MOM CONFESSIONALS

Recently I was invited to the launch party for Honest Company hosted by MomTrends and got a chance to meet the fabulously gorgeous Jessica Alba, one of the founders of this revolutionary company.  We listened to hear tell the story of her early days as a new parent and it echoed my very own experience.  I became a parent during the early uproar over BPA in bottles and remember the ignited fear within.   I began countless hours of research and at every turn I was more and more horrified.  Not just at the chemicals in everyday products we used but also at the high costs for products that were safer.  “I’ve spent way too many hours researching products and driving around trying to find safer, eco-friendly options for my kids,” exclaimed Jessica Alba, President and founder. “I knew that most people didn’t have that kind of time, nor the means to pay the premium prices. We had to make it easier.”  She teamed up with Christopher Gavigan, former Healthy Child Healthy World CEO; Brian Lee, ShoeDazzle.com founder; and Sean Kane, PriceGrabber.com executive, to launch The Honest Company, an eco-friendly line of family essentials offered through a monthly subscription service at Honest.com.  That’s a pretty amazing team for sure!  Healthy Child Healthy World was my go-to site for the most reliable information and still is.  Meeting Christopher Gavigan was inspiring.  He admits to being asked for product recommendations all the time but it took a LOT of nudging from Jessica Alba to give birth to The Honest Company.  We’re glad he came on board.

Created for parents by parents, The Honest Company founders say they are committed to making safe, sustainable products more convenient, beautiful, and affordable.  While one might be skeptical about signing up for a monthly subscription service, I can barely commit to a magazine subscription, I was pleasantly surprised at the flexibility.  The products are curated into personalized bundles that are automatically shipped every month, and parents can try a FREE Discovery Kit, that includes a sample pack of diapers and wipes, or trial-sized versions of the bath, skin and cleaning products.   If you like the discovery kit, you can continue to receive a customizable kit of FULL size products monthly.  It’s an easy process, and members at Honest.com can purchase a monthly supply of non-toxic stylish diapers competitively priced at less than $20 a week, and can also choose a monthly supply of the body care and home cleaning essentials for under $9 a week.  When it’s put in those numbers, it makes a lot of sense.

I really can embrace the Honest Family Essentials Bundle model where I can select 5 out of 14 currently available products every month.  My needs are always constantly changing, not to mention being a little commitment phobic, having the flexibility to choose the products I need for the next month is awesome!  While I am just transitioning my littlest one out of diapers, I have to say the Honest Diaper Bundle is so gorgeous I even contemplated waiting a bit longer on potty training.  Completely natural & non-toxic – made from chlorine-free, bio-based absorbent, and plant-based materials, these diapers are not only stylish, but also ultra absorbent with a premium fit.

As one of the founders of Trumpeting Media, we love brands that have a charitable arm, doing some Social Good.  I was thrilled to hear that a portion of every dollar Honest Company earns goes to their non-profit partner Baby2Baby. This worthy nonprofit supplies local families in need with essential baby gear and clothing for children up to age four.  We love it!

In these days where BUSY doesn’t even begin to describe a parent’s typical day, convenience and value speaks to us.  We welcome The Honest Company to make every parent’s life a little more manageable.

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As quickly as kids grow, it seems like you’re spending money left and right to keep your kids in clothing period, let alone stylish clothing.  One of our favorite shopping destinations has always been H&M kids.  They have not only stylish but high quality clothing at an affordable price!  When they first began to license Hello Kitty, one of my daughter’s favorite characters, we were there constantly stocking up on everything from cute dresses, tees and other Hello Kitty accessories.  From there our love expanded to warm and luxurious hats and mittens for the cold New York winters.  H&M has always been my go-to for cute spring dresses and now adorable french inspired sweater dresses.

I was not surprised to learn that as a global company, they impose the strictest of standards with regard to children’s clothing.  Tests are carried out throughout the production process to ensure that these demands are met.  When one country changes their requirements, they make the change globally.  Just a few of these not so recent changes included:

• detachable hoods on outer garments, to reduce the risk of accidents if a child should become caught by the hood
• no drawstrings with loose ends around necks or hoods, to minimize the risk of asphyxiation
• buttons, ribbons and embellishments must be sufficiently durable to withstand use and washing
• all garments must be checked in a needle detector to detect any foreign metal objects such as broken needles, which may have mistakenly ended up in the
  garment during production
• no treatment with flame retardants, to take account of the sensitive skin of children

Sound familiar?  All recent news worthy issues that H&M has always been on top of!  It makes shopping at H&M a no-brainer!

When they challenged me to maximize $100 and come up with some holiday outfits for my kids, all I could think was, are you serious?!  Easy Peasy!  What did we walk away with?  My darling daughter snagged a gorgeous grey knit sweater dress with rosette detailing, two pairs of knit leggings (to keep those winter breezes in check), a pair of pink pearlescent ballet flats with bow detail and just for fun, some whimsical hello kitty bow barrettes. While my handsome, snagged a a rugged black wool jacket, dress shirt with tie and robotic jeans to go with his new fedora and wooly hat.  Pictures to come!  But here are some from our fun shopping expedition, the little man was really in his element!

GIVEAWAY:  To get your kids dressed in H&M Style this holiday season, the fabulous people at H&M are giving ONE (1) very lucky Mom Confessionals reader a $100 Gift Certificate and a 25% off VIP card good until June 30th, 2012!  To ENTER, from now until December 15th 2011 you MUST visit this FORM and enter (1) one of (3) ways – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional  and @HMUSA and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s @HMUSA Holiday Style #giveaway and you should too! http://wp.me/pLvfH-1b3) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends.  – 3rd option – subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on December 15th 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

HOLD THE PRESSES!  There can only be ONE giveaway winner, but ALL readers can get 20% off a single item by signing up for H&Mʼs newsletter http://www.hm.com/us/newsletter.

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Welcome to cold and flu season…it’s time to get educated! In addition to offering medicine that is easy to understand (including their latest launches:  help, I have chest congestion and help, I have a stuffy nose), Help Remedies’ Medical Director David Pompei (Pharm.D) provides the below tips on navigating through the drugstore clutter and other useful information for surviving cold/flu season:

1. PREVENT yourself from needing to visit the drug aisle – wash your hands regularly, exercise, consider getting a flu shot; these basic public health measures do reduce the chance of getting sick.
2. IDENTIFY YOUR SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS. If you do get sick, avoid characterizing your condition using ambiguous terms such as ‘cold’ or ‘flu’. Instead, identify your specific symptoms; do you have a headache, does your body ache, do you have a fever, are you congested, do you have a runny nose, etc. and select product/s with active ingredients that focus on your specific symptoms rather than catchalls that may have medications that you don’t need.
3.  TAKE LESS. Take just the amount of medicine you need. If a small dose relieves your symptom, there is no additional benefit in taking more. Start with a moderate dose – if you need more you can take more, up to the recommended dosage per day.
4. ASK QUESTIONS. The drug aisle can be confusing at times, and the pharmacist is there to help you get the right medication for your needs.
5. DON’T OVERDO IT. While you’re sick, take care of yourself. Rest, use a sick day, drink lots of fluids (including that old remedy, soup).

Whatever (or whoever) ails you this season, Help Remedies has your gifting needs covered with a variety of stocking stuffers:

PROBLEM: You battled a gang of coupon-clutching seniors while negotiating a cart full of gifts through the line at Target’s.
SOLUTION: help, I have an aching body

PROBLEM: Your coworker’s feet are in bad shape after she insisted on wearing “festive” 5-inch stilettos to the office holiday party.
SOLUTION: help, I have a blister

PROBLEM: In an obvious attempt at payback for your misspent youth, the grandparents gave the twins matching drum sets.
SOLUTION: help, I have a headache

PROBLEM: Your brother-in-law’s bear-like snores are rattling the windows. And the family is in town for a week.
SOLUTION: help, I can’t sleep

PROBLEM: Your teenager is far too cool to wear a proper coat. Or hat. Or scarf.
SOLUTION: help, I have a stuffy nose

PROBLEM: Your sister-in-law’s five cats won’t leave you compulsively sneezing self alone.
SOLUTION: help, I have allergies

PROBLEM: Your husband lost the annual family football bowl and pouted for an hour in the backyard.
SOLUTION: help, I have chest congestion

Yes they are niftily designed, and come in cute little pods that I can’t resist but they are just as practical as they are smartly designed.  Personally I hope someone leaves me some help, I can’t sleep in my stocking so I can sooner acclimate to working the night shift.  For additional information on Help Remedies, visit www.helpineedhelp.com. Each Help product is $3.99 MSRP, available at Walgreens, Duane Reade, select Target stores, Soap.com, Pharmaca.com, and other retailers nationwide.

GIVEAWAY:  It’s getting nippy out there!  Just in time for switching into snow boots and helping your feet “weather the storm” or after you’ve insisted on wearing “festive” 5-inch stilettos to the office holiday party, we’re giving away FIVE (5) help, I have a blister kits!  To ENTER, from now until December 31st 2011 you MUST visit this FORM and enter (1) one of (3) ways – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s HELP remedies #giveaway and you should too! http://wp.me/pLvfH-1a8) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends.  – 3rd option – subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on December 31st 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

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It’s generation TECH and there’s something for everyone this holiday season!  I’ve definitely got some tech-fever with recent post ideas such as “How to survive in a ONE iPad Family” and “Getting my Dancey Dancey on with Dance Central for Kinect”

Just in time for the Holidays, Kinect has really come a long way.  If you don’t have one, add that to the list! We are obsessed with so many of the new releases!  Currently my nephew is clocking some real time with Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat for Xbox and uDraw.  He is just another budding little artist in the family and this game let’s him draw the Wham! Bam! and Pow! and really be a part of the comic.  Armed with the new uDraw Gametablet with uDraw Studio: Instant Artist – Xbox 360 in HD, the graphics are intensely real!

They just keep finding new ways to make the iPad even cooler!  Of course with my recent acquisition of the iPad, my obsession is fueled.  We’re loving the new Crayola iMarker which makes coloring go digital!  Young artists can choose from the Crayola 64 box of colors and transform their medium to everything from a crayon to markers to paints and coloring pencils.  Using the free Color Studio HD App download which features a huge library of built in art, kids can free draw, play games and create their own custom coloring pages.  The Crayola iMarker is available for $29.99 for Ages 3+.  Don’t fret if you can’t wait until the holidays are upon us to color you happy, this free app includes a pen free mode too aka “finger mode”.

Got a Cars 2 fan in the house?  You should check out the new Disney Pixar Cars 2 AppMATes.  When used with an iPad, the mini vehicles transform the tablet’s screen into an interactive Radiator Springs play mat.  I have to admit I got a little caught up in the action myself.  The vehicles interact with everything on the screen from other vehicles going on missions, to the latest race.  Crash into everything, pick up hub caps as currency and really deck out your ride in style.  Tons of free play for the youngest of iPad users and interactivity for the older crowd.  Whatever will they come up with next?  the Disney Pixar Cars 2 AppMATes are available online at Amazon.com and Apple.com, sold in single and 2-packs.

Have a Nintendo DS and looking for girl’s games?  Look no further than Pinkalicious for Nintendo DS!  It comes with a Pinkalicious stylus, and who doesn’t need more of those!  My daughter is constantly losing them!  It’s a perfect stocking stuffer that your girl would go crazy for!  Pinkalicious celebrates all things pink while teaching the special girl in your life that being yourself is best of all!  We’re also loving Lalaloopsy: Sew Magical! Sew Cute! for Nintendo DS which comes with a mini-LaLaLoopsy too!  My girl is loopsy for all things LaLaLoopsy!

GIVEAWAYS: Enter NOW!  From now until December 15th 2011 you MUST visit this FORM.  Four (4) lucky winners will win their choice of:

• Crayola iMarker [ valued at $29.99 ]
• Disney Pixar Cars 2 AppMATes 2-Pack [ valued at $34.99 ]
• Pinkalicious for Nintendo DS [ valued at $29.99 ]
• uDraw Studio – Game and Tablet for Nintendo Wii [ valued at $69.99 ]

For an additional (3) entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s Techalicious #Giveaway and you should too! http://wp.me/pLvfH-1a1) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends.  – 3rd option – subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on December 15th 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

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I’m joining in the Black Friday Madness!  My first year and I don’t even know where to begin!  But I know it’s definitely all about my kids.

Here are some my must haves/finds of the Black Friday specials!

My budding little artist loves all things Crayola and we’re totally digging Crayola’s Crayon Maker!  If you’re like me, you’ve got a huge box of broken but still useable crayons.  What a fun way to recycle them into new crayons!  On sale for $19.99 at Target until tomorrow, you can also snag their Holiday Toy Wish List catalog in store or online for an additional $5 off, making this originally $29.99 gift, only $14.99!  Who doesn’t love a deal upon a deal!

Don’t throw that Holiday Toy Wish List catalog away just yet!  One of the hottest toys this season for boys I think will be Hot Wheels Wall Tracks!  City Dwelling parents will be jumping for joy too!  Using 3M command adhesive, these tracks will really scale to new heights! Originally $29.99, the Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Starter Set is on sale for $27.99, but snag that $5 coupon in the Holiday Toy Wish List catalog and it’s only $22.99!  I know one boy that is going to go crazy for this!

Scrabble Flash at Target.   On sale for $15 this friday, you can download a coupon from Scrabbles Facebook page for an additional $5 off, making this excellent stocking stuffer only $10!

I was going to include this beauty in my major holiday gift guide coverage, but with the Black Friday deal of only $19.99 each at a Disney Store near you, the Disney Animator’s collection, originally $24.99, it a STEAL I don’t want you to miss! Any princess will love the Disney Animator Collection dolls. Moms can appreciate the beauty of these finely detailed dolls designed by Animator Mark Henn who brought the princesses to life. They are destined to be a collector’s item!  I personally want them all!

I’ll be announcing an exciting special collaboration with St. Jude’s later this week but I had to share this little tidbit! Ruckus Media Group will donate to St. Jude 100% of the net proceeds ($1.39) of the company’s entire digital library including the iTunes bestseller MY LITTLE PONY: TWILIGHT SPARKLE, TEACHER FOR A DAY and Moms’ Choice award winner CHUCK AND FRIENDS: FRIENDS FOR THE LONG HAUL, both featuring beloved Hasbro characters; holiday Read-Play-and-Record-Along classics THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS and THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, both told by Meryl Streep; among many other interactive storybooks.  Customers will be supporting the hospital’s lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children with cancer and other deadly diseases with every Ruckus Media Group app download, all specially priced at $1.99 during the campaign.  If you’ve got an iPad or an iPhone, you know your kids are already all over it.  I love when I can do what I already do and do good at the same time.  What fun little surprises for a long shopping day!

Got any great deals to share?!

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It’s entertaining season for many, especially this household!  With the upcoming holidays and my son’s birthday, there’s more than one party to be had.  I finally bucked up and purchased a rolling garment rack!  A quality commercial grade one can be found for as little as $60 at Bed Bath & Beyond or Container Store.  It is an awesome investment which I wish I had purchased sooner.

Gone are the days of collecting guests jackets and unsanitarily piling them on top of our bed.  Now they will hang organized on a rolling garment rack and make a much prettier presentation!

When there’s not a party to be had, it can be folded for easy storage or in my case, making me one step closer to a neater laundry room, I’ve found it handy to hang clothing that need to be air dried or hung to stay wrinkle free.

What tips have you picked up over the years of entertaining?

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My girl’s a total Barbie girl.  In fact last year, she was Rockstar Barbie!  We’re totally psyched about the Gilt Exclusive Grace Kelly “Rear Window” Barbie doll! Few things are more glamorous than Grace Kelly! The doll will launch globally in December but you can get it FIRST on Gilt Children! On October 25th at 12PM ET Gilt Children will kick off the Hollywood Royalty Barbie Sale. This sale features a range of dolls at a variety of prices so whether you are a mom looking for a collector item or want to gift your daughter it’s a sale you don’t want to miss! In addition to the Grace Kelly Rear Window Barbie doll, the sale will include other Grace Kelly Barbie dolls and a variety of Old Hollywood Barbie dolls like Elvis and Sinatra.  At only $34.95, the Grace Kelly Rear Window Barbie doll is a complete steal and will fast become a collector’s item!

“As the epitome of elegance and sophistication, the Grace Kelly Barbie Doll Collection celebrates her most iconic moments as a movie star, princess and icon. Collecting Barbie is a fun and fashionable way for modern moms to share a style story and inspire a special little girl in their life. Working exclusively with Gilt Children for the launch of the fourth Grace Kelly Barbie doll makes perfect sense as it is the style-centric shopping destination for savvy moms.” – Elizabeth Grampp, Director of Marketing, Barbie Collector

Don’t have a Gilt membership?  Get it here Barbie Girl!

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Any way to sneak in some veggies into my child’s diet is awesome in my book!  When we discovered Revolution Food’s Organic Mashups I was giddy with Glee!  My kids are already huge fans of fruit pouches.  They are particularly amazing just to throw into your purse, diaper bag and school bag.  Revolution Food’s has a huge line of Organic Fruit Mashups but with their recent addition of Fruit & Veggies Mashups, its a quick healthy way to get your daily fruits and veggies without the fuss!  You would never be able to tell veggies were included, they taste that good! They’ve made this mom’s job a helluv a lot easier. I particularly love, in light of recent headline new that they always have No Transfats, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, and No Artificial Ingredients!  It’s a no brainer for Back to School!

Available in 3 Yummy flavors -  Beetbox Berry, Carroty Chop and Blueberry Blitz – in packages of 4, these fruit & veggie pouches with kid-safe, resealable caps are available at grocery stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com.

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In years past I’ve sorta just overlooked Children’s Place.  I don’t know if it just was own personal my shyness of colors or brightness.  Alas the joys of having a daughter who is quite the mini fashionista.  She’s taken me out of my comfort zone and really changed my perspective on clothing.  I am more willing to be bold and daring with her outfits and many times I am just so impressed with what the two of us come up with!  She’s definitely got a style all her own but she’s still got the sensibility that I am all about.

The immediate weekend prior to the Children’s Place Back to School event we were invited to, I finally walked into a Children’s Place armed with a sweet 25% coupon. I was immediately giddy with glee!  Everything was just too cute!  I was shoving items left and right into the handy shopping bags they were handing out.  They must know us Back to School moms!  While I was disappointed that they did not have changing rooms, I’m lucky that my girl is pretty true to size.  I always tend to size up, if it doesn’t fit, she will eventually!  With amazing deals through out the store we walked out with way more than we expected but at such a sweet deal!  There was a fedora, a couple pairs of jeans, some leggings, a frilly skirt, and lots of cute t-shirts and tops.  Not to let my little man get left out, we got him an appropriate t-shirt that reads “Fast and Fearless.“  Looking through their Back to School look book, I was amused to see that we had purchased two entire outfits from the look book all by ourselves  – fuchsia frilly skirt outfit and cargo skort outfit!

While she’s got her first day of school outfit already picked, just in case the weather isn’t conducive for dress wear, she’s got a back up outfit with a Nerds are Cool! t-shirt and cute military leggings from Children’s Place.  Smart Girl!

GIVEAWAY: ONE (1) lucky reader will with a $25 Gift Certificate to Children’s Place, our newest favorite place to shop!  To ENTER, from now until September 15th 2011 you MUST subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  For additional entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I would love to go BTS in style with @momconfessional’s @thechildrensplc #Giveaway! http://wp.me/pLvfH-169) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends. DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on September 15th 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

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We are giddy with excitement.  While everyone is getting ready for Back to School, this is going to be our first year sending off our darling daughter for her very first day of school.  It’s been a whirlwind of fun planning this momentous occasion!

Shopping has been loads of fun!  First stop was to our favorite TJ Maxx & Marshalls.  If you’re willing to search, you’ll never know what you’ll come up with.  I was completely shocked to discover that many items they stock are actually in-season!  So you can get the same items at regular department stores for a real steal!  They’ve got everything for back to school from back packs to the latest trends for fall this year.  They’ve got an extensive shoe department at their 18th Street location with all the latest styles.  We stocked up on basics including socks, leggings and even school supplies!

Our shopping trip took a turn online at the fabulous Amazon.com’s Kids Boutique!  We are addicted to our Amazon Prime membership and any chance we can, we’re getting everything from Amazon.com.  Now you can shop for clothing on Amazon!  They have an amazing return policy but with trusted favorite brands like Splendid, Tea Collection and Diesel you’re not taking a shot in the dark.

She’s got an amazing outfit all set to go.  What’s my little fashionista taking to her first day of school you ask?

This gorgeous Girls’ Butterfly Floral ClassMate® StudyHaul Backpack from one of our favorite brands, Lands End.  Originally $34.95, on sale for $27.50 — combined with a $10 off order $50+ coupon (you might need to add a few more things!) and Ebates 6% rebate — it’s a real steal!  We absolutely love this book bag and all the lunch bags they have.  With tons of pockets and an included pencil case, she’s got room for all the new things she’ll be learning.  It’s also incredibly rugged and I know it will last this entire intense first school year.  Next year I might even splurge for the personalization!

My girl’s definitely got her own sense of style.  She’s pairing a cute little Bonnie Jean dress we found on Amazon.com’s Kids Boutique with a snug hoodie from 77 Kids and adorable headbands from Children’s Place which are appropriately in her school colors.  She’s also picked out a cute pair of purple Puma’s from Zappos.com.  There will be no school blues for this little girl!  She’s going straight to the head of the class!

GIVEAWAY: ONE (1) lucky reader will with a $50 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com’s Kids Boutique!  To ENTER, from now until September 15th 2011 you MUST subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  For additional entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I would love to go BTS in style with @momconfessional’s  #Giveaway! http://wp.me/pLvfH-161) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends. DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on September 15th 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

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