Super Ping

It’s a whole new day, and there is a whole new look for bridesmaids. It’s a welcome change from the past years. At it’s not just the bridesmaids look that has gotten a facelift, the brides are sporting a whole new look too.

Traditional wedding gowns and traditional white will always be a choice. That’s a tradition that’s just not going to disappear. And that’s okay. But the choices now available for the modern bride are welcome change, allowing those creative juices to flow, and one’s own personality to stand out.

The history of the bridesmaids attire is quite interesting. In past centuries brides wore elaborate colorful gowns, and bridesmaids wore similar gowns. This was to disguise the bride and protect her from being kidnapped by evil spirits. By the Victorian era things had changed producing brides that wanted to stand out in the crowd. Thus the formal elaborate white wedding gown entered the wedding fashion scene. However the bridesmaids attire didn’t change, remaining bold and frilly.

Well this century bridesmaids have a lot more to say about what they wear. Not only have the traditional dresses taken on a more sophisticated and elegant look. Many brides now let their bridesmaids choose their own dress based on the chosen color scheme. All bridesmaids weren’t created equal. By allowing them to choose a dress that flatters them, you have happier bridesmaids and better photo ops.

Gowns and dresses worn by the modern bridesmaid are often functional enough for other formal events and gatherings. A much smarter alternative to the expensive gown that’s worn once then buried deep in the closet never to be seen again. We all remember wearing one of those “awful” dresses at some point.

There are also no longer fast and set rules on how many bridesmaids you must have. The size of your wedding often relates to how many attendants, and these days the choice is entirely up to you. Tradition has gone out the window, a pleasing thought for many future brides. You can even have more than one maid of honor if you wish. The rules you must play by are your own rules.

The same new rules apply to your flower girl[s] and ring bearer[s] choose more than one, have only one, have one of each. The best age range for this very important little people’s job is between 5 and 7. Younger children have a harder time staying focused. Now if you don’t’ mind if they mess up a little bit, then by all means you can choose a younger child. After all they can be a great source of amusement! Older children will also be thrilled to be chosen to man the guestbook or help guests. It makes them feel extra special.

The more bridesmaids you have the more coordination and communication your going to have to take care of. Remember you’ll have plenty of issues to deal with from dresses, to nails, to hair, to jewelry. So don’t choose more bridesmaids than you think you can handle. This is supose to be a happy time for you and stress doesn’t make a person happy.

Forget the old theory that if you don’t include everyone that’s close to you, there will be hard feelings. Most women have outgrown this childish thought pattern, and recognize that the modern bride has tough choices to make to stay within budget and fulfill her special day. Sometimes a future bride just has too many close friends to have them all in the wedding party. Relax! Invite them to the wedding, and if you want ask them to do special favors such as perhaps your nails or your hair, depending on their own unique talents.

The maid of honor has a role to play besides in the wedding party. She needs to be the brides right arm and help with any wedding tasks she can. She can help select the wedding gown, get the invitations in order, arrange a wedding shower, help with choosing a reception location, help decorate, or even help prepare the food. The duties that can be assigned to your made of honor are endless, just be sure not to overwhelm her with too many requests. Your maid of honor is like the brides personal first aid kit. Ready to fix anything that’s broken.

Bridesmaids also play an important role by planning the bridal shower, preparing munchies, cake, or sandwiches for the shower. They are also there to support and help the bride whenever they can.

For the modern bride these are happy times, choices are endless, you can make your fashion statement and let your bridesmaid’s make theirs. No more having to follow traditions unless you want to. Planning the perfect wedding has never been easier!

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Most women will benefit from exercising with their baby. Not only does this help keep baby calm and content, you have the added benefit of carrying around a few extra pounds of weight which will improve your muscle endurance.

Baby Lifts This exercise will help tone your arms. It is easy to perform and you can do it anytime anywhere! It comes in handy particularly when you aren’t supposed to be lifting anything heavier than your newborn! Be careful you always pay attention to your baby’s comfort. This exercise should be done when your baby has some head control.

- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

- Place the baby face down on your chest.

- Hold your baby firmly under the arms to anchor them safely.

- Slowly and very gently raise the baby off your chest.

- Gently lower your baby back onto your chest.

- Repeat.

Baby Squats Many women gain weight in their lower body, particularly in the legs during pregnancy. This exercise will help tone your lower quadrant.

- Stand with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart.

- Place your toes facing slightly out.

- Hold baby against your body or in an infant carrier.

- Slowly squat half way down to the floor.

- Slowly raise back up.

- Repeat.

Be sure when doing Baby squats that you do not lock your knees and keep your abdomen tight and tucked in at all times. You can gradually increase the number of squats that you do as you get stronger.

Baby Bends This is another great exercise for toning your lower body.

- Stand with a chair placed in front of you for balance.

- Hold your baby.

- Slowly raise one knee at a time, while balancing your baby on your thighs.

- Repeat as you can, slowly increasing the number of knee raises as you get stronger and acquire more balance.

Baby Crunches This one is a fun exercise for toning the abdomen. It is simply a twist on the traditional crunch!

- Lie on the floor with knees bent and feet flat.

- Place baby comfortably in a lying or sitting position across your tummy or chest.

- Slowly and gently lift your body upwards toward the ceiling.

- Repeat.

Remember to take abdominal exercises slowly. Also avoid using your neck and concentrate on using your abdominals when raising your body to the ceiling.

Remember that you don’t necessarily have to be holding your baby to benefit from exercising together. Many babies will enjoy simply being close to mom as she works out. For this reason it may make sense for you to invest in a work out video or two that you can do while watching your little one.

Baby Lunges Baby lunges will also help tone your lower body. You can do these while in front of the television or while dancing to some music.

- Place your baby against your chest while standing up straight, preferably in an infant carrier.

- Stand with your feet three to four inches apart, and you hands on your hips.

- Keep abdomen tight to support your back.

- Starting with the right leg, take a large step forward. Your toes and your knee should be pointed directly in front of your body.

- Bend the right knee slightly with your foot on the floor. Your left heel should raise slightly.

- Lower your body straight down from this position. Your front knee should be over the ankle.

- Lower your body until your pelvis is in line with your front knee.

- Raise your body again and bring your left leg in to return to the standing position.

- Repeat with opposite leg.

Another great way to exercise is to strap baby in an infant carrier and go for a walk. Even better, pop in your favorite CD and dance around the house a little bit (be very careful about dancing however if your baby has a full tummy, she is likely to spit up on you)!

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With all the media attention you’ve probably become aware that there is something huge going on in the world, but are you part of this bigger picture?

Day-to-day you’ll be busy contributing to your household: cleaning tidying, earning money and taking care of your partner’s and your children’s needs as best you can. On a home front you’ve probably got it sorted. The thing is, when you flick the TV on and catch the news occasionally, the images of this bigger picture flash up.

And you’ll probably not notice the bigger picture. This is because ordinary, everyday life can become ‘trance like’. When I say this I mean we do the same things at the same time of the day almost everyday of the week without even thinking - like Groundhog Day. It starts when we’re young and it’s what I call ‘conditioned logic’.

‘Conditioned logic’ can be stifling. It’s doing what you’ve been taught to do by parents, teachers, religious and political leaders, friends, peers and employers. And in this ‘conditioned-logic, trance’ we don’t really notice the bigger picture or even know what it is.

I coach many people. All of them come to me because they want to find their Life Purpose - that unique gift that they share in a distinctive way with the world. Once that’s been uncovered and they continue their journey with greater meaning and direction they become aware that they are not only a part of the bigger picture, but have enormous power within it - in fact they become it.

People on a life purpose journey become some of the most powerful people around. As they resolve the issues and conflict within themselves they raise their consciousness to the cause and effect they have on their families. Their stroppy teenager becomes manageable, even helpful. Their stale relationships spark into new life and their career reaches beyond their dreams.

People on Life Purpose journeys become the bigger picture. They see the effect they are having in their community… or lack of it. They stop shutting their doors and hoping that neighbourhood problems will magically vanish. They become active - they not only participate in social change, they become the social change. Gently they lead others, by example or by voice, to newer and higher benchmarks and before you know it changes are happening personally, socially and environmentally.

Being part of the bigger picture and living purposefully is the most powerful way of living.

Will you be part of the bigger picture?

I hope so.

Best Wishes

Jo Ball Coach & Founder, Unstoppable Life

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Sterling silver jewelry: silver and gemstone rings, sterling silver earrings, bracelets and pendants are some of the hottest fashion accessories today! Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today’s fashion conscious public. You know how beautifully sterling silver jewelry complements fashionable clothing and how it sparkles and shines; now here is the rest of the story.

Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was “in”; we are going through such a vogue today.

Silver is the most common of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.

The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today’s fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.

Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver. 2.) For a slightly more “in-depth” cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner. 3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here’s a neat little trick a)Cover the inside bottom of a heatproof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up. b)Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil. c)Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil. d)Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here’s a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.

2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry. We hope you have enjoyed this special report. Please feel free to share it with your friends!

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Having nicely shaped, rounded breasts can make a woman feel sexier and confident, there is no doubt about that. However, with surgical breast enlargement procedures (such as breast augmentation and breast lifts) having a number of alarming side effects, more and more women are turning towards natural breast enhancement.

Post-operative effects of surgical breast augmentation can include a hardening of the breasts; infection; and (sometimes permanent) loss of sensation in the nipples. Implants may also leak or break, causing a change in the shape and feel of the breasts and a great deal of discomfort. And while the majority of the typical breast augmentation related problems can be treated, it often involves removing the implant (after waiting for any infection to clear) and replacing it with another meaning yet more invasive surgery.

There are many non surgical products and methods that claim to enlarge, enhance and lift your breasts such as creams; special bras; using weights and even, hypnosis.

However, more and more women are now turning to breast enlargement pills as a way of enlarging and enhancing their breasts. Breast enlargement pills can help women to enhance their breasts and gain breast size without resorting to synthetic hormones and risky, invasive surgery.

Most of these pills are herbal and made of natural products. These natural products can also have other benefits. Some claim that they can actually help with other health issues, such as protecting against breast cancer or stopping hot flushes, which is a real bonus!

However, when looking for natural breast enhancement, you should still research all the options thoroughly. For example, the internet has hundreds upon hundreds of websites claiming to sell breast enhancement programmes. Many of them are a waste of money and sell products which will never work, so research the different products, look at what the pills contain and the type of development work that has gone in to the products by the manufacturer, then make a decision from there.

Natural breast enhancement is a way to enhance your breasts with none of the risks involved with surgical procedures, but as with all products, needs careful research first.

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Plenty of moms today stay at home. After a year of battling the decision to quit my job, I finally “put my foot down”, as they say, and returned home to raise my daughter. It wasn’t the easiest decision, but, let me tell you, it sure wasn’t the toughest! I enjoy every minute of being home to raise my child. Furthermore, being home has done wonders for my family as a unit, and drawn us closer together. When I was working my full time job I barely had time to prepare a decent meal. But today? I’m a health nut, and so is the whole family (ha)!

But now, there’s another dilemma.

Being a stay at home mom has not affected my personality, of course, so I still have a lot of creative energy pent up inside! I thought to myself one day, “what better way to use this energy than to work towards a goalperhaps start a business?” Not only would it bring in a nice supplementary income for my family, but having a business (or craft or hobby) would enhance my creative skills and strengthen my business expertise. I call it the project of my lifetime.

The first thing I did was a little soul searching to seek God’s direction for the type of business or project He would have me to embark on. I realized right away that although my personality was suited for several types of business ventures (selling crafts, designing websites, or providing secretarial services), I would soon either have to narrow it down to one choice, or start a business that combined all or most of my skills and interests. For me, choosing the right business was the hardest part. Once I settled on freelance web design and writing, it soon became my ultimate goal to find out as much as possible about these particular industries. In my thought, education and information is what separates the amateurs from the professionals. My goal was to be a professional in my field. This is where networking is highly important.

If you’re like me, the internet is probably one of the very best tools you can use for research. Not only is it a few feet away from me as I embark on my daily chores, but I keep my computer on at all times. Thankfully, we are using a broadband connection and can stay online 24/7 without having to worry about tying up the phone line. This, I should stress, is very important for moms who have businesses that require them to be online quite often, but who will need access to the phone as well. Once online, I begin my networking research by going to a search engine. My favorite one is Google (www.google.com) just because of its enormous searching capabilities. As a former library assistant, I can attest that Google is highly recommended in the academic and librarianship fields. I search for information in my fields using as many search terms and combination of terms as possible. With each result that I feel is important to me, I visit its webpage and bookmark it for future reference. Once I’ve bookmarked a bunch of pages, I go through each of these websites and study them, taking notes on what I feel is important to me in my field. I promise, you will find contacts this way, and it will be so much easier to network once you have a list of people whose companies and organizations you have researched online. In addition to an internet search, I feel that it is also important to find any books or other publications that are related to your industry. Study them and find out more about the authors. Find out if they have websites and how to reach them. Now that you have a compiled list of contact people, it’s time to work the list! Before contacting these people individually (they are probably very busy), see if they offer newsletters, or other mailbits. You are looking for information on how they got where they are today. Remember, you are the amateur. They are the professionals. So, any information you receive from this contact list regarding their biographies and information on the field itself is important enough for your notes. Take plenty of notes, and keep them in a file folder. Every time you find a new piece of information on your subject matter, drop it in your file folder. And finally, if you absolutely need to contact your list of professionals for more information, I would recommend sending an email.

But don’t forget about networking with fellow amateurs! You can make some of your best friends and closest contacts online by joining mail lists such as Yahoo groups or MSN groups. These groups along with technologies such as Instant Messenger make it easier for you to find people with similar personal and professional interests and literally network with them on a regular basis. You will find out so much about your industry and probably learn more from each other regarding your profession than in any other way.

Last but not least, be sure to network with the most important contact of all: your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Remember that it is He who gave you the passion and the calling, and it is He who will be with you each step of the way on your new journey.

Happy networking!

– Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.

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Gianni Versace was born in 1946 in Reggio, Calabria, in Southern Italy. Versace received his love of fashion and first lessons on dress-making from his mother. Initially Versace trained as an architect, but soon he followed his mother into the fashion business. Versace worked for a number of top Italian fashion houses, but in 1978 with the help of his brother Santo he launched his own label. Versace was a great fashion pioneer who combined the worlds of high style and pop culture. He was a charismatic and accomplished designer of clothing and theater costumes. Versace appreciated a range of historic attire which he incorporated into his designs and he was greatly influenced by Andy Warhol and modern abstract art.

Wowzer! Best describes the fashions designed by Gianni Versace. He was notorious for designing garments that would shock and startle our senses. Versace saw his designing as an art form. He initiated clothing that was visually excessive and provocative- fashions that confronted accepted codes of taste, beauty and sexuality. Fashion became entertainment, to be watched and admired - not simply worn. For Versace nothing was too extravagant too crazy or too risque. Yet no matter how extravagant or provocative Versace’s clothes were always strikingly well designed garments designed to flatter the body.

Versace was the designer of choice for many of the rich and famous: pop stars such as Elton John, and Madonna; film stars such as Will Smith, and Elizabeth Hurley and even royalty - Princess Diana. The wealthy were drawn to his clothes like magnets, and that enhanced his reputation. However, Vercasse did not design simply for the wealthy his clothes were very much available to the average person. In 1985 he launched the Istante label in 1985; and after years as Gianni’s muse, his sister Donatella became his co-designer and launched the Versace diffusion range, Versus, in 1989. These labels featured clothes within the budgets of many consumers; not only were they priced lower than the custom-made clothes, but they were also aimed at younger markets. In 1988 Versace received the Cutty Sark Award as “the most innovative and creative designer in the world”; and in 1993 the Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded him the American fashion Oscar. On July 15, 1997 Versace was shot to death outside his South Beach home in Miami, Florida by a crazed gunman name Andrew Cunanan. Since his untimely death in 1997 the Versace fashion house continues to grow under the creative leadership of his sister Donatella and the business acumen of his brother Santo. Donatella’s daughter Allegra inherited 50% of the company last summer when she turned 18. However, Donatella is still very much in charge. The days of the wet-look, shocking pink PVC and as much flash and flesh as a catwalk can take are long gone. The new Versace is growing up. “I’m not blind,” says Donatella. “I know that most women don’t look like models. We had to start addressing other parts of a woman’s life. The fashion business is a very different place from when Gianni started the label.” Donatella’s mind is very much on the continued success of Versace. With Donatella at the helm, and Santo and Allegra at her side, they continue to grow and develop the Versace Product Lines with fabulous designs unveiled for the 2005 Spring Season. The proof is in the Versace spring fashion line - Have a look for yourself! http://www.newyorkmetro.com/fashion/fashionshows/05/spring/runway /versace/ http://www.milanfashionshows.com/spring2005/versace/photos.htm http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2005RTW/review/VER SACE© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author: Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals.

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Our summer season has finally made its way into July, marking
what most of us consider to be the halfway point of the season.
Soon enough, we will struggle to fit another weekend getaway
into what is left of summer before having to dismantle the laid
back attitude of the summer sun. Students of all ages will be
returning to their campuses, only to recall and share the fond
memories with other peers.

There is still time to get the most of the warmth and sun before
having to cope with facing the inevitable reality of
responsibility. There are some relatively unknown tips that can
aid in your quest of the everlasting summer, even for those in
regions where piling snow will replace the thick green blades of
grass.

Find Close-Out Swimwear with Style

Now is the season to gather up all the latest closeout bikinis and
one-piece swimsuits that are holding back the fall and winter
gear from reaching the store shelves. Even top designer swimwear
gets discounted in the off season. To make sure that your new
suit has the staying power for beaches to come, there are some
simple rules to follow when selecting the right suit.

• Printed Fabrics versus Solids. Prints are trendy, and they
  tend to go out of style much faster than solid patterns. There
  are exceptions to the rule, and common sense plays an important
  role.
• Pastels and Neon versus the Basic Eight. Like printed
  fabrics, funky colors are seasonal. It is best to pick the
  bikini with the basic eight colors. They are always in style,
  and you don’t risk the obsolescence of your new suit.
• Slingshot Bikini? Every year there is a new take on the
  bikini. Although the cool fads might last a few seasons, they
  can drop off the radar at any minute. Unless you have inside
  information from a reliable source, stick to the basics.
• Trust A-List Designers. Designer swimwear
  manufacturers usually have a longevity that can be trusted. Top
  designers set the stage that others so diligently follow. They
  are the trend setters, and finding their swimwear at discounted
  pricing is fabulous, especially if your style will last more
  than one season.
• Go Directly to the Source. By heading right toward the
  designer, there is no middleman getting in the way. Web sites
  are easily updated and many of the top designers have online
  bikini and swimwear galleries to browse. Checking at the
  closeout specials often allow you first-hand knowledge of the
  newly discounted swimwear.

Even as the summer draws to a close, begin thinking about your
winter getaway to the tropics. There is much to plan, and being
prepared with your swimsuits is priceless. Concentrate on other
aspects of your travels knowing that you have paid less for the
best swimwear available.

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Going through menopause and suddenly feel like life’s stresses have just become a thousand times more difficult to deal with? Find yourself crying at Oprah more than you used to, or worse, crying at reruns of the Flintstones? Finding that your cute 3-year-old nephew or granddaughter is suddenly… well… a little childish, making you irritable? Finding yourself depressed?

You’re not alone, and it’s not just a case of the blues. Menopause alters your core body chemistry, after all - and with that, the physiological ways in which you manage your emotions are also changed. However, there are a few simple ways in which you can stabilize what’s going on in your head:

Get some sleep! Unfortunately, a common side effect of menopause is the inability to sleep, either due to night sweats or other aches and pains. For night sweats, lower your room temperature (even use the air conditioner year-round, if you must!), reduce your caffeine intake, and get some exercise. All of these things, of course, contribute to sleeping well throughout your life, but those who sleep soundly and deeply when approaching menopause are mentally better equipped to deal with stresses.

Watch what you eat! Let’s face it - we all get a little down if we find ourselves sagging or having gained a few pounds, and in menopause, we don’t metabolize calories as quickly as we did when we were younger. In general, eating more healthily, as well as reducing your daily calorie intake by 200 calories (about 1 candy bar) will not only keep you fit, but keep you from grabbing the Ben & Jerry’s out of late-night-depression.

Talk to someone! Of course, if what you’re feeling is beyond melancholia or “the blues,” please speak to your doctor openly and honestly about what you’re feeling. He or she may recommend a number of treatments, therapies, or even medications to get you through this difficult time.

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You’ve heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within. Well, now nutritional experts have confirmed that you really are what you eat.

Forget French fries and fatty hamburgers. If you want to look beautiful and feel young and healthy, you’ll eat a generous variety of super foods that have been proven to work wonders on the human body.

Whether you’re on a low fat diet, low carb diet, or no diet, adding these super foods to your plate should become as second nature to you as putting your lipstick on in the morning.

Healthy Skin - Eat: blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, currants, purple grapes, pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes.

Healthy Eyes - Eat: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, turnip greens.

Strong Bones - Eat: yogurt, kefir, soy, tofu. Drink: skim milk.

Reduce Stress - Eat: beans (navy, pinto, red, black, etc.), green beans, sugar snap peas, green peas, chick peas.

Boost Immune System - Eat: turkey, skinless chicken breast, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach. Drink: black or green tea.

Sun Protection - Eat: tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit.

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