Living Well: How to Make Clothing Last

Are you all ready for the weekend? We're in rainy season so I'll be enjoying the great indoors for most of the weekend. Don't feel bad for me though, I get more than my fair share of sunshine here in Florida!

Today I wanted to post about something that we can all benefit from-making our favorite clothes last as long as they possibly can. After all, a classy woman takes pride in how she looks and is a good steward of the resources afforded to her.

A few weeks ago I was wearing a pair of black dress pants that I've received many compliments on over the years because they fit me perfectly. As I got them ready to take in for cleaning, I was thinking about where I was working when I purchased them and realized I bought them ten years ago from Club Monaco while still living in Toronto. They were a bit more than I wanted to spend at the time however I always value an invest in quality key basics. Apparently my investment is paying off. After a whole decade, these lightweight wool pants fit still like a dream and haven't lost their shape thanks to spot treating early and only using dry cleaning to clean them.

I wanted to share some tips with you to make your clothing go the distance. Whether it be an expensive blouse or an inexpensive skirt, these tips will help you get the most mileage from the wardrobe you have.

How to Make Your Clothes Last Longer

1. Keep Darks Their Darkest- One of the biggest problems with black is it can fade, especially if it is cotton. Likewise, dark denim tends to lose its color over time also. The best way to keep dark washable fabrics their darkest is to always wash them in cold water. Washing clothing inside out and if you are washing a black top or dark jeans for the first time, use about 1/4 cup of white vinegar directly in the wash. You can also sprinkle salt in the wash water as well. These both keep the dye from leeching out of your clothing, and especially helps a new item not bleed out to other dark item such as dark pink or red where staining from dye could ruin it. Fabric softeners can leave a residue which is more obvious on dark clothing. Instead use a 1/4 cup of white vinegar in your fabric softener compartment and it will remove all build up of soap and softeners on clothes and leave them smelling fresh and soft. They won't smell like pickles-I promise!

2. Hang Dry- By hanging your best pieces out to dry, you are eliminating the excessive heat and friction they undergo while in the dryer. There are all kinds of dryers on the market now such as steam dryers, but this advice is for all of you like myself who still have a regular style dryer. I try to hang dark items like black clothing inside out to prevent fading if I'm hanging it outdoors. With a gentle breeze, clothing always smells amazing and is usually fairly wrinkle-free. Most times though, I just hang my items on an extended hanger in our laundry room or pull back the shower curtain and let my laundry dry overnight. It works like a charm. This also saves you money too on  your utility bill as dryers use up a lot of energy.

3. Delicate Cycle vs. Regular Wash - While you probably run most of your laundry as a regular type of load, delicates such as lingerie either need to be hand washed or use your delicate cycle which involves less friction. The same holds true for other washables that you want to keep looking their best. Bras should always be washed with all fastening hooks closed in a lingerie bag or if you don't have one, a pillowcase with an elastic tied around it and then let these items air dry. Over time the friction of overloaded machines and vigorous washing cycles can causes holes, snags and pilling.

4. Repair Before You Wash & Wear- If you see a small snag, missing button, hole, etc., in any item of clothing it's always best to repair the item yourself or have it fixed before washing. A very small flaw could turn into a completely ruined article of clothing after even one round in the washer and dryer. Something I like to do is keep a small bin with any clothing that needs to be repaired along with a ziploc bag filled with needles and many shades of thread and mini scissors. This way I can pull out the bin when I'm watching TV. If it's beyond my ability to fix, I take it to someone who can. On all clothing, always close fastening hooks and zippers first before washing as this will keep them from becoming damaged.

5. Whites, Darks & Towels- Never wash towels with any article of clothing. I caught hubby doing it one time (thankfully it was his own clothing) and he wasn't happy with how pilled his shirts looked after. Always wash towels only with towels, sheets and clothing need to be washed separately. Likewise, darks and whites should never party together in the washing machine. This just makes everything look muddy and gray. I remember growing up and some of my class mates would have grayish-looking white shirts and was thankful my mother had taught me well. Many use bleach, we do not in our home for environmental and health reasons, I have however found hydrogen peroxide in the wash to be a good solution for whites. I always wash stains with water and salt if I can immediately which usually takes it all out, if not, I use a little bit of soap or I pre-treat with oxy clean which usually does the job.

We all do laundry regularly and have the basics down, some of these points may not be new to you unless you've just moved out on your own but I hope you learned a new tip or two today. :)

I'd love to hear from you. What other tips do YOU have for making your clothes last as long as they can?


Happy Friday!


P.S. If you haven't entered our Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway yet, you still have time. There is a gorgeous dress up for grabs. Get all the details {here}.



*photo credits: (1) , (2)

Living Well: Learn to Enjoy the Moment

I think one of the biggest challenges that face women today is balance. With being a woman comes maintaining a home, trying to succeed in the workplace, managing a social life, nurturing friendships, paying bills, running errands, meeting deadlines and above all making time for family. Days turn into weeks and weeks into months and before long a whole year has flown by with only a few celebrations or moments often savored along the way.

The truth is that life was never meant to be a race, it was meant to be enjoyed. Many women are overwhelmed or so tightly wound up from all they're trying to accomplish in a week that it's sometimes hard to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life on weekends or during vacation.

In the last few years, spending more time outdoors with nature and taking a step back from demanding corporate sales positions to work for myself has allowed me to delight in the small moments like I never had before. This isn't to say that I don't feel overloaded with work at times or stressed but I had to take the time to define what was most important to me and my family. Beginning a gratitude journal was also key to unlocking a more thankful heart that allowed me to focus daily on five things that I am most grateful for at the end of my day.

Things that had been so important to me at one time in my mind, were no longer necessary. I adopted a less is more approach to life and scaled back in many different areas which has allowed me to spend less money, free up my schedule, bring less stuff into our home and focus on only what we truly need to be happy. I recently came to some other new revelations {here} while on a trip about what we want vs. what we need in life.

I just love this quote, it challenges us all to enjoy what we have whether it be time, an occupation, our family, money, friendships or the latest version of the iPad. Let's be women who know how to be content with what we have, not needing the next trendy pair of shoes or handbag to be happy. Ignore what the media tells you that you must have and need to be in order to be a success. Be satisfied in knowing what is best for you and keeping life as uncomplicated as it can be.

 "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; 

remember that what you have now was once among the things

 you only hoped for." 

~Epicurus (Greek Philosopher) 

On that note, I hope you all have a wonderful and fulfilling weekend enjoying the simple and most beautiful moments of life. :) I'd love to hear from you! How have you become more present in your  own life?

XO



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Living Well: Surround Yourself with Beauty

As I sit here working at my desk and look around at the space I've created, I feel happy and peaceful. It's not perfect, rather a work in progress and it doubles as our guest bedroom. However, I've really enjoyed the process of surrounding myself with beautiful things. Pretty silver frames filled with beautiful patterned paper, a vase with pale pink peonies (my favorite flowers), the scent of a natural orange reed diffuser to lightly fragrance the room and a sparkly chandelier just to name a few.

Call me type A but I don't feel settled when I'm surrounded by clutter. Working at the kitchen table with  visible dishes in the sink only distract me as they beckon to be washed. Keeping up with cleaning, removing excess papers, clutter and unnecessary items from a space leaving just your favorites and the most practical and useful items creates a serene environment.

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There are so many ways to incorporate a little bit of pretty into each room of your home, even if you don't have a large budget. Whether it's a few fresh blooms in a pretty vase, a small piece of gorgeous fabric that recovers and transforms the seat of an otherwise boring office chair, beautiful keepsakes like sand and seashells displayed in apothecary jars that remind you of a favorite trip. Even an elegant mirror in your entry that you use daily to do a quick hair and outfit check on the way out the door. It's so important to feel good about the space you live in, whether it's a tiny studio apartment or a sprawling homestead.

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I couldn't agree more with this quote. A few weeks ago I wrote a post about saving your best for someday and how sometimes we keep items that are so valuable or beautiful to us that we forget to enjoy them because we get caught up in tucking them away for a special occasion. Since that post I've been using my new Potterybarn dishes regularly.

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I highly recommend donating or selling any 'ugly' dishes, glassware, cutlery and kitchenware at a yard sale and keep only the most beautiful pieces daily. Only keep and have on hand stain-free and lovely dish towels as well as plush bathing towels. Sleep in soft, luxurious sheets, the best you can afford. Carefully choose scented candles and room sprays that make you feel energized or are soothing and relaxing to set a mood. Wear your favorite perfume 'just because', even if you're spending the day solo. Add a few of your favorite potted flowers in a variety of hues to your balcony, patio or front porch to surround yourself with colorful cheer vs. the hardy green plants that require less maintenance and perhaps a bit less money. It's about joy, spring and summer always seem so short, the extra few dollars you spend will be so worth it!

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Pick one room in your home that is just for you-maybe it's the laundry room, a craft room (if you're lucky enough to have the space), an office or a teeny backyard that is filled with things that speak beauty to you. Surround yourself with colors that make you feel happy and inspired and scents and textures that make you feel alive! Even while you're doing the laundry, you can be surrounded with beauty and feel refreshed.

What lovely things have you incorporated into your home to surround yourself with beauty? What is your favorite room in your home?



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Living Well: Taking Care of Your Skin

In this survey I posted a few months ago, several of you responded asking for more beauty posts, so today's living well post is all about skincare.

I see so many women spending a great deal of time and money carefully selecting a new lipstick, mascara or various shades of eyeshadow but don't spend nearly the same amount of time and effort when it comes to actual skin care. What's interesting is in France, the focus is the opposite. At the age of 18 a young lady's mother will share many details about all of the necessary skin care regimens and the importance of facials and proper skincare products that will take them through their womanhood. Although I'm not French, I was thankful enough to have a mother who took the time to share similar things with me. For her the key was moisturizing and I never forgot it.

Here are 10 Essential Tips for Beautiful Skin

1. Hydrate-To have a beautiful glow on the outside and supple skin, moisture is essential and there is no greater way to ensure that our skin stays hydrated than by drinking water and lots of it. I remember watching an interview with Eva Mendes where she shared that she drinks 2 gallons of water a day! Purified water flushes out toxins, helps regulate your body's temperature and keeps skin looking youthful and vibrant vs. dull and dry, so aim to down at least 64oz per day (8 cups) and even more if you're working out. Invest in a Brita filter or another filtration system to ensure the water you're drinking not only tastes good but is most beneficial for your body-it's also far cheaper than buying bottled water and better for the environment too, grab a stainless steel water bottle and you're good to go!

2. Moisturize-If I had to choose one product I could use every day it would be a great moisturizer to keep skin fresh, soft and hydrated. I'm very selective with skin creams being careful to avoid fragrances and anything with artificial colors. Unfortunately most drug store brands in America contain a lot of chemicals which can often do more harm than good in the toxin department. I highly recommend using natural or organic skin creams that use natural essential oils vs. synthetic ones like mineral oil or petrolatum which comes from petroleum. There are a lot of excellent products available but I am a huge fan of Origins and Avalon Organics because they work and are reasonably priced and pretty easily accessible. After anytime you've washed you face, always moisturize afterwards.

3. Sunscreen- Unfortunately we live in a time when the ozone layer had a huge hole inviting ultra violet rays down onto our delicate skin. It is essential to wear sunscreen when we know we'll be in the sun and even on cloudy, overcast days. Nothing will age you faster than skin that has been damaged by the sun, leaving lines, dark spots and in some cases skin cancer. As with other products, mainstream sunscreens contain a lot of chemicals and ingredients like avobenzone and octymethylcinnamate to name a few which are proving to actually speed up cancer rates long term. What's the alternative? Natural sunblocks are available in the form of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and yes they do make you skin a bit 'whiter', so what I do when it comes to my face is I mix it with a bit of moisturizer and it works perfectly. The brands I currently use are Badger and Mercola. Also, avoid tanning, opt for a mineral-based bronzer for a hint of color or a natural skin tinting lotion instead.

4. Cleanse Before Bed- When I was a teen, I heard an interesting finding that sleeping with your makeup on at night ages you 7 days for every one day you don't wash it off-yikes! Cleansing before bed is one of the things I've always done religiously even though I don't wear a lot of makeup. First thing in the morning or after a shower I cleanse and moisturize and I repeat this again before bed. If you think about it, you're trapping sunscreen, chemicals, pollution and bacteria on and under your skin as you skin cannot breathe, causing acne and other skin irritations. Did you know that skin does all of it's regenerating and restoration at night while you're sleeping? This is a great time to use an eye cream and let moisturizer soak in.

5. Exfoliating- In order to have smooth, glowing skin, we have to exfoliate a couple times per week. If we don't, dead skin cells built up and can cause skin problems or at the very least, cause our skin to look dull and lack the glow that it could have. Make a habit of exfoliating with a gentle face scrub a couple times per week and then wash off and follow up with a bit of cleanser and moisturizer. Your neck and decollete area should be included as it should when moisturizing too. My current favorite is Avalon Organics Lavender facial scrub.

6. Facials- While I'm not a once-a-month professional facial kind of gal, I do make a point of getting a professional facial each season and doing my own at home facial every month. You can fill up your bathroom sink with boiling water, with a towel over your head opening all of your pores for about 10-15 minutes, this increases circulation also. Once the time is up, it's the best time to exfoliate lightly and then cleanse and moisturize. During this time you may opt for a moisture mask or even straight extra virgin olive oils or another natural oil such as jojoba oil which is what I use, it is the closest in composition to our own skin and hair oils. Professional facials are relaxing and provide a much needed element which is extractions. This is where they remove any dirt under your skin and help blemishes heal. Some offer very light peels which help with exfoliation and your skin will feel baby smooth after. If you haven't had one before, I highly recommend it!

7. The Whole Picture-While we tend to focus mainly on our face, it is important to treat the rest of our body with the same loving care. It is just as essential to not only use sunscreen but exfoliate, cleanse and moisturize these areas for beautiful skin.  If you notice any unusual moles or spots on your skin, be sure to visit a Dermatologist as soon as you can. My hubby was just diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in 3 places which should not spread elsewhere thankfully but was the direct result of many years in the Florida sun without proper skin protection.

8. Be Gentle- Our skin might be our largest organ but our facial skin is some of the most delicate, especially the area around our eyes. I cringe when I see people furiously rubbing their eyes with their hand thinking of all the pulling and stretching they're doing to their skin. Mama always taught me to use my ring finger and gently glide or dab creams across my skin, always working upward never pulling down or tugging at the eye area. When drying your face, it's best to blog or dab it dry. Years of pulling at skin can cause it to sag, as can extreme fluxes of weight loss and gain. So, be good to your skin and it will be thanking you.

9. Healthy Lifestyle- The old saying of 'you are what you eat' is so true. I have heard of numerous people that have gone raw for a month or have cut meat and poultry out of their diet entirely (animal products are cancer-causing as well as an excess of sugar) and claimed to have the most glowing skin. Likewise, I myself have experienced similar benefits and opt for 5 days per week of clean, vegetarian eating and 2 days of fish and a little organic meat. Regular junk food consumption will only prove to dull skin, cause breakouts and will zap your energy. Exercise increases the oxygen levels throughout your whole body and gives you an energy boost. The very best time is to exercise first thing in the morning, but any time vs. none at all is still better. It will also help you sleep sounder at night which brings me to my final point.

10. Sound Sleep- We all know that a lack of sleep can cause bags or dark circles under our eyes which doesn't look pleasant but beyond that, our skin repairs itself while we sleep and if you are not getting enough zzz's than you are missing out one of sleep's greatest benefits! They don't call it beauty rest for nothing! If you have trouble sleeping, try disconnecting from electronic gadgets: PDA's, your computer, tv, etc., and engage in some reading followed by a soothing bubble bath or use Epsom salts and lavender to ease your muscle pains away. The warm temperature always makes me sleepy, hot non-caffeinated herbal tea can also work wonders. Stay away from anything caffeinated including soda and chocolate after 3pm as it can keep you awake.

Do you have a special beauty tip or a favorite product that has worked wonders for you skin?




* I am not compensated for the mention of any brands or products in this post, they are my personal favorites.*images: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8)

Living Well: Maximizing Your Wardrobe

In celebration of Earth Week, I'll be covering practical and easy ways to live well by becoming more green and saving money in the process. Classy women care about their environment and are mindful of their budget. So, today's post is all about re-discovering and shopping your existing wardrobe to keep both money in your wallet and needless garments out of landfills. It also solves the problem that most women proclaim which is, "I have nothing to wear!".

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post on getting organized and the importance of keeping an organized closet, which is essential to ensuring your don't end up buying duplicate items and reminds you of clothing and accessories that you may have forgotten about.  Karen of Strictly Simple Style commented that she had heard about a great tip which is shopping your own wardrobe and after mixing things up, taking photos of the new outfits you've created which makes getting dressed a cinch. I actually snap photos on the camera I'll be traveling with to maximize what's in my suitcase so I can travel lighter and get more mileage out of each article of clothing. Somehow though I hadn't used this photo trick for day-to-day dressing. Thanks Karen for the tip!

Mr. Polished and put together himself, Tim Gunn, has teamed up with Tide to create this fun 3-minute video where he shares easy tips on how to maximize what you have and look great while doing it!

Favorite Ways to Maximize My Wardrobe:

1. Multi-purpose items-A tunic or a casual dress can double as a bathing suit cover up in a pinch and can also be worn with  leggings.

2. Belts- They instantly change or update a dress or outfit. Keep a couple skinny belts and a couple chunky belts on hand (brown, black and gold are the best colors to invest in).

3. Go Short- If jeans shrink and become too short, wear them with flats only or if they are past that point, have them taken up to become capris or roll them up and cuff them yourself.

4. The Casual Cuff-Cuff the sleeves on a blazer for a more casual and relaxed look with jeans.

5. Layers create Length-If a favorite long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirt becomes too short to wear, layer up. Use a longer, pretty tank top with lace detailing along the bottom to be worn underneath in either the identical color for an elongated look or a contrast color to mix it up.

6. Refresh with Accessories-One of the fastest ways to change the overall look of an outfit is with accessories. Whether it be a set of pretty bangles, a different pair of shoes or a scarf to jazz up a simple tee or a statement necklace, there are many ways of creating a whole new look with what you already own.

What are your favorite ways of maximizing your existing wardrobe?

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Living Well: Getting Organized

One of the biggest challenges I hear from both friends and clients is taming clutter and struggling with how to both get and then stay organized. Not only does it look messy but it affects stress levels and the ability to enjoy one's home to the fullest.

There are a few simple tips that I live by which can help keep clutter out of your home, keep your space clean and serene as well as save you time and money too.

1. Managing your Mail-One of the largest clutter contributors is paper, more specifically mail and junk mail like flyers, coupons books and newspapers. When you pick up the mail, set all of the important mail aside and weed out the junk mail. Toss it straight into your recycle bin before ever bringing it into the house. Next, spend 3 minutes immediately opening your mail, recycling the envelopes and then filing away what you need to pay or keep and toss anything that cannot be recycled. If you do this everyday, you'll keep mountains of papers out of your home.

2. Look before you Shop- Before ever heading out to buy more clothes, be absolutely sure that what you think you need is not something you own already. Many of my clients have 10 black t-shirts or white dress shirts because they forgot they had one already and kept buy more of what they already had in their closet. Take a few minutes one day and look through all or your closets and drawers. Make a note of what you do not have but need. Maybe you got rid of a little black dress that had a stain or no longer fits, or your perfect summer pumps got chewed up by your puppy and need to be replaced. Perhaps you don't have a single pair of jeans that fit you anymore.  These are items you know that you in fact need. This is a wise way of shopping which will save you money, time and closet space.

3. Taming your Closet- There are two tricks I have to keeping my closet and drawers from overflowing. I always donate or give away an old piece of clothing or pair of shoes for every new item I bring into the house. If we don't do this, our closets will explode and will be filled with items we likely don't need or wear. Also, get into the habit of spending an hour each season or (more often if you like, I do it monthly) and really use an objective eye to eliminate what you don't need and what no longer fits or suits your style-try everything on if need be. Go through both yours and your kids clothes and donate or bless a friend with some items you don't wear. Try to avoid thinking you'll wear it 'some day' because that day usually never comes. The rule of thumb is that if you haven't worn it within the past 12 months you aren't likely to wear it ever again and don't need it.

4.  A Little Every Day-Most people get overwhelmed at the thought of spending a whole day or even an hour working on a very cluttered space. However, if you start small and do a little bit everyday, you'll reach your organizing goal in no time. Maybe you have some messy kitchen drawers, cabinets or a cluttered office. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, commit to just one drawer or set a time limit using an oven timer of about 10 minutes. Really, everyone can spare 10 minutes! See how much you accomplish, you might surprise yourself with how much you get done and may even feel inspired to keep going once you get on a roll. The important thing is to start. Even if it's just for a mere 5 minutes every day, you'll be so much farther ahead after just 2 weeks than if you had done nothing at all.

You can also do this while you watch TV, bring a stack of clean towels that need to be folded, or a bunch of old magazines and decide which to keep and which to recycle, or bring a drawer into your living room and work on organizing it while you watch a show and you'll feel a sense of accomplishment when tv time is up.

5. How to Organize- Some of you might be wondering how to begin organizing. No matter what the space is, it could be as small and simple as organizing your handbag, there are four essential piles you need to create. They are: Keep, Toss, Donate, Re-locate. Toss or recycle items you no longer need which are broken or expired. Donate items that no longer have a purpose in your life, do not fit, do not work with your style, do not make you happy or that you have duplicates of. Give them away to either friends that want them or to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army, your trash IS someone else's treasure. Remember to pick up your donation receipt for your taxes too.

Re-locate anything that is in its wrong place. A roll of packing tape doesn't belong in your purse, so place it back in your office or garage where it belongs. Make sure every item has a 'home' in your house so there is no confusion as to where it is supposed to go. Keep everything that has a real purpose in your life or that you really do need and will in fact use.

*psst....want to know how to keep a clean car? Click the blue link for tips on maintaining your home on the road.

There are numerous tips on how to get and stay organized and there is no right or wrong way, it's about what works best for you. These are just a few key tips I use and encourage my clients to implement as well to simplify their life. Now, I want to hear how YOU like to stay organized!




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How to Make Homemade Iced Coffee for Pennies

I'm no Starbucks-aholic, but I do enjoy a great Chai Latte or a Caramel Light Iced Frappuccino every now and then. Lately, I've even cut back on those as it is a "want" and clearly not a "need". In this economy, we need to be resourceful and as always, be good stewards of our money. So, I decided to look for a recipe online that would hopefully taste as good as the real thing, and guess what? I found one! So, I'm sharing with all of you so you can make your own too!

Compliments of Jodi over at 'Never Pay Retail Again', here is her original blog post on the subject. She found this recipe on Recipezaar. I tweaked mine a little, because we're almond milk drinkers at this house. So, here is what I put into mine:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (you can use soymilk or regular milk)

1 tsp of honey or agave 

1 tsp of sugar(or use equivalent in natural sweetener such as stevia or xylitol)

1/2 cup medium-strong coffee (I brew mine with a single cup percolator and add cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the coffee grinds before pouring the boiling water over)

1 cup ice cubes

Directions: Combine all ingredients (except ice) in blender, mix until sugar is dissolved. Now, add the ice and blend until smooth. If the consistency is too smooth, add some more ice. You can simply make it a coffee over ice by leaving the ice cubes whole just to keep it chilled.

I think it tastes best in my favorite tall glass (straw optional). You can alway add a little dollop of whip cream and some cinnamon or chocolate sauce on top for a decadent drink.

The homemade approach is such a great way to monitor the fat content, sugar and know what you are consuming. For just pennies a glass (I did a calculation of about 40 cents including everything vs. the regular $4 at SBUX. If you're a daily frapp drinker, that's roughly $1400 per year! Can somebody say v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n fund?!

Have a great day!

XO