What Are The Fashion Bloggers Wearing To Keep Warm?

Brrr…Winter has definitely arrived leaving some of us feeling a little unprepared on the wardrobe front and on the look out for some warm ladies clothes online. There are some amazing winter accessories around and some very stylish knitwear including ladies sweaters with embellishments, Fair Isle patterns and chunky knits. If you are having trouble deciding which stylish but warm fashion tops to wear and how to keep yourself toasty but trendy, we have been checking out what some of our favourite fashion bloggers have been wearing to keep warm.

First up is Pearl of Fashion Pearls of Wisdom. She has an amazing collection of designer clothes and shoes including some fabulous winter coats. In a recent post entitled Why does winter mess with fashion? she looked cosy and chic in a Chanel coat, vintage faux fur hat and Clarks boots. She comments on the difficulties of looking stylish in the winter especially in the snow. We think she does a pretty good job!

Looking Fab in Your Forties has a very stylish combination in of John Lewis Puffa Coat and Pucci Wellies accessorised by a Missoni baker boy hat and cashmere LV leopard print scarf. We also love her post snow stories featuring the ‘snow heroes’ on the local radio of people helping those in need with their  4 X 4. She has also put together a great outfit of snow style staples which include a Marc Jacobs Puffa, cashmere scarf, leather gloves and designer wellies.

Selina of Flying Saucer described in her post cute mittens and ultimate nails how she has recently returned from Sweden where it snows for three months at a time so knows more than most fashion bloggers about how to keep warm and stylish. She did however manage in the freezing cold without any gloves but has now spotted  a pair of cute bear mittens that turn into fingerless gloves and she really likes, perfect for showing off her nail art and keeping her hands warm at the same time.

Florrie of Intrinsically Florrie writes about her new handbag in her post I found it under a Mulberry Tree. Although not a winter accessory as such we think her new blue Mulberry bag is a great way to add some colour to an outdoor outfit for the winter. Not that she needs brightening up with her amazing pink coat which will really make her stand out amongst the sea of black winter coats.

Whilst ladies sweaters and fashion tops are likely to form the basis for most of our winter outfits, there are plenty of great knitwear, winter coats, footwear and accessories which add some interest to your look and help you to keep warm and dry. Here are our favourite picks:

Mink Fur Trim Hooded Scarf – Miss Selfridge

Mantaray Snowflake Earmuffs at Debenhams

Faux Fur Tippet- Oasis

What will you be wearing to keep warm this winter?

How To Wear A Leather Skirt

This winter the leather skirt is one of the most popular and in trend pieces of clothing around. From high waisted skirts to full skirts and even recycled or vintage leather skirts, there is something for everyone. But leather is not always the most forgiving of fabrics, done well it can look chic and stylish, done badly, it may look cheap and nasty. Here are some ideas on how you can make the leather skirt work for you this winter.

Pick your style carefully

One of the most important desicions that you will have to make when choosing a leather skirt is which style or shape to choose. You should choose the style that best flatters your body shape. For tall slim ladies this may be a short or mid length flared style, for pear shaped ladies, an a line and for hour glass a pencil or straight style. Shorter length skirts should only be worn by those who have great legs and avoided altogether in tight fitting styles. It is also worth paying some attention to the quality of the leather. As a general rule, the softer, the better.

Consider colour

The colour of your choice is also really important. For a vampy look or evening outfit choose black, for a more subtle and classic look try a brown, beige or camel coloured  leather skirt. Choose a colour that suits you but also remember that a black skirt can look very stylish but depending on the style and how you wear it can also look trashy. A beige, brown or camel coloured leather skirt is probably easier way to wear this trend. We love the brown leather skirt from Very which is pictured above.

Tights – to wear or not to wear?

Leather skirts generally look best with a pair of classic sheer tights. Fishnets are a no no as they cross the boundary between chic and cheap and patterned tights also tend to look  bit much. With a skirt in a colour other than black, you can sometimes get away with wearing bare legs but this is also best avoided with shorter styles of skirt.

Choosing a top

The leather skirt works particularly well with the minimalist aesthetic so the key when choosing a top is to keep it simple. You could go for a silk blouse or a fitted  cashmere ladies sweater for a luxurious and lady like look. A ladies blouse will look particularly good when worn tucked in with a high waisted skirt or pencil style of skirt.   To give your outfit a more edgy feel try wearing with a plain sleeveless shell top or even a casual sweatshirt for  a more casual and relaxed look. Always avoid tops that are really low cut when wearing a leather skirt. A high necked top will look the best or a v neck if you have a larger bust.

As with any outfit or piece of clothing the key to looking stylish is about balancing the overall look and wearing it with confidence. Combine your leather skirt with pieces that contrast in terms of volume and texture for maximum effect.

Our Top Five Picks – The Black Lace Dress

The black lace dress has been on trend for a season or two since it appeared at the Prada catwalk shows. Ever since then it has been reappearing in various guises which make a great alternative to the traditional little black dress for a Christmas party or one of the most stunning choices of short prom dresses in the UK . The black lace dress is incredibly versatile though and can also work really well as a day dress. The beauty of it lies in its ability to flatter but also its intricate detail, texture and seductive look which make it  our favourite of  all the black dresses for women.

Lace has also been a popular fabric throughout history and it adds a great retro or vintage look to many modern styles of dress inspired by the fifties, sixties and seventies. For winter 2010, there are a variety of styles of black lace dress from the long sleeved mini dress to a more formal party dress with a flared and full skirt. Here are our top five picks.

This vintage inspired Fair trade lace dress is perfect for Christmas parties with its fifties style ballerina skirt and off the shoulder top. For a really on trend look throw on a leather jacket to keep you warm when travelling to and from the party. The dress is by Nomad a company which make Fair trade certified clothing which benefits communities in their own countries.

Another great Fairtrade choice is this Ruby rocks lace dress. It has a flattering empire line and cross over bust style with ruffles and subtle sequin embellishment. It would look great with a pair of wedge heels for any party this Christmas.

This one shoulder lace dress by Oasis is incredibly elegant. When it comes to accessorising it, our advice is too keep it simple. Perhaps a pair of chandelier earrings to compliment your elaborate hair do or a very simple pendant necklace that will not interfere with the neckline. A great pair of heels and a clutch bag are also a must for a great evening outfit.

If you want to channel seventies disco glamour that has become so popular since the recent Halston revival, this lace one shoulder dress by Warehouse  is just what you need. Super stylish but with a loose fitting swing skirt and bell sleeve, which allows for an extra mince pie or two if you wish.

If you are looking for a longer style of lace dress which work well for a formal evening event, we would recommend this http://tidd.ly/8c051bd3. It has a beautiful chiffon overlay and tie at the back. It also has intricate lace detail around the neckline.

The great detail in a piece of lace means that very little in the way of accessories are needed to complete your party outfit when wearing a lace dress. Just a pair of sheer tights and one or to simple pieces or jewellery and you will be good to go.

Our Top 10 Fashion Websites To Find Cheap Dresses Online

Everyone loves a bargain, don’t they? But sometimes with so many options available it can be difficult to find the best fashion websites to shop in terms of both style and price. With Christmas not far away, you will probably be looking for some cheap dresses online to allow you to have some cash left over for those all important Christmas presents.

So here is our pick of the top 10 fashion websites to find cheap dresses online.

1. Boohoo

If you are looking for high fashion at an amazing price then Boohoo is the place to look. They have all of the latest styles of ladies day dresses and party dresses to wow in looks that could have come straight from the catwalk. They also have a great selection of faux fur jackets which are the perfect cover ups for a cold winters evening.

Felicity Animal Print Dress – Only £15 at Boohoo

2. Dorothy Perkins

Top when it comes to stylish and wearable dresses which guarantee quality with a great price tag. We love Dotty P’s for their striking and colourful shift dresses. Their dresses are great for teaming with a pair of opaque tights for a cosy daytime or work outfit.

Closet Grey Red Check Dress Just £30 at Dorothy Perkins

3. New Look

For the best selection of party dresses at the best prices, try New Look. They have all of the most popular styles of the season including some lovely glossy satin dresses in a range of colours and styles.

Hitched Bow Dress Only £22.99 at New Look

4. Motel Rocks

If you love cute retro styles and body con dresses, Motel is definitely the place to look. There are plenty of choices for £30 or under and some amazing colour combinations.

Motel Celia Dress – Peacock Red just £30 at Motel Rocks

5. Rare Fashion

It is hard to believe that you can get such attention to detail at such great prices. At Rare Fashion there is a good selection of opulent and luxurious party dresses with details including, frills and embellishment with sequins and beads.

Chiffon One Sleeved Textured Dress an amazing £35 at Rare Fashion

6. Miss Selfridge

Another favourite for affordable and cheap dresses online in the latest on trend styles is Miss Selfridge. This winter there is a glamorous selection of draped and ruffled dresses.

Ruffle Dress just £36 at Miss Selfridge

7. Wallis

For flattering and sophisticated styles and cuts Wallis is a great choice. Their dresses tend to be knee length of below so are great for those looking for an elegant party dress. They are currently offering 10% off your next order if you sign up to their newsletter.

Black Side Drape Dress only £40 at Wallis

8. MIsguided

A great choice of fun and fashionable dresses which take the best of the catwalk and adapt for a unique look. Their dresses include some great printed and draped pieces.

Becks Floral Lace and Stud Detail Dress In Black

9. Oasis

Whilst the prices at Oasis are slightly more expensive than some of our other picks, they always have some amazing stuff in their sale. At the moment you can choose from a range of gorgeous ladies day dresses and party dresses in a range of colours and prints.

60′s Bow Shift £40 at Oasis

10. Warehouse

Again Warehouse has some great sale picks including a number of variations on the little black dress which would be great for any Christmas party.

Ottoman Stud Detail Dress £35 at Warehouse

Our Top 5 Ways to Keep Warm This Winter With Faux Fur

Faux fur is right on trend this winter and quite rightly so. Not only is it stylish, luxurious and elegant, you can really keep yourself warm this winter with totally on trend faux fur items, what’s not to love? You can take your pick from a wide range of very affordable coats which work equally well for daytime or evening. Or why not add some stylish accessories to add a bit of interest and texture (plus extra warmth) to a minimalist camel coat.

There are plenty of places to take inspiration from Faux fur this winter with the Chanel catwalk shows featuring everything from clothes to accessories with an ice age theme.  At Balmain there was a structured teddy bear coat worn with a party dress and at Gucci fur trimmed coats. Even Peter Pilotto known for their amazing printed and draped dresses managed to fit in some faux fur patches for  a hint of luxury. At Marc Jacobs, an elegant lady like dress was combined with above the elbow gloves and a faux fur shrug.

This winter faux fur or fake fur is available in all sorts of choices from natural colours to animal prints and textured styles. Look out for glamorous, rock chic, seventies, folk, retro fifties and eclectic styles.

The Coats and Jackets

Larna Boohoo Pink Faux Fur Jacket

 With an interesting multi colour pattern, this jacket almost looks as though it has a crimped texture. It will add glamour to anything from an everyday outfit to the hottest party dress.  

The Fur Trim Aviator Jacket – Boohoo

It is amazing how much warmer a little faux fur trim around the neck of a jacket can make you. We love this luxurious version of the seasons must have aviator and the perfect way to wear faux fur in an understated way.

Lace Fur Collar Coat – Oasis

A combination of two key trends for the season, this very glamorous coat is the perfect warm cover up for a winters evening.

Dalmation Faux Fur Coat – Miss Selfridge

So much lovelier than Cruella De Villes, this faux Dalmation coat is definitely a statement piece. Wear over your black or neutral outfit or a great everyday coat.

Faux Fur Capelet – Warehouse

If you are short and feel swamped in the  long faux fur coats,  opt for a short version like this capelet. Great for throwing on over everything from jeans and t shirt to an evening dress.

Trisha Faux Fur Gilet – Boohoo

Perfect for layering a little extra warmth over a casual Boho outfit. This gilet is one of the best value faux fur piece that we have seen.

The Accessories

Brown Faux Fur Scarf- Miss Selfridge

Elegant with a retro feel this faux fur scarf adds luxury to even the most minimal of coats.

Black patent and Faux Fur Shoe – Miss Selfridge

If you are looking for some statement footwear and a great way to feature faux fur in your outfit without going down the more predictable faux fur coat route, then these shoes are for you.

Valerie Faux Fur Trapper Hat – Boohoo

For those who aren’t willing on compromise on warmth and comfort, a trapper hat is the perfect on trend answer. There is absolutely no chance that you will get cold ears this winter in one of these.

Clara Faux Fur Gilet

Finally for a bit of a change, why not try a  kitch faux fur top? This would look great with both leather trousers or jeans.

Five Ways To Accessorise A Little Black Dress

The little black dress or LDB as it is otherwise known is the most versatile piece of clothing in any ladies wardrobe. It can be worn as a simple classic day dress or with the addition of a few strategic accessories turned into a Going Out Dress for an evening out.  With so many opportunities to wear your little black dress it is well worth investing in a high quality piece. Another great benefit of the classic black dress is that it never goes out of fashion. Choose a classic style which will always look amazing and flatters your figure. Black is also a really slimming colour so your LBD is perhaps the best way to hide that Christmas bulge caused by a little over indulgence.  

The Perfect Little Black Dress

We choose this 50′s grosgrain Little Black dress by Oasis because it is the perfect combination of modern and retro. We also love the grosgrain texture on it. The flared skirt also adds a little glamour which can work for both day time and evening.

For the office

Cardigan by Great Plains At Coggles

A pair of black opaque tights and mid height heels will easily transform this into  a day dress or work outfit. if you have air conditioning in your office you can also add a neat cardigan in a bright colour or a short black tailored jacket. A business like hand bag that is large enough to carry everything that you need for the day will complete the look.

For lunch with friends

Animal Print Snood – Miss Selfridge

You can really brighten up your LBD with some coloured tights and a bright scarf or snood for a fun outfit for lunch out with the girls. Add some on trend wedge shoes or boots and you have a look that is bound to get you compliments from your friends.

For a lazy weekend

Elizabeth Lau Lottie Red and Cream Cardigan At Coggles

You can even wear your LBD for a stylish but relaxed outfit on the weekend. Try wearing it with some cute knee high socks and tennis shoes for  a fun contrast between smart and casual. A patterned knitted cardigan will complete the look and of course keep you warm.

For dinner with the man of your dreams

Elaborate Metal Draped Collar – Wallis

This is not an occasion when you want to do things by halves. Go for full on glamour with a retro style up do for your hair and some very sparkly jewellery. Add the finishing touches with a great pair of heels and a clutch bag.

For a night on the town

 

Black Elbow Length Evening Gloves by Debut at Debenhams

If you want to look your best, use a trick used by stylists to the stars. What do you like best about your body and which part of your body do you want to draw attention to. Choose an amazing statement accessory to high light this area. How about some red heels to draw attention to your legs or a collar necklace to draw attention to your neck. You could add a pair of long gloves for some added glamour.

Have A Conscious This Christmas With Stylish Ethical Dresses

Christmas is all about giving as much as anything else right? Well This Christmas you can have a conscious and look incredibly stylish with some amazing ethical dresses which are perfect to party in. This Christmas you can give the disadvantaged a fair price for their goods they produce which are the raw materials that are used to make ethical women’s fashion brand items from Fashion Conscience.

Gone are the days when ethical fashion meant boring, frumpy and hippy like. Today ethical fashion is glamorous, elegant and chic, what ever you want it to be. Ethical fashion is the perfect guilt free shopping, by buying your new dress you are helping in a small way to making the world a better place. This winter you can take your pick of ethical dresses which are better for the environment, the people involved in their manufacture and your conscious at Fashion Conscience.

Fashion Conscience is an online ethical retailer which stocks ethical dresses and clothes by a variety of ethical designers including People Tree, Reluxe and Ruby Rocks. It is packed full of fashion forward clothes that are also incredibly stylish and wearable and ethical in at least one of the following ways:

Organic cotton - grown without the use of pesticides (or any chemicals), organic cotton is much less damaging to the environment than conventional cotton and also better for the farmers who get trapped in a cycle of applying more and more expensive chemicals to the cotton to ensure a good crop as the pests become more resistant.

Fairtrade cotton- Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for third world producers. It helps farmers to improve the quality of their life and take control of their futures.

Recycled materials – buying women’s dresses made from recycled materials is one of the most sustainable ways to shop. Not only do you get a choice of the innovative designs that are a result of recycling but you also help to reduce waste and cut down on your carbon footprint.

Ethical manufacture- In the past there have been many documented cases of clothing factories with poor working conditions. Ethical fashion labels ensure that workers manufacturing their clothes are treated ethically and paid a fair wage.

 Here is our pick of  party dresses from Fashion Conscious for this winter.

Black Lace Fairtrade Dress By Ruby Rocks

Lace is really on trend this winter and this party dress is a really flattering way to wear it, with its wrap style top and empire line. Ruby Rocks clothes are made in an ethical factory in Bali which provides a fair wage and excellent conditions and benefits for its employees.

Fair and True Organic Cotton Maxi Dress

The beauty of this organic cotton maxi dress is in its simplicity and clean lines. If you are looking for an elegant party dress which gives a nod to the current trend for Studio 54 disco fashion, then this is the perfect choice. The dress is made from 100% organic cotton by young up and coming London Eco label Fair and True. They use  a range of sustainable  materials including organic cotton, tencel, soy and bamboo.

Nancy Splash Dress by People Tree

This bright red dress has a festive feel about it and would look great when worn with black tights for a Christmas party. It features an abstract design, draped neck and capped sleeves. A great women’s dress, ethically made in India from organic and Fairtrade cotton by ethical pioneers People Tree.

Reluxe Lace Dress 

For Snow Queens or Ice Maidens this pure white lace dress with a contrasting pocket is a different but very stylish way to wear the seasons must have lace. Wear with a pair of black opaque tights and clog boots for a quirky party outfit. This dress is made from upcycled lace which, as with all Relux clothing reduces waste and the environmental impact of manufacture.

Fashionista, Stylista or Lady Luxe – What Is Your Style Tribe?

What style tribe do you belong to? whether your a power dresser, fashionista or a stylista We all conform to a style tribe in one way or another. For some people it is really important to dress in a way that makes them part of something. For others it is more of a coincidence that they love a certain type of clothes and just can’t help wearing them. Have you ever considered what is your style tribe? Whilst just a bit of fun, recognising what sort of look you want to achieve is likely to make your shopping much easier.

House of Fraser have just launched Style Tribe a fashion profiling quiz which helps you to identify what you want from your wardrobe and shopping trips. It then goes on to give some suggestions on  clothes that would suit you. The quiz is quick and easy to complete and after selection from a number of images to answer each of the questions, you get a profile which includes a description of your style tribe and how you like to shop, your style icon, where you are most likely to be seen, bedtime reading and wish list. Overall the quiz makes for a really fun and interactive online shopping experience which allows you to find suitable pieces of clothing without having to trawl through endless pages of clothes that just aren’t you.

Here at Women’s dresses we couldn’t resist giving the Style Tribe quiz a go. I found the results to be surprisingly accurate. Identifying my style tribe as a saavy shopper who is creative, loves to shop in the sales with a fun eclectic style. With my style icon being Fearne Cotton and a Mawi Gold purse pendant being on my wishlist , I think they have pretty much summed me up. When it came to checking out my own personalised lookbook and Savy Shopper guide, I was definitely in my element. My look was made up of  a quirky women’s dress with vintage scarf, cardigan, boyfriend belt, tight and boots, I loved it. My shopping guide was filled with bold and colourful pieces from a wide range of brands including Vera Moda, Lipsy, Hobbs, Jaeger, Oasis, Mango and Therapy. There were plenty of floral dresses and stylish women’s dresses to choose from as well as tops, skirts, shoes and accessories, which is great as I just love dresses.

There are also some great beauty recommendation for  each style tribe which include recommendations by a make up artist and the products that you will need to get the look.

When you have completed the quiz you can also enter the House of Fraser prize draw to win a £500 House of Fraser gift voucher which would allow you buy everything you need to get the look for your style tribe. Here are a few ideas on what you could spend your vouchers on, depending on your style tribe of course.

Linea Brush Stroke Floral Dress

JS Collections One Shoulder Gold Maxi Dress

Therapy Strapless Maxi Dress

Find out what Style tribe You belong to by clicking the button below:

The Rise Of The Day Dress

The Day Dress

The day dress is a term that seems to have become common place in the world of fashion. Perhaps it is to help those of us who get a little bit confused about which women’s dresses to wear and when to wear them? It is really simple though a Cocktail dress is for the evening or parties, a day dress is for the ‘day’ time.

The rise of the day dress is in part perhaps we would like to think, a rebellion by women against the wearing of jeans as  a uniform for casual occasions. Whilst most of us will still own a much loved pair of jeans, there are times when a dress makes you feel just that little bit special and as if you’ve made a bit of an effort.

Dresses are not only feminine and a great way to make  a style statement  with your everyday clothes or work wear. They are also an easy option when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. There is no need to spend ages trying to make up your mind which top goes with which trousers, a dress is a ready made outfit.

Day Dresses makes it easy maintenance and fashionable too

It would be difficult to talk about day dresses and the trend for ladies to look more… well ‘ladylike’ without mentioning the hit TV programme Mad Men. The mid length style dresses which are for perfect high maintenance women who care about what they look like and are prepared to make the time and take the effort to look absolutely stunning every single day.

A day dress should be comfy enough and practical to wear all day but also be beautifully feminine and a great way to add a little glamour to every day life. If you are worried about the practicalities of wearing a dress in the autumn and winter, the day dress can be teamed with opaque tights and boots for a cosy and on-trend look. Soft draping jersey is comfortable and warm making it an ideal choice for a day dress. This winter there are some great options including floral dresses, wrap dresses, jumper dresses and sixties style mini dresses. Combine your day dress with wedge heels or some elegant flat pumps for maximum comfort.

Fair Isle Knits are every where this autumn and winter. This cosy Fairisle dress by Oasis is great for wearing with some woolly cable knit tights, boots and a big scarf for a really cold winters day. You could also add sheer tights and heels for a smarter look.

This feather print skater dress by Rare Fashion is pretty and girly but can easily be dressed down with a pair of boots and an aviator jacket. If the skirt is too short for you, it can also be worn with a pair of leggings.

This Savannah Swirl Neck line Brush Knit Flower Dress is the perfect combination of cosy and eye catching. For a really on trend look try wearing with a pair of over the knee socks.

This Charmaine Bobbi Large Bow Dress is the ideal choice for slightly smarter daytime occasions. It features an ethnic contrasting print with a large bow at the front for the Autumn winter when matched with a thick pair of black tights and cosy boots.

Floral Winter Dresses At Warehouse

Sometimes winter dresses can seem really dark and perhaps just a little bit dull. Dark colours are practical for the colder months but don’t do much to cheer you up and lift your spirits on an icy cold morning. There is an alternative however, that can make you feel brighter and happier. There are plenty of floral winter dresses at Warehouse which are great for adding a bit of subtle and stylish pattern to your winter wardrobe.

The great think about floral dresses is that they can be adapted for both  daytime and evening. A pair of opaque black tights and boots will transform you floral dress into a boho/ folk inspired day dress inspired by the Ralph Lauren Autumn Winter collection which featured floral patterned chiffon dresses and tops. But add some amazing heels, sheer tights and a black jacket and you also have an amazing party dress.

Floral prints really are timeless and the collection at Warehouse feature inspiration from different decades including the fifties with mid length flared skirts, the sixties with mini dresses and the seventies with maxi dresses.

The Floral Long Sleeved Maxi Dress

For the romantics, this  long sleeved floral maxi dressis a great choice to wear for any parties and events this autumn and winter. Made from 100% silk it is both feminine and luxurious, the v neck makes it incredibly flattering. Wear with wedge shoes for a little extra height and if you really want to get that seventies boho vibe throw on a faux fur gilet.

The Floral Fifties Style Dress

This V front V back floral fifties style dress features an eye catching print. It is the perfect lady like style for the autumn and winter and would look great with some classic court shoes a neat cardigan and an over the arm handbag. If you like you could even add a string off pearls.

The Abstract Floral Dress

If you are looking for a slightly more modern take on the winter floral dress, this scatter floral dress is a great abstract alternative to the more traditional floral prints. It is also a more modern sheath style dress which is perfect for dressing up with a few brightly coloured accessories perhaps a bag or some shoes. It would also look great with a leather biker jacket for that rock chic vibe.

The Light Coloured Floral Print Dress

If you thought that light coloured floral prints didn’t really work for the winter then this mixed paisley tunic dresswill prove you wrong. With a slightly off white back ground to the print it will go with different coloured tights from black and grey to red, blue or green for a fun winter look or even long sock or bare legs if you can stand the cold. This dress really works well with the folk/ boho look just add some boots with a chunky heel, an across the body satchel bag and chunky cardigan for a great daytime outfit.

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