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    Brittany Snow’s joint bachelorette party weekend

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    Pitch Perfect actress Brittany Snow recently celebrated her upcoming nuptials with a star-studded joint bachelor / bachelorette party.

    Snow and fiancé  Tyler Stanaland are engaged to be wed in 2020. The pair opted to join forces and share their bachelor/bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs.

    The weekend featured a number of Snow’s Pitch Perfect co-stars, including Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, and Kelley Jakle. 90210 star Jessica Stroup, Snow’s co-star from the 2008 slasher remake Prom Night, was also in attendance.

    “A weekend I’ll never forget. #snowonebutyou #thefinalsnowdown.Thank you to the best crew.” the actress captioned the series of images.

    Credit: Instagram / Brittany Snow
    Credit: Instagram / Brittany Snow

    Feature image: Instagram / Brittany Snow

     

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    Do’s and don’ts of bachelorette parties

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    The bachelorette party is about letting loose and having a good time with your girls. You’ve got long lists of things to do and organise for your wedding day and you’re feeling very overwhelmed. This party is meant to be a time away from all the hustle and bustle.

    But, it can get a little complicated if you don’t prepare. It can also get a bit messy if you haven’t thought the event through before hand.

    Here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure you have the best, most relaxing time.

    For Brides 

    Do:

    – Say what you want and be clear about it. Let your bridesmaids know what you expect and what you’re comfortable with. If you want something quiet and low key, say so. If you don’t want a stripper, say so. This is the best way to avoid disappointment and an event that makes you super uncomfortable.

    – Respect your partner’s comfort level. If they are not comfortable with you being around exotic dancers, that is something that you should take into consideration. It’s not worth a fight.

    – Allow the bridesmaids some freedom. Let them get creative with the information you’ve provided and don’t try to control everything! You’ve given them your guest list, told them what you want and don’t want, so let them run with it. They are your nearest and dearest after all!

    Don’t:

    – Stay glued to your phone all night. You can check in with your soon-to-be once or twice, but avoid texting all night.  Your friends will be annoyed, you’ll come across as ungrateful, and in the end you’ll regret it as you won’t have enjoyed your night.

    – Feel obligated to invite every woman you know. This is an intimate event. Only your closest friends should be there.

    – Let the “last chance” talk get the best of you. Most will be encouraging and excited about your upcoming big day. But at your bachelorette party, there may be a few chats about this being your last chance to partake in some questionable activities. Don’t fall into this trap. It’ll be nothing but trouble ahead if you do.

    For bridesmaids 

    Do: 

    – Respect the brides wishes. If she said no strippers, then do not hire strippers. You’ll ruin her night if you do.

    – Plan the event well in advance. You want everybody to make it, so planning in advance ensures that the date is saved and arrangements can be made. Included in the planning is what you’ll do on the evening. Make the bookings necessary and plan the games. This allows you to have a stress free night.

    – Take photos and make memories. This is something you’ll all never want to forget.  Don’t forget to put somebody in charge of photography.

    Don’t: 

    – Invite mothers or mothers-in-law. I guarantee you, it will be awkward.

    – Force the bride into things she’s uncomfortable with. If you’ve planned a silly outfit for her, but she refuses to wear it then let it be.  Forcing it will cause unnecessary tension and the bride, the most important person at the event, won’t enjoy it.

    – Get post happy. Before you share anything online, check with the bride. She might not want people seeing pictures of this intimate, private event.

    – Be clear about costs for all attendees. If somebody can’t afford it, but they show up because they were unaware of the costs it will be quite uncomfortable for that person. Try to be considerate of everyone, in any way you can.

    Image: Unsplash 

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    Registry Websites
    In Accessories

    9 Websites for compiling your dream wedding registry

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    If there’s any time at which you need the ease and conveniences of the internet the most, it’s during your engagement. Planning the big day is stressful enough so it only makes sense that when putting together your gift registry, you’d want to get the job done in the least laborious and time-consuming manner possible. These nine sites offer you the convenience of picking out wedding gifts without having to leave home.

    1 Bespoke Wedding Registry

    Registry Websites

    Launched by a Londoner, Bespoke Wedding Registry aims to fill the gap in the South African market for customised gifting. With a selection of homeware and kitchenware sourced from prestigious brands, including the namesake collection of world-renowned chef Jamie Oliver and local ranges Ardmore and Kikoi, you’re bound to find unique pieces that speak to your style. Plus, they offer a service where a group of guests can club together to purchase larger items such as furniture. You also score two free deliveries if you live in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.

    Contact +27 21 448 7155, [email protected], bespokeregistry.co.za

    2 Wrapistry

    Registry Websites

    Featuring products from a whopping 90 brands, Wrapistry’s offering include items to stock in your home as well as experiences. A variety of memory-making activities from a couple’s cooking class to wine tasting tours is available to add to your wishlist. If you ever feel like changing your mind, that’s no problem – you can do so as often as you like. To save you from the task of guessing who gave you a gift (and which one!), Wrapistry also mails you a list of guests and their purchases. Now, all you need to do is grab that mouse and start picking your favourites.

    Contact +27 10 500 7503, [email protected], wrapistry.co.za

    3 Banks Kitchen Boutique

    Registry Websites

    What began as a lively shop in a close-knit community has now expanded to two boutiques and an online store. Apart from displaying their cutting-edge goods, the online store allows you to access their blog where you can discover recipes and browse product reviews. Once your guests have bought your presents, Banks Kitchen Boutique will happily wrap the goods, add a note from the gift-giver and deliver it to your door – all on the house. Customers have raved about this convenient outlet and we’re sure you’ll love it too.

    Contact +27 21 461 3190, bankskitchenboutique.co.za

    4 Yuppiechef

    Registry Websites

    Voted South Africa’s best online store, you can rest assured their registry service is effortless. Not sure where to start? Navigate to the ‘Starter Collection’ tab to get an idea of what you’ll need to fill your first nest. Given our demanding, modern lifestyles, we could all spare a few bucks here and there, and Yuppiechef gives you the option of sending discount vouchers to three loved ones. However, if you do spot a pricey item you love, you can make it yours by swapping a few less expensive pieces for it.

    Contact +27 861 702 4969, [email protected], yuppiechef.com

    5 Carrol Boyes 

    Registry Websites

    Named after its internationally esteemed owner, this lifestyle brand specialises in premium homeware products. When creating your registry with Carrol Boyes, you have the option of selecting your goods online or enjoying a personal consultation with an assistant in a brick-and-mortar store. Once you’ve done so, your choices will be listed and placed online for your guests to seamlessly purchase what they please. If you want to return any duplicates, be sure to check that they are in the original packaging and in tip-top condition.

    Contact +27 21 424 8263, carrolboyes.com

    6 Granny Goose

    Registry Websites

    With your mattress covered in fluffy pillows and duvets from Granny Goose, a producer of top-quality bed linen, you can luxuriate in deep, peaceful slumbers night after night. Apart from their bedding products, you can find Le Creuset cookware and Riedel Glassware items at their stores. To easily inform your guests about your registry, Granny Goose will provide you with little cards to insert into your wedding invitations. If anything wasn’t bought, you can get it at 10% off. What’s more, they’ll hand you a special thank-you gift for choosing them as your vendor.

    Contact +27 860 388387, [email protected], grannygoose.com

    7 @home

    Registry Websites

    As South Africa’s prime shopping location for sophisticated homeware, you simply can’t afford not to enlist the registry service of @home. Head to the ‘Customer Favourites’ page to make sure you don’t forget to add any must-buys. In addition to a selection of top-notch products, you’ll receive a gift card worth 10% of the value of all your guests’ purchases. To keep this value updated and to record the buyer of each present in-store, remind your guests to notify the @home sales assistant that they are purchasing an item for your registry.

    Contact +27 860 576 576, [email protected], home.co.za

    8 Boardmans

    Registry Websites

    Couple’s who have an Edcon Group Thank U loyalty card will enjoy all the benefits of the programme when they create a registry at Boardmans as you’ll gain 10 times the amount of Thank U points for all the gifts bought at the store. Given that there;s no limit on how many items are added, you could gain an enormous amount of points! These points can then be used to buy anything from Boardmans, or to shop at Edgars, Red Square, Jet, Legit and CNA. Talk about a shopping spree!

    Contact +27 860 236 289, [email protected], boardmans.co.za

    9 MRP Home

    Registry Websites

    For home decor that’s uber stylish and pocket-friendly, there couldn’t be a better place to shop than MRP Home.Scroll through their ‘Inspiration’ section to view a variety of themes for your home along with a list of products to fit each theme. Although MRP Home offers online and in-store registries, they aren’t interchangeable so let your guest know which kind it is as guests wanting to purchase online for an in-store registry will not be able to do so and vice versa.

    Contact +27 800 212 535, mrphome.com

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    Top 10 summer bridal shower ideas

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    Bridal showers can be just one more thing on your already long to-do list. Oftentimes it can be a challenge to find something to do that is suitable for all ages and interests, as this is usually something for all the women invited to the wedding. Don’t be overwhelmed and certainly don’t take on any pressure about it.

    If you know you’re being surprised, subtly hint at what kind of get together you would enjoy, or ask your partner to secretly let your maid of honour know what you think would work best.

    Whether it’s a surprise set up by your maid of honour or you’re part of the organising, here are some fabulous ideas that will make them exciting and fun for everyone.
    1. Moonlight picnic

    If your bridal shower is in summertime, wait for a full moon and have a nighttime picnic. Add candle lights or lanterns for a cosy atmosphere.

     

    2. Lawn games

    Perfect for outdoor-lovers, have some fun in the sun with games like croquet, bowles, or even water gun fights.

    3. Charity event

    Sometimes, it’s more rewarding to give than to receive. Why not make a team effort to support a worthy cause? Volunteer at an animal shelter, community centre, make gift parcels for needy kids or visit an old-age home.

    4. Dinner and a show

    If you like entertainment, watch a show with your besties. Live music, theatre, and even ballet are good options. End it off with some drinks for a perfect night!

    5. Bake day

    If you’re more in the mood for staying in, why not get the ladies together and bake some sweet treats? Waffles, cupcakes, cookies or brownies are good things to do together.

    6. Pajama party

    A proper girls night is in order before you get married. Wear pajamas, do facials and share secrets with the women in your life.

    7. Foraging

    Foraging has become quite popular and is a ton of fun. Take the ladies to see what nature has to offer and appreciate the wonderful flora that abound.

    8. Pool party

    Poolside get-togethers are great because everyone can choose how to spend the day. Getting your tan on, splashing in the pool to cool down or making fresh drinks by on the side are all on the menu.

    9. Perfume making

    If you’re feeling experimental, why not got to a perfume making class? Surrounded by beautiful glassware and exotic scents, you will feel like you’re in heaven.

    10. Champagne brunch

    This might sound so done-before, but that’s because it’s so much fun! Set a table outside or inside, and gather your loved-ones for a festive brunch.

     
    Feature image: Pixabay

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    Bridal shower etiquette: Tips to remember

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    Bridal showers are one of the most popular pre-wedding occassions. The event is a party in honour of the bride and a step towards preparing for married life. Brides look forward to spending quality time with their closest female friends and family, and having all the important people get to know each other before the big day.

    This can be a heavy weight on the shoulders of those planning the bridal shower. There are quite a few things that need to be kept in mind. We’re quite certain that you want to make the day as amazing as possible.

    Here are a few tips to help you ensure that things run smoothly and turn out perfectly:

    – Who hosts and pays? 

    Usually, bridesmaids are the ones who take control of the bridal shower. In fact, tradition (which has changed with the times) says that the brides family should not throw the shower. These days, however, the bride or grooms mother may be involved in organising too. The bride should barely be involved in the planning!

    – When and where should it be? 

    The bridal shower can be held from about 3 months before the wedding to a few weeks before.

    The venue depends on the individual circumstances. If the host has a big enough space at home then it could be held there. It could also be at a family members home, or a restaurant.

    – Who is invited? 

    Most importantly, only people who are invited to the wedding should be considered for the bridal shower. Included in the guest list should be the bridal party, the bride and grooms mothers, female family members, and female friends. It is not necessary to invite every single woman in the brides life, just the most important ones.

    – When to send out invites? 

    You should aim to send out the invitations about a month before the time for the latest. This ensures that guests save the date well in advance. It also ensures that guests can plan gifts and travel (if they live far away).

    Extra tip: on the invitation you should include the brides name, the hosts information, date, time, location, RSVP information and registry information. Your invite sets the tone for the event, so make sure it looks good too!

    – What food do I serve? 

    Since this is a celebration, it would be appropriate to have some cake and desserts. Finger foods such as sliders, savouries, and sandwiches are also a good addition.

    Alcoholic beverages are acceptable, but make sure you keep it classy. Go with some champagne or cocktails. You can also serve tea and coffee towards the end of the event.

    – Are there any traditions to follow? 

    It is generally not necessary to follow tradition if you don’t want to. However, some traditions include having something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue handed over to the bride. Another one that is quite popular is creating a bouquet using the ribbons from gifts and using the bouquet at the rehearsal.

    Tradition also says that the shower should include various games about the bride and grooms relationship and games that are a bit embarrassing for the bride. These have mostly faded away over time.

    Gift specific tips: 

    – How do I ask guests to come with gifts? 

    Most guests will know that a gift is necessary for a bridal shower. However, simply adding the registry on the invitation is an indirect way of reminding guests about gifts. The bride can also request that nobody brings gifts if she so pleases.

    – Does the bride open gifts at the shower? 

    Another bridal shower tradition is one that suggests the bride should open all the gifts at the shower. This is not necessary at all. It could be used as an ice-breaker, but if the bride prefers to open gifts in private thats fine too!

    If gifts are being opened at the shower, ensure that somebody is keeping track of who has given what. The bride will need to send thank you cards a few weeks after the shower. If she can’t remember who gave her what, that would be a disaster!

    – Hostess gifts? 

    This one is a bonus tip for the bride. Be sure to get the hostess a gift as a token of your gratitude. Throwing a bridal shower is no small task and we’re sure you want your hostess to know that you appreciate her efforts!

    Image: Pexels 

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    Fun alternative bachelorette ideas

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    Your bachelorette is seen as the last time you get to party with your girlfriends as a single woman. It’s often associated with wild nights out, drinking way too much and some scantily-clad well-built men. We’ll stop there.

    This special event can be so much more. If you want to do things a little different, it can become a treasured memory of best friends coming together to spend some much needed girl-time, allowing you to share your hopes and dreams for the future while getting rid of the wedding stress.

    Here are some fun, alternative ideas to the traditional bachelorette party:

    Take a hiking-trip

    If you like being active, getting outdoors with the gals is a great way to recharge, forget about your phone and get close to nature. Remember to do research beforehand and only hike on established routes. Booking a tour-guide might also be a good idea, so you don’t have to worry about anything! For a full weekend of fun, you can even consider setting up camp and sleeping over.

    Take a cooking or cocktail class

    If you’re not that adventurous, why not keep it indoors and take a culinary class together? Learning to make something yummy to eat or drink is guaranteed to result in loads of laughter and a satisfied tummy. Plus, adding skills to your repertoire is always a plus!

    Guided garden tours

    If you like sunshine, beautiful flowers and fresh air, but you’re not keen to do a full on hike, get out there with a botanical garden tour. Many botanical gardens have amazing histories and it’s always interesting to have someone knowledgeable to teach you about the birds and the bees. End it off with a lovely picnic!

    Sing your heart out

    If you have the talent (and even if you don’t) a sing-off is always a goodie. Karaoke is a great way to let your hair down and forget the world. Take a trip down memory lane and sing to your high school favourites, or strut your stuff with the latest pop song.

    Get creative: Clay, soap or candles

    Art is known for being therapeutic, and having something to show for it will be a special memory. There are many different options, like pottery, candle making and soap making. Choose something that strikes your fancy and will look lovely in your home.

     

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    Bride chooses her grannies as flower girls

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    The bridal procession do not often get more attention than the bride, but this wedding’s flower girls were exceptional and truly attention-worthy. Lyndsey Raby and her new husband, Tanner, felt so privileged to have their grandmothers present at their Tennesee wedding ceremony that they went a step further and asked them to be the flower girls.

    “I knew as soon as I was engaged, I wanted to involve my grandmothers,” Lyndsey told the Huffington Post.

    The beaming bunch included Tanner’s gran Joyce Raby (70), Lyndsey’s two grandmothers, Betty Brown (72) and Wanda Grant (76), and even her great-grandmother 90-year-old Kathleen Brown.

    “I do believe they were more excited than my bridesmaids,” Lyndsey added.

    Natalie Caho Photography

    These matriarchs are an integral part of both Lyndsey and Tanner’s families and have a great influence on their lives. Lyndsey said that she felt honoured to have them at the wedding and encourages other couples to do the same. “I felt so blessed to have them all here so I wanted them to be involved.”

    Natalie Caho Photography

    Traditionally, the flower girls at the wedding are the cousins or nieces of the couple, and mostly they are little children. Of course, there’s no reason why the bride can’t skip a few generations! What a special moment.

     

    Picture: Natalie Caho Photography

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    Who pays for the bachelorette party?

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    It is a great honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid as it means the bride values you so much they want to include you in their celebrations. This role does, however, entail more than standing up for them on their special day.

    Along with paying for a bridesmaid’s dress (hopefully the bride won’t ask you to get something too specific so that you can wear it again on another occasion) and your hair and make-up – you will also be responsible for planning the bachelorette party and in most cases paying for it too.

    Bachelorette parties are tons of fun, but can also cost a bundle. It is important to make it memorable as this may be the last time the bride gets to spend time with her friends as a singleton.

    It is customary for the bridal party and others attending the bachelorette party to cover the costs of the event for themselves and the bride. Whoever is planning the event should figure out the total cost of it, including the bride’s portion, and then divide it between the attendees. The reason for the bride not paying is because she is the guest of honour.

    That being said, this is the general rule for local bachelorette parties.

    Another big trend is destination bachelorette parties and that comes with a new set of rules. For a destination party, each person is expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs, including the brides’ costs. If the bride wants a destination bachelorette party, she needs to understand that the cost is exponentially larger and it is unreasonable to ask guests to cover their own costs, as well as hers. Once at the destination, any events planned will be covered by guests.

    Despite the fact that the bachelorette party is a special celebration, it is not worth going broke over, especially if you still need to organise yourself for the wedding. When planning the event be mindful of the costs and try to plan something that everyone can afford.

    Picture: Pixabay

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    Kitchen tea or bridal shower – what’s the difference?

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    Along with the excitement of a wedding comes all the events and parties that lead up to the big day. One of the most popular pre-wedding celebrations is the bridal shower. Or is it the kitchen tea? They are similar, but there are a few differences.

    Kitchen teas are more common in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, whereas the US, UK, Belgium, Netherlands and a few other countries in Europe tend to host bridal showers.

    The kitchen tea is a time to celebrate the bride-to-be, and guests bring items that can be added to the newlyweds’ kitchen as gifts. It is typically hosted at the bride’s or her mother’s house. Female friends and family are invited – kitchen teas are typically attended only by the women in the bride’s life. It is usually quite a relaxed environment and can involve fun games.

    The bridal shower is a party hosted for the bachelorette. Her guests ‘shower’ her with gifts of any kind, that can be for her personal use or for her and her future spouse’s home. Brides-to-be may create a gift registry for their guests to help with ideas. The bridal shower provides the perfect opportunity for both sides of the family to mingle!

    There’s no need to keep things too traditional, though. You can mix it up a bit by having a theme. You can even customise the party according to what the bachelorette likes. For example, a bride-to-be who enjoys the outdoors might appreciate a hike or scenic route, or a bachelorette with a creative streak may love a cake-decorating party.

     

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    PAMPAS and WINGS ? it’s a winning combination – another repost from The other side of the world … some serious wedding inspiration if you search #sydneywedding With huge thanks to #Repost @jewelphonflowers with @get_repost ・・・ How gorgeous does @nawalsaudi look with her floral and pampas wings for her Kitchen Tea! We can’t wait to create some more magic for your Wedding ? Wings @jewelphonflowers Table @prop_my_party Desserts @munchies_sydney Cake @sugarpot4me Cookie Ring @the.cookie.plate Brownies @nourasgoodies #jewelphonflowers #weddingflowers#weddingstylist #weddinginspiration#sydneywedding #sydneyflorist #bridalflowers #eventstyling #flowers #wedding #weddingreception #florist #sydneyflorist #weddingideas #stylist #weddinginspo #kitchentea #desserttable #flowerwings #pampas

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    Remember to save all the ‘naughty’ things for the bachelorette party, though!

    Picture: Pexels

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    Bridesmaid ‘proposal’ ideas

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    Your big day started with big gestures, and your bridesmaids should be included in these. Here are a few cute ways to ask those closest to you to be part of your wedding party.

    In this day and age, it is quite a big ask (as bridesmaids are expected to perform a lot of duties) so asking those closest to you with a personalised gift of sorts makes their experience that much more special. No matter what you choose to gift in the bridesmaid proposal, make sure to include a letter written by yourself to each individual bridesmaid. You are asking them to give up a lot of their free time to be your bridesmaid, you can take the time to write a personal letter about why you would like them to be up there with you on your special day.

    Here are 5 ways to ‘propose’ to your bridesmaids:

    A cute piece of jewelry

     

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    Getting Married or know someone that is? Why not tag them? ? This perfect little sterling silver bracelet makes the perfect gift for a special bridesmaid, at a very reasonable price ? (link in bio) You can change the text to suit your preference/ have it personalised or, you could have this wording with another item of Jewellery – whatever you would like! I’ll be adding much more wedding stock shortly, so keep an eye out ?? . . . #sterlingsilver #lulaloujewellery #bridesmaidbracelet #bridesmaidgift #maidofhonourgift #bridesmaidjewellery #weddingfavour #thankyougift #weddinggift #weddingjewellery #willyoubemybridesmaid #etsyuk #etsyselleruk #etsyjewelleryuk #etsyshopuk #picoftheday #jewellery #heartjewellery #mybridesmaid #supportsmall #shopsmall #smallbuisness

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    A bottle of wine with a custom label

    A bridesmaid hanger or robe

    This is a great and easy way for everyone to hang up their dresses while getting ready or wear. It also makes for a great wedding photo with all the bridesmaid hangers and dresses together.

    A framed picture of the two of you

    A proposal box

    You can combine a few of these ideas and create a proposal box filled with goodies that make your bridesmaid feel special. Perhaps include items that will help make their bridesmaid duties a little easier.

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