Sweet Tea and Hydrangeas

A Lifestyle & Beauty Blog

May 2018 Favorites

I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by and that I am already sharing my May Favorites! I think time has been flying by like crazy for me because I am finalizing most of my wedding plans (a little over four months). In addition to time flying by the temperatures here are insanely hot and I wish I were at the beach. For May I tried out several new products and these are the one’s I couldn’t stop reaching for.

ColourPop No Filter Concealer

I shared my love for this concealer in this post previously. I can not tell you all enough about how amazing this product is and it’s so freaking affordable ($6)! Blends out easily, not too thick and doesn’t crease. If you’re looking for a great concealer this one is worth trying out!

Amika Undone Volume and Matte Texture Spray

In the past finding products to style my hair with was a pain in the butt. I have straight thin hair which used to take a miracle with getting curls to stay,etc. My hair stylist for my engagement photos used to this give my hair volume and to help my curls stay in tact. All I can say is this stuff does not play! My curls did not budge at all even with the weather being in the high 80’s the day I took my engagement photos. I loved that this spray did not make my hair feel gross or crunchy. I use it all the time now when it comes to styling my hair. This product can be used for all hair types (though I can only speak for my own straight hair).

Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask

If you follow me on Instagram or have been reading the blog for a long time, you know I am a huge fan of all things masks. I have used Tatcha products in the past and had great results with them, so I thought why not get this mask. I will admit that it is on the pricey side ($68) but it’s so worth it! The masks goes on so smoothly and makes my skin look amazing after it’s off. My skin is so much smoother and softer after using it. I use it at least once a week. It is an anti-aging mask that contains a Japanese beautyberry, two types of vitamin C and seven different types of fruit.

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara

My friend gave me this mascara from her Birch Box and I loved it. I’ve tried a ton of mascara’s (drug store & high end), so I’m really picky. This mascara has done wonders for making my lashes fuller and longer. I love that it doesn’t clump especially after I apply a few coats. I am also all about any mascara that makes my eyes look more open and out there. HECK YES to SEXY LASHES!

Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil

I am obsessed with this face oil! I always get worried about using face oils because I do not want me face looking like a grease pot. For the most part my skin is normal to oily with my t-zone being oily all the time. This oil gives me skin such a healthy glow without looking like i poured grease all on my face. I have worn it as a primer (it said it can be used as one) and by itself. I was shocked that it worked very well as a primer. I noticed a huge difference in my skin altogether once I started using this oil. It has been much brighter, softer and my skin has looked a lot more clear.

dp HUE ACV Hair Rinse

I received this in one of my subscription services awhile back and was hesitant to use it. I was scared that it would mess up my blonde but it was the complete opposite. The first time I used it I could tell that it brightened my blonde and made it look less brassy. This rinse can be used on any hair color and you use it in place of either your shampoo or conditioner. I was shocked that the smell was not overpowering. In addition to it making my hair brighter it made it a lot softer as well.

What were some of your favorite things in May? I’d love to know in the comments below. 

 

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What May Taught Me

May seriously flew by way too quickly. I feel like I blinked my eyes and the month was gone. I saw this post idea on The Girl Who Loved To Write and thought it is such a great way to reflect on what I’ve learned each month. May was full of lessons for me, a lot of really good one’s though. Here is what the month taught me.

Breaking Down Is Okay. For me breaking down makes me feel weak. I am not one to really show my emotions when I am sad/hurting. I’ve always been the type of person that keeps those emotions to myself (very few people have ever seen me breakdown, cry,etc). I’m the girl who stays tough even when my world is falling apart around me. It’s always been hard for me to open up to anyone when I’m hurting. I guess that’s because I have been raised to be tough and just don’t want others to see that side of me. I was reminded a few months ago that just because I break down everyone once in awhile it doesn’t make me a weak person. I am trying to keep that in mind. Now on to why I’ve had breakdowns….

With my grandfather passing away a little over six months ago, I’ve had a really hard dealing with his death. My grandfather and I were very close, so it’s been extremely hard for me. A lot of times when I visit my grandparents house now I started crying as soon as I pull into their driveway. It’s so hard for me to visit knowing that my grandfather is not there. We have left everything of his as it was before his passing. I know soon my aunt and I will be going through his things to donate or giveaway and that’s such a hard pill for my to swallow. Getting rid of his items doesn’t mean that he won’t be remembered by any means it still sucks though. Certain things remind me of my grandfather or I will just randomly think of him and I break down. I know in time the grieving process will get better (or at least I hope so) but it’s going to take some time.

It’s Okay To Ask Others For Help. I will be straight up honest, I do not ask for help very often. I am the type of person who if something needs to get done I would rather do it myself. That is the slight perfectionist in me. My wedding is a little less than five months away and I’ve pretty much planned everything by myself (not that I do not have anyone to help me). This has slowly started to take a toll on me and I am just ready to be done with planning this wedding. Because I have been stressed out lately I finally decided to ask my fiancé for help when it came to getting things together for our Save The Dates. We have over 200 guests that we are inviting so him helping out was such a huge load off my shoulders. It was so nice to have him collect some of the addresses and get stamps for them.

Giving Someone A Second Chance Isn’t Always A Bad Thing. Previously I was not to fond of one of my co-workers. This was because they were so lazy and never did anything to help out our team.  To me….that doesn’t fly. You either come to work and do what you need to do or not come at all. Seeing that they were lazy it made me dislike them altogether. Our whole team had several conversations with our supervisor but in the corporate world you have to follow a disciplinary action plan. So you can’t just up and fire people….sorry I think that’s stupid but everyone these days will pull a law suit out like it’s nothing. Thankfully this coworker has gotten their ish together and started pulling their own weight. Only took almost a year for that but I’m happy the situation has gotten better. I actually like them as a person now.

To Never Give Up On Your Dreams. Over a year ago I applied to grad school for the counseling program (I have a B.S. In Psychology). Once I applied I realized that I did not want to do counseling and withdrew altogether. Recently I began researching online programs for Forensics and found one that is in Louisiana (I’m from Louisiana). Of course this made me extremely excited because my minor is in Criminal Justice. I am completely addicted to any type of shows that deal with unsolved mysteries, etc. So this is going to be a process for me but I am excited. I am hoping to apply for the 2019 Spring Semester.

 

This was a long post but I hope everyone enjoyed it. It is a lot more personal than most of my posts.

 

What did May teach you? 

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10 Inspirational Quotes For Monday

Happy Monday y’all!! I’ll be the first to admit that I am not a fan of Mondays (I don’t know many people who are).  However, a little inspiration to remind me that I can kick Mondays butt head on never hurts. Here are some of my favorites that remind me that Monday is just another day.

 

 

I hope these quotes have you ready to make Monday yours!

Tell me how you make the best of your Monday’s. 

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5 Things I’m Currently Loving

Hey Y’all! I haven’t shared things I have been OBSESSED with in quite some time, so I wanted to share them with you today! From beauty products to accessories, these are things I can’t get enough of recently.

ColourPOP No Filter Concealer

I am so picky when it comes to concealers. I can’t stand concealers that set into any fine lines, crease, etc because I feel like that’s wasting my time of even applying it. One of my favorite concealers is Tarte’s Shape Tape which I find this one to be just as amazing/very similar. The best thing about this concealer is that its extremely affordable at $6. I love that its very moisturizing, blends out with out issues and does not crease. If you’re looking for a new affordable concealer this one is amazing!

Fake Bake Flawless Darker Self-Tan Liquid

This has become my favorite self tanner that I have tried in a long time. It smells amazing, applies easily and looks very natural (no looking all orange). Another great thing about the formula is that it is very buildable without becoming streaky. I personally do about 3 coats because I like being really dark. Depending on how many times I take a shower and shave, my tan will last about a week to a week in a half.

Anderson Lilley Candle in Super Bloom

I received this candle in my Spring FabFitFun  boxand it smells so good! The scent is a mixture of different flowers. Once the candle has been completely burned you can use it for makeup brushes, pens or anything else.

Rachel Pally Reversible Clutch in Paradise

Another item I received in my Spring FabFitFun box. I love that it’s reversible and big enough to fit my makeup essentials, sun glasses, etc in it. It’s can be paired with several different Summer looks which is a huge plus.

The Bold Type

Talk about a show that is all about empowering women!!! GIRL POWER!!!It is centered around three young women who work for the magazine Scarlet (our Cosmo). The show does a great job of addressing real life issues when it comes to love, jobs and life in general. Seriously obsessed!!!

 

What are some things you’ve been loving recently? I’d love to know in the comments below. 

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May 2018 Goals

Can we just say how crazy is it that it’s already May?! May is one of my favorite months because my birthday is on the 25th, which means a heck of a good time! We throw an annual crawfish boil with our friends and neighbors (pretty much a huge block party) that starts in the afternoon and ends well into the morning hours. I can’t wait! With that being said, I have not done a post on my goals in several months, so it’s time to get back into that again. Here’s what I’d like to accomplish this month.

Read 1 book// I’ve recently purchased so many books but have yet to have the time to read them. I would love to be able to sit back and dive into one of them.

Start consistently blogging again// I am not going to lie that with life being so busy these past few months, blogging hasn’t been on the top of my list. I miss blogging like crazy though, so I want to get back into posting regularly again. I plan to start focusing on more beauty posts and to start writing more personal posts. Are there any posts you would like to see? If so let me know in the comments below please. 🙂

Book a massage for my birthday// I have been in serious need of a good deep tissue massage. So I figured why not treat myself to one for my birthday.

Begin updating everything to change my blog layout// I purchased a new blog layout months ago but have not had the time to actually begin switching things. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to make my call to action buttons (if you have any tips,etc let this girl know).

Begin looking for bridesmaids gifts// I have several ideas of what I’d like to get my bridesmaids but I need to actually narrow it down. I know Etsy will be my best friend when it comes to finding the perfect gifts. If you have any shop suggestions, let me know!

 

What are your goals for this month? I’d love to know down in the comments. 

 

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My Sephora Spring Bonus 2018 Recommendations

I absolutely love when the VIB sale comes around each year (they have one in the Winter & Spring). This sale is a great time to restock on items you already love and to splurge on those high end items you’ve been eyeing. I typically spend way too much money during both sales, but it’s completely worth it! The sale ends today so make sure to get all the items you’ve been wanting.

 

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup

This has been my holy grail foundation for the past month. It is the only foundation that I have found that stays in place all day long, especially with my oily skin. It is medium to full coverage, very buildable and does not make your face look caked on.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

I have about five bottles of this on hand currently (obsessed much). Seeing that I live in the South anything I can do to keep my makeup in place is a must. I love that this spray is light weight and helps extend the wear of my makeup.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

This has been my go to concealer for the past few months because it is so hydrating. It blends out easily and a little bit goes a long way. It does not settle into my fine lines which is awesome.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

One of the best eye shadow primers I have ever used. My eyeshadow does not budge and goes on much smoother when I use it.

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer

When I want a natural looking glow this is the perfect bronzer. It’s extremely blendable which I love because I do not want to have my face looking muddy.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

A staple palette for me (I’ve owned two of them already) because I am able to create so many looks with this palette. It’s also a great palette if you want more neutral shades.

Make Up Forever Skin Equalizer Primer

When it comes to having oily skin I love putting this primer on my T-Zone to keep my makeup in place when it’s crazy hot outside.

Benefit ka-BROW! Cream Gel Eyebrow Color

I love that I can create natural to dramatic eyebrows with this gel. The gel goes on easily and blends out without any issues, while still giving a natural look.

Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel

This goes hand in hand with the Ka-brow! Cream Gel. This setting gel keeps the eyebrow gel in place and makes it last longer. A little bit of this gel goes a long way as well.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

When my lips need some serious TLC this mask takes them to a whole new level. I love that you can keep this mask on while you sleep. When you wake up your lips feel so much smoother and softer.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Love, love, love this mask!! The formula is so light weight, non-greasy and can be used on all skin types. When my face is feeling dry or dull this masks helps bring it back to life. I love that it makes my skin look brighter and smoother.

These are just a few of the many recommendations I have! These are the staple products that I am constantly reaching for and use on a daily/weekly basis. I hope my recommendations helped you out!

What products are you going to be purchasing? I’d love to know in the comments below! 

If you want to see a post on everything I purchased from the sale let met know in the comments below as well. 

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How I Am Getting My Teeth Wedding Ready With Smile Brilliant

 

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Smile Brilliant, as always all opinions expressed are my own. 

I’ve been searching for an affordable, easy and effective at home whitening system, to get my teeth pearly white for my wedding day. I’m an avid wine and coffee drinker, so keeping my teeth white is always a challenge. With all of the pictures I will be taking for my upcoming wedding events, I want to make sure my teeth look perfect (because who wants yellow stained teeth).

In the past, I’ve gotten my teeth whitened at the dentist which became too costly, as well as used other whitening systems. I found that with most at home whitening systems, I experienced a lot of pain due to sensitivity. I also felt that the other systems were messy and a waste of time/money. When Smile Brilliant reached out to me, I was excited to see what type of results I would get from using their products.

How It Works

  1. Smile Brilliant will send you their teeth kit. The kit includes: mold paste to make your impressions and whitening/desensitizing gel. I love that they send detailed instructions on how to make the impressions with no issues. Making the impressions was a lot of fun and so easy!
  2. Once you make your impressions, you send them back to Smile Brilliant to make your custom whitening trays. Your trays are typically mailed back to you within 3-5 days.
  3. Start whitening!

 

My final thoughts

I found that the Smile Brilliant process was easy, painless and effective. I loved being able to insert the trays into my mouth while going on with my day to day routine while at home. I kept the trays in for an hour each time before taking them out. After one use, I saw immediate results; however it made me realize how bad my teeth were stained (it had been a hot minute since I had whitened them). After whitening them I would use the desensitizing gel to ensure that I didn’t have any issues with sensitivity. I will also say that a little bit of both gels go a very long way.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive yet effective at home whitening system, Smile Brilliant is the way to go! They have kits for those who do not experience teeth sensitivity and those who do have issues with sensitivity. I think that is really awesome because most whitening kits do not offer that option. I’ve included some links below for you to check out Smile Brilliant for yourself. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below!

Results after 3 weeks

 

Smile Brilliant FAQ

Whitening Gel

Desensitizing Gel

 

Have you heard about Smile Brilliant before? What teeth whitening systems do you use? 

Give Away

One lucky STH reader will win their own whitening kit-valued at $149. To enter, simply follow this link.

***This giveaway ends on May 17th at 11:59 EST. Contest is open to USA, UK, Australia, and Canadian residents only. Winner is selected at random.*** Good luck!!!

If you’re eager to get your own kit now, use code sweetteaandhydrangeas15, for 15% off any whitening kit.

 

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March Life Updates

Hey y’all!!! Guess who is finally back after her five month long blogging break. This girl!!! I am very happy to be back but my break was much need, though it was longer than I had expected. I had come back from my break for about a week and then decided I needed more time. I have been crazy busy over these last few months that I seriously have not had much downtime.  I am proud to say though that I have been getting a lot better with organizing myself and my time. Now lets actually get down to what I was up to in March.

Wedding Planning

We are 7 months away from our wedding (well it will be on the 28th). Time has seriously flown by!! I still have a hefty to-do list but it’s mostly small things. We took our engagement photos last month and well…I didn’t exactly love them. I am very hard on myself when it comes to what I look like in photos. When I got the pictures, I didn’t think I looked the way I did. I liked about 4 photos out of 200 that we took. I will also admit that taking engagement photos is somewhat cheesy (the poses, kissing all the time). So let’s hope that I am happy with my bridals when I go to take those.

This past weekend, my bridesmaids and I found their dresses. They tried on four dresses and picked out the best one in less than an hour. Can I say…that’s amazing! I am so happy that we found a dress that fits all of their body types and they are all going to look beautiful! On Friday, I will be going to pick my dress up finally! I found it in October, and it came in last month but I haven’t been able to go get it. It’s going to be crazy trying it back on and knowing that it’s actually mine and I can take it home.

In regards to things I need to get checked off my list soon…Save The Dates are my #1 priority. I have them designed but need to do a little tweaking before having them printed out. Thankfully I previously started collecting addresses, so putting them together once printed, won’t be too bad (or let’s hope not). I really have done well with getting stuff done ahead of time but I’ll be honest that I have been freaking out lately. I’m like seven months….I need to get all this done now. I just have to keep it together. Y’all pray for me.

Personal Life

I have been really focusing on taking care of myself. I am currently doing a 12 week fitness challenge and I’ve really proud of myself. I thought that it was going to be much harder with having a fairly structured meal plan but I actually love all the meals. I also have found that with me working out more, I have had more energy (slowly building up). I really love that I am not as tired as I have been in the past, I just need to keep this up. That wedding dress and just being healthy in general has been a huge motivation kick. I’m down 17 lbs since October.

Work has been very busy since the beginning of the year. We have had a huge push for hiring for positions (I am in HR), so there hasn’t really been much down time. In the past typically that was a bad thing but our team has really done well with having fun and not letting it overwhelm us too much. Let’s see if that continues. Lol.

This year I have also really been focusing on spending time with my friends and family. Everything that happened in October/November, really made me think about how important making memories with your loved ones is. I would give anything to have had more time with my grandfather and to have my grandmother back to the way she used to be. Going forward, I make sure that I make even more time for the people that matter in my life (not that I didn’t before). Life is too short y’all!

 

Blogging

Now that I am back from my break, I have some big things planned for STH. These plans will be slowly but surely happening and I am very excited for them! As far as content, I still plan on having beauty, life style and blogging tips. If there is any content that you would like to see, let me know in the comments below and I will do my best to make it happen!

I hope everyone enjoyed my little life update!! I know it was long but I figured I would let everyone know why I’ve been missing lately. Here’s to getting back to blogging!!!

 

What has been going on in your life lately? I’d love to know in the comments! 

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February 2018 Goals

Happy February!!! I can’t believe how fast January flew by and I have a feeling this month will be the same. Seeing that January was a time for me to re-charge, I did not set any goals which was perfectly fine with me. I did however, set goals for 2018. With that being said, I will be sharing my goals for this month. Let’s get started.

February Goals

Finish reading The Woman in Cabin 10// I am slowly making my way through reading this (not because it’s bad but because I haven’t had much time to read). I would love to be able to actually finish a book this month.

Continue working out 3 x’s a week// I have been doing very well with working out so far this year. I just want to get back into shape and feel and look better.

Start collecting addresses for our Save the Dates// We take our engagement photos this Friday, so I want to get a head start on collecting addresses. I know our photo’s won’t come in for a few weeks but hey…it never hurts to get started.

Cook two new recipes// I have so many recipes saved on Pinterest that I’ve been meaning to try but haven’t.

Take more time to relax// I have been non-stop lately and I really haven’t taken time for myself. I know that is going to be much needed because life is only going to get more busy.

 

What are your goals for this month? Let me know in the comments below. 

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2017 Reflections & New Year Goals

 

Hey Everyone! I can not believe that 2017 has come and gone and the first month of 2018 is pretty much over. As many of you know I stepped away from blogging recently, so this is why this post is just now being shared. I am ready to kick off STH for 2018 and make my blog the best it has ever been (compared to previous years). I have a lot of new and exciting things in the works for STH. Stay tuned! For now, let’s take a look back at 2017, then I’ll share my 2018 goals.

 

2017 Recap & Reflections

Personal: 2017 was a very hectic year for me, There were a lot of ups and downs, but I am very grateful for those experiences because it taught me a lot about myself.

January took off without any hesitation when it came to my work life. I’m not going to lie work kicked my butt because there was absolutely no down time throughout the year. I am extremely proud of myself because I stayed positive even when curve balls were thrown my way (which is typically hard for me to do).

Despite all of the craziness from work I did have some amazing moments in 2017. One of the most exciting moments for me was in May when I got in engaged. I was kind of expecting it but told myself to not get my hopes up, in case it did not happen. Of course with being newly engaged, came wedding planning, which has been in full force since the week after we got engaged (I was not wasting any time).

In between the craziness of work and wedding planning, I made sure to have some fun. I made it a goal to spend more time with my family and friends. I’m so grateful for all of the moments I got to make and I wish some of them did not have to end.

With all of those great moments, came sadness starting in October. Those of you who read my blog frequently, know the situation that occurred with my grandparents. Those situations hit me hard and made the rest of 2017 literally a living hell for me. The pain has slowly gotten easier to deal with but it’s still there. I will say that the pain and sadness taught me to cherish the time you have with the ones you love. Tomorrow is never promised, so make the best of your time. The only positive that came out of these situations is that it taught me that I am stronger than I give myself credit for.

 

Blog: 2017 brought a lot of growth for STH and I could not be more grateful for that. I was blessed with so many opportunities and learned so much about blogging.

One of my main goals for STH was to start pitching myself to brands. It was so nerve wrecking at first to put myself out there but I’m so glad I did (never give up on yourself or your dreams). I got to work with some amazing brands that I loved and got introduced to some new ones as well.

With the growth of STH came a lot of learning and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Of course there was a lot of trail and error, which is expected. I know that I still have a lot to learn, which I am taking day by day.

I want to thank each of you for supporting me along my blogging journey. All of your comments, love and encouragement does not go unnoticed. I am so very thankful for all of you and I hope to continue to build relationships with y’all.

New Year Goals

 

Blogging Goals

Build Relationships With Fellow Bloggers// I really want to start connecting with bloggers more this year. I feel that building a tribe is so important when it comes to blogging. Without other bloggers support I would have given up on blogging a long time ago. Thankfully my blogging friends always pushed me to keep going. I’m so grateful for them! So here’s to making new blogging friends and continuing the relationships I have already made.

Grow On Social Media// Last year I was able to grow my social media but it took a lot of work and time. I changed my strategies on how I posted, when I posted, etc and it really worked for me.

Instagram Currently: 1,232 Goal: 2,500 This is probably a huge stretch for me because Instagram is either really great at times or really horrible.

Twitter Currently: 557 Goal: 650  Not going to lie I do not use Twitter as much as I should, so I really want to work on that this year.

Pinterest Currently: 2,186 Goal: 4,000 I love Pinterest a lot and it is a huge source of traffic for me. I plan on working a lot more on my Pinterest strategy this year.

Change the look of STH// This is something that is currently in the works. I am so excited about it because it’s been long overdue. I hope that the new look pays off. I will be sticking with the same color scheme for the most part.

Get STH facebook page up and going// I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile but honestly I’ve focused so much energy on Instagram, that making a fb page has not been on the top of my list.

Personal 

Focus on self care// I love being able to pamper myself, even if it’s just sitting around reading a book. I feel that this is really going to help me feel more energized again. I’ll be having a self care challenge coming soon to the blog!

Work out regularly// I want to be in the best shape that I can be this year. I slacked a good bit last year and really want to get my butt into gear. I know that working out will not only help me lose weight but will help me feel better altogether.

Start saving more money// I need to stop spending money on things I truly don’t need (let’s hope I can stop myself from impulse buys). As much as I love shopping, I tend to buy so many things that I already have.

Spend more time with family & friends// With everything that happened towards the end of the year, I feel that time is too short. I want to spend as much time as I can with the one’s I love.

Thanks so much for stopping by and catching up with me today. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your support! Here’s to making 2018 the best year ever!

What are some of your reflections from last year? What are your goals for this year? 

I’d love to know in the comments below. 

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