mom style

How to Dress While Wearing a Ring Sling (+ giveaway!)

Today’s guest post is from Keila of Mommy in Milwaukee – she’s sharing her tips for styling up while babywearing using a Wildbird Ring Sling.

As someone who has been a huge fan of babywearing since my first son’s birth, I’ve had to learn to be creative when it comes to styling this helpful baby gear. If you babywear, then you probably already know that it’s much more than keeping your baby close; it becomes a way of life. In the beginning, it was really difficult for me to find ways to stay true to my style while babywearing. I loved trying out different ways to wear my babies using wraps, carriers and slings. Among these options, I’ve found that slings tend to be the most outfit-friendly. They’re easy to put on and have various ways to be worn. I love the side-carry because it feels like I’m holding my babe on my hip and I don’t have as much strain on my back.

Throughout the years I’ve found a few key pieces that I gravitate towards more often. These pieces are comfortable, stylish and look great with your Wildbird sling! I have to say, though, that the cutest accessory is always my little babe 😉 All of these items are also nursing-friendly and great as layered pieces now with the cooler fall weather!

The shirt dress: A shirt dress is such a versatile piece in every mama’s closet. They work well with leggings, booties and layered with a thin sweater or jacket on cooler days. (Dress on the left; dress on the right)

The open cardigan: This one comes in burgundy and tan! Cardigans are great for layering over a sling especially when it’s cooler outside. What’s great about an open-cardigan is that they usually have a bit more material and you can comfortably wrap it around your baby when worn. It’s also a great way to add a bit of cozy and cute to any outfit.

The go-to legging: If you don’t already own a good pair of leggings, then now is the time to make that happen! Leggings can be layered & are comfy. These also cover your tummy, and that provides extra coverage if you’re nursing. That’s always a plus for me!

The button-down: With the cooler temps, I love wearing warmer button-downs. They’re perfect for the season and layer really well under a sling. An added bonus is that they’re forgiving when it comes to wrinkles!

The jumpsuit: As a mama of 3 under 3, I tend to gravitate towards easy pieces that aren’t a hassle to put together. Enter the jumpsuit. With this piece, you have a chic ensemble that can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.

I hope this little list is helpful. Leave a comment for your go-to and must-have pieces. Happy babywearing!

Like what you see? Enter to win a Wildbird ring sling here:

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Mompreneur Spotlight: Shelley Suh of Loyal Hana

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It’s no surprise that Gugu Guru is a huge fan of Loyal Hana, so we are thrilled that today’s Mompreneur spotlight is on Loyal Hana’s founder, Shelley Suh.

GG: How and why did you start Loyal Hana?

SS: Having worked in the fashion industry for over 18 years, I understand how having pieces in your wardrobe that look good and fit well can have the power to make women feel confident, capable and beautiful. It wasn’t until the birth of my children that I realized that this could be readily applied to solve an unmet need for tailored designs that flatter the bump and the boob.

When I had my daughter Cybelle in 2009, I returned to work and discovered a missing market in pregnancy and postpartum friendly clothing for women returning to their daily lives. About four or five months after my son Mason was born, I knew that I was not feeling like myself. I started getting the baby blues and on top of this, my father was diagnosed with his second cancer. I decided I needed to put all of my energy into something creative and with purpose.

I had the opportunity to introduce women to my collection in 2014 when Loyal Hana was born. More than just a collection of maternity and nursing garments, Loyal Hana is a reliable friend during a crucial time when the pressure is on to provide it all. The label represents a helping hand when circumstances make it difficult to be discreet; it’s a universal “thank you” and a way for new moms to feel confident and beautiful every day.

For me, Loyal Hana has been a success because it pulled me through a very hard time in my life and brought me back to serve a purpose by making things easier for other women out there.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

SS: Balancing work and life is a constant evolution each year. I am lucky to be the mother of two amazing children, Cybelle, who is seven and Mason, who is three.

I am fortunate to have support from my husband to create this line and co-parent the way we do, where we do. I think that when I started my family, I was challenged to redefine how to juggle my time between becoming a mother, being the best wife I can be, and maintaining my identity to have a career. With all this said, when you create something with purpose and passion you find balance and time to make it all exist. One precedes the next and without the birth of my kids, I would have never found my passion or personal challenge to start this collection. With every piece we make at Loyal Hana, I hope that it helps make the process easier for other women and makes them feel beautiful and confident.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

SS: Every mompreneur has a voice or platform to create something with purpose. Loyal Hana is my platform to share something, inspire someone, facilitate a process and simply to express who I am. This company has so much meaning to me because it pulled me through a very dark time in my life. This creative outlet inspired me to give back to the other moms that are having a similar struggle and want to return to their lives. The best part of starting this business is when I hear from another mom who loves my clothing and I hear it has helped her feel “beautiful.“

BabbleBoxx’s Mom+Baby Box Review!

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BabbleBoxx, a new subscription box service which specializes in getting amazing brands into your hands, has recently launched a mom+baby box – the Gugu Guru staff was lucky enough to try it out! Here’s what we got in our box – and read on through for amazing discounts JUST for our readers!

FUJIFILM’s INSTAX Mini 70: As a new mom, taking pictures of the new baby pretty much consumes most of your day – but you need a camera which is quick and easy to use! FUJIFILM’s INSTAX Mini 70 is the perfect camera for a new mama! Want to snap a picture of you and your baby? The INSTAX Mini 70 camera has a selfie mode that automatically adjusts settings for perfect selfies using the front-facing selfie mirror. The INSTAX Mini 70 is available in Canary Yellow, Moon White, Island Blue, Passion Red, Midnight Black and Stardust Gold – wouldn’t this be an original and adorable baby shower gift? Love it!

Gerber Essentials: Moms are often hyper vigilant when it comes to the material which touches their baby’s skin – which is why we are such a big fan of Gerber’s onesies. These all cotton, super soft white onesies, are the ultimate baby clothing essential! The expandable, lap shoulder neckline easily slides over baby’s head to make dressing a cinch. Pair these onesies with pajama bottoms, because the snap closure is positioned higher in front for quick access to make diaper changing easier. The ribbed leg openings are designed to perfectly fit baby’s legs and provide freedom of movement all day long. Your little one can wear these year round because they are available in short sleeve and long sleeve lengths. Many moms use these onesies for their monthly photos, since these are sturdy, white (perfect for colorful backgrounds), and come in all sizes! (Order online now through 10/8 and receive FREE $6 STANDARD SHIPPING on your order. Use code BBOXX16FS at checkout. Offer expires 10/8/16.)

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste – Original Formula & Maximum Strength Formula: Babies have super sensitive skin – and often, diapers can make their soft little tushes hurt! We’re big fans of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (we always give some with baby shower gifts!) for soothing your baby’s backside from diaper rash. Pediatricians recommend a diaper rash cream/ointment that leaves a thick barrier between the diaper and the skin. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is specially formulated to provide the thickest barrier of protection for your baby.

TempTraq® wearable Bluetooth® temperature monitor: Ugh, don’t you hate those nights when your little one is sick and can’t stay awake long enough to take their temperature over and over? Luckily, there is now an amazing solution with TempTraq! TempTraq is the only wearable Bluetooth temperature monitor that continuously monitors body temperature. The soft, comfortable patch continuously senses, records and transmits temperature data for up to 24 hours to either an Apple or Android compatible mobile device through the free TempTraq app. It can even send temperature alerts to give caregivers peace of mind and children the rest they need to get better – what a wonderful gift for a working parent! They can monitor their little one’s temperature all day from work! (Gugu Guru Readers get 10% off when you use code BABBLEBOXX10; offer Expires 10/31/16).

Rainbow Light Multivitamins – 35+ Mom & Baby: One of the most important things a pregnant mom can do is remember to take her vitamins! But, what happens after the baby is born? Mama, you still need to take care of yourself and take those vitamins. We’re a fan of Rainbow Light’s Multivitamin for mom and baby; this is the only Pre & Postnatal Multivitamin formulated for the unique nutritional needs of 35+ mamas in just one tablet per day. They are made with natural, purity-tested ingredients and NO artificial preservatives, colors, flavors or sweeteners; they’re vegetarian and contains NO gluten, wheat, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, eggs, fish, and shellfish – healthy for all moms! (Use discount Code ‘HappyBaby’ for 20% savings on Rainbow Light Prenatals and ‘HappyFamily’ for 20% off multivitamins).

illumai Biome Care System for Hair: Very excitedly, Gugu Guru got a special sample of illumai’s hair care system to try – many new moms are watchful over the products they use on their skin and hair, but illumai’s hair care is perfect and safe for all moms! The illumai Biome Care System for Hair uses a revolutionary new approach, ideal for the natural changes in new mother’s hair. The illumai system was developed by a former pediatrician and globally recognized immunology scientist to gently clean, nurture, rebalance and protect hair and scalp, using only 7 ingredients. There are so many changes which happen to your hair during and after pregnancy, so you want hair care products you can trust! illumai has you covered! (VERY special offer just for our readers: Use promocode 44GUGUGURU at checkout for 40% off the illumai Biome Care System. Expires 10/31/2016).

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.

Date Night At Home With Erin Ziering

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We are so excited today to feature a guest post from the lovely mama of two, Erin Ziering! Erin and her husband Ian, along with their two little ladies, are the adorable family behind the wonderful lifestyle blog, At Home With the Zierings. Erin is here today to discuss how parents can have date night at home, even with sleeping kiddos upstairs!

You can follow Erin on Instagram, and check out their Facebook page, too.

We need more date nights. Any typical night, after the kids are asleep at 7pm, I am sitting on the couch with a fresh glass of wine and turn on one of the 4 shows we are currently watching. Ian is on his phone finishing up emails and texts from his day. I am wearing old sweats and my hair is in a top knot. I shower the girls before they go to bed, so I usually will have jumped in with them. My makeup is off. Ian is most likely in his boxers. He just fully retires from his clothes at the end of the day. We are most likely exhausted. We have been exhausted since my first pregnancy. Some times we hardly talk at night. We sit quietly looking at the television until I finally say I am going to bed. (Usually around 9pm) Does this sound familiar? (Editor’s note: Uh, yes!)

I hope we are not alone.

I worry sometimes about keeping our marriage fresh. I worry that I am not the girl he used to date. The fun spunky, spontaneous girl that was always ready for a date. (I also look at him and remember he is not the same as well.) I want the love to still be exciting. I want the sparks that we feel when we are away from the kids and out of the house. Our date nights out are so romantic. I have rules. No movies, because we already sit and ignore each other enough in front of our TV. No place that stinks because it just loses the romance. A place where we can dress up. It is always nice to still impress the one you love. It also has to have music. We love to dance.

After about 6 months of having a new baby I realized I needed to find a way to mimic this at home. To create a space in our home where we could be engaged and feel passionate. With a few added outdoor lights, some cozy blankets and being away from the TV we have found ways to engage. Since sitters are expensive and not always possible we have set aside date nights at home to truly enjoy each others time. Think about when you were first dating and he would invite you over in the evening. You would do your hair and get ready to have fun and enjoy each others company. Our date nights at home we treat just like going out! Here are some of my favorite date night at home tips.

Recreate your favorite bar: Ian and I love going to a dark, cozy pub. I recreate this setting at home by pulling out some of our favorite game boards and placing some nuts on the table. With some candles lit for ambiance, and a couple of dark beers we enjoy our night laughing and playing games.

Patio romance: Sometimes we just need to completely remove ourselves from technology. When I notice we have both had a lot of work I set up our outdoor patio with some cozy blankets where we can watch the sun set and the stars. Without our phones or TV we can enjoy conversation. We catch up on our days and just talk about everything going on in our lives and what we hope to happen. There is something about laying under the stars that often encourages us to talk about our dreams.

More than hair and makeup, more than a pretty dress, being engaged is the most important part of the evening. Find a way to communicate as adults. It may just be about the baby, it may be about the house. Whatever it is, you have to be engaged. We so often go about our daily life, walking past each other and moving through the parenting depths. Finding a way to stop and communicate will remind you why you are in love. Slowing down and putting the electronics down can make such a difference for a night in. I hope you find a way to enjoy your new world at home, with the little one quietly sleeping upstairs remember to still set aside a few nights just for each other.

Cause-Driven Registry: UPPAbaby

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Next up on our Cause-Driven Registry with Nicole Ryan, we feature UPPAbaby. UPPAbaby makes high-quality baby products that fit the needs of your new life as a parent, while appealing to the sense of style you’ve always had. UPPAbaby is committed to giving back and supporting worthy causes and organizations that align with the company’s mission and core ethos.

Nicole chose an UPPAbaby Vista stroller and Mesa car seat for her cause-driven registry. The UPPAbaby Vista truly grows with your family and includes a full size front and rear facing toddler seat with a one-handed multi-position recline plus bassinet. It also offers a new, easy one-step fold-with or without seat attached – key for when you have your hands full. The Vista’s large easy access storage basket fits everyday essentials and makes it easier to reach diaper bag and toys. The Vista’s large easy access storage basket fits everyday essentials and makes it easier to reach diaper bag and toys. This performance travel system is totally compatible with the Mesa infant car seat – meaning it’s a direct attachment and no adapters are necessary.

From easy installation to innovative safety features to one-button stroller release, the Mesa infant car seat has taken the guess work and hassle out of infant car seats.

Here’s how UPPA Gives Back:

Committed to giving back to families in need and providing safe transport for families. This includes monetary donations, product donations, and volunteerism
Created the UPPA Gives Back program to lift spirits by partnering with non-profit organizations that share the same mission of providing funds, services, and high quality and essential products to families in need.
Going in to the brand’s 5th year partnering with the TODAY Show Holiday Toy Drive – as of 2015, UPPAbaby will have donated more than a million dollars in strollers and car seats to families nationally. (The 5-year total is $1,000,000!)

Charitable partners include:

Good+ (Formerly Baby Buggy) providing education, essential items and resources to families in need
Safe Kids – dedicated to worldwide children’s safety, child passenger safety focus
National MS Society, Boston Climb to the Top- volunteerism, sponsorship and participation to
raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis

Sleek & Chic Travel Picks

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We think that having great mom style isn’t just about what you wear, but also extends to your gear – especially when it comes to traveling! Today we’re featuring two of our picks for sleek and chic travel style – the guzzie + Guss Connect Stroller and the Skip Hop Highline Diaper Backpack.

The Skip Hop Highline Convertible Diaper Backpack has reinvented the diaper bag for women who refuse to compromise personal style and much-needed function. This gorgeous bag, with leather details, is truly a statement piece that can be worn as crossbody, backpack, or carried by its handles. The Highline Backpack is the ultimate convertible diaper bag because there’s a home for everything – a hidden pocket for bottles and a handy front pocket for lipstick, keys and other mama essentials. Plus, the bag comes with a tucked-away cushioned changing pad, making diaper changes on the go super easy! Fold-back magnetic top keeps bag open so you can easily grab what you need, further, it features one-handed, adjustable and removable stroller clips for on-the-go convenience. Perfect for a busy and stylish mama! This beautiful bag could easily double as a regular handbag or even a briefcase – no one will have any clue you have diapers, wipes, and pacifiers inside!

The guzzie + Guss Connect Stroller is not only handsome in every which way, but unbelievably functional, too! From adjustable handles to a reclining seat, the Connect Stroller by guzzie + Guss was designed with you and your baby’s comfort in mind. This versatile buggy comes fully equipped with high-performance tires so your family can cover all kinds of terrain. There are so many awesome features on this stroller, it’s almost hard to name them all! It has a 3-position reclining seat and 2 ways for baby to face; with so many options, baby is bound to feel comfortable and happy while you stroll. Furthermore, it has adjustable handles for the parent, so whether it’s mom or dad pushing the stroller, their back won’t hurt; with its large lower basket, you can fill up with goodies from all over or store travel accessories for on the go. Plus, the Connect Stroller is bassinet and infant carseat compatible, so you can start getting out and about in your stroller from the get-go! It’s a perfect accompaniment for traveling, shopping, or simply getting around town with your little one.

Thank you to our friends at guzzie + Gus and Skip Hop for making this sponsored post possible.

Rockabilly Mama: Risky Rae

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We’re so excited to introduce Risky Rae – she’s a Rockabilly Mama with awesome Pin-Up Girl style! Risky Rae is a member of the wonderfully fabulous Bay Area Luscious Ladies, a Pin-Up style group based out of California – so, she certainly knows her stuff when it comes to being both a mama and a Pin-Up style icon! She’s here today to share her favorite looks for mama and baby gear!

For Mama – get the ultimate mom pin-up look with these picks from Risky Rae!

1. Pinup Girl Clothing Corset Skirt – This is the skirt I am wearing in my shoot, it is so flattering due to the high cut of the waistband and also good for c-section mamas, as it sits high on the waist and won’t irritate an incision…plus it also has pockets (!) perfect for stashing that phone and pacifier. 2. Hell Bunny Vintage Style Black & White Dotted Tie Knit Cilla Top – This is the top I am wearing in my photos; the tie feature on the bust is so convenient and handy for nursing mamas to quickly expose a breast for feeding. 3. Pinup Couture Jenny Skirt in Mary Blair Grey Cat Print – This is the skirt I am wearing in my photos. It comes in a variety of colors/prints (some are SO adorable) and sits high on the waist, making it perfect for new moms and those who have had c-sections as the band will not irritate the incision. 4. Preggers Maternity Sleeveless Dress in Leopard Print – This ultra comfortable sleeveless maternity dress features a v-neck cross-over bust with gathers at the base and tops of the shoulders, as well a swing skirt with matching gathers. Risky Rae’s hair accessories care of Stardust Dames, and jewelry from Summer Blue Jewelry.

Risky Rae is a huge fan of babywearing and picked her top choices of carriers – both for comfort and staying true to Rockabilly/Pin-Up style!

1. Ergo Original Baby Carrier in Indigo Mint Dots; 2. Ergo Original Baby Carrier, Sailor; 3. Tula Baby Carrier, Slow Ride; 4. Tula Baby Carrier, Betty

When it comes to diaper bags, Risky Rae picked out bags which were able to hold all of baby’s gear, mama’s gear, and could double as an adorable Rockabilly bag for mom on her nights out without baby, too!

1. Trophy Queen Diaper Bag; 2. Femme Fatale, Lady Luck Mama Set; 3. Sourpuss Smile Now Diaper Bag

You can follow Risky Rae on Instagram and Facebook.

PS. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on Rockabilly Baby Style!

Product Discovery: NuRoo Nursing Scarf

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we’re sharing a nursing must-have item which we love: the NüRoo Nursing Scarf!

NüRoo designed this discrete Nursing Scarf to be your favorite accessory, so it’s on you when you need it. Snaps along the width of the Nursing Scarf let you customize your coverage: wrapped or draped, front and back, over the shoulder or around your neck. The signature NüRoo fabric is super soft, breathable, wrinkle free, and not distracting for baby. As an added bonus, you’ll love this fashionable scarf long after your breastfeeding days!

There are 8 different ways to wear the NüRoo Nursing Scarf – this versatile scarf comes in 8 different colors – not only can you choose your favorite color, but you can change the scarf’s look and coverage depending on what you (and your baby) need. And of course, most importantly, the scarf is machine washable and dryer safe, so you don’t have to worry about spit-up or food ruining your most loved fashion accessory!

Mompreneur Spotlight: Ericka N. Perry, Founder of The Stork Bag

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For this week’s mompreneur spotlight, we sit down with Ericka N. Perry, CEO/Founder of The Stork Bag – the first ever reusable pregnancy subscription bag, curated with 8-12 products to meet your trimester and postpartum needs.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about The Stork Bag.
EP: I launched The Stork Bag in 2014 after my best friend found out she was pregnant for the first time. I remember searching for the perfect care package to send her but coming up short. During that time I discovered there was no product out there that matched my needs so after about 4 weeks of planning, The Stork Bag was born and it has been history ever since. Having the opportunity to do what I absolutely love and serve a population that I am passionate about has been the most amazing part of my journey thus far.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
I have a schedule for everything! My kids know when its snack time, bedtime, quiet/reading time, etc. I use schedules to maintain sanity but more than that, I am a person who works well with deadlines. Scheduling helps me keep everything in focus and prioritize to get things done efficiently and effectively. I also am not afraid to seek help when things start getting too busy, which is why I rely on my team to help me maintain a comfortable balance and prevent me from work-overload.

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
The flexibility to have time to spend with my family. Although, I work harder now as a mompreneur than I ever did working outside the home, the best part is being able to somewhat dictate my own schedule. I also have a passion for motherhood and take pride in being able to help promote other women-owned brands. Being a mompreneur gives me the platform to help promote, encourage and inspire and that is what I intend to do before it’s all said and done.

Klen Review

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Beauty editor and new mom, Marina Klimasiewfski, shares her experience of using the new Klen line…

In my recent Oilogic review I shared how ingredient conscious I’ve become since the birth of my son. I try to buy personal care products for him with a concise and identifiable ingredient list. In recent months this practice of label-checking has expanded from just those items concerning the baby to everything around the baby – I’m now googling ingredients in the store before buying household and personal care products. Suddenly I’m recommending natural deodorants to friends, and side-stepping my fancily packaged beauty products for a simpler regimen. Becoming a mom is a strange and powerful thing.

The founders of Klen know my struggle – they created their brand after seeing their toddlers grabbing at their lip glosses and lotions, and dousing themselves in chemicals in the process. They wanted something that was effective for moms, but safe for anyone in the family to use. The line started with lip balms and glosses, but now includes candles, bath scrubs and salts, face wash, lotions, and even bug and lice repellents.

Klen has won me over because a) their products come in simple, but not hideous packaging b) their lip balms and lotions work better than fancy counterparts, and c) they know how to make a perfect citrus scent (their pink grapefruit and vanilla orange are just the right mix of tart and sweet).

Products I love:

Klen Balm – is their basic lip balm, available in 7 flavors (pink grapefruit, champagne, vanilla orange, lemon lavender, strawberry mint, lemonade, mint). The pink grapefruit is addictive — except not. The line holds the unnecessary alcohol which is what gives most lip balms their drying/addictive property. While the scent has me reaching for more, my lips actually stay hydrated and never become excessively dry, after use. $2.99 (a steal!)

Klen Gloss – is the dressed up version of the balm, available in the same 7 scents. It manages to be high shine, while not at all sticky or drying. $6.99

Klen Gator Balm – all their products are designed to be safe if kids get their hands on them, but this is the balm meant for kids The formula contains only 4 ingredients, all of which are safe if eaten. Available in 6 childhood friendly flavors (bubble gum, cherry lemonade, strawberry, cherry, candy cane and vanilla). $2.99

Klen Ouch Away – before my son I had no idea that balms to make cuts and scrapes heal faster were “a thing”. Now that I’ve tried a few versions it’s a thing i can’t get enough of! While I’m never totally sure wounds actually heal any quicker with their use, it sometimes feels good to just be doing something about a boo-boo. This particular version has a soft, melts-into-skin, texture. $12.99

Klen Twist – is their twist-up lotion bar. It looks almost like a stick deodorant (product not pictured because I fell so in love with it that I started using it obsessively as soon as it arrived, so by the time I took the picture it had seen better days). I am not exaggerating when I say this is the best lotion I’ve ever used. It hydrates well, goes on easily, and smells amazing (I have honey orange). $9.99

This line is so good and unique it left me wanting to buy and try more, which says a lot coming from a beauty editor. My mailbox is a sea of new products to test weekly, but I’m looking forward to trying some more from Klen Shop. Available through their online store klenshop.com.

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