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@Pillsbury #PotluckParty #Recipes, Video, #Coupons and More! #MyBlogSpark

A few weeks ago I shared with you that I was hosting a Pillsbury Potluck Party and asked you to vote on the recipe that I should bring to the party.  It was pretty much a landslide that everyone thought that I should bring Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars.  This suggestion was right on the money!  It was everyone’s favorite of all of the recipes shared that evening.  The combination of the chocolate chip cookie dough and creamcheese was divine.  I mean, who doesn’t love cheesecake?  It was so easy to make and so delicious that this will be something that I bring to holiday parties from here on out!

 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bar Recipe

Prep Time: 10 Min

Total Time: 3 Hr 20 Min

Makes: 16 bars

INGREDIENTS
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup coconut, if desired
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies

DIRECTIONS
1 Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth. Stir in coconut. 2 In ungreased, 9- or 8-inch square pan, break up half of cookie dough. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Crumble and sprinkle remaining half of dough over cream cheese mixture. 3 Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store in refrigerator.

Nutritional Information
1 Serving (1 Bar)

Calories 200
(Calories from Fat 90),

Total Fat 10g  (Saturated Fat 4 1/2g, Trans Fat 1g),
Cholesterol 35mg;
Sodium 135mg;
Total Carbohydrate 25g
(Dietary Fiber 0g,
Sugars 18g),
Protein 2g;

My Pillsbury Potluck Party

I hosted my party at my in-laws house because everyone there loves to cook and share recipes.  I thought that this would be such a fun way for the whole family, including my husband’s extended family and brothers, to get together and share food, fun and family.   Plus I was able to prove to my in-laws that I can cook… occasionally.  Well desserts at least!  Below is a video I made that features my family, the recipes shared and the great time we had together during the Pillsbury Potluck.

 

It’s Not Too Late to Host Your Own Pillsbury Potluck Party – Coupons Anyone?

If you need tons of great recipes or inspiration to create your own masterpiece be sure to check out the Ideas Made Easy on Pillsbury.com.  From appetizers to desserts you will be sure to find great ideas that are perfect for any party, potluck or even as a hostess gift!

Plus you can read reviews and get tips from other members of the Pillsbury community before you make the recipe so you needn’t worry if the dish will be a hit or a miss with your guests.

Don’t forget that you can connect with Pillsbury for great recipe ideas everyday by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Get your coupons and get inspired today!

 

 

 

Disclosure: The Pillsbury product, information, food ideas, online coupon link, and prize pack have been provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.

Looking for a Fun and Modern Gift? Check Out Modify Watches! – Review & Giveaway

Dear children of the eighties, you may have grown up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun with your accessories! If you were a fan of Swatches back in the day, Modify Watches are the newest way to make your watch fit your personality and outfit for the day.

I recently received an original size Modify watch to review with both the green band, a grey band and a black pinstripe watch face. Unlike the Swatches of old, Modify watches simply snap together, no more trying to slide bands onto the watch face. The watches are extremely comfortable too.  I loved how easy it was to interchange the bands, but the watch itself felt a bit chunky for my tastes. Luckily, they also offer a mini version, which would be the way I would go if I buy another one.  I think that they would be the perfect size for me.

Below is a picture of what I was sent.  You can see the size of the watch on my wrist.

I do love that Modify Watches are unisex and can be worn by any hip guy or girl no matter the size.  Traditionally smaller sizes are meant for women and larger for men but these days fashion really just depicts what the wearer is in to.  If you are a gal that prefers the chunky style you will be equally pleased as the gal that likes the mini, like me.

When you first start placing bands in your cart, you will see simple item names like “green band” or “yellow band” but the real fun starts when you add a watch face to the cart! Modify is set up so you will see what each face will look like with each band you place in the cart and they have come up with great names for each combination. So, instead of having a green band with a white face, I was suddenly donning the “Umbrella-ella” watch. And I didn’t wear the grey band with the white face, I wore the “New Coke” watch (how’s that for another throwback?).

The high quality watches from Modify would make a great gift for men, women and teens. You can customize each gift to make sure it’s perfect for the recipient, just make sure you don’t click on the buttons to share to Facebook or Twitter if it’s a gift, that kind of ruins the surprise! Not feeling creative? Modify also has a large selection of watch and band sets, ready for you to click and ship.

FREE Shipping on any orders over $60 at Modify Watches
Visit Modify Watches on Facebook to see all the new products they’re getting ready to release!

Win It!

One lucky Pretty Pink Momma reader will win one Modify Watch of their choice!  (ARV $60)

Entry is super simple via the Rafflecopter widget below.  Simply leave a comment on this post telling me which combination you would choose for your Modify Watch if you were chosen as the winner.  Then check I did this!  off on the Rafflecopter widget.  Don’t forget to do the extra entry options too for a greater chance at winning,

Good Luck!

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#GetOrganized with MomAgenda! Great #Giftsformom On #Sale

 Great Sales and Free Shipping From MomAgenda!!!

 

I’m Hosting a Pillsbury Potluck Party! Take the Poll – What Should I Make?

Ever wonder just what to bring to that holiday potluck or get together?  I know that I have!  To be honest, I love to cook but when it comes to easy and delicious potluck ideas – I’m fresh out.  I never know what to bring unless someone specifically tells me.  In most cases that means I pick up something pre-made from the store.

And  to be totally honest, when it comes to the holidays I spend it at my in-laws and they are amazing cooks, so they never ask for anything except ingredients.  I am a bit spoiled in that regard.  But I have also built up a somewhat false reputation with them that I am not a very good cook.  Which isn’t totally true.  I really only built my reputation that way because I never have a chance to cook for them and they don’t really allow it, so after 13 years they have just assumed that I am a terrible cook.  I just didn’t say otherwise to correct them – cause I know a good deal when I see one!

This year I want to surprise them a little.  Well a lot.  I’m going to be hosting a Pillsbury Potluck Party at their house!  They will love to see me in the kitchen and I know that it will be a lot of fun for them to see what my friends come up with.  I even plan on getting my husband’s teenage brothers involved to see what they want to make for the Potluck party.

I had no idea but there are SO many EASY and DELICIOUS recipes available at Pillsbury.com.  Tons have five ingredients or less!  Talk about an easy appetizer or dessert idea!

So my problem now is trying to figure out just what I’m going to make for everyone at the Pillsbury Potluck…  I have narrowed it down to six choices but I need your help in deciding what to make.  First here are the six ideas that I loved the most:

So to make it super easy for you I have added a Poll widget so that I can easily see what the majority vote is.  The recipe that has the most votes will be the one that I will make!

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CouponCodes4U.com is Here to Help You #Save this #Holiday Season

As soon as we start putting away the Halloween decorations and the trick or treat bags filled with empty candy wrappers we know its time.  Time for the holiday shopping frenzy to begin!  And begin it has.

Like you, my eyes have been peeled, looking for the best deals an discounts that would not only make great gifts but save me tons of cash in the process.  Its an art to be able to find the perfect gift for someone when you are on a budget.  But there is no greater satisfaction than the recipient feeling like you dropped a pretty penny on them when reality you literally spent just pennies for their gift.  For that reason alone my favorite part of the holiday season is giving gifts to the special people in my life and seeing their reaction when they open their present.

I know of tons of deal and coupon sites, you know that because I share my favorite deals here, so I thought that I would share a new that I just recently became aware of – CouponsCodes4u.com.

The ways to save are countless when you visit CouponCodes4u.com.  You can search based on product, category, or even your favorite stores like Walmart, Sears, Target and Cabelas just to name a few.  If that isn’t enough there are printable coupons, grocery coupons, exclusive deals and a list of the top 50 and what is hot today.

 

 

But wait… there’s more!  You can shop for coupons and codes for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas!  I love the Christmas Gifts Idea section because you can shop by clicking on Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Kids and Toys, Gifts and Gadgets and even for Christmas Party Ideas.  I am loving all the search option that this site has to offer. I think that the gift ideas section is so awesome and I will definitely be checking it out to see what I can find for my family as I am putting together my Christmas list over the next couple of weeks.

So what are you waiting for?  Go to CouponCodes4u.com and see what great deals and coupons that you can find to start saving this holiday season.  I would love it if you come back here and let me know what you think of the site and if there is a great deal that I should check out too!

Happy shopping :D

 

Smiles that Rock Contest and a @Crest 3D Collection #Giveaway!

I’ll let you in on a little secret… I secretly wish that I had the talent to be the next big thing.  I know it’s insane for an overweight stay at home mom in her early thirties to even think that this dream is possible but you never know.  Consider this post the closest thing that I will ever get to putting this on my vision board.  In truth, I love to sing but my brother always told me that I sounded like a dying cow so the only public appearance my singing voice ever made was at a concert solo in the fifth grade.  After that night my career was over and I stuck to singing in the shower. 

I have been an American Idol fan since its inception but I never had the balls to audition.  I still don’t – but now that I am a huge X Factor fan too all hope is not lost because they have that illustrious over 30 category that I fall into.  I can’t help but think how great it would be if one day my dream became a reality.

I guess for now I will have to settle for just having a gorgeous Rock Star Smile, courtesy of good hygiene and Crest 3D White products that I love.  I started using Crest 3D White Toothpaste over the summer and in September I tried out the 2 Hour Whitening Strips kit.  Both products are amazing separately but together they helped give me that extra boost for a rock star white smile.  Read my review of the whitening strips or just take a quick look at my before and after smile on the right.

“Smiles That Rock” Contest Presented by Crest 3D White and Billboard

Do you have smile that rocks too?  Would you want to flaunt your amazing smile on a Billboard magazine cover?  Well put your money where your mouth is – literally.  If you have the best Rock Star smile you could win a trip for two to the 2011 Women in Music Event, where you can walk the red carpet and flash pearly whites at a real rock star event!  I know that I’m entering cause for me this would almost be as good as having the chance to be on the X Factor – almost.

Entry is super easy too.  All you have to do is upload your picture to the widget and come up with a catchy headline to tag it with.  That’s it!  Check out the one I created!  It ROCKS, I know :D

It takes certain flair of confidence to brighten up a magazine cover like a true music star. Show us your most sparkling and stand-out smile by making a Billboard cover of your own, and you could win a real red carpet experience at Billboard’s Women In Music event on December 2nd in New York City — featuring the 2011 Billboard Woman of the Year honoree Taylor Swift — courtesy of Crest 3D White, the #1 most awarded whitening brand recognized by top beauty magazine editors, and Billboard, the #1 music brand.

In addition to the VIP treatment at Women In Music — which includes the opportunity to walk the red carpet with photo opps to show off your Billboard cover and pearly whites — the grand prize also includes the following:

  • Roundtrip airfare for two to New York City
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Spending money
  • Your Billboard cover as the profile image on Crest 3D White’s Facebook page on the day of the Women in Music event, and
  • A year’s supply of the Crest 3D White collection of products, to allow you to flash a brilliant smile every day to make heads turn

Additionally, one runner up will win a year’s worth of the entire award-winning Crest 3D White collection of products.

 

Win the Crest 3D Collection!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After your done uploading your entry for “Smiles that Rock” come back here and enter to win the Crest 3D Collection – which when used together, can help you achieve a noticeably brighter smile in as little as just one day.  One lucky Pretty Pink Momma reader will win the Crest 3D Collection to try for themselves!

Entry is super easy – even easier than the “Smiles that Rock” entry if you can believe it!  Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below and be sure to complete the mandatory entry: Name a rock star that in your opinion has a smile that rocks.

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Kingston DataTraveler 109 with urDrive #Review & #Giveaway #CleverUrDrive #spon

Thank you to Kingston for sponsoring this review. Please ; click here to learn more about Kingston. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.

 

 

I must admit that I’m not the most tech savvy girl.  I consider my skills to be on the average spectrum of things.  So when I heard about Kingston urDrive flash drives had to do a little research on my end to figure out exactly what they are all about and what makes them different from your average run of the mill data storage device.

I was sent the 8GB Kingston DataTraveler 109 with urDrive software USB Flash drive for review.  Research always works much better with a hands on approach in my experience, and let me say, I’m quite impressed!  Basically the urDrive is preloaded software that pops up on any PC and acts like a portable desktop.  The interface actually feels extremely similar to the program that my husband’s company uses when he wants access to the company intranet from home.  After he logs in the company desktop appears on the screen and all work done is saved to the U drive associated with his log in.  Check out this video to get a better picture -

 

Cool right?  The Kingston urDrive software allows the user to organize files, photos, videos, music and more on the go.  There are tons of great features included like a Norton PC Checkup, internet browser, an additional 6GB of storage, access to games and the urDrive Store where you can purchase and download tons of great apps and popular games like Bejeweld 3 (my favorite) and Plants vs. Zombies (hubby and the kids favorite).  I have to say though that my favorite feature included with this gem of technology is Fooz Kids!  My boys love their Fooz Kids and to be able to download the software while on vacation at grandma’s this Thanksgiving will be so awesome!  We have a premium account so once the software is downloaded once we log in it will be good to go!

I love that I can take new pictures, videos, games and Fooz Kids to grandma’s for Thanksgiving.  We will be staying with them for three days so having access to these items is priceless!  I know that the boys will love sharing the Fooz Kids site with our extended family and my mother-in-law will thank me for providing something to keep the boys busy with.

I also really like how small and compact the DataTraveler 109 is.  It can easily be attached to a lanyard or keyring plus it’s capless so you don’t have to worry about losing that either. The DataTraveler 109 is available in seven different fashionable colors.  I think that these would make some great stocking stuffers or gift for the white elephant company Christmas party – just sayin’.

 

Buy It!

You can purchase the fashion forward Kingston Technology DataTraveler 109 for $9.95.

 

Win It!

Kingston Technology is offering one lucky Pretty Pink Momma reader a DataTraveler 109 urDrive USB five pack valued at $50!

 

Entry is easy!  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  For the mandatory entry I would like a comment on this post telling me what you like most about the urDrive software.

 

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Have Fun Dropping the LB’s with This Cool #WeightWatchers by #Conair Scale

Check Out This Beautiful New Scale from Weight Watchers by Conair

For some of us, jumping on the scale is not our idea of a good time.  It can be depressing to see the numbers go up, exciting to see the numbers go down – either way – it’s a roller coaster ride.  But recently getting on the scale has gotten a lot more fun!

I received the Weight Watchers Glass Body Analysis Scale Model WW52 by Conair for review and I have never been more addicted to weighimg myself.  It’s nuts!  I  love the look, the style, the extra large blue backlight, but most of all, the ridiculously cool ways to measure my body weight.

This scale isn’t your average run of the mill scale.  It measures your body fat, body water, bone mass and tells you your BMI.  Over the last couple of months I have lost about 15 lbs and I love seeing the breakdown of my body fat percentage going down. It’s like an entirely differently goal to achieve than just hitting your total weight loss goal in pounds.  There is so much that contributes to your total weight that its great to see all of these tools combined in one sleek, sexy scale.

Another plus is that it was easy to program.  I even did it myself, which is huge for me because usually I leave any set up for these types of things for my husband to tackle.

Scale Features Include:

  • Affordable – Retails for $49.99
  • 4 User Memory
  • Extra Large 2 Line LCD with Blue Backlight
  • 400 lb Capacity
  • Impact-Resistant Tempered Safety Glass Platform
  • Multiple Load Cell Technology
  • Easy to Use Tap Feature that Turns Scale Off and On
  • Measures Each User’s Body Fat, Body Water and Bone Mass
  • Displays User’s BMI
  • Operates on 4 AAA Batteries

 

I’ll say it again, I LOVE this scale!  This would make an elegant addition to any bathroom.  If you are looking for an affordable, beautiful scale with tons of great features you need this scale.  It would also make a great gift for someone that is working towards a healthier body so keep it in mind for the health conscious person on your holiday gift list.  The WW52 and other Weight Watchers Scales by Conair are available at several retailers nationwide.

 

*I received the above mentioned scale in exchange for an honest review of the product.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Feet are Loving #Naturalizer’s Fall 2011 Collection – #Review & #Giveaway #MyBlogSpark

Typically I live in flip flops most of the year because I live in yoga pants and stay at home about 90% of the time.  All things considered I do live in the Northwest and when it rains, it pours.  The change in seasons from fall to winter makes for wet, if not frosty, mornings.  When this happens my beloved flip flops just won’t do.  When it comes to needing a real shoe, and a comfortable pair at that, I fall back on my favorite pair of Naturalizers to keep my feet warm, dry and happy.

In August I shared with you that I really love my Naturalizer shoes.  They are my favorite brand because not only are they chic and stylish but they fit my feet from the moment that I slip them on.  Which is really important for me because I have wide feet, probably from all that flip flop wearing, and I hate that whole wearing in process.  You know what I’m talking about, when your pinky toe blisters for a week or two until finally all the rubbing and stretching out pays off and you can wear your shoes without cussing every other step.  Naturalizer is the only brand that fits like a glove from day one.

I moved this past year and in the process somehow I lost two pairs of my favorite fall boots.  I have no idea where they could be other than lost somewhere in the multitude of boxes in my garage. So naturally I was really excited when I learned that not only would I be receiving a pair of boots to review but they would be from my favorite brand!

There are so many gorgeous pairs of boots and shoes in the Naturalizer Fall 2011 Collection to choose from.  Tall boots are so in this season and I have been dying for a great pair.  My problem is that my calves are wider than most so they usually don’t fit the calf of the boot.  I love that Naturalizer offers a wide calf option for tall boots, perfect for a gal like me.

I chose to review the Dinka boots, featured left, and I love them!  They are so comfortable!  The lace up eyelets in the back are stylish and sexy.  The heel is 2.5″ tall and the perfect height in my opinion.  I can’t wear heels that are much taller than that because my legs just aren’t used it from all the flip flop wearing.  The Dinka’s also feature a smooth lining and the cushioning insole features N5 Comfort Elements.

I love, love, love these boots!  And from the rave reviews posted on the Naturalizer site I am clearly not the only one.  It’s so nice to have great looking boots that are comfortable and chic.

About Naturalizer and the Fall 2011 Collection

  • Since 1927, Naturalizer has proven that wearing the latest footwear fashions can be comfortable, stylish and affordable all in one.
  • With rich leathers, soft suedes, and beautiful, trend right details, Naturalizer shoes provide the ultimate in style + comfort.
  • Exclusive to Naturalizer is N5 Comfort –five distinctive features that provide flexibility, lightness, balance, softness and breathability in every step—so Naturalizer shoes feel as good at the end of the day as they do at the beginning.
  • Available in a broad range of sizes and widths from sizes 4.5 to 12 with narrow, medium and wide widths in most styles. Naturalizer boots are also offered in Wide Shaft so women with fuller or athletic calves can find tall boots with a perfect fit.
  • Backed by research from “Style & Trend” experts, the Naturalizer line offers the influence of current fashion, blended with the enduring style women have come to expect from the brand.

Naturalizer offers a variety of styles including tall boots, loafers, wedges, pumps, platforms, flats, booties and oxfords. The fall collection from Naturalizer has something for everyone, with feminine details and styles inspired by a range of classic and contemporary trends.

Naturalizer delivers shoes that make you look good and feel good – always, so you can live your life and love your shoes.

Check out the behind the scenes footage of the making of the Fall Naturalizer catalogue

Win a Pair of Naturalizer Shoes!

Naturalizer is offering one lucky Pretty Pink Momma reader a gift card for a free pair of shoes from Naturalizer.com.  Every girls dream right?

To enter to win just answer one simple question, which style from the Naturalizer fall collection you would most like to wear this season?  All entries must be submitted via the Rafflecopter widget below. Easy peasy!

Good luck :D

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Turn Your #Favorite #Photos into a Canvas Print at Easy Canvas Prints – #Review & #Giveaway

I love taking pictures of my children and family, in fact, I think that it’s a rule in the mom handbook.  My husband and I make a point to take lots of pictures of the boys while they are growing up.  It’s extremely important to my husband because the first six years of his life he spent in his native country of El Salvador and he just doesn’t have a whole lot of pictures of himself from when he was a child.  I think he has about six or seven total.  So it has been a goal of ours that each of our boys have tons of pictures to look back at when then they are older.

One thing that we did for each of our boys when they were babies was to have their portrait taken and framed.  Now that they have all gotten bigger, but not too big, it’s time to get a large portrait of the three of them together.  We just never seemed to get the money together to set up a portrait session.  Thankfully last Thanksgiving we finally had a wonderful family picture session with a Seattle area photographer and we captured a priceless picture of all three of the boys together.  For the last 10 months I have been meaning to find out how I can get it put on a canvas but I have been putting it off because I thought that it just wasn’t in the budget.  So when an opportunity to review Easy Canvas Prints came to me I was super excited!

Easy Canvas Prints creates beautiful, high quality canvas prints from your favorite photos or designs.  I knew exactly which photo I wanted to see turned into a gorgeous canvas print, none other than the great shot of my three boys.  If for some reason you aren’t sure what you would like to create Easy Canvas Prints has a huge idea gallery at your disposal.  They even have ideas that are ready for you to print if you are are looking to add some art to your walls that isn’t a photo and need some inspiration.

In just four simple steps you can transform any picture or image into a canvas print!  First you choose your canvas size, if you can’t find the size you want you can choose a custom size.  Next upload your photo, you can choose files from your computer or even pictures from Facebook.  Once the photo is uploaded and adjusted the way that you like then you choose the border that you would like to see on your canvas.  I chose the image wrap option as opposed to the mirror or colored border options.  The last step is to choose any image effects you would like to add, if any, like black and white or sepia finishes or retouching areas if needed. Then, voila! Your canvas is ready to be ordered!

After I placed my order I was SO excited to see how it would turn out!  Luckily for me my canvas print came extremely fast, I think I had it in about a week’s time.  The day it came I couldn’t wait to get it out of the packing, which by the way, it was very securely wrapped and held perfectly protected in it’s box.

Here is what it looks like!  Drum roll please…

 

Aren’t my boys just the cutest?  It’s hard to believe that this picture was taken last Thanksgiving – boy how they have grown!  Check out how it looks on my wall next to the boys’ baby portraits:

 

The canvas itself is the same size as the other portraits but the frame is something that I might want to add later to make it fit in just a bit better.  I do love that the image is wrapped around the edge of the frame so that guests will see that all though there isn’t a frame the canvas has a finished look to it.  Here is a picture of the image wrap up close:

 

 

All in all, I love Easy Canvas Prints.  It really was an easy process to transform my favorite photo of my sons into a beautiful canvas that my husband and I will always treasure.  I would definitely go back to them for any future photos that I would like to see on my wall.  I’m even considering blowing up my Pretty Pink Momma logo into a canvas for my home office, I think that would be such a great way to define what my workspace is all about.

 

Easy Canvas Prints Sale!

Right now when you order from Easy Canvas Prints they are offering 25% off all canvas’ and free standard shipping!  This is such a great deal and I think that if you are looking to create a fantastic and thoughtful Christmas gift you should definitely take advantage of this sale!

Don’t forget to “Like” Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook and check out their Be Our Fan tab to receive a special discount!

 

Win an 8×10 Canvas Print from Easy Canvas Prints

Easy Canvas Prints is offering one Pretty Pink Momma reader an 8×10 Easy Canvas Print of their very own!

Mandatory Entry via the Rafflecopter widget is required.  Just simply tell me what you plan to do with your 8×10 canvas if chosen as the winner.  Will it be for a gift, or maybe for yourself?   Will it be a photo or some other graphic?

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