Embellished heels for fall

Heels became the focal point of attention and has become very popular in an outfit, making it the staple item. They became truly pieces of art or jewelry. You could find this last summer all sorts of applications on the shoes such as embellished heels, studs, acrylics... and in this fall season it continues, adding a more dramatic and embellished look to the shoe. 
For this fall, add to your understated outfit a piece of jewelry for your feet, turning your outfit into a luxurious and elegant look.

Try out this trend of enriched heels with sparkling and shining details...
(left to right - Prada/Stuart Weitzman/Nicholas Kirkwood/Dsquared2)

Os saltos a tornarem-se o ponto fulcral de atenção e começa a desenvolver-se e a sobressair cada vez mais tornando o sapato numa peça de arte, numa peça de jóia. Se os studs, acrílicos e aplicações já começaram a aparecer neste verão preenchendo o salto, nas colecções seguintes como o Outono 2012,  os saltos continuam a ser verdadeiros luxos, adicionando um carácter dramático e embelezado ao sapato.

Os sapatos para o Outono podem ser verdadeiros focos de atenção num look mais sóbrio e focando a atenção nos pés que carregam estas jóias, torna o conjunto luxuoso e elegante.

Aposte nesta tendência de saltos enriquecidos por pormenores cintilantes e reluzentes e inspire-se nestes:

Esquerda para direita – Prada/Stuart Weitzman/Nicholas Kirkwood/Dsquared2

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Dark Vampire Elegance

This vampy trend not only attracts literature and movies but this fall/winter it became focused on fashion through a mix of dark gothic style, revealing a extravagant vampire look but very romantic and feminine.

The color black stands out this season but to accentuate this vampire trend in an exuberant and refined way, oxblood was added to the palette. These colors are seen applied in various materials such as the popular velvet, silk and the big highlight this season, leather... You can also mix this altogether with other textures and trends: transparency and lace.

This trend flooded the catwalk and the vampire look came highlighted in another area: makeup. This fall you could try a pale look with dark red or purple lips and dark eyes.

Without being misinterpreted as a Halloween costume, adventure yourself in this trend choosing exquisite and refined materials that flatter your body type and mix textures by adding different materials to the outfit.

Add to your lipstick collection the big star of makeup this season; a dark burgundy lipstick

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Leather of Fall

Leather for Fall/Winter is no newsflash, although along these years, this material has reinvented itself and shows to be more innovative when the time to fully showcase arrives. It gives us the pleasure to comeback more "refreshed" and this year is no exception.
It appears in almost every detail and accessories with bold cuts, different weight and texture that provide it's applicability in new forms and structures, more innovative such as dresses, tops or skirts giving you a more elegant and fitted silhouette. Leather is not only reserved for outerwear to keep us warm but more and more it has become our second layer of skin.

This year, leather appears in a more bold and dark romantic feel, combining i.e lace with other textures - embellishment, perforated, velvet...
The delicacy and freshness of Spring is replaced by romantic warrior princesses but extremely seductive and the big color that stands out is with no doubt, the oxblood red.
Invest this year on this leather that's versatile and fun to combine with any other material or piece. 

Picture: Valentino dress with lace/Peplum top from Oasis/Kenzo Sandals/Dress with leather sleeves from 3.1 Phillip Lim/Leather dress from Derek Lam

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Sunset BLVD print trend

 

Summer is all about warm afternoons, breathtaking sunsets on long days in which we try to enjoy it as much as we can, and preferably right by the ocean. If we combine all of this with a stylish attitude and embrace the warm colors, you can literally dress up a sunset and blend in the view.

This years summer trend, is all about bold prints, becoming the main attraction in any item that carry's it. You dress it up from top to bottom as if an artistic canvas.
The prints with palm trees and sunsets are perfect to sail along in this vivacity trend and pay tribute in great style to a summer attitude.

Dress up this sunset print trend in:
ZERO + MARIA CORNEJO silk tunic/Osborn Sunset oxford cork shoes at asos.com/Vacation Palm Sunset swimsuit from We Are Handsome/Victoria Beckham sunset shorts/Black Sunset Premium sunglasses from Knockaround/Billabong boardshort/The Kooples swimsuit/Calypso dress at modaoperandi.com.

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Mirror, mirror on the print...

Which is the fairest of them all??

It´s not a fairy tale story but a real fashionista reality. The prints this year scream for attention and they couldn't be more bold and the big twist this year, is seeing them with a mirrored effect. 

The mirror print is a big trend and we see it mostly on pencil skirts or dresses. The pieces should be worn fitted so the effect stands out better. They are normally inspired by tropical prints or a baroque style. They have contrasting colors and they surely stand out making a difference.

If you are a fan of prints, then this is a new style to try out. The mirror print copies a reflection of an image, usually mirrored vertically. 

This is a trend that allows you to style flowers without looking to girly and it´s a perfect print to adapt into a more polished look for work and all you need to do is add a blazer or a neutral top to become elegant and different, from the usual boring suits for work. 

Try out this new fun twist of prints!

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Geometric Prints

Fashion this year presents itself edgy and perfect to explore the color-block trend. It's ideal to help define your silhouette and at the same time, enhances or hides shapes of your body.
This trend of geometric prints is in high and provides sophisticated and elegant looks, perfect for any occasion.

This trend also honors an era that's as well very significant this season: the 20's.


How to use Geometric prints:

• You can combine an ensemble with skirts and blouses or choose a dress with a bold print and that stands out;
• If you want a less dramatic look, choose one of the items with the bold print, for i.e. a printed blouse with solid colored pants;
• For a slimming effect use a dress with vertical lines in which the outside part is darker than the inside part. Black and white help create this illusion;
• Combining lines and triangles help define your silhouette;
• The ideal is to keep a clean look and avoid extremely fitted clothing;
• Add a geometric detail to your look like a piece of jewelry or a handbag with angular shapes

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Summer Leather

Fashion nowadays brings items from one season to another which would seem like unthinkable. Let's call it the fashion of modern climate.
You would never think of wearing leather in the summer, for we always relate it to the cold and a way to bundle-up but lately, nobody is shocked by seeing shorts or skirts in leather combined with a t-shirt and the advantage of this is that you can wear the items all year long.

Usually summer clothes are always delicate, flowy and fresh but if you want to make a statement and have a more polished look, then the leather will do it's job giving a look a more sharp and edgy feel.

There are different types of leather items for summer where you can pick from, completely adapted to the warmer weather. They are more lightweight and can be colorful as well.
Choose black shorts (not too snug) and use it with a casual t-shirt and for a feminine touch to contrast with the rocker style, add colorful pumps or high-heel sandals. For a more sharp look, a pencil skirt more fitted and a fun top, will do it.

Try as well a leather peplum top - the big trend this season.

 

Be sexy and sleek with this look that can be worn either during the day or night, depending on the accessories you combine with!

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Bleached Summer

When we think of tie-dye, what other than a hippie look comes to our mind? We remember those days of dipping and creating our own, fun and unique colorful t-shirts.

This technique of gradient dying or something completely random, made on pants, shorts or shirts is getting high on the fashion trendy world but in a more orderly and sophisticated way.

If you are into stained or bleached clothing, then this trend is for you. Tie-dye comes in and out of fashion but this year we see it rising on the streets with celebrities and fashion bloggers rocking this style, in a appealing summer spirit with a rocker-hippy-chic look.

Although we can find clothing in this trend out in stores, we can perfectly create ourselves this bleached look on a low budget and transform some boring left out pieces in our wardrobe, into something fun and refreshing, totally trendy for this season. It´s as easy as dipping them into bleach on the area that we would like to create that effect and leaving out an untouched part. For example, pick out some pants than you don´t use anymore and cut them out into shorts and bleach them into a mixture of water and bleach. Voilá!! You got your own bleached summer look.

Have fun!

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Hot trend: Peplum

Are you trying to find a different twist for your suit? Are you tired of the same conventional work suit? Do you want to add more movement and boldness to a look and staying elegant? So the Peplum trend  is the right choice, adding a new silhouette to your everyday outfit.

The list for the S/S 12 wouldn't be complete if the Peplum wasn't added as a big highlight for this season.

Peplum started around the 40's and 60's, disappearing and them making a comeback in the 80's. This year you see this flirty look all over the runways and big name brands added this sophisticated retro detail, highlighting the feminine curves in a more fun and dramatic way.

It brings more dynamism to a structured outfit and if it's very appealing to the eye, you have to make the right choices when wearing it, so you won't use this trend incorrectly for it may not flatter your figure.

How to wear Peplum:

• Choose a more structured and minimalist peplum;
• It is obviously a good way to accentuate your waist. Perfect for a rectangular body shape person because it will create the illusion of a waist;
• If you are petite, the peplum will give you the desired volume and helps define curves. If you have a more prominent hip, there might be the fear of adding more volume to your look but in fact this cinched waist style can flatter you and help taper your body. Just try and avoid skirts and opt for pants;
• For being a structured detail and that stands out to the eye, be careful with proportions. Choose pencil skirts preferably lengthen till the knee or skinny pants if worn with a peplum top;
• If you don't want a dramatic look, choose little details of peplum such as in a jacket, blouse or skirt;
• There is in the market a wide range of interesting materials to emphasize and structure this silhouette like for example a top in leather or neoprene;
• Usually this trend is taken as more of a formal retro look. To give it a more modern twist use it with minimalist accessories or pants or shorts;
• If you are not very tall you can ensemble the look with pants for it will visually elongate your legs because the peplum will break the length.

|| Thank you for reading! You can also check more spicy glam details at the facebook page or my Portuguese articles at iModa! Don't hesitate to follow and enjoy your day. XO Jo ||

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Top Accessories for this spring!

Accessories complement any ensemble and help create a more enchanting look. They are a good way to add charisma to your wardrobe and spice up your look with a good dose of charm. No matter if it's a simple outfit or not, accessories will compose your image and give a nice touch of elegance.

Here follows a list of items that will highlight your look with the latest trends for this next spring/summer:

1 – Necklaces have an important role and lately they have become more edgy, chunky and sophisticated. This spring pick colorful items with hints of neon, crystals, stones and preferably more close to your neck (if your body type allows that).

[Necklaces from Tom Binns and Mawi - Neon bracelets from Juicy Couture]

2 – Color-Block handbags! Doesn't matter the size or shape as long as they have contrasting colors, they will surely cheer up your look.

[Handbags fron Marc by Marc Jacobs and Audrey Brooke]

3 – Sunglasses are not only important to spice up your look and glam it up but they will also protect your eyes from the sun and keep wrinkles away. The shape that stands out this spring is again the cat-eye and sunglasses with peculiar shapes are also a trend. The more inovative the better: over-sized oval shaped, diamond shape....

[Ultra Cat Eye black sunglasses from whistle.co.uk and Cutler and Gross Rounded sunglasses]

4 – There are a lot of trends for shoes but the one that has stood out from being different is the comeback of the pointy shoe, but this time in white. Choose a elegant high-heel shoe with a bold design.
[Alexander Wang Bianca Sandals and Altuzarra shoes]

5 – Everything that's ethnic or tribal will be presented in an accessory of your choice. It could be a handbag, clutch or bangle, as long as the exotic is printed on it. It can help enhance any understated outfit.

[Forver 21 tribal clutch, Aqua Enamel ethnic bangle, Bryna Hermann clutch]

6 – Metallics are again seen this next season and this time with more futuristic shapes and sometimes contrasting with vibrant colors. Give a touch of light to your look with a metallic accessory. They are great to match with anything and for any occasion.

[Giambattista shoes, Givenchy clutch, Martin Margiela Maison sneakers]

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Metallic toes for spring

The metallics have been in the world of fashion for some time now and more have they become noticeable, either in a garment, little detail or accessory.

Some prefer gold or silver but what matters is that it creates that trendy metal effect.

In this A/W you can see it a lot in accessories, especially in footwear. In this next S/S the effect shifts towards the tip of the shoe bringing the popular trend of metal cap shoes. The pointy shoe that has kinda disappeared will be back this next season but obviously in a more sophisticated way. You combine the tip and the metallic, and the final result is a shoe more updated and original.

The pointy-toe shoe comes in and out of fashion over these years and not only can they be a trend at the time but there are advantages for using them: the foot looks longer and elegant, perfect for a more festive situation. Matched with the ideal piece, like some flowing pants, they can elongate the leg as well.

How to wear these shoes:

• Create a "peeking" effect of the tip of the shoe with long and flaring pants;
• The higher the shoe, the shorter it will look;
• Choose a shoe with a smaller front case to avoid a very long tip;
• Try not to go too formal with the style like a conventional suit and rather pick some cropped pants with a fun blazer or a feminine dress and show some legs;
• It matches perfectly with flared pants;
• This style of shoes requires more modern, minimalistic and fresh crisped pieces;
• Use it with bare legs. Let the shoe be the spotlight.

Example of 2 outfits more bold looking were you can adventure yourself with some fun and printed cropped pants and the other situation, more clean and minimalistic playing with a look that this style requires. Both can be worn for work or an casual chic event.

No doubt that these shoes can bring some glam and sexiness to your look so get dared with the comeback of the pointed-toe shoe with a metallic twist.

[You can also check this post at iOnline]

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African Prints

The trend of using prints is still here to stay. They always give a special touch to a duller item and they are so playful and perfect for combining bold colors. For quite some time they have been around and last year we saw a lot of Aztec inspiration. This year, thanks to Burberry, we are seeing all over, African inspirational prints. They have gone global and there’s no slowing down for this trend. Other high street fashion retailers such as H&M, Topshop, have a collection of African-inspired dresses and Aldo has a shoe collection.

Tribal prints in bold colors ruled the runways for Spring 2012, ushering in a feast of color and texture for the eyes. The rules of the runway? Mix and match, have fun with color, and play with texture.

• How to pull off this trend without going-over-the-top?

• Powerful prints make such an impact, jewelry is pretty much unnecessary;
• Pay attention to fabric and cut - try to keep away from shiny fabric;
• Try to pick one statement printed piece (skirt, pants or blouse) and combine with other neutral, minimalistic items;
• Large prints make a big statement, to balance the effect, pick a conservative cut dress;
• Combine understated extras, simple and sleek to complement busy prints - thin belts, platform pumps, ballerinas, black booties, gold cuffs, solid color blazer, polished handbag...
• Remember proportions: small prints make you look wider, big prints can help you look slimmer;
• Keep hair and makeup natural

Examples of two different situations where the bottom piece is printed and the rest is neutral and solid colors, ready for a casual or work day. Highlight your outfit with a fun item and no way you´ll go unnoticed.

Casual day:

MARKUS LUPFER Pleated Stripe Hem striped sweater, Easton Pearson Syriam flag-print silk-crepe cropped pants, black booties, Burberry Prorsum Beaded textured-leather wristlet clutch, Asos Gold Sequin Collar.

Work day:

Fine wool cardigan, Burberry Prorsum Printed silk and cotton-blend skirt, H&M ballet flats, Valentino Rock Stud Flap Bag in Red, nOir neckalce.

[You can also check this post at iOnline] Pin It

x2 chunkiness: sweaters and jewelry

Mixing two of the major fall trends in to one: chunky jewelry and chunky sweaters. How cool is that?? No more of putting away jewelry till "see ya next summer". Bring it on to the winter too.
I always loved jewelry and I had to have a piece in any outfit and it kinda bothered me that I couldn't do much in the winter since I was pretty much "soaked" and surrounded by sweats and knits.
No more of those worries. Just put it all out there and layer it.

Images by Tommy Tom

How to wear this style:

• The funkiest, the better;
• Pick statement jewelry that will stand out. The bigger, the better;
• Mix color and prints;
• Crystals and bling-bling are a must. Just be careful with the threads;
• Choose necklaces more closer to your neck;

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Metallics now!!

They come and go, and they are back this Fall!! Hot, hot, item... Metallics are to be seen and they come back in an original, unusual and sophisticated way.

Eye-catching, feminine, sexy, these accessories promise to bring an edgy flair to any ensemble. Be certain to make an impact all season long. 

Just make sure you pair metallic accessories with simple, understated outfits, for example like a total white, navy or black look. Just a little accent of sparkle, you will look refined instead of flashy. 

 

a. Alexander Wang Fabiana metallic leather sandals

b. Alexander Wang Anais metallic leather loafer pumps

c. Brian Atwood Metallic Maniac Pump

d. Alexander Wang Adriel metallic leather clutch

e. Alexander Wang Metallic Devere Shoulder Bag

f. Asos Pyramid Metal Tip Clutch

g. Metallic Leatherette Loafers Forever 21

h. Asos Mini Metallic Lock Bag

i. Brian Atwood Metallic Piped Pump

Example of two looks with just a little accent of metallic accessories:

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Season of layers

When Fall comes, or the end of summer when it's really hard to expect what the weather will bring, the best thing is to think of layers. You can start the day layered and peel them off or add some more, depending on how the weather progresses. This applies to spring too I guess.

Don't put away your more summery clothes yet because they can still be of great use. I love layering clothes because I think it adds a lot of character to an ensemble and brings much more creativity to a look. Have you checked out this blogger? Of course you have! I think she is the master of layering! Examples like this, this, and this just makes you think about the endless opportunities your wardrobe can held.

 

T by Alexander Wang | Gucci | Chloe | Christian Dior

Layering clothes in the right way is an art and with a few essentials that you might have in your wardrobe, check out these ideas. It always feels new and refreshing when you layer with items that maybe are hidden in your wardrobe and you never thought about its potential.

The key is to:

• Wear the thinnest garment closest to your skin, and the thickest towards the top of the layer;
• Try not to look to bulky. Stick up to 3 layers for the most part;
• Use the more fitted garments closer to your skin;
• Do contrast between colors, fabrics and cuts. This is where creativity stands out;
• Mix styles;
• Layer with accessories too (but keep it controlled)

This said, and bringing the fashion trend of this Fall forward, here are some examples of layering:

• Use cropped sweaters or jackets over other long shirts. You can pair it with pants, long skirts or pencil skirts too.  

• Use long sweaters or dresses over other long garments, such as a long dresses or skirts. This fall, layers of long go over other long pieces. Long over long... This will create an elongated silhouette. Make the contrast between chunky knits with flowy fabrics.

• Anything over pants. This is the easiest and the most common layered style you find and the leggings have made it easy along these years. Try a long tunic, dress or even skirt over pants or leggings. 

 

•  A vest is surely very versatile and a great piece for layering. Try a chunky fur one or something more polished. If you use a belt over it, it will create a more dramatic fitting look. Try it over a suit jacket, or a jeans one for a more casual look. If in the opposite case, jacket over vest, use a looser one for more room to move. 

 

• Different layers of shirts with different sized sleeves. This is the best way to bring your summer wardrobe into Fall. A long slim-fitted shirt or dress under a dress or tee... Try not to go bulky. 

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Emerald Coat = 2 looks

This next fall, as you might have noticed, the fuss is all about jewel toned items. How about taking it into outwear as well? It makes it so refreshing and unique and as for right now, I'm in love with any green, especially emerald. 

The fun about colored block items, is that you can play with contrasting colors making it bold and mark your presence.

1 coat = 2 looks with the DVF Wool Mohair Coat

• Dressed Up Green just teems up perfectly with cold tones, so blue cobalt sued shoes suit perfectly. Try a high waist pleated skirt with other polished items such as a leather bag and a simple shirt. 

• Dressed Casual A statement coat like this, make any other item pop up, specially with some boyfriend jeans and cute ballerinas. Wear a nude sweater and to add that special touch, a contrasted clutch with python print. Yellow fit well with green since they are neighbors in the color wheel. For a interesting twist in accessories, choose a blue statement necklace over the sweater.

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The 60’s are back!

We had so many inspiring looks from the 70’s this season, with it’s floppy hats, wide flared pants, and this next fall we are jumping back a decade to the swinging sixties!

Let’s hope our grandmas or moms saved up some of their looks from back then in their attic. A great time for some vintage glaming!
Well fit tunics over pants seem to hit the spot! Oh and don’t forget the hairstyle.

alberta ferretti | jean paul gaultier | botega veneta | victoria beckham
Images via ELLE

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DIY Scalloped-hem shorts

If you didn’t get one of the hottest item for this season, so maybe it’s time during this summer’s sale OR why not just make them???

Show some legs for this summer in a cute, romantic way with the adorable scalloped shorts. Not only they go with anything but they also give your outfit more of a girly edge.

If you are tired of looking at the same old boring shorts or if you have some pants that you don’t wear them anymore, go through these DIY tutorials that you can find around the web, and give a nice and total new look to your left aside items! It’s always good to keep some clothes because you never know when they come in handy again! You can alter them in ways that will make them modern and trendy.

It adds a soft, feminine and vintagy touch to your spring-summer wardrobe. Check out these great DIY links:

• Ombre Scalloped shorts by Pixie in Pumps
  
• No-sew scalloped shorts by candimandi
  
• and a vid.

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Chunky heel loafers

The eternal loafer... will never go out of fashion. A pure classic of style and comfort and now with a new twist: heels. And this is menswear made feminine.

Never again your 9 to 5 shoes will look the same or if you want to give an update to your casual chic outfit, these super high heeled loafers are better than ever.

They have been breezing past us for some time now, especially back in 2008/9 and at the time I even got ones. In 2010, Balenciaga and Prada were all about them with amazing heels and embelishments, but certainly this fall they will make a statement. 

(Pink Tartan fall2011 | Tommy Hillfiger fall 2011)

If you want to take advantage of the sales around the stores, always invest on pieces that will surely continue to prevail in the future. Get some high heel loafers for sure!!

How to wear them:

• Pair a loose fit white shirt with a pair of blue distressed jeans
• Glamorous versions in a sexy stiletto you can pair up with a fabulous evening gown
• Bright tights or a simple pant suit
• Chunky sweater and a floppy hat to re-create your favorite 70's inspired look
• Short or knee-high skirt
• Worn with woolen tights, or with ankle or knee socks

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The animal kingdom rings

As we all have seen, animalesque statement jewelry is very trendy, fun, playful and colorful and all the little creatures you can imagine, are right before your fingers!

Peacocks, starfish, claws, snakes, frogs, you name it... They will look amazing worn for a cocktail event and they are made for impact..

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