Dodo Island - Freehand Nail Art Design

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope your week is going well. Today I'm back to work this afternoon which means I can have a pretty chilled morning, have a nice bubble bath and get ready in leisure. Although I really enjoy the longer work shifts, the day feels like it goes faster and there's a longer break. I really can't manage to make a cup of tea, eat and do anything else in fifteen minutes. Do you always get the same amount of time on your breaks if you work? I'm not complaining though, I love working!

Now... I'm going to share something really special with you but you have to promise to keep it a secret, ok? You've all been lead to believe that the beautiful dodo is extinct but that's not quite true. Here is a cave on Dodo Island where you can see with your own eyes that dodo's are all good and well!

Why must it remain a secret? If you look closely at the cave walls you'll see speckles of gold. Dodo island is literally crammed with gold everywhere. If we spread the word before long the miners, gold collectors, criminals will come to the island and destroy the peaceful habitat of the dodo's..

So we let them keep this island the way it is, they live in families and tend to prefer caves although if you walk along the beach you'll see so many of the youngsters playing together.




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Freehand Spring Flowers & Easter Chicken


Allo polish Pals!

How are ya all doing? I hope you've had a fantastic week – are you excited for the weekend? Its Easter weekend and while I don't have a lot planned (working a short shift today) I am looking forward to a nice Sunday lunch with my family.

Also.. Tomorrow I have a job interview. Since my current employment is temporary (or is it?) I decided I'll go and see how it goes. I'd love to stay on where I am currently but I feel like I can't pin all my hopes on it after last time.

Anyway! If your celebrating Easter or not, I hope you'll have a fantastic weekend! Now lets have some spring-kissed nails!

 

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Freehand Owl Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing? Did you do anything fun for New Years Eve? Tell auntie Ithi all about it!

I had a quiet one in, watching the celebrations taking hold in London the good old telly-box.
I've not made resolutions this year, I feel like making real resolutions leads to too much pressure but I have got some goals in mind I will get crackin' on with.

Have you set any resolutions and have you succeeded with them the last couple of days?

I had another work update in regards to the job I seemed promised on Christmas Eve, I've been told to wait until the 15th when they've had their budget meeting. I dunno, it doesn't seem promising now, does it? I really don't like not knowing and I've been having so many dreams about this since.

Today's nail art is one I didn't really want to share, I wasn't 100% happy with it and then I thought that if I don't share it, that's kind of a shame for the time I spent on it and the fact that you guys normally seem to love what I don't, haha.



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Penguin & Bling Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope you had an awesome weekend, did you get up to anything fun?

I had a lovely birthday on Saturday, it was quiet and cosy but just perfect. Since I wont be able to see my niece in her school play (she got a main character role!) she did a performance of it for me, she may be only seven but I was so impressed with how well she's learnt her lines.

In the evening I had a cheeky Chinese and wine with my family. There was also time for some nail art which is good as I've lost my day off today and will be working pretty much non stop through Christmas, minus actual Christmas day of course.

Today's nail art came from a lack of inspiration.. I feel like I am not producing my best work lately, I'm not sure if my creativity is a little damp from working but hey. It'll come back!


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Freehand Halloween Chickens Go Trick Or Treating

Allo polish Pals,

Happy weekending to you all! I hope you are having a fabulous one so far? Tell me, do you have any plans for Halloween?

I don't really celebrate it and never have, growing up in the UK it wasn't massively popular where I grew up coupled with the fact I was the only child on the street (and my sister was 7 years older) but I've always been in awe at how some American families decorate their houses and gardens and go ALL out! It looks like a lot of fun.

Since I started nail blogging I have found each Halloween more and more fun in terms of creating nail art. I've already posted on design but I am saving the best for Monday's post! Ever since I created those scary hag sisters I've been trying to out do myself!

Today though.. These little chickens just want join in the fun. They've got their costumes on early because they just can not contain they little beaky excitement! Who says chickens can't enjoy Halloween too?..




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Flying To England Nail Art - Canadian Geese

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope you are having a fantastic week so far :)

I've got a little announcement! (and its not the only one!) On Friday I'll be flying back home to England to spend some time with my family. There's so much more to tell you. The past few weeks there has been a lot going on but I think I am going to update you on all that in Saturday's post.

Today though you can see how I am choosing to travel home this time! In case you are new to the blog, on my previous travels back home I've travelled by.. hanging onto an aeroplane, I sat on a whale, I flew on a magic carpet and most recently I went by submarine.

This time I decided it was time for some more sky fun!



I actually have two version of this manicure to share with you since I didn't like the first one.. However I didn't like the thumb on the second version. I'm really hard to please, huh?


The only polishes I used for this manicure are OPIs 'Nail Envy' base coat, Barry M's 'White' for my clean blank canvas and my Pro-FX top coat to seal everything in. Everything else was created with my fave Whatsupnails brush and my acrylic paints.

I have enjoyed painting all these travelling nails so far. Which one did you like best?

Which version do you guys like best? Are there any countries you'd like to go to?

Thank you for stopping by today!
Have a beautiful day my friends, I'll catch you on Saturday and I'll explain what's been going on.



Love
Ithi
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Freehand Barbershop Quartet Penguin Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!

How ya doing on this wonderful Wednesday? I hope you are doing just dandy.

I've been keeping very active and super busy since I got back in the Netherlands, my step count has been around the 15k mark each day which makes me happy.

Today's nail art probably doesn't need any fanning. The theme for the weekly challenge over at Tiny Canvas this week is Penguins.

I'm not quite sure where the idea came from but I really wanted to paint some plump little chicks in barbershop quartet outfits! So thats what I do'ed. Yes I said Do'ed.  Sadly I sorta rushed these as they were my last nail art while I was in England.


For this manicure I began with my OPI Nail Envy base coat and once dry applied two coats of Maybelline's 'Dusty Rose' which came in a 'blush' duo my mum spoilt me with. I added a thin coat of my Pro-FX top coat to create a nice smooth barrier and began to move onto my freehand, creating white egg shapes to form the bodies of my penguins. Next I added all the details using my fave 'WhatsUp Nails' brush.

If I am entirely honest this manicure was a little rushed.. I think that's pretty obvious. I was excited to go spend time with my family so for that reason we'll overlook the sloppiness. Family First!

Because there were only four penguins I decided to add some musical notes on top because.. what else? I debated fish but I thought that would be too reminiscent of my first penguin nail art.

What do you think of my singing penguins, what songs do you think they sing? Have you created penguin nail art before?

Have a lovely day my dears! Thank you for visiting! I'll be back on Saturday for some more nail art fun.

Love
Ithi
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Freehand Parrot & Feather Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!
How are you all doing today? I hope this weekend has been going great for you so far? Don't forget to enter my giveaway if you have not already, its open internationally so everyone has a chance!
I've been having a great time with my family - I've been doing a lot of babysitting as my Niece is now off school for the Easter break however its not hard work, she may only be six but she's a delight to spend time with and what I love is that she doesn't want to sit in front of the Tv! We've been doing glitter craft projects, board games, playing in the garden!

Today I have another design for you which was created for the weekly challenge over at Tiny Canvas – I love that these prompts are pushing me to do things I might not normally do. I had a whole kafuffle over this week's bird theme – mostly as I tried to paint this just before leaving for my trip home to England.

Eventually I created something I was satisfied with however, tragedy struck. For some reason my top coat looks like it scraped away the acrylic paint.. how... why?! I have come to love and depend on my Pro-FX top coats so I am praying that it is a one off and maybe somehow I made a mistake I don't usually. Weird, right?


I was still really pleased with my parrot though (even though his eye patch had also turned pinky - why?!) so I decided to share it with you guys anyway. I am going to call him Monty :)

I didn't use anything too excited or unusual for this manicure, I began with my Mezmris Nail Lacquer base coat, Armor Up and once dry applied two coats of my Barry M 'White' nail polish. I allowed a little more time to dry and added a thin coat of my Pro-FX top coat to create a nice smooth barrier. I then moved on to my acrylic paints and brushes to create the parrot and details. Finally I finished with another coat of Pro-FX and eventually applied a matte top coat too just for shiz and giggles!

What do you think of my parrot? Have you had any random issues with products you can usually depend on?

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, come say hi in the comments! I hope you have a fantastic day and I'll catch you again on Saturday!

Love
Ithi
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Freehand Nautical Landscape Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope you had a great weekend.
Did you get up to anything fun? I actually had a really awesome Saturday. My weekends are normally pretty much identical to my weeks and my weeks are not that impressive.

However this Saturday I went out with Mr Bravo's Sister (I call her sister-in-law even though we are not married yet) We went into Rotterdam where we grabbed so lunch at Maccy D's (naughty!) she took me to a cat cafe, it really is as it sounds! I had such a lovely time meeting all the lovely cat residents! We then rushed through the rain for a ride on 'The View' – a temporary Ferris wheel slap bang in the middle of Rotterdam which was really cool. We then went for dinner at 'The Bear' where I had the most delicious but massive dinner and then we stopped for a drink in Starbucks on the way home.

But enough now lets start the new week with some new nail art, shall we?! Here's another manicure which was created to fit the weekly challenge over on Tiny Canvas, this time the prompt was 'Nautical' so I attempted a fitting landscape.

Glossy Version
I have tried several times in the past to create a manicure featuring different nautical looking objects and this time I attempted it again. When I tried to figure out what it was I hated about the manicure so much I actually just came up with the feeling that if I stuck to what I enjoy perhaps I could get along with this theme.. hence the landscape. In all honesty I feel a bit 'bleh about this one. Especially the thumbnail. Eh.

The products used for this manicure was OPI's Nail Envy base coat and for my base I used Barry M's 'White' nail polish which was dry in no time. I then followed on with a coat of Pro-FX top coat to create a nice smooth barrier and got to work with my acrylic paints and brushes. I also used my Barry M Matte top coat.. just because it's what I doooo.

What do you think of this nautical landscape? When was the last time you went to the seaside?

Thank you so much for visiting, I hope you enjoyed your stay. Don't forget to say hi in the comments below :) I'll catch you again on Wednesday!

Love
Ithi
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Freehand Camp Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope you are just awesome! Give me some self updates – I love to know how you are getting on :) Do you celebrate Bonfire night where you live? - If you are going to see fireworks tonight have an awesome time but do please say safe!

Today I have another freehand design, I just love painting scenery so much. I'm beginning to find it hard to think of landscape types and scenes... I must think of more, they are so relaxing to paint!

Today I have a little camp site in a natural beauty spot! You've got to credit whoever is asleep in that tent because their guitar skills must be insane. Why? Because that guitar doesn't even have any strings!


For this manicure this manicure I began with my Mezmris Nail Lacquer base coat, Armor Up and once dry applied two thin coats of Catrice's 'Generation whYte'. I then applied a smooth coat of Pro-FX top coat to create a nice smooth painting surface. I then created my sky by creating an acrylic-gradient using my crappy old bamboo brush (this brush looks like game over..but my god I do love it) I then used my smaller detailing brushes to create the scenery. I then finished off with Mezmris Nail Lacquer's top coat, Armor. Me being me... I did try a matte version too :)

What do you think of my camping nail art? Are there any scenes you'd like me to paint?

Thank you so much for visiting, come again soon! I'll be back on Monday for more nail art fun.

Have a beautiful day!
Love
Ithi
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Freehand Gentle Water Dragon & Duck Friends!

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope you are doing awesome!
Thank you to everyone who left such kind and lovely messages for my blogiversary! If its possible to be spoilt rotten with words that exactly what happened over the weekend. You guys are just the best!

Today I have a completely random nail art design, I wanted to create some kind of mythical creature. I didn't really have much in the way of planning when I began this but I am kinda happy with how it turned out.

This is Samson, the friendly water dragon. He guards the magical lake that leads you to the castle, only those he approves of may take the boat to the other side. He's not lonely though, He's got Brian and Bean the ducks for friends.


For this manicure I began with a smooth and healthy coat of Mezmris Nail Lacquer's 'Armor Up' base coat and once dry – pretty much immediately, may I add – I moved on with two coats of Barry M's 'White'. I then applied a thin coat of Pro-FX top coat to create a barrier between my white and my acrylics.. just because. I then used my old tatty Bamboo brush (0.99 from BPS about 2-3 years ago...how it still works magic I do not know.) to create my sky gradient using acrylic paints. I finished everything else using my finer detailing brushes and completed with Mezmris Nail Lacquer's 'Armor' top coat for a beautiful glossy finish. I also did a matte version to because old habits die hard.

I kinda like how this came out, I think it has quite a relaxing feel to it, don't you?

What do you think of my water dragon? Have you ever created a gradient with acrylic paint before?

Have yourself a beautiful day! I'll be back on Thursday with more more nail art fun :)
Love
Ithi
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Freehand Birds At Sunset

Allo polish Pals!
How are you all doing today? I hope you are having an amazing weekend so far?
I've not been up to much, just the usual piles of sky-scraping laundry although Mr Bravo and I had a good horror movie night last night!

I've been stuck in a terrible artist block this past week. Sadly I've not made a single manicure I've liked. I am trying not to kick myself over it because normally when I let the anxiety and frustration go my flow just comes back. I'm really not a fan of the next few nail art pieces I'll be posting but of course I'll keep posting!

I created this one a short time before the challenges for the month of September where announced for Tiny Canvases weekly challenges. It just so happens on of the prompts was birds!

I don't have a lot to tell you about this one. I feel like it is terribly clumsy and.. well I'm just sorry about it.

I began with my Mezmris Nail Lacquer armour up base coat and once dry applied two coats of Barry M's 'White'. I then began creating an acrylic gradient using oranges and yellow shades. I then used my fine detailing brushes to create the birds and scenery. I finished it all off with my Mezmris top coat. I eventually added Wet 'N' Wilds matte top coat just for shits and giggles. Whoopsy, soap mouth.
I'm just not impressed with myself and that's how I'm feeling about most of my recent work. Its all lacking something to make it a little more special.. Hmm! Fingers crossed this week gives me back my passion and inspiration.

What do you think of my silhouette sunset? Have you had silhouette nail art before?

Thanks for visiting, I hope that you liked seeing this nail art. Have yourself a wonderful Sunday, a productive and happy start to the week and I'll see you again on Tuesday!

Love
Ithi
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Cake By The Ocean

Allo polish Pals!

How are you all doing today? I hope you are having a great week and have some exciting plans for the weekend. Or not; Lazy weekends at home can be really nice too! Either way I hope you get to squeeze in some fun painting time. I'll be running around like a headless chicken because I am flying home today. How fast did two weeks go?! 

...I know, know! This manicure looks so crazily random. Allow me to explain. A few weeks ago (like three or four..or even five) I saw a dear friend (The ever so talented @thehumblebear - check out her amazing work) mentioned a song called 'cake by the ocean' by DNCE on Facebook. The title of the song got me really intrigued so I popped over to YouTube...ever since I am obsessed with this song! I can't hear it enough, it makes me feel so happy! So I guess you could say this is both a tribute to the song but also a little slice of love dedicated to Beverley, she is one of the sweetest people you could wish to meet.

I'm not sure if having the cake by the ocean is a metaphor for something but I decided to take it literally because... cake by the ocean! 

WISH, wish, wish I'd seen the music video before making this manicure. Why did I do pink cake?!
I guess you know the drill by now, I really need to start filming this stuff so I am not typing the same vague things. But how?! I have such limited space on my work area and I don't keep my fingers in one position.. I'm really dumbfounded by how I can do it and still be able to show you much of anything!

I began with my base of OPI's 'Nail Envy' to keep my nails super strong and sexy; It keeps the mean breakages and boo-boo's away. I then followed with Barry M's 'White' and once dry added a coat of my Pro-FX complete top coat. I then used my acrylic paints and various brushes to create this beach scene.
How very informative of me.. I sealed it all in with another layer of Pro-FX and also tried it with Wet 'N' Wild's matte top coat (Thanks darling Jodie!) – which I luuuurve.

What do you think of my cake by the ocean? Do you like beachy themed nail art?

If you liked this nail art please be a sweetie and hit one of the share buttons below.
I might be in the sky as your reading this!  I'll catch you again on Monday  for some more nail art fun. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Love
Ithi
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Freehand Evening Duck Pond Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!
How are you all doing today? I hope you are all well! Is it hot hot hot where you are? My weather app predicts rain and storms all week but its just uncomfortably hot here! Thank you for all the well wishes with my eye; Unfortunately I was unable to get a doctors appointment yesterday so I'll be up early again tomorrow to try and get one - they did warn me yesterday that I might not be able to until Friday... anyhoo ~

I always think of ducks in a sweet way; So many memories going to feed the duckies when I was a little girl, and even now as an adult when I am home in England, taking a long walk with my Niece and Nephew to go feed the ducks and swans! <3 b="" nbsp="">Did you guys do things like that?


Here's a little something from a couple of weeks ago! - this is why I am so glad I keep ahead of myself, I barely feel like painting right now! Today I have a manicure I made while I wasn't feeling so well. I also had no inspiration so I decided to just paint something..'pleasant'. Its not my best ever manicure but I guess it is still something created from moods and feelings!


For this manicure I began with my usual base of OPI's Nail Envy and once dry I applied two coats of NYC's 'Williamsburg Vintage' - This had become my new solution since I can't get Barry M here...and now I can't find it in the store!! Why, oh, why?!

I then added a coat of my Pro-FX top coat and allowed to dry. I then started this freehand nail art by creating a acrylic-gradient with lilac and peachy shades that I had mixed. Everything else was created with my new favorite Bundle Monster brushes and again I applied my Pro-FX top coat before finishing off with Catrice's 'Matt & More'.

While its not exactly thrilling nail art.. I think it has a kind of calm feel to it. Its not great. But its not hideous, I hope.. You guys can be the judge :)

What do you think of this nail art? Do you like to have creatures on your nails?

Have a beautiful day, hugs, and I'll catch you on Wednesday for some more Born Pretty Store reviews!
Love
Ithi
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Freehand Crying Girl & Raven Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!
How are you all doing today? Did you do anything awesome, do share with me? My weekend was alright so far, Yesterday morning was the birthday party of Mr Bravo and I's nephew who just turned 1. Such a cutie. Sadly I didn't do much the rest of the day. My eye has randomly decided to swell up. I really can not describe the feeling but it is relentless. There's just no relief from the pain. I really wanted to do some more freehand but I just couldn't....However..

Today I have some nail art...that I am really, really, proud of. Yes you heard me correctly, I am pleased with something! Haha. I was just having one of those 'down' days. I was not in a very positive mood (I'm ok – I get that sometimes. I just ride it out then I'm fine again) and then I created this... Maybe I need to make more sad nail art, baha.


I started this manicure as I always do, with OPI's 'Nail Envy' base coat and once dry I applied two coats of NYC's 'Williamsburg Vintage'. I added a lick of my Pro-FX top coat and proceeded with my acrylic paints. First of all I did a very simple water colour back ground. (You can see my tutorial video here) Everything else was created freehand with my favorite brushes. I played around with the finish, I sealed it all in with another layer of Pro-FX and then added Catrice's 'Matte & More' which gave it a really interesting pinky sheen.

Does your nail art ever reflect how you are feeling? What do you think of this manicure?

Have a beautiful day, I'll catch ya on Tuesday!
Love
Ithi
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Happy Easter! Freehand Bunny With Pull Along Ducks!

Allo polish Pals!

Happy Easter to you all! I hope you are having a fab weekend, celebrating or not.  :) 
What are you doing today, do you have any plans for it? - If we were in England I'd buy Mr Bravo the biggest chocolate egg I could find!

I feel like a lot of my readers are based in different countries other than England and Holland so can you answer this?  -  Have you ever had a Cadbury's Cream Egg? - thoughts?!

Nothing much is happening here, I kind of wish I was in England so I could help do a Easter Egg hunt for my Niece and Nephew. Feels like ages since I saw my family...I know, I know. It was only January.. In the morning I will work on some nail art and in the afternoon go into office mode to edit and write up all the stuff I've just not been able to do recently.

Today of course I have some Easter-ish nails for you! What does the Easter Bunny do on his days off – guess he is unemployed apart from one day a year, right?!... but what do you think he does for fun? Maybe he likes to play with pull along toys?!


For this manicure I began with two coats of Barry M's 'White' and allowed to dry. I then created an acrylic-gradient on my thumb going from bright yellow and fading into white. I added a cute little bow and some polka dots. I then moved on to my bunny and once finished with the acrylics added my Pro-FX top coat. I decided to try it matte by adding Barry M's 'Matte top coat' and decided I much prefer that look!

What do you think of my scruffy Easter bunny? Did you do any Easter nail art?
Have a gorgeous day! ~ I'll see you on Tuesday!
Love
Ithi
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'Just Sweet Things' Freehand Vintage Inspired Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!
How are you doing today? I hope you had a fantastic weekend, today I am off to visit friends who are going to feed Mr Bravo and I some delicious food! They are a lovely family and I am glad to be seeing them - I sometimes don't see them enough.. Especially last year where I was hanging on to skype every five minutes... I think we'll be using a big table grill - nice!
I have a manicure today which was inspired by a beautiful and very retro piece of art I found on Pinterest, you can see it here.

For this manicure I really can't say much... I started with my usual base coat of OPI's 'Nail Envy' because my nails just love it too much. I then applied two coats of Barry M's 'Meadow' and allowed it to dry fully. I then created everything else with acrylic paints. I finished off by adding a coat of Barry M's Matte top coat because the finish just screamed retro!

What do you think of my retro looking manicure? Have you done any retro nail art before?

Have a great day!
Love
Ithi
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Through The Keyhole - Freehand Wood and Swan Nail Art

Allo polish Pals!

How are you doing today? Today Mr Bravo and I will head back to Holland. I always hate saying goodbye to my family at the airport...It somehow never gets much easier. But I had a wonderful time at home. Now its time to go back and get serious with my goals.

Anyway, Today I have some nail art I was really proud of.. until I have to come to a really tricky dilemma. Do I used the top coat I normally use for my acrylic designs even though it was almost out and on the sticky side... or use the new Barry M one that seemed to darken all my acrylic paint...?

Sadly I went for the first option and this piece came riddled with micro bubbles... I was really pleased with it before I saw the pictures! I'm still going to share it with you because I like the concept and colours.


For this manicure I really only used one nail polish which you can not even see. I used my regular 'Nail Envy' base coat from OPI and once dry applied two coats of Rimmels 'Rain Rain, Go Away' which... seems really random now but my white is kinda depleted (Why does everything run out all at the same time? - does that happen to you?) I created everything else with acrylic paint.

I wanted this to look like you could be looking through a keyhole into a beautiful fantasy land with a gorgeous sunset and a calming swan lake.

What is your go to base coat, do you use it with acrylics?
What do you think of this nail art design? Would you want to go through that door?

Have a beautiful day!
Love
Ithi
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