Meet Celeb Makeup Artist, Carol Shaw, October 3 at Ulta in Huntington Beach

Do you live near Huntington Beach in California? Don't miss the chance to meet makeup artist Carol Shaw, the red carpet maven, at the Ulta located at
from 12-5pm this Saturday, October 3.Carol will be on hand to share the same makeup tips she uses for celebrity clients like Debra Messing, Nicole Kidman, Rachel Bilson, Naomi Watts and Teri Hatcher. Plus, LORAC and ULTA artists will be standing by to give you a taste of red carpet glamour and have some LORAC goodies for you to take home.

In case you are new to Carol Shaw or her line, LORAC, I am telling you now that you NEED to pick up her Front of the Line liners. These are amazingly easy to use and last all day. My only complaint is that they don't come in more colors!Don't miss this chance to see how a celebrity artist's team would change your look for the red carpet. I love it when an artist I don't know shows me how they see me. It's easy to get stuck in a rut and I love to change it up! Even if it's not for the red carpet, getting a new inspired everyday look is a great way to spend part of a Saturday. Plus you'll be ready to go out that night!Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Get Glowing Skin - Hela Spa

Facials are, by far, my favorite salon treat. (Assuming haircuts are a necessity and not a treat.) I love how they make your skin glow, remove impurities, help turn over new cells and make you feel better about your appearance. I think the after effects of a good facial are, for me, the equivalent of having a really good "skinny day."I was recently was able to get an appointment with an amazing esthetician, JoElle Lyons, who works at the Hela Spa, in Chevy Chase, MD. Hela is a beautiful medi-spa where you can relax and get a bevy of amazing treatments, from massages (even for infants!) to facials to medically supervised treatments like injectables. JoElle Lyons happens to be one of the newer additions to the Hela staff and I am so glad she is here! She also shares my passion for volunteerism - what's not to love about that?Here is what I dig about JoElle. She is serious about skin care. She knows her way around IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), peels, exfoliators and good old cleansers. She knows about much more than just the lines she sells, which is really refreshing. She wants you to be happy with your skin. She wants to get the results you are looking for, safely, and with the minimum amount of down time. She will be honest with you if what you are looking for can't be achieved by the miracle product you are using and won't lead you astray if you ask for her honest opinion about how to get results. In other words, she isn't about selling you an expensive line of products (but she has great recommendations!), she is about making your skin look the best it possibly can.While facials are my favorite spa treatment, I always dread the meet and greet, where you change into a robe and tell your esthetician what products you currently use. I don't think I have ever gotten a warm response when I answer Oil of Olay or Neutrogena. They always scowl and make some underhanded comment like, "Well, we'll fix you up and get rid of that pallor."I hate that more than anything. And I am thrilled to report that when JoElle asked me the dreaded question, she didn't respond with some double-edged comment to make me feel small. Instead she said something like, "I have heard good things about them. What do you think?"That's never happened to me before. In fact, I was practically speechless.JoElle proceeded to check out my dry skin, noting that I needed to boost hydration and that I did have some melasma (sun damage spots). She then went on to thoroughly clean my skin, massage my face and hands. I left glowing. Many times after a facial, you leave looking red, splotchy or tight. Not me. In fact, I even got compliments on my bare skin when I went out to dinner afterwards. Amazing!JoElle and Hela's dedication to helping you put your best face forward is unparalleled. From the time I got there until I left, I knew I was in wonderful hands. So you have no reason to wait, JoElle has been kind enough to offer a 50% discount to Gouldylox Readers on all facials, peels and microdermabrasion, including a complimentary brow, lip or under arm wax. Leave a comment below and I will send you the special coupon needed to redeem this service. Hurry, this offer ends October 31, 2009.Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Make Someone Very, Very Happy: Tarte Treasure Chest

Is it too early to think about holiday gifts? Or just a gift for a good deed you have done? Do you really need an excuse to get this? Tarte Cosmetics is now selling their amazing box of color, the Tarte Treasure Chest, a Sephora exclusive. Retailing for a mere $52, you'll save $634.00 on the following goodies:

- 16 All New, Full-Sized Shimmering Tarte Eyeshadows- 16 All New, Full-Sized Matte Tarte Eyeshadows- 16 All New Tarte Lipglosses- Best-Selling Mineral Powder Bronzer In Park Ave Princess- All New Soft Pink Luminizer- 4 New Powder Blushes

How can you say no to this amazing palette? Mr. Lox, are you listening?Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Pretty Ponies: How to Get the Perfect Ponytail

by guest blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose'.

Ah, the ponytail — a tried and true classic. But how do you keep this timeless ‘do from feeling too tired? Pony up! We’ve compiled five of our favorite ponytail hairdo looks sported by celebs and show you how to get the same results with minimal styling effort.

1. The Cheerleader (Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale)

Good for days you need a perky pick-me up (hangover help, anyone?). The perfect ‘do for dropping the digits in your real age.

Tools/Products:

• Large round brush
• Root volumizer (we like Tigi Catwalk Root Boost)
• Scünci Bobby Pins

Get the Look

Before blow-drying hair, spritz volumizing root boost spray close to the scalp all over. Then dry hair in sections using a large round brush to create big waves. After hair is dry, gather the top section and pin back, leaving a small poof for volume. Gather the rest of the hair into a high ponytail. Grab a one to two inch section of hair and wrap around the base of the ponytail; secure with bobby pins underneath the tail. Finish with hairspray.

Bonus Tip: For extra oomph in your pony, use Scünci’s Create the Perfect Pony tool; insert it in the middle of hair while creating the ponytail, and secure your elastic around it.

2. The Sleek Siren (Debra Messing, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian)

A look designed to stop ‘em dead in their tracks. The ultimate, polished updo.

Tools/Products:

• Flat Iron (We love the Hana Elite)
• Shine Serum
• Molding Paste/Wax (KMS Hairplay Soft Wax works wonders)
• Firm Hold Hairspray

Get the Look

Use a pea-sized amount of shine serum before blow-drying straight. After dry, run a dime-sized amount of shine serum over ends for additional shine (use less if you have fine, thin hair). Run flat iron over hair in two to three inch sections, root to tip.

Smooth on a small amount of molding wax over front section of hair, parting it to the side. Pull back into a low or mid-height ponytail, keeping her taut and close to the head. Spray on hairspray to smooth any flyaways.

Bonus Tip: Hide the elastic for a chicer look. Try a leather ponytail cuff from Di Manno Designs, which come in a variety of options to suit your style (we love the python!).

3. The Hot Mess (Carmen Electra, Blake Lively)

A sexy look that screams “I naturally look this good every day; no effort required.” The perfect beach ponytail transformed into red carpet-ready locks.

Tools/Products:

• Curl-enhancing gel or mousse (We swear by Curly Sexy Hair Curl Power Spray Foam)
• Texturizing spray (Try Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray)
• Wax/molding paste
• Bobby pins

Get the Look

Apply curl-enhancing product to wet hair, and “scrunch” in to distribute evenly. Blow dry with a diffuser, or let air dry. Spritz in texturizing spray and apply molding paste to create piecey look. Loosely pull back sides and pin back, leaving out strands framing the face. Gather the rest of the hair into a loose mid or low ponytail, and skew slightly to the side.

Bonus Tip: For kinkier curls, put wet hair into a tight bun or a braid and air dry overnight.

4. The Vamp (Eva Mendes, Carrie Underwood)

These ponytails make you go “va-va-voom!” Classic, polished and whole lot of sex appeal. Create with a side or middle part for your own signature look.

Tools/Products:

• Large round brush
• Root volumizer
• Comb
• Medium to strong hold hairspray (we adore Garnier Fructis Full Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray)

Get the Look

Just like for “The Cheerleader,” begin by spritzing on volumizing root boost spray and drying hair in sections using a large round brush. Then, gently tease the hair at the top back of your head using a fine-tooth comb, and smooth the top over it, creating a high “bump.” Leaving the front section loose (either split in the middle like Eva, or side-swept like Carrie), pull the remaining hair back into a mid-height ponytail. After securing the elastic, gently pull it out slightly, and then tighten just by pulling the sides of the ponytail, to further boost your “bump.” Spray hairspray all over for hold.

Bonus Tip: For a higher “bump,” try Bumpits. They work wonders!

5. The Accessorizer (Paris Hilton, Debra Messing)

Spice up that plain pony with a headband, flower, combs or other accessories. No rules, and no age limit for having fun with your ponytail.

Tools/Products:

• Hair elastics
• Accessory of your choice
• Finishing hair spray (flexible hold)

Get the Look

There are unlimited possibilities to creating an accessorized ponytail. For Paris’s look, simply gather hair back into a low ponytail (split slightly off-center), and add a headband. For Debra Messing’s flower pony, just pin in a flower clip to the side of the tail, hiding the elastic.

Bonus Tip: Kids have the ultimate fun with accessorizing their ponytails. Check out Moni Poni for a new twist on this old classic. They look fantastic and are easy to apply in no time at all!

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2. Beauty and the Bride: Getting Picture Perfect Similar to the tale of the Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and the Bride (BATB) will examine a relationship fraught with mistrust, deception, fear, and hopefully, a happy ending. BeautyXposé......
3. Veneers: Perfect Pearly Whites…for a Price A decade-old decision haunts one woman......
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Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Hard Candy Returns To Walmart

Hard Candy has been around for the last 10 years and is known for their incredibly cute packaging and pop culture inspired products. Next week, they're back and launching a new Hard Candy line that will be sold at Walmart, bringing their signature adorable-ness and on-trend products to Walmart shoppers everywhere.This line is LARGE - with everything from lip stains to bronzers, nail polish to pre-shadowed eye appliques. I was able to get an early look at a few of the goods that will launch next week. I haven't really tried them out yet, but I can't wait to dive in to this super cute, affordable beauty!Here are pics of some of the products of which I was given the chance to peek:Intensifeye High Eye Drama in Moody is a smooth and creamy eyeshadow in a very bright, but light blue.Kal-eye-descope Baked Eyeshadow Duos is a baked shadow that can be used wet or dry. Shown above in Blind Date.Lip Tattoo is a combo lip stain and breath freshening gloss in one. Shown above in Sangria.Finally, So Baked, a dewy, yet matte bronzer gives you a sun kissed look without the sun. Shown above in Tiki.Do you remember Hard Candy? What was your favorite product? Will you run to Walmart next week to check them out? Tell me in the comments!UPDATE! Now that a few days have passed, I have had a chance to test out a few of these Hard Candy items. I like the bronzer- it gives you a little bit of color, which looks natural, without looking shiny.I also tried the eye shadow. I only tried the white side, since I'm not a teen, and it is a very dry shadow. It takes a bit of layering to get the pigment to show up, but when it did, it left a very sheer, light trace of shimmer. It surprised me by staying put all day.Finally, I tested the Lip Tattoo. This is a very wet stain, which is a little tricky to put on with a sponge applicator. It took a bit of time to dry and once it did, I applied the gloss. It was actually quite pretty. This stain is not like other stains and due to the light color I tried and it came off in a much shorter time than most darker lip stains.Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Weekend Roundup - Best of Beauty from Hyperluxe!

This week BeautySweetSpot's own, Jeannine Morris, was at the Emmy's doing a segment for E!. Get the behind the scenes scoop on the red carpet and celebrity swag suites.Beauty Junkies Unite has 3 easy ways to plumper, fuller lips.Best Things in Beauty has a Juice Beauty Giveaway Contest underway, along with information on how gals with straight, wavy, or curly hair can can achieve their coveted look with Ouidad hair care.Brown Suga Fashion and Beauty Blog breaks down Fall's new faceFab Glance Nashville guides you through picking the perfect watch for the man in your life. Fabulous Over Forty has a week long review of mascaras with a giveway at the end of the week.FerOHHHsh takes on Fall style for Non Barbies.Gouldylox Reviews asks what makes us jones for the latest and greatest in beauty .Hot Beauty Health answers a common skin question: How do I get rid of acne scars?The Informed Makeup Maven heads backstage at the Walter show and gets the scoop on the look for fall with Stila.Krasey Beauty shows you her favorite outfit and makeup look from New York Fashion Week.Discover 10 ways to look younger at Prime Beauty.Looking a little pale going into Fall? Read up on Lipgloss Break's favorite Self Tanning Products and my self tanning application tips!Marina from Makeup4all reminds you all Collections by MAC cosmetics for 2009th Year.theNotice takes a look at makeup + chronic pain to come up with a easy five-minute face -- for everyone!Check out why Ilamasqua is illmatic on SickaThanAverage.comFall in love with Su Ferreira's beauty picks.For more information about The HLMN or how to become an affiliate please visit our website.Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Liquid Liner With Serious Staying Power: Mally Beauty Evercolor Lasting Liquid Liners

Liquid liners are everywhere! They are one of the must-haves of the season. While they last longer than most pencil varieties, what do you use if you have to look perfect ALL DAY?For liquid looks that must last, check out Mally Beauty's Evercolor Lasting Liquid Liners. They are available in black, brown and a beautiful indigo color and each come with their own small slanted brush. To create a thin line, use the brush that is attached to the cap and for a slightly thicker, more dramatic look, just use the brush to get some color from the liner wand and create a totally different look. This brush is perfect for the season's hottest eyeliner looks. The color lasts and lasts. My favorite? The indigo blue. It is slightly different from other blue liquid liners and has a little more pizazz than your traditional navy.Here is my trick for getting a flawless line every time. Use a brush shaped like this and trace over your wet line with a DRY brush. The bristles of the brush should come to a point, be slightly wider than your intended line and be very flexible. Because this liquid liner is so pigmented, the intensity isn't diminished, but the line looks more uniform and helps even out any shaky hand issues. Be sure to wipe off the excess and use a "dry side" of the brush for each eye. I wish I had discovered this sooner!You can pick up these liners from my favorite cable channel, QVC, for $25.I love them! Check them out!Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Cargo Runway Palette

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I was excited to check out a new palette from Cargo, called Runway. But with so many new goods to delve into, this fell off of my radar fairly quickly.One recent evening, I ended up in my home away from home (Sephora) in search of a non-pink blush to go with my new darker hair. I landed on Cargo's Rome, a pretty peachy pink that is slightly different from my other favorite peach blush, Makeup Forever Sculpted Blush in 18. The blush by itself was $25. Sitting pleasantly above Rome was the Cargo Runway Palette.Priced at $49, this kit worth $175 comes with 3 blushes, a bronzer and 10, count 'em, 10 eye shadows. And the kit included Rome, the blush of my choice. This kit comes with everything. Blues, Brown, Greens, Purples and Grays. It's beautiful. The colors, the pressed powder textures. Sigh.The colors are smooth, wear really nicely and have loads of pigment. They look so pretty I almost don't want to touch them and mess up their form and shape. The variety of looks this kit can create are virtually endless!The downside? I do wish this didn't come in a book-like package. I prefer to have my products separate and protected individually. This, while flat, is slightly awkward to store conveniently, if you have a large makeup collection.However, on second thought, this would be amazing for travel, provided you packed it really well, so it wouldn't get bent or smushed.This palette will get you runway-ready in minutes. It is well worth picking up - it's a limited edition at Sephora, so get it while you can!I love it! Check it out!Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Is It the Ritual or the Results? Juara Skin Care

I have been thinking about why I love cosmetics as much as I do. Is it the thrill of the chase of the latest and greatest? The hope that something will transform me into something I want to be? Skinnier, with perfect skin, longer lashes, hair to die for and generally fabulous? Or is it the personal time I carve out of my busy schedule for myself what I really enjoy?I think it ends up being a bit of all of those things. I know no one product will make me instantly better all over. I do hope for flawless skin, longer lashes and a silky soft hair. And there are some amazing products that can help you achieve that. But what I think I enjoy the most is the ritual of beauty itself.I love those 20 minutes (or more) where I cleanse, tone and moisturize. Maybe it is my form of meditation, but women have been doing for centuries. One company, Juara Skin Care, focuses in on skin care based on ancient ritual and makes it easy for you to connect to time honored Indonesian Beauty Rituals, to boost your appearance and let's be really honest, your self esteem.I recently had the pleasure of meeting with one of the founders, who explained Indonesian beauty rituals and the importance it played in that society. To help modern day women follow the same rituals, they created several great sets of products.I tried the Glow On the Go Mini-Ritual, $42, which focuses on brightening your skin. This kit utilizes the ancient beauty secrets of rice, tamarind, turmeric and sweet black tea to infuse skin with powerful antioxidant protection and brighten skin for a softer more even-toned and glowing complexion. It comes with Rice Facial Cleanser, Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, Sweet Black Tea & Rice Facial Moisturizer, Turmeric Antioxidant Facial Mask, and the ever-raved about Travel Size Candlenut Hand & Body Balm.I loved the toner, the moisturizer and especially loved the Tumeric Mask. This kits uncomplicates the ritual of beauty, making it easy for you to enjoy the process. And love the results.What are your favorite beauty rituals?Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Wish You Could Be On What Not To Wear?

I use to wish for this all of the time. Although when I really think about it, I am not so interested in seeing all of my clothes going into that trash can. While I doubt all of their clothes really get the axe, what I really want is for Ted Gibson or Carmindy to get their hands on me and help me go from a before to an after!My hair is really short. And while I had the cut first, I am happy to share my look with Gennifer Goodwin, who recently started sporting the same 'do. I usually wear mine a little funkier, with more texture and not as sleek.I can do sleek and stylish, lots of texture or all out glam by gelling my hair back, ala Robert Palmer videos. But after that, I am at a bit of a loss. (And I don't really have the guts to wear it slicked back.)I recently had the chance to spend some time with Nicholas Molina, a master stylist at the Ted Gibson salon in Washington, DC. Nicholas just returned to the Ted Gibson Salon in DC after working with Ted, creating runway looks for New York Fashion Week. I told him how I normally wear my hair and asked for his input on a new way to show off my short hair.He didn't cut my hair, but in ten minutes, he gave me a totally different style that still captured my funky spirit, but was something I never would have thought of on my own. While I am not sure I can wear this daily, it is a fun option when I have a little more time to spend on my hair.He started by blow drying my hair, without giving me a part. Then, he used a Phyto Wax to add a little texture to the crown. Next, he took a large brush and blew the front bangs out smooth and slightly under and added a bend with a curling iron. A few quick flicks of his hands later and I had a much different style that slimmed my face and made me look a little thinner and taller. What do you think?While you may not be able to go on a reality tv show and find out how celeb stylist Ted Gibson sees you, you can do the next best thing and visit Nicholas or any of the amazing stylists at one of the Ted Gibson salons (DC, NYC, Florida) and make an appointment to have your hair styled. You might be surprised with how they see You. (Plus you'll get to keep your your wardrobe!)Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Get the Emmy Look: Debra Messing

Debra Messing looked amazing last night, thanks to makeup artist, Carol Shaw. Here is what Carol used to give her a modern version of a smoky eye and nude lip. All products listed are from Carol's own line, LORAC, and are available at Sephora.

Complexion: AquaPRIME Breakthrough Performance - SMS4 Double Feature - DF2 Evening Out Powder – Light Eyes: Red Carpet Reveal Palette - first shade highlight under the brow, second shade on lid and crease, third shade on lid and liner for lower lash line Black Eye Shadow - smudged on lid Front of the Line Pro - black Special Effects Primer and Mascara Cheeks: TANtalizer Baked Matte Satin Bronzer with SPF 15 Baked Matte Satin Blush - Exposed Perfectly Lit - Luminous Lips: 18 Lip Pencil - Nude Breakthrough Performance Lipstick with SPF 15- Nude Scene Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick - Vintage

Body: TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

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Get That Emmy Look : Julia Louis Dreyfus

At the 61st Annual Prime Time Emmys, old Hollywood glamour played a re-occurring role in fashion and style . From delicate waves to slick updos, the hair was beautiful.The best part is that many of the styles can be replicated at home without going to the salon. Here's how to get Julia Louis-Dreyfus' look, courtesy of Oscar Blandi himself.

STEP 1: Prep damp hair with Oscar Blandi Jasmine Protein Mist. ($18 on Sephora.com)

STEP 2: Apply Oscar Blandi Volumizing Spray from roots to ends to add volume. ($18 on Sephora.com)

STEP 3: Apply Oscar Blandi Wave Enhancing Spray from mid-length to ends to create a foundation for natural looking waves. ($18 on Sephora.com)

STEP 4: Blowout hair focusing on lifting the roots for volume, accentuating the natural side part.

STEP 5: Take a 3 inch barrel curling iron and hold it vertically. Starting just above the chin, curl the hair in small sections, keeping the crown smooth so waves cascade around the shoulder.

STEP 6: Finish entire look with Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray for volume and hold. ($23 on Sephora.com)

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61st Prime Time Emmys: Is There a Lipstick Shortage in LA?

The 61st Annual Prime Time Emmys was Sunday night and it appeared everyone got the memo when it came to makeup. While I watched the Red Carpet and kept hoping someone would wear lipstick, a few people dared to ignore the Hollywood memo and be rebels. Everyone else wore a light pink blush, some cheek shimmer and a smudged brown eyeliner with nude lip liner and some shiny chapstick.Here are my list of hots and nots for the Red Carpet Rebels who dared to stand out in a sea of same.Mariska Hargitay looked amazing and her blue and gray eyeshadow was a refreshing twist on the natural face that permeated the carpet.Kara DioGuardi looked beautiful with her white dress and smoldering eyes.Leighton Meester wore a grecian dress, a bright red lip and seriously smokey eyes. She looked like old Hollywood crashed into the 80's. For some reason, she also didn't use any hairspray and her look went south by the time she presented.Alyson Hannigan blew me away with how real-girl gorgeous she looked. She has come so far since the Buffy days. I loved her layered hair and radiant, natural face. She didn't look like she was trying too hard to go without makeup, she just looked perfect.Tina Fey played up her eyes, but looked so fabulous, my girl crush on her has been renewed.My favorite natural girl? Anna Torv. She looked amazing. The color of her dress made her shine.Almost no one missed the mark entirely, mainly because no one really tried. I didn't care for Hayden's uber bright red lipsand I disliked everything that Nene said, did and wore during the E! pre-show.I thought Kristin Chenoweth looked really nice andBlake Lively's braid reminded me of of the Girl Scouts, but because her dress was so amazing, I can get over it.What was your favorite look? Or are you inspired to just focus on some really good skin care and go without?Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

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