How the 1st Plus-Size Real Housewives Star Became an Unexpected Body-Positive Advocate for Women of Every Size

Ladies First highlights women and girls who are making the world better for the rest of us.

It’s hard to believe, but since the Real Housewives franchise launched on Bravo in 2006 with its Orange County series, there has never been a plus-size housewife — that is, until now. When last season’s teaser of the spin-off Toronto series was released and featured a visibly plus-size cast member, many folks took notice both offline and online.

Meet Roxy Earle: the fabulous housewife of Toronto. Throughout the show’s first season, Earle took to her Instagram account, where she became an unexpected voice of inspiration for women of all shapes and sizes to embrace their bodies. When we sat down with Earle at the Instagram Uncovered body positivity summit in Toronto, she shared with Brit + Co that, while she was a prior fan of the Housewives brand, she was mostly invested in joining the series as a way of fighting for better representation of diverse bodies.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t have someone [in media] I could identify with,” Earle said. “I think it’s great that young girls and women can see people in the media now that looks like them and they can identify with that. It feels good that I can represent for those who perhaps don’t feel represented.”

Since appearing on the show, Earle has started a hashtag campaign called #MySizeRox, a response to body shamers and people who have a limited ideal of what beauty is. “I stopped listening to what other people thought I should be and just started being myself and started truly loving myself. Through #MySizeRox, I hope to encourage people of all sizes to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, at whatever size they are.”

Earle has caught the eye of many for her infectious personality and honest, refreshing take on body positivity. So much so, that she was invited to walk the runway during the MacDuggal’s Spring collection launch at New York Fashion Week in September. She’s also been featured in Addition Elle’s latest advertising campaign titled, “Fashion Democracy” where she tagged herself “unapologetic.”

“It’s ironic to think I spent all these years hating on my body only for my body to be the one thing that has encouraged me and made me have a voice,” Earle told us. “I’m done apologizing for my size. I’m no longer taking the blame for things.”

Roxy plans to take her #MySizeRox movement global and hopes to reach even more people in the years to come.

How do you practice body positivity? Tell us @BritandCo.

Ladies First highlights women and girls who are making the world better for the rest of us.

When Amy Purdy was 19, her life changed forever. A hospital visit for flu-like symptoms led to a diagnosis of septic shock, whereby Purdy was put into a medically-induced coma and given the prognosis of a two percent chance of survival. It was only after numerous blood transfusions and the removal of her ruptured spleen that doctors diagnosed the teen with meningococcal meningitis. She had survived. But, as a result of the loss of circulation she’d incurred from the infection, both of her legs had to be amputated below the knee.

Fast forward 20 years, and Purdy has been a medal-winning Paralympic snowboarder (and was instrumental in bringing her sport to the event), a runner-up on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, and a competitor on CBS’s The Amazing Race. Her 2014 memoir, On My Own Two Feet, became a New York Times bestseller. Oprah Winfrey has called her a hero. Yet, despite an adult life defined by forward motion, Purdy insists she didn’t become an athlete until age 30.

“That’s when I actually started training to be the best snowboarder that I could be,” she tells Brit + Co.

While the idea of starting an elite-level training regimen in your 30s might seem unfathomable to many — okay, most — of us, Purdy had already been lobbying to get adaptive snowboarding included in the Paralympics for half a decade. In 2005 she co-launched the nonprofit Adaptive Action Sports, which would go on to partner with ESPN to run action sport competitions for people with disabilities during numerous summer and winter ESPN X Games. When it became clear that her sport was on track to getting Paralympic Games approval, Purdy recognized an opportunity.

“I wasn’t thinking about age. I just threw myself in 100 percent, and I found out that I was so much more capable than I ever even knew,” says Purdy. “In fact, I wish that I was involved in sports when I was younger, because I think I would have been a pretty good athlete!” Sports build confidence by forcing you to dig deep and persevere, she tells us. The sense of accomplishment on the other side of a physically challenging situation is like nothing else.

Purdy has been described by many people as inspirational; she admits to us that at age 39, she’s already ticked off the major goals of her lifetime bucket list. She explains that she thinks of inspiration as a contagious entity, and she tries to surround herself with it in order to give it back to others. Through her nonprofit, she tells us that she’s constantly engaging with “people who are making things possible for themselves.” She lives in the quiet of nature, where she reads a lot of books and reflects on the life she wants to lead.

Now, Amy Purdy is partnering with Target and Always to support Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that works to empower girls through physical fitness. The matter is close to Purdy’s heart, especially now that she’s watching her nieces come of age.

“We know that physical fitness helps young girls build confidence and friendships,” she tells us. “I think it’s just so important for people to know that this organization exists.”

As for what’s on the horizon, Purdy’s hoping to eventually write a second book and maybe get into acting. But for now, after two back-to-back winter Games and between a string of speaking engagements, she’s laying low with her husband at home in the mountains.

“I appreciate the moment to refuel,” she says. “I think that’s important for women and young girls. It’s okay to stop. You have to be able to refuel yourself so you can have something to give — I think women give, give, give.

“Self-care is really important, and self-care includes those quiet times, physical fitness, and the things you do to feel confident about yourself.”

(Photos by Michael Simon)

Every Gilmore Girls fan knows that Luke and Lorelai were always endgame. Despite the fact they had to watch each other get into different relationships (while I love Max, I'll never be able to stomach the way Christopher acts ugh). But there's one moment in an early Gilmore Girls episode that teases Luke and Lorelai getting married, and even though I've watched it countless times I never caught it before!

Here's that Luke and Lorelai wedding detail you probably missed in Gilmore Girls season 2.

Lorelai teased her wedding date way before 'A Year in the Life'

@dianaathome Caught on my 11523rd rewatch 🤯 #gilmoregirls#gilmoregirlstiktok @valeriescateyescream ♬ original sound - Diana @ Home

Gilmore Girls season 2, episode 3, "Red Light on the Wedding Night" opens with Lorelai and Rory tasting Fran's cakes at Weston's Bakery ahead of Lorelai's wedding to Max. And when Fran insists the girls stay to figure out exactly which cake flavor they like the best, sticking firm to the idea that there's nothing more important than your wedding day, Lorelai doesn't bat an eye when she says, "Well, it ain't Guy Fawkes Day." And TBH, Fran's confused response is exactly how I felt the first time I watched this episode.

We all know Lorelai gets cold feet when she realizes she's not actually in love with Max and bails on him before the wedding. After all, it's definitely more memorable than Lorelai's joke, which I've always taken to be a throwaway line (she really does have a random sense of humor). That is, until @dianaathome on Tiktok pointed out that Guy Fawkes Day, a British holiday celebrating the failed Gunpowder Plot that happened in 1605, takes place on November 5 — the same day as Luke and Lorelai's wedding in A Year in the Life.

I can't believe I never caught this! And I'm not the only one. "I don't know if I'm more impressed that someone snuck this in or that you found it!" one user commented, while another says, "It is Helen Pai and Dave Rygalski's anniversary. [Luke and Lorelai's] original wedding date June 3rd is Helen Pai's birthday!" (Helen Pai is the real-life, albeit loose, inspiration for Lane Kim!)

Now, while this is a super fun connection to find, a lot of Gilmore Girls viewers are realizing just how much they dislike Lorelai's behavior in the actual scene (as in, eating all the cake knowing Sookie was already preparing one). And it's sparked a ton of conversation.

"I felt so bad for [Fran]! She put all the effort and make all those adorable and tasty cakes and the two of them are like “Hehe screw ethics we get to eat free cake!”since Sooki was just going to make one for free," one Reddit user says. "Maybe it’s the service industry in me talking but I can’t get over how annoyed I would be."

Another goes so far as to say this scene is why they "I like to think this is the reason she wouldn’t sell the Dragonfly to Lorelai & Sookie. Revenge."

If Fran's cake tasting really was free, then eating her out of house and home just for fun is definitely not cool, Lorelai. (Although I still think it's not as unrealistic as her showing up to Chilton in a tee and shorts).

Did you catch this Gilmore Girls Easter egg the first time around? Let us know on Facebook!

Ladies First highlights women and girls who are making the world better for the rest of us.

Soleil Ho has had a busy year. In between co-hosting duties on the wildly successful podcast on the intersection of race and food, The Racist Sandwich, Ho can also add “author” to her list of credits. With Blue Delliquanti, Ho is the co-author of a new food-related comic called Meal(Iron Circus Comics), which will be released on Christmas day. And, yes, it involves eating bugs.

The comic centers on a chef named Yarrow who moves across America to start working at a restaurant that focuses entirely on cooking with insects. Though it may seem like a leap at first glance, Ho tells us that its themes aren’t so far removed from those of The Racist Sandwich.

“Since I started working on The Racist Sandwich and thinking about food and race very intimately together, I’ve realized that insects and insect cuisine exist at this locus point because [like racialized people, insects are] very much a symbol of the Other,” Ho tells Brit + Co.

The two themes intersect in the comic, too. When a secondary character named Milani enters the scene as a potential love interest for Yarrow, she makes it very clear to Yarrow that she wants nothing to do with insect-related food. Yarrow, meanwhile, sets out to show Milani that insects are a staple of cuisine around the world. This dynamic sets the tone for Meal.

Ho, who is of Vietnamese descent, has had her own share of interactions with people who are uncomfortable about the idea of foods common to the non-Western world. She recalls her efforts to soothe their reflexes over one food item, in particular.

“Vietnamese people eat dogs, and that is a normal thing,” Ho tells us. “It’s not super wild or weird in Vietnam. But my whole life, when people would ask me that in the United States, I would say, ‘No, we don’t do it. That’s ridiculous!'”



In the comic, Ho wanted to make sure she and her co-author tackled this type of discomfort through Yarrow’s character’s interactions with others. “She doesn’t want to be judged or looked at,” Ho tells us, and admits that she pulled from her own experiences growing up to inform the character.

At first, like Ho, Yarrow tends to attempt to shy away from her own personal associations with insect cuisine because of others’ feelings towards it. But as Milani becomes interested in learning more about Yarrow, the character also takes an interest in Yarrow’s relationship to insect cuisine.

“She’s game, and that’s the important part,” says Ho. “She’s interested in learning more.”

Ho hints that there is a possibility that Meal will be expanded beyond its current installation, but she has no idea what the future will hold. For now, Ho is happy at the response that Meal has garnered online, explaining that she loves the depiction of food in comics.

“It just amplifies the experience [of food] and makes it all that more amazing.”

(Image via Soleil Ho/Iron Circus Comics)

Did you know the colors you are surrounded with can enhance your mood and energy? Think about the color palette in your closet right now. What colors are you most drawn to? Before you freak out if black or gray are your go-to colors for your daily wear (guilty!) maybe after reading this, it will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and try to work with new colors. What if I tell you that your astrological sign has a designated color palette to support your journey?

Color therapy, or “chromotherapy,” can supplement your well-being. Integrating astrology will also help you pinpoint the colors you are most attracted to and how to become more in tune with yourself. Astrology is a fantastic modality for gauging self-acceptance while also becoming your best self, and color therapy is the therapeutic means to rebalance and power up your goals.

Working with the colors assigned to your zodiac sign can support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Read on to learn how color therapy works and which color palette best suits your zodiac sign!

Here's how to make color therapy work for your zodiac sign — and feel good doing it!

What is color therapy?

Helena Lopes

Color therapy is a holistic, non-invasive modality used for the body. Historical figures such as Pythagoras (circa 2,500 years ago) applied “color light” therapeutically, while “color halls” were used as a means of treatment in ancient Egypt, China, and India. The modern medical pioneer patron of color therapy was Niels Finsen of Denmark in 1877. He discovered that visible light was how ultraviolet or red light energy could heal wounds, bacterial infections, or scars. Sounds familiar? In this present, infrared light therapy is used for pain relief, improved sleep, inflammation, facials, detoxes, and more. Knowing this, you can see why color and light restores our mind, body, and emotional needs.

There are many ways in which you can work best with color therapy. To implement physical changes, you can update your selection of colors in your clothing, nail colors, makeup palette, or home decor. For the mind and emotional system, you can work with colors through visualization practices like art, meditation, or a color therapy lamp.

How Can Color Therapy and Astrology Work Together?

let mous

Color therapy works by frequency or wavelengths of colors, which can have a physiological or psychological impact on our well-being. Using appropriate colors guided by your zodiac sign can rebalance or harmonize your body’s energy centers. How can color therapy integrate with your zodiac sign? It begins by knowing and working with your Sun sign, granting you more confidence and understanding regarding your direction. It extends our overall vitality and spreads endless radiance in our lives. It fuels our well-being and emits light wherever it touches in the birth chart. In principle, our Sun sign is our destination point, our identity. Now, the Sun Sign is where we can reach that higher level of understanding about our process and how we will experience fulfillment in this life. Incorporating color therapy guided by astrology can help you obtain confidence, and when you feel balanced, you make sound choices.

​How Colors Align With Zodiac Signs

Brit + Co

Observing the astrological signs, they are all categorized within the elemental values. Starting with fire, the signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are placed within this element. These signs hold precedence over the esoteric realm of spirit as they are meant to initiate, inspire, and teach. Fire tones are within the spectrum of golds, reds, and oranges.

The signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn reside within the earthy realm. They are supportive, detailed, and persevering in nature. The earth element enables humanity to take a firm stance involving patience or consistency. Deep greens, grays, and navy are colors that hold a grounded energy for these signs.

The signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius inhabit the air element. Those who hold this element strongly have the skill to circulate a constant flow of ideas, remain stimulated, and effectively communicate. Air energy guides humanity in the exchange of information, negotiation, and evolution. For clarity, the colors that best support these signs are yellows, pastel blues, or electric blues.

Ending with Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, these signs embody the water element. Natives with a strong water element are receptive to others' feelings and can be intuitive. They can also conjure creativity, withstand intensity, and dive deep into the world of dreams. Colors such as purples, deep reds, or soft greens can help these signs invoke self-love and confidence.

Colors for Each Zodiac Sign

Brit + Co

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

Personality Traits: Aries is bold, energetic, and daring, often leading the way with confidence and courage. They are natural-born leaders who take on challenges fearlessly.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Colors like red and orange help Aries channel their energy and passion. These colors promote confidence, courage, and an enhanced sense of purpose to match their bold nature.

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Taurus (April 21 – May 21)

Personality Traits: Known for their patience, determination, and deep connection to nature, Taurus seeks stability and grounding. They are steady and reliable, with an appreciation for beauty and luxury.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Earthy tones like green and brown are ideal for Taurus. These colors promote relaxation, groundedness, and stability, aligning with Taurus' need for balance and connection to nature.

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Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Personality Traits: Gemini is versatile, adaptable, and intellectually curious. They thrive on communication and change, with a playful and creative side. Their dual nature makes them curious and full of ideas.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Bright yellow and light green stimulate mental agility, creativity, and versatility for Gemini. These colors foster communication and mental clarity, enhancing their natural curiosity and adaptability.

Brit + Co

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Personality Traits: Compassionate, intuitive, and deeply connected to family and emotions. Cancer nurtures others and seeks emotional fulfillment. They are protectors and caretakers.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Soft white, silver, and pale blue promote emotional healing, inner peace, and nurturing energy. These colors align with Cancer’s need for emotional well-being and tranquility.

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Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Personality Traits: Leo exudes warmth, creativity, and pride. With their strong sense of self, they seek recognition and joy, and they inspire others with their vitality and passion.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Gold, yellow, and orange help Leo amplify their natural creativity and vitality, enhancing their self-expression and sense of pride. These warm colors increase confidence and fuel their dynamic energy.

Brit + Co

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Personality Traits: Virgos are known for their perfectionism, sharp intellect, and organizational skills. They are reliable, practical, and thrive on productivity and efficiency.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Soft green and blue are ideal for Virgo, promoting balance, healing, and clarity of mind. These colors assist in maintaining a calm and focused environment, supporting Virgo’s need for order and tranquility.

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Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Personality Traits: Libra values harmony, beauty, and fairness. They seek balance in all aspects of life, often striving for peace and cooperation in their relationships and surroundings.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Pastel colors, particularly light blue and pink, promote peace, harmony, and emotional balance. These soft hues help Libra maintain their sense of equilibrium and enhance their diplomatic nature.

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Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Personality Traits: Scorpio is intense, passionate, and deeply transformative. Known for their mystery and depth, they possess great inner strength and are drawn to uncover hidden truths.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Deep red, black, and maroon channel passion, power, and transformation for Scorpio. These intense colors align with their transformative nature and help them harness their strength.

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Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

Personality Traits: Sagittarius is adventurous, optimistic, and philosophical. They love exploring new ideas, cultures, and places and often share wisdom and joy with those around them.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Purple and deep blue enhance spiritual growth, adventure, and wisdom. These colors stimulate the Sagittarian desire for exploration and wisdom while supporting their boundless optimism.

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Capricorn (December 21 – January 19)

Personality Traits: Capricorn is disciplined, ambitious, and pragmatic. They take a methodical approach to life and are determined to achieve their goals through hard work and patience.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Earthy tones like gray, brown, and navy support Capricorn’s need for focus, discipline, and groundedness. These colors help them stay on course and maintain a practical mindset.

Brit + Co

Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)

Personality Traits: Aquarius is eccentric, innovative, and idealistic. They value independence and individuality, often challenging the status quo and embracing forward-thinking ideas.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Electric blue and purple enhance mental clarity, innovation, and independence. These vibrant colors support Aquarius' need for originality and their intellectual pursuits.

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Pisces (February 20 – March 21)

Personality Traits: Pisces is intuitive, empathetic, and imaginative. Known for their dreamy and artistic nature, they deeply connect to the spiritual and emotional realms.
Chromatherapy Suggestions: Soft green, seafoam blue, and lavender promote relaxation, creativity, and intuition for Pisces. These calming colors enhance their dreamlike state and encourage emotional balance and creativity.

​Color Therapy Visualization Technique

Anh Nguyen

Now that you know which color vibrates with your zodiac sign, you can use this visualization technique to connect more with your Sun sign. Color therapy is a powerful tool for balancing energy, emotions, and well-being. By using the healing properties of colors, you can encourage emotional release, relaxation, and revitalization. Each color carries its frequency and vibration, which can help align and support different aspects of your life, from physical health to mental clarity.

This color therapy visualization technique will guide you through grounding, relaxation, and energetic renewal. Connecting with the colors that resonate with you will activate healing energy within your body and mind, clearing away any negative or stagnant energy. It’s a simple yet powerful practice that you can do daily to restore balance and promote a sense of calm and well-being.

Energetic Healing Visualization Technique

Mikhail Nilov

  1. Position yourself comfortably or sit in a lotus position. Place your left hand over your heart area.
  2. Take a deep breath through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth. With each breath, feel your body becoming more relaxed.
  3. Focus on the soles of your feet and imagine an energetic pull grounding you, anchoring you in the present moment.
  4. Take another deep breath, feeling a nurturing energy rising from the ground, reaching up to the soles of your feet. Allow this energy to gently move upward, relaxing and energizing your body—feet, calves, thighs, core, shoulders, arms, neck, face, and head.
  5. Imagine a bright, glowing light in the sky above you. This light represents your Higher Self.
  6. See the light spiraling down toward you, entering through the crown of your head and flowing through your body. As it moves, it changes into a vibrant color that resonates with you.
  7. Take another deep breath and allow the colored light to fill your core center. Visualize it growing brighter and expanding with each breath, filling your entire body.
  8. Imagine the light forming a dome or egg-like shape around your body, extending outward, cleansing your physical and energetic space.
  9. Release any tensions, worries, or negative energy, visualizing them fading away into the ground. Trust the process of transformation.
  10. Continue this visualization as long as you need. When you feel light and neutral, place your hands in a prayer position and silently offer thanks.
  11. Visualize the light around you returning to its source, and when ready, gently open your eyes.

This practice can be done 1-2 times daily, ideally in the morning or before bedtime.

Adara Cox

By integrating color therapy with your astrological sign, you can tap into a powerful tool for enhancing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. These simple yet effective practices allow you to align with the natural flow of your energy and support your unique traits, helping you to feel more balanced and connected to yourself. Whether you choose to surround yourself with the colors that resonate with your sign or engage in visualization techniques, color therapy offers a profound way to nurture your overall health and personal growth.

Remember, your journey toward healing and balance is personal, and using the right colors can be an uplifting part of that process. Take time to explore the colors that speak to you and notice the subtle shifts they create in your life.

Do you wish to learn more about Lumi's work with astrology and her holistic approach? Lumi Pelinku invites you to dive deeper into your journey through an extended reading that can provide tailored insights and inspiration. Click here to book your reading today!

For more astrology advice, be sure to Ask Lumi for advice and follow the conversation on Facebook!

Love is in the air – and, as it turns out, on the shelves at Target! We can always count on Target to have the cutest home decor pieces for every holiday, and right now, their Valentine’s Day decor is making us swoon. Target has everything you need to create a festive and cozy vibe (and for way less $!), whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a Galentine’s Day party, or happily spending the season solo.

Get ready to fall head over heels for these 13 Target Valentine’s Day decor pieces that’ll help you celebrate the season, all for $10 or less.

Check Out The Best Target Valentine's Day Decor For 2025

Here's a quick glimpse at what's available as part of Target's sweet Valentine's Day decor drop. We are obsessed.

Shop Our Favorite 2025 Target Valentine's Day Decor

Target

Cherry Duo Valentine's Day Figurine

This $5 figurine gives us so much joy. It'd be perfect on your desk, bedside table, or car dash to keep the love flowin' this V-Day.

Target

Metallic Hearts Wall Garland

Got a Valentine's party planned? This $10 wall garland is just the thing your space needs to feel a bit more festive.

Target

Valentine's Day Disco Ball

Everyone needs a dash of disco in their life, and this $10 heart-shaped piece makes that possible. We'd keep this one up year-round!

Target

Valentine's Day XO Love Pillow

It's not V-Day without a bunch of X's and O's! Decorate your space appropriately with this cutesy $5 pillow.

Target

Coffee & Croissant Valentine's Day Figurine

This $5 decor piece would also make a great gift to give your partner, BFF, or just the person that completes you.

Target

Light-Up Valentine's Day Hearts

These heart-shaped lights mimic conversation heart candies in the cutest (and cheekiest!) way with various sayings.

Target

3-Wick Sugared Watermelon Candle

This candle makes the season even sweeter with a delicious sugared watermelon scent.

Target

Featherly Friends 'Toots' Valentine's Day Decorative Object

Target's collection of cute spirited birds is everything. This lil' birdie comes complete with a love letter – ooh!

Target

Red Lips Pillow

Need a smooch? This $10 pillow is just what your couch is craving!

Target

Glass Heart Valentine's Candle Holders

Set the mood at the table with this adorable trio of candle stick holders in the perfect V-Day hues!

Target

Cherub Valentine's Day Figurine

This glasses-wearing cherub would look so cute on your desk during the Valentine's season.

Target

Pink & Red Taper Candle Set

These playful candle sticks come in squiggly shapes and are adorably dotted in tiny white hearts for the holiday.

Target

XO Square Valentine's Day Pillow

Perfect for the sofa or your bed, this plush pillow will last your V-Day decor game for years to come!

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