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9/23/2023 0 Comments MY CONCERT MERCH COLLECTION As I mentioned in my last blog post, I am a concert girl through and through. I've been to over 20 concerts and music festivals this year alone and love to collect merch from shows I attend. My collection is pretty extensive, consisting of hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, posters, etc. Below is a YouTube video I created sharing some of my concert merch from the following artists:
SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
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9/9/2023 0 Comments FALL 2023 FASHION VISION BOARD In case you weren't aware, fall is my favorite season. The chill in the air, colorful leaves, abundance of pumpkin-flavored snacks, and cozy atmosphere all combine to make the perfect season. I also just adore the slow pace that seems to come along with autumn, as I am a big advocate for lazy nights in, curled up with a fuzzy blanket, a good book, and a cup of hot chocolate or tea. While I am utterly obsessed with the classic fall outfits consisting of a brown, cream, and black color palette, my style does gravitate more towards bright colors. I think it's important to note here that there is no one "right way" to dress for fall; you don't need to adopt a dark academia style to be fashionable this season. Below is a breakdown of the styles and elements I wish to bring to my wardrobe this fall. PLAIDFor some reason I am currently obsessed with plaid. I own a few plaid skirts and dresses that I cannot wait to style this season. I am also currently obsessed with looks that involve layering multiple plaid items together- think a plaid skirt paired with a plaid scarf. Plaid also pairs well with denim, so don't be surprised if my go-to outfit this season is a plaid skirt and oversized jean jacket. PATTERN CLASHING AND LAYERINGI also really want to step out of my comfort zone this season and create more exciting and "out there" outfits. One way I plan to make my looks more dynamic is to experiment with pattern clashing and layering. I have always been an admirer of maximalism, yet my wardrobe does not reflect that. This fall I plan to layer skirts atop jeans, pair houndstooth with plaid, throw hoodies over textured skirts, and really have fun with my outfits. BRIGHT COLORSLike I said, you don't have to fit yourself into a stereotypical "fall fashion" box when it comes to creating fall outfits. While I do love wearing the occasional grey sweater, black miniskirt, tights, and black boots combo, this season I won't be afraid to wear color. I especially love red for autumn, but pinks, greens, and blues will no doubt be making appearances in my outfits as well. As the days grow colder, I will also create some fun looks with my bright pink beanie. CONCERT MERCHSomething else you may or may not know about me is I love live music. I've attended over 20 concerts and music festivals this year alone and I often buy merch when I see my favorite artists perform. Some people collect postcards when they travel, others buy magnets for their fridge. My collection of choice is band tees. I'd say 4-5 days out of the week I'm sporting some sort of band/artist merchandise, so naturally my fall wardrobe will include these unique clothing items. I am very excited to break out my favorite concert sweatshirts, which include my girl in red hoodie and oversized Lady Gaga hoodie. SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
 On Friday, June 9th, I attended Detroit Night 1 of Taylor Swift’s highly-anticipated Eras Tour. Let me tell you, the show was even more spectacular than I could have imagined. With a 44 song setlist, we got a taste of Taylor’s various albums and eras. My favorite Taylor Swift album is 1989. It is an album I can genuinely call a “no skips” album. Naturally, I wanted to create a 1989 inspired look for the concert. This blog post details how I created my unique 1989-themed outfit for the Eras Tour.  STEP 1: GET INSPIREDThere were so many directions I could’ve gone when it came to creating an outfit for the tour. I turned to Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram for inspiration. Scrolling social media is a great way to get inspired.  STEP 2: FIND IMAGESOnce I nailed down the look I was going for (a white flowy skirt with 1989-themed pictures ironed on it), I began collecting images. My vision included a mix of images from Taylor’s 1989 album, a few of her promotional Polaroids, and some random hearts, stars, and shapes. I found most of my images on Pinterest, but also used Google Images for some generic hearts and stars.  STEP 3: GATHER SUPPLIESBefore going any further, I needed to take inventory of my supplies. The products I used are listed below:
 STEP 4: SAVE IMAGES IN A WORD DOCNext I downloaded the images I wanted to use and placed them into a Word document. I arranged the images in a way to optimize space and print out as few pages as possible. Important! Before printing out the images, read the directions on your transfer paper. Some brands tell you to flip the images prior to printing.  STEP 5: PRINT IMAGES ON TRANSFER PAPER & CUT OUTThis step was fairly simple. I just printed out the images onto the transfer paper, waited for the ink to dry, then cut out each image. Tip: Cutting rounded edges along the pictures makes it easier to iron them onto fabric.  STEP 6: LAY OUT DESIGNBefore getting the iron out, I needed to come up with a specific pattern. I placed images in different spots, shifted images around, and reworked the design until I was happy with it. Important! Once you have settled on a design, be sure to take a picture of it. This picture will be a great reference when ironing down the images.  STEP 7: IRON IMAGES ONTO DRESSThis step was actually a lot more difficult than it looked! I definitely messed up, cursed, nearly cried, and actually gave up on ironing a design onto the back of the dress. The best advice I can give is take your time, follow the instructions that come with your transfer paper, place a piece of cardboard between the layers of fabric when ironing, and use an old rag or scrap of fabric as a barrier between the iron and transfer paper.  STEP 8: STYLE DRESSOnce the DIY skirt/dress is complete, it is time to style the garment. I decided to get more specific with my 1989 outfit and make it “Welcome To New York” themed. This entailed adding a black I heart NY baby tee, red Converse, and some DIY friendship bracelets to the look. Tip: Want to learn how to make your own friendship bracelets? Check out this tutorial.  STEP 9: ATTEND THE CONCERT!Attending the Eras Tour was a dream, and I’m glad I was able to create an original, one-of-a-kind outfit for the occasion. SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
6/10/2023 0 Comments SUMMER 2023 FASHION VISION BOARD In my mind, the start of June marks the start of summer. I am excited for the sunny days, warm evenings, bright blue skies, and, of course, the summer fashion. This summer, I want to tap back into the more feminine side of my personal style. Think LoveShackFancy frills, a pink color palette, shimmering eyeshadow, and short sundresses. Below is a breakdown of my summer 2023 style. LOVESHACKFANCY COREOne of my favorite clothing brands of all time is LoveShackFancy. Known for their feminine silhouettes, flowy gowns, pastel colored apparel, and floral prints, this brand's clothing perfectly encapsulates summertime. I currently own three LoveShackFancy dresses, which will be in heavy rotation this season. From brunches to picnics to sunsets on the beach, these lovely dresses work for any occasion. Lace, ruffles, and cream colored knitwear are also LoveShackFancy staples I plan to incorporate into my summer wardrobe. BAND TEESStaying true to my style, I had to include band tees in this vision board. On hot summer days, sometimes you just want to throw on a comfy t-shirt, jean shorts, and sandals. My comfiest band tees, including my Harry's House shirt and oversized Lollapalooza tee, will definitely be making an appearance this summer. I also plan on styling band tees with flowy skirts for a more feminine look. DIY JANE BIRKIN BAGI've been a long time admirer of Jane Birkin's iconic Birkin bags. The way she personalizes her bags with charms, accessories, and knick knacks is so cool and original. A DIY at the top of my list this summer is making my own version of her iconic purse. Keep an eye out for a blog post on this fun DIY project :) CHARMSWhen the weather is hot, it can be tricky to create eye-catching looks. One way I plan to elevate my outfits is by incorporating charms. I recently bought a charm bracelet from the 1970s at a local vintage shop, for instance. There is something so cool about carrying someone else's history on your wrist. I also plan to add charms to my shoes, necklaces, and even jeans. I just love the trend of attaching a funky keychain to your front belt loop. SHIMMERY MAKEUPMakeup and fashion go hand in hand. A cool outfit is made even cooler by captivating makeup. While I am no expert when it comes to makeup, I plan to use makeup to elevate my outfits this summer. Specifically, I want to experiment with shimmery eyeshadows and lip glosses. I'm imagining a cool makeup look that is almost mermaid-like. I am very excited to create some fun looks this summer, and hopefully this blog post inspired you to do the same! SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER BLOG POST.
5/27/2023 0 Comments TIPS FOR BUYING CLOTHES SECONDHAND There are numerous reasons to shop secondhand. Some people love the affordable pricing of secondhand items and stellar thrift store discounts. Others shop secondhand to be environmentally conscious. Others value individuality and self-expression through fashion, admiring secondhand clothing’s uniqueness and one-of-a-kind feel. Whatever your shopping motives, this article provides the best tips for buying secondhand at thrift stores and online. EVALUATE YOUR CURRENT WARDROBEFirst and foremost, it is important to evaluate your current wardrobe. Peek inside your closet, dresser, and storage bins and take note of:
Taking inventory is useful when creating a shopping list. For example, maybe you just got into running but only own one workout outfit. This is a gap in your wardrobe and athletic shorts, a sports bra, and a Dri Fit tank top are all items you could add to your secondhand shopping list. KNOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS Another thrifting tip is to know your measurements. Many online thrift stores and secondhand marketplaces feature clothing where the sizing on the label is not accurate, and shoppers are encouraged to refer to the measurements of a garment. Vintage items in particular do not typically align with current sizing scales. Measurements to know:
To learn how to properly measure your body to know your clothing size, check out the website Size Charter. CLOSELY INSPECT ITEMS BEFORE BUYINGAnother thrift tip is to inspect items before purchasing. Buying pre-loved items means those garments had a prior life and likely endured some wear and tear. Be sure to check garments for stains, rips, runs in the fabric, and discoloration. Also check if an item has been tailored to custom fit the previous owner. When shopping secondhand on thrifting apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Mercari, zoom in on the images to check for imperfections. Sellers also often list the condition an item is in, such as “brand new,” “used,” and “fair condition.” SEARCH FOR SPECIFIC ITEMS ONLINEAnother tip for successfully shopping secondhand is to search for more specific items online rather than in physical thrift stores. Modern search engines are quite good at yielding results. Search “Selkie dress secondhand” on Google, for instance, and links to used Selkie dresses sold on Depop, The RealReal, Poshmark, and other secondhand sites pop up within seconds. Be sure to compare pieces across resale platforms to find the best deal. One of my favorite resale sites is eBay due to its friendly sellers, low prices, and wide variety of items for sale. BE WARY WHEN SHOPPING FOR DESIGNER ITEMS Shopping comes with the risk of getting scammed, especially when it comes to buying secondhand designer items. Sometimes thrift stores accidentally label a dupe as an original, and sometimes malicious online sellers purposely scam innocent shoppers for a fat profit. Here are a few tips to follow when buying designer items secondhand:
DON'T BE AFRAID TO BARGAINA final tip when shopping secondhand is to not be afraid to bargain. Typically, physical thrift stores have set prices, but online resale apps are known for their bargaining and price flexibility. Most secondhand shopping websites and apps have a “make an offer” button where users can send in an offer on an item. It is recommended to send an offer between 10-20% off the original price. The worst that can happen is your offer is rejected. Whether your secondhand shopping motives are sustainability-based, style-based, or savings-based, the above tips will ensure a stress-free and enjoyable shopping experience. SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
 It's that time of year again; time for my quarterly fashion vision board post! I am very excited for spring and warm weather because my outfits will no longer be hidden under a bulky winter coat. Spring always feels like a time for new beginnings and fresh starts, and I am looking forward to falling in love with fashion again and creating some fun, colorful, comfy, and spring-inspired outfits. Below is a breakdown of the styles, trends, and clothing items I cannot wait to wear this season. COLORFUL/PATTERNED SOCKSI am not sure if this is too niche, but I am one of those people who just have "dirty" socks. I obviously wash them, but they inevitably become pilled and discolored after about two wears. This season, I want to invest in better socks to create a cleaner and prettier look. Since I will be investing in new socks, why not buy some fun, colorful, and patterned ones? I have been eyeing the Brandy Melville heart socks for probably six months now, so spring is the perfect time I will finally pull the trigger and add these adorable socks to my wardrobe. LONG SKIRTS + SWEATSHIRTSIn my "What I Wore In NYC" post I shared an edgy outfit consisting of a salmon-colored tulle skirt paired with an oversized Lady Gaga hoodie. Ever since that trip, I have been in love with this unique pairing of a long skirt and sweatshirt. Not only do I feel fashionable in this combo, but comfortable as well. I also love the look of long skirts paired with band tees and will be trying out this look later in spring when the weather is even warmer. COLORFUL KNIT SWEATERSColorful knit sweaters were previously mentioned in my "Fall 2022 Fashion Vision Board," but there is nothing wrong with enjoying a certain trend or article of clothing season after season. I honestly love the idea of having a "signature" look or signature item that people associate with me. For example, I always reach for my Ragged Priest colorful striped sweater and love having it as a tried-and-true item in my wardrobe. FUN JEWELRY/ACCESSORIESWhether scrolling through Pinterest or window shopping downtown, I always find myself gravitating towards colorful accessories, beaded bracelets, and funky rings. I recently began spring cleaning and reorganized my entire jewelry holder. Now I only own pieces that bring me joy and I am looking forward to styling my colorful statement jewelry this spring. I also ordered these cool shoe charms off of Etsy and cannot wait to wear them when there is finally no more snow, slush, or rain water on the ground! Follow my Instagram to see the outfits I end up wearing this spring! SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
3/11/2023 0 Comments WHAT I'M CURRENTLY PINNINGMY RECENT FASHION PINS ON PINTEREST. For nearly a decade I’ve turned to Pinterest for outfit inspiration and styling ideas. Pinterest might just be my favorite social media platform- it feels like a personal collection of beautiful pictures and ideas rather than a traditional social media site based on self-promotion and cultivating the perfect image for your followers. It is easy to get inspired on Pinterest when there are endless amounts of fashion and outfit photos. I enjoy finding and placing images into specific boards, whether it be a DIY board, outfit inspiration board, or celebrity style board. I thought it would be fun to make a collage of recently pinned images for some of my Pinterest fashion boards (a maximalist fashion collage, an outfit inspiration collage, etc.). Enjoy! OUTFIT INSPO Whenever I come across a new style or clothing combo I want to try out, I add the image to my "outfit inspo" board. Even though the weather is still quite cold in the Midwest, I am loving the look of grunge t-shirts layered over ruffle and tulle skirts. I am also loving the hoodie x skirt combination. While I do tend to reach for brightly colored clothing when getting ready each morning, I do enjoy the occasional black, white, and cream outfit. DREAM WARDROBE My "dream wardrobe" board is filled with articles of clothing I long to have in my own wardrobe one day. Exhibit A: the discontinued bubblegum pink Converse! This board also contains plenty of LoveShackFancy items, artist merch (peep the Harry Styles tote and Taylor Swift 1989 hoodie), and plenty of pretty pink clothing. My girly side really comes out in this particular Pinterest board. COLORFUL FASHION In my "How to Get Out of a Style Slump" article, I explain the importance of identifying keywords to describe your style. One of my keywords is "colorful," so naturally I created a Pinterest board titled "colorful fashion." This board focuses on colorful outfits but also features outfits involving funky prints and textures. MORE IS MORE Lately I have been very inspired by maximalism. While I would not define my style as maximalist, I do love getting inspiration from over-the-top and extravagant outfits. This "more is more" board also contains quite a few decora outfits (a Japanese style of dressing). This board is for all things colorful, fun, layered, and extra. Hopefully you enjoyed this exclusive peek into my fashion Pinterest boards. This was such a fun post to create! :) SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
2/18/2023 0 Comments WHAT I WORE IN NYC This past weekend I traveled to New York City with my best friend Alice and her super cool roomie Oksana and had the best time! The fashion, the food, the atmosphere; it was all incredible! While on this trip I documented some of my favorite outfits I wore to include in this week's blog post. Enjoy :) EXPLORING AT THE MET
One of our first stops in NYC was The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I wore the comfiest sweats on the plane and changed into this look (shown above) in the airport bathroom because there was no way my first official New York outfit was going to be sweatpants! I have started to gather a rather large collection of concert merch and wanted to bring a few of my new pieces on this vacation. I saw Blondshell in concert last month (amazing!) and styled her merch with a pink turtleneck, cargos, a black belt, and my favorite white chunky sneakers. A QUICK STOP AT ROLLER RABBIT
After exploring (and getting lost) at The Met, I threw on my favorite winter jacket (Celia B) and we headed to Roller Rabbit (my favorite store). I was determined to buy the NYC store exclusive pajamas, and as luck would have it the store just restocked them that morning! NIGHT NO. 1
I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone for my first night out in the city. I decided to channel Jaden Smith's style and pair an oversized sweatshirt with a skirt. I wore my Lady Gaga hoodie (another nod to my love of artist merch) and rounded out the look with vegan Doc Martens. You can't quite tell in the photos, but I fastened safety pins into my braids to make the look even edgier. AN AFTERNOON IN DUMBO
I was very excited to wear this look out in the city, and I even got a few compliments on my matching outfit! (It's so flattering when fashionable New Yorkers tell you they like your outfit!) This matching set is from Celia B, one of my favorite fashion brands. I added some colorful hair clips and my white chunky sneakers to complete the look. NIGHT NO. 2
I also packed my Suki Waterhouse tee to style for a night out in NYC. I wore the concert tee as a dress, added a white turtleneck underneath, threw on some tights, went for minimal jewelry, and rounded out the look with my Doc Martens. The beautiful purse in these photos is my friend Alice's :) NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
On Saturday we attended an afternoon show for New York Fashion Week. Let me tell you, this was such a good event for people watching! I've been to a few fashion shows in Chicago but never in New York and never for a fashion week, so it was such a new and fun experience. I wanted to wear something fun and colorful, so I went with this stunning Celia B dress paired with an orange turtleneck and pale pink tights. I've been wanting to try this Decora-inspired hairstyle and thought fashion week would be the perfect place to wear it. I bought regular and star shaped hair clips and added 10-15 of them on top of my head. We left on Sunday and my look consisted of the same green cargo pants from Thursday, a black Phoebe Bridgers concert tee, black belt, and white chunky sneakers. I absolutely adored New York City and I cannot wait to go back one day :) SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
1/14/2023 0 Comments 2023 Trend Predictions The start of a new year often feels like a new chapter beginning. A lot of people adopt the mindset of “out with the old, in with the new.” This mindset also applies to fashion trends. 2022 was marked by the uptown girl aesthetic, downtown girl aesthetic, platform Uggs, the Miu Miu mini skirt, adidas Samba shoes, the Urban Outfitters corset top, and tailored vests. It will be exciting to see what trends emerge in 2023. Below are five of my fashion trend predictions I’d like to have in writing on the off chance I correctly predict what ends up being cool and trendy this year. LEG WARMERS In 2023 we will witness the rise in popularity of leg warmers, especially during the winter months. My Pinterest and TikTok fyp have already been plastered with cool outfits featuring these leg accessories. While leg warmers seem to be taking social media by storm, I have yet to come across a person wearing them in real life. I believe this year leg warmers will no longer just be seen on influencers’ Instagram posts, but on regular people on the street as well. BOWS Another trend I see taking off this year is bows. Bows on clothing, bows in hair, bows on bags- you name it! I really enjoy the look of two braids with a neat, long bow tied at the end. This hairstyle also works for numerous aesthetics, including cottagecore, dark academia, and the coquette aesthetic. Bows on clothes make me think of Blair Waldorf and her numerous stunning dresses that featured bow details. FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS In Taylor Swift’s semi-recently released song, “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” she sings the line “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.” Being the tastemaker that she is, I expect a large uptick in people wearing homemade jewelry or store bought, friendship-style bracelets. This is a fun trend to hop on, as you can create bracelets to trade with your best friends (see my blog post on how to make your own diy jewelry). *As I am typing this, I realize that this trend is very reminiscent of the iconic VSCO girl era* THE COLOR BLUE I have a gut feeling that this spring and summer will be marked by the popularity of the color blue. I’m picturing a bright, light blue; the kind that reminds you of childhood and lazy summer days by the pool. Pink and orange were popular colors in 2022, and I believe this year it is blue’s turn to shine. REVIVAL OF THE 2014 TUMBLR/GRUNGE AESTHETIC It is wild to think that 2014 was almost ten years ago! I cannot think about this fact for too long or I will begin to have an existential crisis. Anyways, I truly see the 2014 Tumblr/grunge aesthetic coming back in 2023. We’ve already seen the beginning of this with all the Matty Healy-inspired outfits on social media (the white button down, black tie, and leather jacket combo). The 1975, the band Matty is a member of, was popular during the 2014 Tumblr era, making this aesthetic all the more fitting now that they are touring again. SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
 There is always something so special about the start of a new year. Everyone is filled with optimism and a newfound sense of motivation to better themselves. There are the traditional New Year's resolutions of “eating more fruits and vegetables” and “working out more.” While these tasks are definitely on my to-do list, I also want to add a fashion-focused resolution to my list this year. In 2023, I am elevating my personal style. UPGRADING MY ACCESSORY GAME Accessories truly make an outfit feel complete. Adding a beret can turn a look from boring to interesting, while adding hot pink shoelaces to sneakers adds an eye-grabbing element to an outfit. This year I want to focus on finding accessories that match my sense of style and make my outfits feel complete. I love the diy beaded bracelet trend (I even have a blog post on how to make your own beaded jewelry). I also want to start wearing more rings and colorful jewelry in general. MIXING PRINTS & PATTERNS Growing up, I was obsessed with the fashion on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up. I know most people thought those outfits were horrid, but my younger self was so inspired by the costumes. One style choice they frequently made on the show was mixing patterns. I firmly believe it is possible to mix prints and patterns while still creating a cohesive look. Pairing contrasting plaid prints, for instance, creates such a cool and creative outfit. CREATING A TEMPORARY CAPSULE WARDROBE As you may have guessed, I own a lot of clothes. I have a whole closet and Ikea dresser filled with everything from coats to t-shirts to jeans to dresses. The ironic thing is, I often feel like I have nothing to wear. The problem is decision fatigue- I have so many options to choose from that I do not know where to start and get overwhelmed when trying to pick an outfit. A solution I came up with is creating a temporary capsule wardrobe. I believe getting rid of half my closet would not be helpful considering I’m still navigating my personal style, so instead I am opting for a temporary capsule wardrobe. I plan on selecting 15-25 clothing items in my wardrobe that speak to me and do not clash with one another. I will then hang these items on my clothing rack and use it as my capsule wardrobe for the next month. This way I can have fun creating outfits with cool pieces without experiencing decision fatigue. REMIXING TRENDS TO MATCH MY STYLE It is important to not let trends dictate your style. That being said, it is fun to participate in what is trending and try out new looks. This year, my goal is to experiment with trends in a way that stays true to my personal style. I am definitely an “all in” type of person, meaning if I’m trying something, I give it my all. If I do a trend, I’m not going to half ass it. The problem with this is when I try out trends, I often end up feeling like I am dressed as a character rather than myself. A good way to have fun with trends without compromising my identity is to add elements of a trend to an outfit I already love. For example, I love my American Apparel skirt set and Doc Martens. I can create a “dark academia” outfit by reworking this look and throwing on an oversized sweater, adding tall white socks, and braiding my hair. Keeping the skirt and shoes while changing up the top, socks, and hair is a good balance of trying a new look while maintaining elements of my own style. I am excited to see what 2023 will bring! One of my other New Year’s resolutions is to upload a blog post every single Saturday, so be sure to follow along this year as I share articles about fashion, sustainability, diys, and classic outfit of the day posts. Happy New Year :) SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.
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CategoriesAll Fashion Ootd STEFFI STYLES CategoriesAll Fashion Ootd STEFFI STYLES CategoriesAll Fashion Ootd STEFFI STYLES Authorhey it's Steffi, and this is my website where I post fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog posts. Enjoy! Archives
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