Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Beach House Style and a Kmart Gift Voucher Giveaway


Recently I attended the Kids Business Bloggers Brunch in Sydney.  It's an event I always love, as Christie has a great collection of businesses, with all their latest products on show.


The littlest Beach House Brat loves the event too, as she is well looked after by some lovely Dial an Angel baby sitters.  Despite that fact, her over protective mother cannot let go of the motto she learned in Brownies......Be Prepared.  Accordingly, I "tatooed" my number on her arm, just in case.  It was not needed and she had an absolute ball with the very attentive angels.


 When we broke for lunch, I signed her out and we had a nice plate of sandwiches and coffee together in the sun.


Then it was down to business.  One of the Kmart designers recognised my jacket as Kmart. Although I had not worn it on purpose, I do seem to be living in it this Winter.  I guess it is evidence that I am a big user of the Kmart product. 

I got talking with one of the Kmart designers about what great job being a homewares and fashion designer was and all the travel involved attending international trade fares to see what is on trend.  Wish I was 25 again.

 And I have to say, I was blown away by the new Kmart range of homewares. These products are all in Kmart's latest catalogue and they are terrific. I mentioned to some of the designers that in all honesty, their products never look this good in store.  Which just goes to show how effective styling can be.


The designers said that Kmart is starting to address that via the development of concept stores and already there are some in Melbourne with Bondi Junction the latest store in Sydney to be refurbished.

I thought the China jugs were lovely.

The tablescape looked fabulous in blue, white and taupe.


The bed linen and cushions were so stylish too. That geometric orange cushion doesn't come in blue and white, which it should, but I am going to buy the orange one anyway for a Summer bedroom make over I have planned.

 
 I really was surprised at how good it all looked.  I tried to purchase the quilt cover in store the next day.  Not surprisingly, they had sold out of queen size, so I bought something else, which is gorgeous too. I will show you that soon. 

I'll be back to get the one pictured here, when it is restocked in my local store as I love it.

The little girls bedroom range was pretty in pink and blue.  The range was comprehensive and the Littlest Beach House Brat loved it.  



I thought the glass domes were fantastic value and I bought 2 the next day when I visited the store.

Here's what I did with one of them.


I had the blue and white Thai serving dish from about a million years ago and happily the dome fitted neatly over the top.


It got a run on my coffee table first and then I got my plant stand out of the shed.  I am loving this little blue and white corner of the Beach House. 


If you want to keep up with all the latest homewares and other products at Kmart you can like their Facebook page here.
You can use the #KmartHome hashtag if you want to share these lovely products with your friends or see what others are sharing.


The new homewares are definitely worth a look.  Who doesn't love to decorate on a budget with beautiful things?


And this prize would go a long way in store. 

Today I am giving away a $100 Kmart Australia Gift Voucher.
  
To validate your entry, here's what you need to do.

Follow Desire Empire on one or more of the following platforms:
Google Friends Connect (over in my side bar)
And / Or
Sign up to the Desire Empire Newsletter

Leave a  separate comment for each follow, even if you have for some time. 

Sharing this post to each of your social media platforms or giving it a Google + will constitute another entry.  Leave me a separate comment for each share or sign up.  

And good luck.

This giveaway is now over.  Congratulations to Eva, The Multi Tasking Mummy, you are the winner of this terrific prize.  Please contact me with your postal address.

Giveaway Terms and Conditionns
This is a game of skill.  The skill is signing up or following one of the platforms above and leaving a comment to that effect. 
You MUST enter the giveaway on this BLOG by leaving a comment here. You do not need to have a Blogger account.  Just sign in as anonymous and leave an email address.
This competition is open to Australian Residents only.  
The prize is a $100 Kmart Australia gift Voucher.
This competition is open from now until 21 August 2013 12pm Australian EST.
The winner will be announced on this blog, Face Book and Twitter and I will contact you, as long as you have left a valid means.  The winner will have 7 days to respond, otherwise the prize will be redrawn.

Disclosure:  I was not paid to write this post and I purchased all my own items from Kmart.
I will not be paid for back links in this post.
Kmart did however, provide this $100 voucher to giveaway on my blog.

If you would like Desire Empire posts to come straight to your inbox every ten days or so, you can sign up here for my Newsletter.

Today I am linked up here
The Great Aussie Giveaway
With Some Grace
The Great Aussie Giveaway

202 comments :

  1. You are so right about effective styling. Nothing in these pictures would scream "Kmart" if not for the tags. Also, your little one is so pretty!

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  2. i love all the striped things. will definitely make a trip to k mart for some of the cutlery.
    x

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  3. I was browsing in Kmart homewares recently & came home with a heavy rope knot doorstop - for only $7! Also have my eye one some of the white mugs with the silicon grips. So many nice looking, reasonably priced items that I don't feel guilty doing a bit of restyling.

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  4. I follow on Pinterest.
    lynne.grierson@gmail.com

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  5. New liker on Facebook - hello!

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  6. I follow you on Facebook and have done so for some time. Love it.

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  7. I am a follower on Pinterest
    (rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)

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  8. I follow you on Twitter (rl_mt)
    (rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)

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  9. I am connected to Google Friends Connect
    (rm.newell)

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  10. I SUBSCRIBE to your Newsletter
    (rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)

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  11. New Twitter follower @Mishmumof3 :)

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  12. I have tweeted about your giveaway and blog
    https://twitter.com/rl_mt/status/364894806457073664

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  13. I love kmart stuff, such a pity we don't have one in our town, but I have to travel to another town to visit- but then again maybe that is a good thing- for my bank account anyway!
    I follow everything except twitter and instagram because I don't have accounts there.

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  14. I have shared your giveaway on facebook
    (Shared 7/8, 9.45 am - https://www.facebook.com/rachel.krissnewell)

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  15. Hi Carolyn,i love the glass dome and how you used it.I have to get that...I have never thought of kmart for homewares so thanks -love deex

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  16. I find Kmart the cheapest of all the homeware stores but like you sometimes I feel they lack the quality - but they have really lifted their game and improved their range lately. Just last week I bought the same glass dome and the orange patterned reverse coushin with writing on the other side :) Thanks for the Giveaway!

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  17. Me again :) Entering again as I follow you on Facebook as well!

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  18. Oh, look at all pretty! And prettiest of all is those price tags. I could give my daggy lounge room a gorgeous makeover with $100 from Kmart - pick me please!

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  19. I follow you on Facebook (Kylie Gardner)

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  20. I follow you on Twitter @Octaviaandvicky

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  21. I have added you to my G+ Circles (Kylie Gardner)

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  22. I follow you on pinterest (Octavia and Vicky)

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  23. Oh my gosh I am going out to buy one of those glass domes today! I too am shocked by the massive turn around in Kmart's home wares range and your post is testament to that - loving it all!. xx Tina
    P.S the blogger brunch must have been great fun :).

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  24. I have followed you on facebook for a while.

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  25. I follow you on Twitter (cathystone@cathsmiley)

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  26. I follow you on Instagram (Choccky)

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  27. I follow on Goggle Friend Connect.

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  28. I have already previously subscribed to your newsletter.

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  29. I retweeted your tweet about the giveaway on Wednesday 7/8/13.

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  30. I shared publicly on google + 11.52 am on Wednesday 7/8/13

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  31. Never thought of Kmart as a place to buy stylish, modern homeware without the expensive price tag, but after reading your blog will definately have to go and check it out for myself. Love the gorgeous cushion on the striped chair, it definately gives the wow factor to the corner of the beach house. My email is cathhappy@gmail.com. Thank you.

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  32. I also love how you added the glass dome to the blue and white thai serving dish on the plant stand in the corner,it makes it so unique and looks great.

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  33. Wow. Those domes are fabulous! I need to get to Belconnen Kmart this weekend. I have been wanting some of their so cute bowls and mugs as well to update our table. So cute and so cheap. Love it.

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  34. I think I'm already following you on all your avenues. That's a lovely day out for you and your daughter. The prices in this range are amazing xx

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  35. Great Photos, I am in love with those owls.

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  36. Following on Twitter (@AmberBoyce3)

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  37. Signed up to the Desire Empire Newsletter

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  38. Oh those glass cover thinggies are lovely. Look great. We'll have to see what you think about my decor when you visit... but nothing looks as lovely as your tableau. I must get some new doona covers...

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  39. Great giveaway Carolyn, thanks for the opportunity. I follow you via bloglovin

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  40. Carolyn, I may be converted! Love your little corner too and I might just have to go and purchase one of those sweet white jugs. xx

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  41. Hey there, I really loved your post. I will definitely be going to have a look at the Kmart range. Cheers Mary

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  42. Loving Kmart!!!
    Il like you on facebook....

    Kim
    galwayst@hotmail.com

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  43. I follow you on twitter

    galwayst@hotmail.com

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  44. Oh I love all your pictures. They look like they are from a magazine. And yes, gotta love Kmart, everything is so affordable! $100 gift card will definitely go a long way.

    Isabel
    ---
    eisabainyo at yahoo.com

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  45. Liked on facebook

    Isabel
    ---
    eisabainyo at yahoo.com

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  46. Followed on Pinterest

    Isabel
    ---
    eisabainyo at yahoo.com

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  47. Followed on Twitter

    Isabel
    ---
    eisabainyo at yahoo.com

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  48. Signed up to newsletter

    Isabel
    ---
    eisabainyo at yahoo.com

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  49. Hi Carolyn, what a great giveaway. I bought quite a few of their homewares last week. I really love their stuff! Thanks, Kate

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  50. I follow you on Facebook too. Kate x

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  51. Lovely styling. Kmart have really picked up their game in the homewares department lately. Foolwing via newsletter subscription.

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  52. Google+ - Mary Preston

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  53. GFC: Mary Preston

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  54. Newsletter subscriber

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  55. I am not a Kmart or even a Walmart shopper but I do like Target. The
    other two aren't as convenient to me. I like what you did with the glass
    dome and the little blue and white dish is wonderful.

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  56. I must admit Carolyn, I'm very taken with their latest batch of homewares. I've got the catalogue aside to go through it more thoroughly and have a few things pencilled. I'm sure there'd be heaps of change leftover from $100. Bargain!

    Anne xx

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  57. Kmart are certainly bringing it these days.
    Now following you on Facebook.
    x Marnie
    3pickles

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  58. hi Carolyn - some lovely cheap things. I follow you on google +
    Fiona

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  59. i subscribe to your newsletter does that count?

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  60. I have followed on google friend connect for ages
    Fiona xx

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  61. OMG, I must follow you on everything - already following you on Pinterest!

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  62. great pictures and really interesting ideas. signed up to desire empire newsletter. wilburforcethecat(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  63. That looks great! signed up, on twitter too - and they should have paid you!!

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  64. Wow! Kmart have really come along with their styling and budget options. The photos look amazing. Cheers, Alison #FYBF

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  65. We also followed your beautiful Pintrest :
    xoxo S & S

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  66. And liked your facebook page. :)

    Wow Kmart has gone from bleak to chic! Loving it!
    xoxo S & S

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  67. Big fan of the teal and taupe colour scheme - my house all over! Following you on Google Plus :-)

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  68. Already following you on Facebook :-)

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  69. Can't believe I wasn't already following you on Twitter - just remedied that!

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  70. Girls bedroom range is beautiful. Following on Facebook

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  71. Absolutely love the girls bedroom range!
    Also love what you've done with the glass dome,
    I think I need some of them for my own home! <3

    I'm already a facebook liker =)

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  72. I have signed up to your newsletter

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  73. Publicly recommended on Google+

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  74. I literally went to Kmart today and spent $150 bought heaps of stuff but their homewares are my favourite things. I love how you can change a room for such a little amount. I have already picked out all the things I want for my daughters big girl room and shes only 2 weeks old! Followed you on facebook

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  75. Oh I will need to go to my local Kmart and buy some of those dome
    Follow you on GFC
    Visiting from FYBF and Sweet Little Pretties

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  76. Kmart has seriously gotten stylish and I need to go there to buy a few items to update my family room. Totally love the white jug and the domes. Such simple pieces that can be styled in so many ways.

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  77. I'm signed up to your newsletter - thanks

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  78. I LOVE Kmart! It's amazing how great you can get your house looking with a discerning eye and Kmart! Your dollar does go further...! Thanks for the comp!

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  79. I've signed up to the Desire Empire Newsletter!

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  80. I follow on twitter..
    username - dreamdream936

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  81. I follow via google friend connect.

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  82. I have subscribed to the newsletter.

    ReplyDelete
  83. shared the giveaway on twitter..
    https://twitter.com/dreamdream936/status/366360604593766401

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  84. fb liker :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. signe up to newsletter

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  86. follow on pinterest

    ReplyDelete
  87. I follow on Twitter.

    Twitter handle @_GreenTea_

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  88. I follow on Pinterest Marcia C (greenteafiend)

    ReplyDelete
  89. Signed up to receive the newsletter

    ReplyDelete
  90. Liked on facebook

    Saekae at bigpond dot net dot au

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  91. Following on Facebook (Stacey Shailer)

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  92. I love that with the cheap prices you can spoil yourself more often. Nothing like a bit of spoiling to make yourself feel good!

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  93. Already following you on twitter...@Karynl75L.

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  94. I follow on Google friends connect. :)

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  95. Already like you on facebook! :)

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  96. They've got some great products at ridiculously low prices don't they! Following on Twitter.

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  97. Newsletter subscriber as well.

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  98. Love all things interior design.

    Thanks for the share.

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  99. Kmart has definitely grown up. :)

    I follow you on Facebook

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  100. Hello there! I follow you via Goggle+

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  101. Hello there! I follow you via Goggle+

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  102. I follow you on GFC (name- Virginia)

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  103. I have also tweeted this wonderful giveaway! So many goodies at Kmart, thanks for the lovely chance.

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  104. I was already following your boards on Pinterest (wombles)

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  105. And I signed up for your newsletter :D

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  106. I follow you on Facebook...

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  107. My husband and I recently moved house from an area where there was no KMart to an area with a KMart and I have been so pleasantly suprised with the gorgeous and shabby chic style homewares which suit my style and new house to a T. I have browsed the isles on a number of occasions mapping out in my mind all of the things I'd love to get. I'm in desperate need of a new dinner set and love the colours they have! Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  108. What a great giveaway and Kmart is awesome! You can get so much stuff for so little money! Following on, Twitter, Facebook, Email, Pinterest and Instagram :-)

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  109. Hi I follow you on facebook

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  110. I am following you on Facebook :)

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  111. Great giveaway, I'm following on Facebook as Benjamin Travia

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  112. Followed on pinterest: Benjamin Travia

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  113. subscribed to newsletter: bentravia-hotmail

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  114. shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/travodo88/status/369698586394521600

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