Friday 21 March 2014

Its Cheaper By The Kilo


I met my friend Fiona from Blighty Bazaar for some bargain vintage hunting in Birmingham yesterday. Credit Crunchers was our first port of call. Already mentally cheap, the staff told us they were holding a kilo sale on Friday & Saturday so I kept my purchases to a minimum and decided to come back with Jon (and the car) in the morning. 


After nearly coming to blows with a man insanely jealous my buy of the day , the most ridiculous obligatory blogger deer ever, we headed off to see Sue at 91 Allison Street, another vintage treasure trove (seen HERE), before seeking refuge in possibly one of the oddest pubs in the city.

The gorgeous Fiona. One of the many reasons why you need to visit Blighty Bazaar.

The barmaid was rendered speechless after I ordered a pint of best bitter - apparently that's unheard of. A man with half his face stitched together let me choose some tracks on the jukebox before he selected the entire Meatloaf back catalogue whilst a kindly man in a tracksuit fell for Fiona's charms and sat enraptured whilst she showed him the fake fur stole, crazy blingy jacket, scarves, dresses, kimono top and blouse she'd bought.

Pink & orange crimplene catsuit from Baboushka Vintage, beads by Tania, bangles from Vonda, nails by Barry M

A man with a butcher's apron peeking out from underneath his Puffa jacket invited me to sit on his lap whilst a Hell's Angel tucked into faggots and peas. I do love a back street pub, never a dull moment.


So, back to Brum we went this morning. We were the first through the doors and were in our element, grabbing all manner of vintage fabulousness from the rails and heaping it up on the counter, ready to be bagged and weighed. I'd never been to a kilo sale before, imagining something akin to a jumble with clothes heaped on the floor but no, it was extremely civilised, just like a normal vintage shopping experience only cheaper.


I'm not sure whether those demented looking mink were in the sale, they're enough to give anyone nightmares.


Contrary to popular opinion its definitely not all nursing home cast offs, last year's Primark and naff jumpers on offer. We got some quality, bona fide vintage stuff. 


 Amongst the 65 items we bought were a 1930s crepe de chine nightie and a 1950s tweed hacking jacket, several pairs of plus fours, Laura Ashley, Harris Tweed, Reldan and Aquascutum. There were hats and scarves from the 1940s and loads of larger women's sizes, which are always in demand.


Look at the size of my sack! Just as well the car was only parked across the road.


I bought this 1970s The Merry Finn Finnish made wool & mohair maxi skirt from Credit Crunchers yesterday, at £2 I didn't want to risk waiting until today. 


Sorry to rub it in, man who didn't spot it first (if you're reading this), but how good does my plastic deer look on the bathroom wall? A bargain at £2. Check out my Flamenco dancers reflected in the grapevine mirror!

Merry Finn maxi worn with 1960s Bukta leotard (20p, jumble sale), fake fur coat (£7, Ex-catalogue shop, 2012), Knitted birdcage bag (£5, Allison Street Vintage), bangles from Vonda, Lamani pendant from Mysore market, Karnataka, turquoise suede boots (Helga-licious)

Another pile of washing which, no doubt, will get even bigger when I get back from the jumble sale in the morning.

Have a brilliant weekend and see you soon!

74 comments:

  1. Yeay ! Such great finds and that deer is so so fab !
    most fab of them al - Vix !
    xxxx

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  2. I badly want that green dress, please tell me it's the wrong size for me. Thank you.

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  3. I am looking at the size of your sack and I'm impressed if not a tad jealous. I need to find me one of those kilo sales. Love the plastic deer. Love it I tell you! xx

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  4. Well done , i cant believe it the only time i might see you at a jumble lately, guessing its pelsall & aldridge , we have to be at the hospital at 9 , you never know we might be out early, lol, and catch them and you on the way back xxx

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  5. 65 items, goodness, you did well! I've never seen a kilo sale down this way, are they a new thing I wonder.
    That deer is something else, it looks fab in your bathroom and I really love that till xxx

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  6. This sounds more perfect to me than a trip to the Caribean, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
    Take meeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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  7. I've always wondered about kilo sales and now you've given me a reason to go. You're right about back street pubs, they're more my thing too - you won't find me in a wine bar! Loving your blue outfit too xxx

    P.S. I don't blame you wallowing in your plastic deer victory either!

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  8. That cobalt is special. Wow.

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  9. That credit cruncher sale is insane--lucky u! It all looks like fun :)

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  10. Your mohair maxi is gorgeous, vibrant colour too! Must be good fun going to kilo sales and having a pint with you! Happy weekend> x/M

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  11. Blimey what an amazing haul - nice work! xx

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  12. Definitely had to google faggots and peas! Hahaha. For any other confused Anericans, it's basically a meat gravy (at least that's what Wikipedia implies).
    Love all your treasures. That pub sounds fabulously bizarre!

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  13. Your description of the pub had me in stitches!! What a great haul you had, the 1930s item would have taken my eye too... Can we see a pic of you modelling it soon?

    x

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  14. so much to love about this post vix. i think people just cannot believe the deals to be found. you are right it is not all junk but hiding there is always a treasure. i can't seem to convince all my friends of this. i love that you got the deer head and are now a *proper* :) blogger.

    and i see stephen andrew is here. love that!!!

    xo
    juanita

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  15. Looks like you did brilliantly at your first kilo sale, that is one enormous sack!
    Credit Crunchers was a bizarre place, one of my favourite pics from our days out is of you lounging seductively in a porn star chair in that shop! You found all sorts of great Kinky stock, but I'm very pleased the bonkers deer and fabulous Finnish maxi skirt were all for you.
    I loved that pub. Can't beat an old-fashioned boozer with a regular clientele of oddballs, can you? You look amazing in your catsuit, and it's lovely to meet Fiona. She needs a blog; tell her, Vix!
    Hope you find yet more vintage madness at the jumble tomorrow, have a great weekend, but go easy on the faggots and peas! Love ya! xxxx

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  16. What a great sale! I would love to go to one of those. And you look so cute too.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  17. Youre just spoiled where you live ,theyre all still wearing there vintage in the Fens..lol

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  18. Wow I am so jealous of the size of your sack! You really do have all the vintage luck. I love the look of that black and vivid floral dress at the top of the collage. I'm always on the lookout for larger lady sizes (especially now I'm post partum!) so if you're gonna post any in your lovely shop please give me a heads up! xxx

    Btw, love the OBD :)

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  19. What fun at the pub! I have never heard of a kilo sale but would love to come across one. I like your skirt, it's a lovely colour. Congratulations on winning the deer head. Betty

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  20. Several pairs of plus fours! Who'da thunk it?

    Love the rest of the treasures!

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  21. AND, I often buy a pint - such amazing value, especially on an empty stomach!

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  22. That sale sounds amazing ... It must have been so much fun grabbing the goods and not having to worry so much about the price. I can't say I've ever bought things based on their weight but it seems like a shopper's dream come true! Being mad for mohair, I sure love your skirt. Good that you didn't take the risk on missing out on that. Wishing you guys a great weekend xo

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  23. Didn't you two do extremely well. That deer reminds me of the plastic cow I scored the other day.

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  24. What a haul! My first job when I was doing some work experience at the Eccles Journal at 16 was to interview the new landlord of a local pub. It was a biker's pub. It certainly was an education.

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  25. Ooooh I will keep checking Kinky Melon for any stock for some lovely larger vintage! the sailor dress is gorgeous, gorgeous!! as are you two gorgeous gals! i'm loving both your outfits equally (I always do!)and that is a mighty fine sack of goodness, it's huge! good job the car was over the road - the deer is totally cool x x x

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  26. I'd go mad in a place like that (my husband would too, but it'd be a different kind of mad :) ). You bag great deals and also have the added drama of some spoilsport shopper who wants your fake deer head going off on you! But I am rather coveting the mod clock above him (the deer, not the man, haha). Lovely mohair skirt too. Xoxo

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  27. The sailor dresses, the sailor dresses!!!!!!!!!!!! Love them!!! NAd that skirt is AWESOME! I love a good blanket skirt!!!x

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  28. Great post Vix, I just love the descriptions of the patrons in the pub. The kilo sale looks amazing. I love the maxi and the fake fur coat you are wearing is one of my favourites. Hope you have an awesome weekend :-)

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  29. I thought I recognised Credit Crunchers and that back street boozer! Sixty five items...that's some haul and a bloody good one by the looks of it. What a fab Finnish maxi, it looks so cosy too. Lovely Allison St bag (I bought one similar this week)...I wonder if that white dress I tried on is still there? Pleased to see the other Fiona also drinks pints of cider!
    Have a bostin weekend.
    xxx

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  30. On my last visit to South Carolina, my BFF and I found the By the Pound Goodwill. It is like a jumble sale. All the soft goods (clothes, fabric, bedding) is heaped on long trough like tables, you grab a wheeled trash can that has a liner and toss whatever into it. When you're done, you wheel your bin to the check out to be weighted. It's tons of fun, because you never know what you're going to find. I got 14pounds for $22. And a vintage wedding dress.

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  31. WoW! You did do well.

    I've read about Kilo Sales, but there don't seem to be any local ones. I do love a good jumble sale though.

    I can see why that man was gutted, I hope you kept walking past him with it, just to rub it in a bit more :)

    Enjoy your weekend xx

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  32. This looks like so much fun ... I'm quite, quite jealous ... wish I could go too.
    Oh and I LOVE your handbag.
    xx

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  33. Great finds, that pub sounds barmy.
    You look ace.
    Twiggy x

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  34. First, so glad you find all that fabulous stuff, particularly larger women's sizes!!, Second, you look so gorgeous wearing your catsuit!, and your 'back street pub' anecdotes make me smile so much!, you're funny and rocking the world!
    Finally I'm loving your wool maxi skirt, fabulous colors and fabulous matching with your furry jacket!! so cool!!!!
    besos & fabulousness

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  35. The deer is GLOOOORIOUS :D well worth fighting for, haha.

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  36. Nothing's more fun than a friendly pub (just got home from one) -- unless it's a by-the-pound sale! Look at the size of your finds! Have a fab weekend and stay gorgeous. xox

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  37. Fabulous bargains you made there !
    Love your electric blue maxi skirt , which creates a gorgeous outfit together with the fake fur coat , the pink bag as well as your antique bathroom wall ...
    You sure have some taste for decoration Vix !
    Haha , didn't know either what faggots and peas were ...Thank you Stephen !

    ~ Magical greetings ~
    ~ La Dryada ~

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  38. Oh that looks like so much fun! I had a huge thrift shopping expedition yesterday and it has nearly killed me but I didn't quite get as much stuff as you did and no deer head. I probably tried on as much as you had in your bag though. You have to try on so many different sizes. The pink jumpsuit looks fantastic on you!

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  39. Crikey, that's a wild and crazy time you had in Birmingham in the course of securing treasure - perhaps some destined to make an appearance at Kinky Melon's Retro Boutique? Your Pink & orange crimplene catsuit is lovely! I love the colours of the print. Being vegetarian I'd be inclined to shy away from those nightmare inducing critters but some of those colourful frocks on the rails look beautiful as are the items pictured that you bought, including the 1930s crepe de chine nightie. I'd never heard of frocks being sold by the Kilo. Obviously you got some amazing bargains. A brilliant weekend to you too!

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  40. I had no idea clothes can be bought by kg! The sack you left the shop with looks quite impressive! And you look just gorgeous in this blue outfit, such a beautiful shade of blue!

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  41. I'm so jealous right now! This place looks like gold mine 65 items and what you shared is top notch vintage stock baby! You guys have such an eye. Your OBD, sorry dude, is a riot hanging in the bathroom, are their vases on the side of him?
    I have been loving blue lately too, that skirt is a gorgeous find good you snapped it up and the pink purse please wear it more, I adore it!
    You will be busy washing and prepping with that haul, I wish I lived in the UK to shop from the kinky melon stock!
    I love you honey! Speak next week. Happy Anniversary!!
    Love you
    Xxxxxxx

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  42. switch places with me gorgeous lady!!!

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  43. Gosh that's a loot and a half..love the skirt x

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  44. Sounds like a good fun was had. The deer is hideously fantastic. I'd probably get it too if I'd seen it.
    I've never been to a kilo sale but it looks like a lot of fun :)
    You're looking fantastic as always. No wonder you're turning heads at the pub. How funny that there's always a funny story about them ?

    Hugs xx

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  45. that pub sound like something i would visit too - and had lots of fun being there :-)
    congrats to your finds!
    love this blanket skirt - perfect for wearing in front of a open fire at a log cabin in snowy mountains......

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  46. I love the blues on you Vix, they really suit you. In fact you just look fabulous, I am encouraged to slap on some fake bake today and try and not look so much like death warmed up haha. I have been looking at metal deer heads on Ebay and even the cheap ones are £50 plus. Great find. Have a wonderful weekend. Love Val xxx

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  47. I love that blue outfit on you - that's my favourite little furry jacket of yours and it looks fab with the fuzzy blue maxi skirt. What a haul! Is this a foray into kitsch interior decoration items for kinky melon too? I could totally see you doing it with your fab eye - am drooling over the mirror frames and the sunburst clock!

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  48. Love the deer! Looks like another fun day, your description of the people you meet when out and about always make me laugh.

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  49. You are so lucky where you live we don't seem to have all the charity fairs and retro things, down here ,as much as you do.
    Once again Vix you look gorgeous in the jumpsuit can I call the outfit that ,and the blue outfit just wonderful !!!, have a great weekend Vix thank you for all your lovely comments you leave on my blog best wishes xxx

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  50. Hi my dear-wow, what an amazing haul of goodies, it's great to hear that you can get decent pieces via the kilo sales, well done!! Loving your new maxi skirt find too, your whole outfit is fabulous xx

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  51. What great finds, as ever and bargain bag at a kilo I imagine.

    Sounds like you had a lot of fun in the pub. Nothing beats a few brummies in the boozer to give good entertainment.

    X x

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  52. Gosh you do have an eye for a bargain, you've found some real wonders at that Kilo sale wow, so many hidden gems! And a fab few days out in Brum too by the looks of it. As ever, looking effortlessly glamorous and gorgeous in your outfits dear Vix. That pink catsuit in particular, who knew crimplene could be so damn alluring, particularly when paired with a pint of best bitter! No wonder the old codgers were clamouring for you to sit on their knee!

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  54. You must have led an exemplary life in a previous existence. Lady Luck loves you! I can almost see that man desperately offering sick squid for your OBD. No, mate, the lady's not for selling. I have a similar creation which is a barometer. I love your tales from the pub, they just make me laugh so much. We need a book of the blog. I'd love to see the man who wanted you to sit on his lap!! Butcher's apron and a puffa jacket, ha ha! That Finnish skirt is a beauty, it looks all soft and cosy. Hope you had great success at the jumble today! xxxxxxx

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  55. Your description of the characters in the local pub is hilarious - I love places like that! The Credit Crunchers place looks like so much fun - anyplace you can find a plastic deer head and a finnish-made maxi is alright in my book! One of my life goals is to go shopping with you one day.

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  56. Oh my a kilo sale would be a bit of fun. You did very well. You look glorious in that striking blue mohair skirt.

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  57. I love the bit about the pub but I definitely had to look up "faggots and peas"!! That one's new on me! And those dead mink faces made shudder. Eeeewww

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  58. That skirt is too cool. I envy your being able to wear maxi's. They make me look like a pudgy grandma.

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  59. Bit late in my rounds but glad I got here ~ loved the post as always ! "Look at the size of my sack" ha ha I don't think Santa could even stuff a sack that full :)

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  60. So much treasure! So bloody much! Can't believe we don't have kilo sales - it is just not fair! Love your pink knit bag, it is adorable. And talking of adorable, that deer is too cute. XXX

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  61. You are adooorable in the pink jumpsuit and stunning in the blue outfit (what a fun skirt!). And again, it is so fun to go "to work" with you. I visited a similar sale here a few weeks back and was thinking about you. :) I got a beautiful little oil painting for 16 cents! I did not know such prices exist! Hugses!

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  62. how fabulous! id love to go to a kilo sale one day, though ive never heard of one being held here. i did get to go to a church fete though yesterday and bought a littlesugar bowl for $1 which when i looked it up online, a similar one for sale on ebay was going for $89! whoo.
    Great spotting in that kilo sale, and that wool skirt is a beautiful score!

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  63. Feck ME, if I'd spotted you out in that jumpsuit I'd be asking you to sit on MY knee!! Phwoar!!!! Hotness!
    The derr head is amazing, and the only kind I would consider having...apart from a real one...tough titty, man who wanted it! Too slow!
    Fiona is lovely, and looks like the kinda gal I'd like to have a pint of gin with!!
    Gawd, vintage by the kilo sounds like a wet dream!!!! You made some great scores! Le sigh with envy!!! AND you looked sublime!WOOT!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  64. I've never been to a kilo sale before. The ones in London tend to be full of 80s and 90s stuff which doesn't really interest me so I've always given them a miss. It sounds like the one you went to was great though! Hope you had a lovely weekend x

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  65. What an epic haul! The deer head is pretty awesome, and your pub visit sounds fun/crazy.

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  66. Some great items there Vix. The blue skirt is really pretty. I love the bag too.

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  67. You are rocking that catsuit and maxi!!
    I love that trashtastic plastic deer head!!!

    What an awesome sale and you scarfed up some amazing goodies!!!

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  68. Aside from the creepy mink, it sounds like a wonderful day out and about! :)

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  69. You look beyond fabulous in the mohair skirt outfit!!! Love that skirt!!! Never a dull moment for you lol! xxx

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  70. Vintage shopping in the UK seems to be the best in Europe! I always was complaining about those high priced thrift shops in Cologne until i shopped in Berlin. But nothing beats the UK it seems! Oh my what amazing finds!!! The deer is just wonderful! Looks like you had a perfect day!
    XX Tani

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  71. I have that same red flowery dress with the flouncy collar that I got from a charity shop. Sadly it's been languishing in the alterations pile for a long time, because it absolutely swamps me right now, and makes me look like I've recently joined a cult (in a bad way)

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  72. OMG! Can I have a half a that Finnish blue skirt... Love it!! Best regards from a Finn....

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Lots of love, Vix