would definitely make me give my hubby a huge kiss Christmas morning. Thankfully, you can find all of these items at Boscov’s AND have them gift wrapped for you FOR FREE!  Gifts For HimI swear guys are way more tough to shop for than girls. While girls get in awe when they spot any designer item of the fact you nailed her shoe size, guys don’t seem to be that impressed with labels. You can splurge on a new Calvin Klein suit & unless your man asked for it himself, he will probably give you a “nice” or a “cool” before tossing it to the side. One thing most guys get excited about happens to be sports. I try to stick with sports related items when it comes to my husband. I will usually splurge on a set of tickets & then head to Boscov’s and buy all the sports memorabilia possible to go with those tickets! Boscov’s always has the best and most unique sports memorabilia! Perfect for hubby’s mancave or to put on his desk or in his locker at work!  Stocking StuffersOne of the best parts of Christmas morning is snacking on all of that chocolate Santa left you!!! One of the only days of the year it’s acceptable to eat candy for breakfast! That’s why I love raiding Boscov’s candy section when playing Santa!!!!! Santa only leaves the best chocolate at our house and Boscov’s has it all. I swear chocolate is the one thing EVERYONE loves, so it’s a safe buy! Once you picked up your chocolate, head to the intimates section and scoop up those undies & socks! It wouldn’t be Christmas without them!  Gifts for Animal LoversWe all have that animal lover on our shopping lists. Wheather it’s the crazy cat lady or the person you know that fosters all the stray dogs, Boscov’s has plenty of gifts for the animal nut. I’m about one cat away from being a crazy cat lady myself, so when I spotted the animal themed gift section. That’s right, a whole section!! I had to give it a shoutout on the blog!  Toy TrendsI know my daughter can’t get enough of all things Unicorn & Mermaid! She is also into all thing JoJo and Boscov’s had loads of JoJo over in the Bargain Central section of the store!!!! One of the hot items I was shocked to spot at Boscov’s were Pomsies! If you follow me on Instagram, you know my daughter has an obsession with this cute little kitties! They are all the rage in first grade. She even took one to the Pumpkin Patch this year. Pomsies are on every “hot toy” list this holiday season, so don’t forget to toss one in your cart! One way to save that cash when shopping for younger kids is buying all of those discounted themed toys! A little kid will see 10 JoJo bows and think she was Santa’s favorite since she received 10 & not 1! Kids have zero clue about prices and money, so don’t break the bank on a 4 year old! 10 JoJo bows will mean more than a Power Wheels in their eyes. Wait until they are older to splurge, so they will appreciate the costly item.  The One Who Has EverythingOn my shopping list, this would be my Dad! He literally has everything and buys everything he wants ALL THE TIME! For those tough to shop for people on that shopping list, I’m all about the cute and funny gifts! They already own everything, so give them a good ole giggle for Christmas. The gift of laughter works every year since it’s something you cannot buy! That laughter will also be the gift that keeps on giving since that funny gift will come up in conversation over and over throughout the year, even years!  Gifts for TravelersI can only dream that when I retire, I spend all my free time roaming the world! While I would love to purchase an airline ticket for the loved one struck by wanderlust on my shopping list, gifts like luggage will have to do! I promise your frequent flyer friend can never have enough!!! Usually around the holidays you can score crazy deals on luggage. I’m not sure exactly why this is, but even Boscov’s had 75% off sales of select luggage. If that isn’t a crazy deal, then I don’t know what is! Pick up that suitcase and let everyone think you spent a small fortune!  Holiday PartyDon’t break the bank trying to look fly for that holiday party. Dresses can get pretty pricey, BUT they are also the area you can save that cash!!!! The less you spend of that dress, the more you have to spend on presents! That’s why I’m constantly stalking the Boscov’s sales! I’m someone who won’t be spotted at that party rocking anything but Calvin Klein, Michael Kors etc, and Boscov’s always comes through. I saved so much on my holiday party dress, that I was able to scoop up a New Years dress as well! Got to love those sales!!! Hack ~ Don’t have that much wiggle room in the budget for a dress? Head to the clearance rack & check out last seasons dresses! If you spit a solid colored dress, grab it! Toss on a pair of tights, heels and a sparkly statement necklace and that summer dress just became your holiday dress!  Don’t Forget The Furbabies!Our fur babies need presents too!!!!! Have a bestie with dog? Shy away from holiday treats and stick with toys. You don’t know what diet your friends pet is on! Some people are pretty strict about what their beloved furbaby can eat. Toys are always a safe choice and Boscov’s had loads of them! Even cute unicorn & flamingo squeaky toys!!!  Secret SantaNot going to lie, I love Secret Santa gift shopping!!!! Unfortunately I don’t have any friends (joking, sorta ;-) ) so I never get invited to do such activities. If I were to ever partake in one, I would raid the novelty mugs, cups, glasses.... one can never have enough. If the budget was a tad bit higher, I would be all about the cute wine bags and toss a bottle of bubbly inside!!! Booze makes everyone happy, especially during the holidays. Plus, if you mess up and buy the wrong type of booze? Wine can always be re-gifted!  Beware Of TimingIf you intend on buying any gifts from Boscov’s online and want to receive them before major holidays like Christmas, be sure to factor enough time in for shipping. Remember that the business shipping days Boscov’s will list when talking delivery, DO NOT include weekends, so plan, plan, plan! Basically, if you haven’t started making online orders yet, get on it this week! Hack ~ Buying and sending a present for someone who lives across the country can be a bit of a hassle; you end up having to make a trip to the post office and paying a lot for shipping. Instead, ship the gift right from the Boscov’s. For instance, if your cousin across the country, just send her that cozy sweater directly rather than shipping it to yourself, wrapping it and shipping it out again. It’ll save you some time and may even save you some money, since stores like Boscov’s have flat shipping fees for items and even FREE shipping if you spend a certain amount as opposed to the weight-based rate at the post office!  Shopping ListWith all of the deals Boscov’s puts out around the holidays, it’s easy to get carried away by buying more than you planned. Before you head out , make a specific list of your recipients, the items you’re looking for and how much you plan on spending per person. Only buy what you have written down, otherwise your $200 budget could quickly become $400. Goodbye savings, hello part-time job! To make sticking to that budget as painless as possible, I have included a free Christmas List Printable for you to download, print, fill out and take shopping with you! No printer? No problem! Boscov’s has a Gift Registry AND a Wish List section on their site! Have your kids and spouse make a wish list and shop off of that! 
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ColourPop Disney Designer Collection10/17/2018  It’s here!!!! Finally here!!! I have been waiting FOREVER for the ColourPop Disney Designer Collection to be released. I was one of those people online when the clock struck 12 to get her hands on the entire collection. It may have sold out in just a few minutes, but I was lucky enough to score one of the limited edition PR Sets! Let me show you what’s inside!!!  ColourPop Disney Designer CollectionThis is a fairytale moment! Get your hands on the Disney and ColourPop PR Collection. Extremely limited quantities! Includes: It's a Princess Thing Palette, Fairytale Moment Super Shock Shadow Foursome, Kiss The Girl Crème Lux Lipstick Collection, & 3 Ultra Glossy Lips, all in exclusive packaging. Get it before it strikes midnight! This item is limited edition.  Crème Lux LipstickLUX it up. Enriched with a LUX Blend of hydrating butters, this creamy-matte, long wearing lipstick glides on the lips for intense pigmentation in shades made for every skin tone.  I may have been a fan of ColourPop Shadows forever, but ColourPop Lipsticks are new to me! These Crème Lux Lipstick in the ColourPop Disney Designer Collection are the very first lipsticks I’ve added to my collection from ColourPop.  Ariel, Tiana, Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine and Belle! Just love that they are named after Disney Princesses! As for wear? For $7, you can’t beat them. They are equal to all the higher end drug store lipsticks AND cheaper! Perfect for those shades you don’t really wear everyday. At $7, it’s easy to collect them all!  Ultra Glossy LipBibbidi, Bobbiti & Boo! Hi-shine formula creates a see through glassy finish with a sheer tint of color. All shine, no shimmer. Enriched with jojoba oil to moisturize, nourish, and provide a cushiony feel for juicy, fuller-looking lips. No one can have enough lip glosses! I have been a huge fan of using Bibbidi over lipsticks to add a little shine to my lips!  Pressed Powder ShadowsGet red carpet ready with the pièces de résistance of the collection, our first 15 pan shadow palette inspired by the iconic Disney princesses. These soft romantic shadows will add a touch of glam to any look to make you photo ready. Chip: matte soft beige nude Juju: matte warm rosy pink Grumpy: matte dusty salmon Triton: sand with a golden sheen Abu: matte intense warm brown Prince Charming: ivory pearl with a green duochrome Ray: metallic champagne Fairy Godmother: metallic bright coral One Kiss?: metallic bright coppery gold Thingamabob: vibrant metallic silver Enchanted Rose: rich metallic rose Poison Apple: metallic pinky violet Magic Carpet: blackened plum Beast: deep warm brown topped with gold glitter Midnight Curfew: black sprinkled with silver glitter If you have been following me on social media, you know ColourPop Shadows are my guilty pleasure!!! I was a makeup snob for years and wouldn’t give ColourPop a chance. $20 for a palette just sounded too good to be true. So I stuck with my Naked sets. I was missing out since ColourPop Palettes are way more pigmented than most high end palettes! This palette really doesn’t disappoint. If you can only purchase one thing from the Disney Designer Collection, this palette should be it!  Super Shock ShadowsThis revolutionary creme-powder eyeshadow, famous for its unique bouncy texture, delivers bold colour & fine glitter in one swipe without creasing, fading or fallout.  Again, I LOVE ColourPop Shadows!!! The individual shadows are just as vibrant as the palettes!!! Perfect for traveling or to toss in your purse for a night out on the town!  Let’s Chat!Do you own any ColourPop products? What are your favorites? Do you own any of the Disney Designer Collection?The Recommended Posts widget will appear here on the published site.
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Fabulous Glowing Skin TIPS10/4/2018  Thank you to PURENEW for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I will admit, I love my makeup & I love my filters like every other basic girl in America! However, one thing I’m pretty proud of is the fact I get told I look like my Insta photos in real life all the time! For being in my 30’s I do have pretty fabulous skin, those Insta & Snap filters just make my skin look even more fab. Good genes? Naw! I actually struggled with skin issues most of my 20’s! With a few tweaks to my skincare regime, I went from looking rough to radiant within a few short months. Kick your own skincare routine into high gear with these simple Fabulous Glowing Skin TIPS to get flawless skin yourself just in time for all those holiday parties!  1. Supplements ~ Did you know your eating habits can affect your skin? Skincare isn’t just about the products we slather on our faces. In fact, what you injest can be just as important as the serums and creams you apply on your skin. A simple change in your daily habits, such as just one application of supplements a day, can bring visible change to your skin! The biggest difference between health supplements and superficial skincare products is that they can fundamentally improve the root causes of skin problems, for the long run. That’s why supplements for fabulous, glowing skin can seriously be a game changer.  PURENEWHave you tried PURENEW? If you’re new to PURENEW, let me fill you in on the tea! PURENEW is a beauty supplement made of premium ingredients all sourced from nature and are backed by clinical studies! Ingredients like Wild Red Sockeye Salmon Oil, BioSil® Hair Vital Advanced Formula, BioCell Collagen® HA, Multi-Antioxidants Comlex and Bioactive Collagen Peptides help to regenerate healthy skin, boost skin moisture and elasticity! Long story short, you will be treating your skin from within unlike all those topical creams and lotions sitting in your bathroom. PURENEW is also manufactured in California in a cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) certified facility in accordance with the highest quality and control standards enforced by the FDA! You know you’re getting a quality product when buying PURENEW, so now worries about unsafe, untested ingredients. If if you’re in you’re 30’s like this mama, PURENEW is a dream come true since PURENEW is filled with all the fabulousness we need for our skin to stay looking fab & fresh! PURENEW products are designed for specific life stages to nourish the cells, increase physiological function and enhance the physique! So if you like what you’re reading make sure you buy the option for you’re age group! • In your 40s and 50s, expression lines and dark spots on your face become more visible due to cumulative sun exposure and free radicals. Professional Skin Clear is advanced skin care aimed at reducing wrinkles and promoting clear skin in women age 35+.The ingredients nourish your skin from the inside out, regenerating healthy skin cells and increasingcollagen, boosting moisture and elasticity to reduce wrinkles, reducing formation of both visible and hidden age spots and brightening skin tone. • Your 20s and 30s are the most critical time for optimizing your skin health – the way you care for it now will determine future skin quality. Essential Skin Clear is fundamental formulation for those age 20+ that rehydrates and promotes healthy, glowing skin, relieves clogged pores, and fights fine lines, dark spots and sensitive skin condition.  2. Clean Your Phone ~ I know, sounds silly! But if you’re spotting breakouts on your cheeks, they may be from those hour-long chats with your bestie. Your phone picks up a ridiculous amount of dirt and bacteria (from your hands, handbag, the kitchen counter), which can then get transferred to your face when you're gossiping away on the phone. Wipe that screen down really good with an anti-bacterial wipe to get rid of all those gross germs. Your skin will be thanking you. 3. Change Those Pillowcases ~ Not changing your pillowcases enough can also cause your skin to not look so hot. I know, you’re thinking I wash my face every night! Truth is your pillowcases carry dirt and sweat from your hair, hands, and build up from the products you use on your face at night, which can clog your pores. No one wants to wake up to blackheads, so it's a good idea to change those pillowcases frequently. 4. Get Some Shut Eye ~ The key to not looking tired? Not being tired! Duh! I know, easier said than done. All our heavy thinking seems to only happen once the sun goes down. Do whatever you can to get in seven to eight hours a night and your skin—including those pesky undereye bags, will look noticeably better. Trust me, sleep offers the kind of results that not even top of the line face creams can mimic. 5. Wear Sunscreen ~ This is one of those tips you hear over and over and don’t start to practice until it’s too late! Don’t be like me! I was a tanorexic in my 20’s & it’s taken me years to reverse all that damage!! Protecting yourself from sun damage NOW will make you feel better now AND later on. Wear at least SPF 15 every day (higher if you're spending time in strong sun) under your makeup to help prevent skin cancer, wrinkles and sunburn. Sunscreen actually makes for a decent skin primer! Try it!  6. Wash Your Makeup Brushes ~ This one is for you makeup junkies!!! Make sure to wash your makeup brushes with brush cleanser or baby shampoo frequently!! If you use makeup sponges, wash those regularly too. These tools can accumulate bacteria, which can lead to horrible breakouts, even rashes! Dirty brushes can make the most expensive skincare routines go to waste. I unfortunately learned this the hard way and had what appeared to be a rash on my face for weeks before realizing I was an idiot and needed to wash my brushes when everything else failed! Never again will I go more than a day or two without giving my brushes a quick rinse. 7. Get Hydrated ~ Every skin expert I have ever spoken to emphasized the importance of hydration. A lack of water means less radiance and more sag! Professionals claim 7-8 glasses of water a day will do the trick. I happened to purchase a gallon sized water bottle at a discount store and it sits on my desk daily. I may pee way more than I wish, but my skin is worth those extra bathroom runs! Drinking water will also make you feel full making you snack on those sugary treats less, which is also good for your skin! Say no to candy that can lead to breakouts by drinking that H2O. 8. Squeezing A Zit Will Never, EVER Make It Better, Faster ~ Translation: Stop touching your face. Your hands are covered in germs & bacteria. Just think about all the stuff you just touched in the last hour! If you’re touching an already-inflamed zit or rash, you’re only adding debris to the pimple and delaying its demise. Plus, popping a pimple doesn’t do your skin or the zit itself any good. Especially if it’s a swollen, large cyst without a whitehead on top, which will only get worse when you try to squeeze.  Let’s Chat!Do you have any skincare tips to share? I’m always looking for new skincare & beauty tips!!!
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welcomeCourtneyLynne is former model turned mommy & wifey! When not blogging all things foodie, fashion, travel, mom life & straight up fabulousness to the masses, she can be found chasing her daughter around in 6in stilettos & laughing at her own jokes her glass of wine told her to tell. |
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5/29/2019
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