Inspirational | Victoria J. Brown

Fun & Quirky Gifts & Printables for Wine Lovers

Can you believe Christmas is coming … I don’t even want to count the weeks, days etc. time just seems to be escaping.

The kids have only gone back to school, and I’m not quite sure where the summer holidays went and now we have to think about Christmas!

This is one of the reasons, I love writing my blog! When we think about how fast time is passing us by, it’s a reminder to stop and take a breath. Enjoying each day is what matters.

With this in mind … enjoying each day with a glass of wine is how some people like to roll! Not that I’m encouraging this behaviour, but as a wine-lover, (yes we can still be spiritual etc. and enjoy the flavours of alcohol-fuelled grapes), there’s something fun about receiving a wine-related gift.

So do you have a family member or friend who would relish, or find it fun, to recieve a quirky wine-related gift?

Here’s some fab ideas!

A BATH CADDY

How perfect is this for wine lovers, book lovers and bath lovers?

A fab all-in-one pressie.

A Homiu 100% natural bamboo bath caddy from DealBerry (was Â£44.50) OR redeem towards another available deal — Check it out on wowcher

WINE FOOD BOOK

For those friends who not only love wine, but who also enjoying cooking. This great book has many ideas to accompany the finest wines.

WINE STARTER KIT

Many wine lovers have their favourite wines, but many are up for exploring different tastes. This is a great pressie for wine-lovers to experiment making their own wine.

Starter Wine Making Set - Solomon Grundy Gold Cabernet Sauvignon 6 Bottle Size Red Wine Kit With Equipment - Home Made Homemade Wine

Click here to purchase this fun wine making kit

WINE CHILLER STICK

I love this! We’ve all seen the wine bottle coolers, but sometimes they are just not convenient! How perfect is this? Not only does it keep it cool but it is a wine stopper too! Perfect for those friends who simply like a glass of wine, rather than the bottle!!

FUNKY WINE HOLDERS

I love a quirky wine holder! I love the shoe design holders, but if that’s not your thing, check out the link below for more funky designs.

SEE MORE FUNKY, QUIRKY WINE HOLDERS

FUNKY PERSONALISED ACCESSORIES

How cute are these? Perfect for those friends who love to snuggle with a glass of wine. Personalising them gives that extra special touch.

Wine Socks Funny Socks Women's Personalized Socks image 0 — SEE HERE HOW YOU CAN PERSONALISE THESE GORGEOUS SOCKS

PERSONALISED WINE BOTTLE

Tell me a wine-lover who wouldn’t want to see their name branded on a bottle of wine! Perfect, fun and quirky keepsake gift.

Personalised "Always Be My Partner in Wine" Couplesâ Wine

See here how you can personalise a bottle for your loved one

WINE COLOURING BOOK

Not only is this a fun pressie, but it is perfect for mindfulness. A glass of wine and a relaxing evening colouring … perfect!

WINE SOAP

A fun gift that is great for wine lovers who love their baths.

See more about this wine soap here

PORTABLE & FOLDABLE WINE & PICNIC TABLE

I have no words for this … it’s perfect! Not only to use in the park or on the beach, but also in the garden when entertaining friends! You could buy this for a wine loving friend, or buy it for yourself! This defintiely something I’ll be adding to my kitchen attire.

INNO STAGE Portable and Foldable Wine and Snack Table for Picnic Outdoor on The Beach Park or Indoor Bed for 4 glasses — See this portable table here

WINE CANDLE

What a perfect way to spend a relaxing evening: a beautiful scented candle giving off the aroma of your favourite wine. Lovely gift for wine lovers.

See this pinot grigio wine candle here

LAST BUT NOT LEAST,

MY OWN FUNKY WINE PRINTABLES!

Download, print and frame! Simple! A cheap but fun gift for wine-lovers.

This is a bundle of wine prints for under £5: you receive 10 prints in 4 different sizes (4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14)

You can even use them as scrolls … tie a piece of red ribbon around the scroll & it’s already looking like christmas!

See below the prints you will receive, all print off in black and white:

See here the above black and white prints, available on my online shop.

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TATTOO INSPIRED PRINTABLES

I’m a huge fan of tattoos, especially quote tattoos. The trend is actually increasing, as more and more people decorate their bodies with something that means something to them.

As we step into June and the weather becomes warmer, bodies are bared and body art is revealed. If you’re a lover of tattoos, like me, you’ll love looking at other people’s designs.

Many people can take years to decide which design they would like, others design their own, and yes, there are the odd few who have had a drunken moment and ended up marking their skin, with, shall we say, not the most dashing of designs.

Just for laughs, you can see an article on buzz feed here, of 28 drunk tattoos.

So for the month of June, I decided to put some printables together that were inspired by tattoos, (don’t worry there are no drunken-inspired pictures that you definitely wouldn’t hang around your home).

You can see below the instant downloadable prints that are available on my shop. This is a package of 4 prints that come in 4 different sizes.

The star-inspired printable …

I love the star tattoo in this picture & how awesome is the love between the two women. There are other tattoos on the women, but it was the star that inspired me to create the printable ‘without the dark, we’d never see the stars’.

CREDIT: Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay

credit: Image by Kevin Fields from Pixabay

You can purchase the above prints in a package

of 4 prints in 4 different sizes

The winged tattoo …

I love this picture. To me, it speaks power and courage. Although the tattoos are intricate, and actually remind me of a dream catcher, it was the context behind the picture that got me thinking … and the quote, ‘take those broken wings & learn how to fly’ came to mind.

You can purchase the above prints in a package

of 4 prints in 4 different sizes

Inspiring tattoos …

I love this simple but powerful message. I think this is a sexy elegant tattoo that can be shown at the owner’s will. Loving all things inspiring, it was this tattoo that inspired the printable, ‘believe in yourself’.

You can purchase the above prints in a package

of 4 prints in 4 different sizes

How cute is this? Any tattoo that is family related, I love. I have both my daughters names on my foot. Personally, I think it signifies love. This got me thinking about family, and the quote, ‘Family, where love never ends’ felt perfect to place on a print that can be placed in anyone’s home.

credit: Image by Ritinha Corain Ritinha from Pixabay

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WORLD LAUGHTER DAY! Surround yourself with fun & quirky quotes to help keep you laughing!

Yes, there is such a thing as World Laughter Day. It is celebrated worldwide on the first Sunday of May every year. It was created by Dr. Madan Kataria in 1998 in Mumbai, India.

Dr.Madam Kataria founded the Yoga Laughter Movement. The idea to bring positivity, peace and unity across the globe, to connect with each other through laughter. Did you realise there are thousands of laughter clubs across 105 countries?

How awesome is this guy? Creating such an awesome day and spreading the love of laughter to so many people.

There’s so much sadness in the world, so to focus on laughter can bring so much joy to us. Laughing your way through problems can be the easiest way to overcome them. Joining others on their laughter mission could be just what you need. Yes, this can be easier said than done, but Dr. Madan Kataria has created tools you can use that will help.

In my research, of this awesome day, I found his online laughter university … I encourage you to take a look.

Imagine being surrounded by people who are happy. I understand that laughter or a smile doesn’t always mean happiness, but even faking it can make you feel better. Faking it until you feel it within. You will eventually feel that happiness and joy.

You can read my previous post on Laughter, participate in the therapeutic writing exercise and task. Find something to laugh about and spread this love to everyone.

This month I’ve added 10 downloadable funny and quirky quotes to my online shop. You can spread the joy throughout your home or workplace; a little reminder that laughter is so important.

The following prints come in a package for £9.99, which is less than £1 per print. You can print, frame for your home or as gifts for friends.

Visit my shop to purchase or look at more prints

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IT’S SPRINGTIME: Tips for those who don’t get a buzz out of cleaning!

So it’s spring and that seems to come along with a term called ‘cleaning’ …

Yes, the time of year for, apparently, de-cluttering …

Here’s the thing with cleaning at any time of the year, I know it’s good for the soul, I know it feels amazing AFTER, but I’m one of those women who doesn’t actually enjoy the ‘actual cleaning’.

I love this quote by Nancy Mitford:

“I think housework is far more tiring and frightening than hunting is, no comparison, and yet after hunting, we had eggs for tea and were made to rest for hours, but after housework people expect one to go on just as if nothing special had happened.”

Housework is one of those things I want the whole family to notice. I have friends who get such joy from cleaning … I wish I was like them … but I don’t think anything could ever make me LOVE cleaning! It’s something that HAS to be done.

Plus, when you have children it’s one of those things that never seems to end! I like to work on projects and tick them off my list knowing I’ve met a deadline. Cleaning doesn’t work like that when you have children …

You can spend a full day cleaning and the next day the house looks as if it’s been burgled. I’m a believer that life is precious and time is of the essence. However, all that aside, cleaning is kind of a must, unless you’re happy to wallow around in dust and dirt …

On a serious note though, research shows that cleaning can make us happy! I’m going with the after-effect of cleaning can make us happy, because I do not clean my toilets and feel happiness.

But having a complete clear-out can be very soothing for the soul. That’s why spring cleaning has become a tradition. It’s a chance to clear out the winter clothes etc. It’s a time to get ready for brighter weather, clearer nights and longer days … it’s thought we become a lot more active when the sunnier weather arrives.

So, I’ve admitted defeat and I have spring cleaned … I know … I was hoping the fairies would do it, but it didn’t happen, I got stuck in … lots of things went to the tip, lots of things went to charity and lots of things went in cupboards (because you just don’t know when they’ll be needed).

For those like me, who don’t find joy in the actual cleaning process, but LOVE the feeling after, I’ve put together a few tips for you …

THINK LONG-TERM

Think of cleaning as a job, a project … it will come to an end and you will feel empowered after. You will experience a kind of peace with yourself. Focus on this calming and peaceful feeling. Even if it lasts for a day!

PUT MUSIC OR AN AUDIOBOOK ON

This is a must for me; headphones in and listening to my latest book. I use audible from Amazon, which is fab. But if you’re a music lover, stick on your favourite tunes and dance your way around the dust.

ONE ROOM AT A TIME

I always think if you start from the top first and work your way down through the house. By eliminating rooms as you go, you’ll feel like you’re achieving something rather than flitting between different rooms and feeling like you’re not getting anywhere. Once you can close the door to one room, it will encourage you to keep going.

TAKE YOUR TIME

I love deadlines. I like things to be complete within a certain timeframe so I can move onto the next thing. That’s just the way I work, it helps me achieve important tasks. However, if you rush the cleaning process, you may not feel at peace when you finished. To do a thorough spring-clean could take a few days, a week or longer, (Try not to make the process too long, because you’ll be a full year in and back to spring cleaning again, plus the aim is to feel fresh and finished). However, life can’t stop because we are de-cluttering, so there will still be work commitments, school-runs, family duties etc. But don’t give up. Set yourself a realistic target and aim towards that.

REWARD YOURSELF

Ooohhhh …. my favourite tip! I’m a believer in rewarding my children for good behaviour, but I also believe this should extend to adults. If we’ve achieved a goal we should reward ourselves. It makes life lots more interesting. Your reward could be a glass of fizz or a new outfit (to fill up the space you’ve emptied in your clear-out!) Whatever you decide, indulge yourself … remember this reward as you work through each room.

Hopefully, the above tips will help. Admittedly it does feel lovely after the cleaning process is complete … until my girls decide to start on a creative project and the mess starts AGAIN!

This is the month to celebrate spring-time … so going with our printables theme this year, I’ve created some prints that will hopefully give you a spring in your step, or bring fun to your home.

You can see both sets of print packages below and as always purchase, download and print for your own home from my online shop.

PACKAGE ONE – FUN QUIRKY SPRING CLEANING QUOTES

ABOUT NOT CLEANING

PACKAGE TWO – BRING SOME FRESHNESS

INTO YOUR HOME WITH THESE

AWESOME SPRING QUOTES

YOU CAN FIND MORE FUN AND QUIRKY DOWNLOADABLE PRINTABLES

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Celebrating International Women’s Day: QUOTES FROM EMPOWERING AND INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN

We celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th March.

This historical day began in the early 1900s when it was a great time for radical changes. It all began when 15,000 women came together and marched through the streets of New York demanding better hours, better pay and voting rights

You’ll have read about the suffragette movement, and how founder Emmeline Pankhurst was jailed at least ten times for speaking out about women’s rights. This movement caused women to not only be jailed but killed.

Some will say we still have a way to go, and I haven’t written this post to get into any political debate. I have written it though to express gratitude to all women. Yes, all women.

I love this quote by Angela Anagnost-Repke (Writer)

Dear Daughter, I hope that you are happy for other women’s victories and not jealous, are never afraid to be alone, don’t care about the size of the ring on your finger, can inhale a cheeseburger on the first date and always pull another woman up when she’s down.’

There have been some amazing women who have given everything to push for equality. They have overcome dire challenges, they have fought, they have continued to pursue their dream and goals. Women who strive forward with such passion, conviction and belief in themselves. Such women have paved the way for other women.

It’s our duty as women, to encourage, support and celebrate other women.

On this note, this month’s downloadable printables include quotes from many amazing women.

On my online shop you can purchase a variety of quotes:

20 printable quotes from empowering inspiring women

10 quotes from Audrey Hepburn

10 quotes from JK Rowling

10 quotes from Mother Teresa

10 quotes from Gabrielle Bernstein

There’s an overview below of the prints that are available from the above women. See if any of these packages would inspire you if they were in your home or office. Or even print and frame for a loved one, who may need support and encouragement.

20 printable quotes from empowering inspiring women

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ALL THE ABOVE FROM MY ONLINE SHOP

FOR LESS THAN £9.99 (ALL COME IN 4 DIFFERENT SIZES: 11×14, 8×10, 5×7, 4×6)

You can surround yourself with awesome quotes from empowering inspirational women, you can also pass to your female friends.

Spread the love.

10 quotes from Audrey Hepburn

10 quotes from JK Rowling

10 quotes from Mother Teresa

10 quotes from Gabrielle Bernstein

All of the above are available on my online shop, with any other printables, please feel free to check them out and any special offers.

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Show your loved ones how much they mean with these unique special messages …

It’s February the month of love …

Personally, I think every single day should be about love!

Every single day should start with gratitude, appreciation and knowing that if you come from a place of love, not much negativity can touch you.

This isn’t about having ‘the love of your life’, this about love for yourself and for others.

I may now be going into a slight loving rant about ‘love is the only way to look at the world and how your perspective will change when you come from a place of love …’ but I’m sure if you read my posts, you’ll already know this.

In this month’s blog post, I thought it only fair to share the love with your loved ones. On the 14th February, people go all out to show their other half how much they mean to them, but sometimes the simplest, but most thoughtful, gifts can be the gem that catches their heart.

You can see the following designs on my online shop; purchase, download, print and frame.

10 PRINTS FOR ONLY £4.99 IN 2 DIFFERENT SIZES; 8X10 & 4X6 … YOU CAN USE THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN

Show your other half how much they set your soul on fire.

All the above are available on my online inspiring vibes shop.

You can get all 10 prints for ONLY £4.99 … in 2 different sizes!

SPREAD THE LOVE

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30 Daily Affirmations To Give You A Boost

It’s January, the beginning of a New Year, we’re all fired up to achieve our resolutions, we know we’re going to make this ‘THE BEST YEAR EVER!’

We usually get New Year’s Day out of the way …

Day 2: We are on it!

Day 3 – We did well yesterday, we’ve got this!

Day 4 – This could be harder than we thought!

Day 5 – We give-up maybe next year …

The above may seem extreme, but most of us have been there. Many of us have had good intentions and not even reached day 2, let alone day 5.

I’m of the opinion that it doesn’t matter what day it is, you’ll know when you are ready to make a change. Even when you’re ready, the first few days can feel empowering … and we can start to lose our motivation, or belief, because things are not happening as fast as we would like them too.

If you read my blog or my writings, you’ll know one of my mantras is:

‘small steps count’

There’s a saying: ‘If this was your last day, what would you do today?’

Well, my answer to that is: ‘Take my daughters out of school, drive to hills, drink champagne and have a picnic!’

Now let’s be honest, if I lived every day like it was my last, I’d be an alcoholic and the social services would be making enquiries …

So, on a serious note, I get the meaning behind this quote … but it’s more realistic to ask yourself this question:

‘If I was to die tomorrow, what would I regret NOT doing?’

They’ll be things you want to achieve in your life, and today is the day to think about these things and start putting some plans in place.

If you read my blog, you’ll know I’m obsessed with therapeutic writing. Brainstorming is somewhat the same, you are releasing your thoughts onto paper. Once you do this, think about a plan and a strategy that will help you achieve your goal.

Now here’s the hardest part: putting that plan in place and sticking to it. Every day is important, every day is a new day. Every day is a chance to start again and stay focused. Don’t worry if you have a wobbly day, don’t continue down that spiral, pick yourself up and start again the next day.

One of my favourite quotes is from Zig Ziglar:

‘People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily’

It’s important to keep yourself motivated daily to ensure your goals will be achieved.

Another of my own mantras is:

‘Positive messages throughout the day, help to keep the negative thoughts away’

Surrounding yourself with positive quotes, messages and affirmations are a wonderful way to keep motivated.

They will help you believe in yourself, focus and work hard towards your dream.

In this post, I’ve included 30 affirmations.

These can be purchased and downloaded on my online shop.

Available in 2 different sizes; 4×6 and 8×10.

You can even make this post a favourite and refer back to it daily!

I just personally love having quotes around my home, not only for myself but as inspiration for my daughters and anyone who enters our home.

See below the affirmations you could download, print and frame.

All the above are available on my online inspiring vibes shop.

You can get all 30 prints for ONLY £10.00 … in 2 different sizes!

You can use them to motivate yourself or give as a gift to a loved one who may need a boost.

Or inspire colleagues by placing around your workspace.

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5 Signs That You Are Zooming Through Life & How To Slow It Down

How often do you stop to take in your wonderful life? How often do you make a conscious effort to stop what you are doing and take stock of your life? Do you feel too busy and too tired? Can you see the beauty or only the barriers?

In life, there is only one guarantee … it will eventually end! As morbid as that sounds, as much as I believe in past-lives and our souls journeying through many lifetimes, this particular lifetime will come to an end at some point. Hopefully, it’s a long way off, however, what are doing to cherish the moments in this lifetime? Are you on the treadmill of life? Just letting the days pass you by?

Here are 5 signs you are zooming through life …

1.You don’t have time for family or friends – you make excuses not to see people because you feel as if your schedule is already hectic.

2. You feel as if your free-time doesn’t exist – you don’t feel as if you have a minute to yourself and when you do, you’re far too tired to do anything.

3. You don’t seem to have the motivation to do things – if you’re overtired or overwhelmed by your to-do list it can be hard to motivate yourself to do other things.

4. Every day is a blur and you can’t wait for Friday – if you’re going through the motions of a 9-5 job, hanging onto your weekends, this is a sure sign that you’re simply existing rather than living.

5. You have nothing to look forward too – this doesn’t have to be a holiday or time away, it could be an evening with friends, a night at the cinema … if you have nothing to look forward to, get something booked in your diary.

What can you do to slow things down

All the above link in together, you are wading through each day, waiting for it to end. But you’re too busy to stop doing what needs to be done, you’re lacking the energy to make the changes. Now, if you’re on, what I call, ‘the treadmill of life’, it’s time to make some changes.

You may need some drastic changes; such as a change of lifestyle. This could be a change of job or a healthy change to your routine. Joining a gym or a club. If you feel you need a complete change, think about the things that would make you happy.

I love this question: What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

If you want big changes in your life sometimes we have to put small steps in place to make this happen. We often don’t make those changes because we can’t see the woods for the trees. Start writing a plan and brainstorm some ideas.

Ask yourself: What can I do today to start making changes?

However, you may not need the changes to be so drastic. You may just feel the mundane routine of life is passing you by. You may feel the excitement is just not there. You can put small things into place such as meeting with friends. Organise a night at the cinema or at the local quiz night. Do something with people who make you laugh. This will soon give you something to look forward to. Start filling your diary up with events. Not so much that you stress yourself out, but even if it’s once a month, even better if you can commit to once a week, but even arranging the first event is a step forward. Once you surround yourself with people whose company you enjoy, you will want to make more time to be with them.

Life is too short to be getting up every morning, getting on life’s treadmill and not getting off until it’s time for bed.

Make the changes, make something happen … push yourself to slow down and enjoy the ride.

If you’d like to read about zooming in on life’s possibilities and take part in a therapeutic writing exercise,

to see how you can zoom in on the positives of life,

you can read the previous blog post here

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10 Quotes To Help You Thrive Through Life

Sometimes, we need a reminder to keep going … not to just plod along, but to take life by the horns!

Once we decide to get off the treadmill of life, enjoy the rollercoaster and embrace what is around the corner, you will soon find yourself moving full steam ahead. Thriving in life is about grabbing each day and making the most out of it. This doesn’t just have to be about your work, but your family and friends time, your hobbies … it’s about each day counting. Each day is another opportunity to thrive and make life happen.

As always, I’m here to give you a helping hand …

Here are 10 quotes to help you

not to just sail along and survive,

but to THRIVE!

(You can purchase these quotes as downloadable prints on my online shop.

A great way to surround yourself with positivity)

If you’d like to find out more about how you can thrive, you can see the previous post here

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How To Make Your Own Peace Pole

I’ve become a little obsessed with peace poles since I discovered them …

A what? You may be asking …

The Peace Pole Project

was created to spread peace across the world.

These are poles (they look similar to a fence post) and each side is decorated. When you create and plant a peace pole, you are connecting to people all over the world. There are thousands of peace poles across the globe. They are designed as reminders to give out love for world peace.

Peace Poles inscribed with the message, May Peace Prevail On Earth,
is a trademark icon of
The Peace Pole Project

Would you like to create your own? This is a great activity to do with children. Not only is it fun, but it will give them insight into spreading and feeling peace within themselves and for our world.

1. BUY YOUR POLE

Your local garden centre or building supplies will have a range of wooden posts. If you’re not sure about using wood, you can use PVC, that is made to look like wood.

Ask the supplier what is the best way to prepare the posts; for painting and outside use. If you explain your project, they will advise the best equipment/materials needed.

But be prepared to; scrub, sand and use a primer. These will be the basics. There will be lots of drying time needed before you start decorating your pole.

2. DESIGN YOUR POLE

Decide what words, pictures and colours you would like on your pole. If you’re stuck for ideas, there’s plenty of images on Pinterest to get your creative juices flowing. Research other peace poles, write and plan your ideas.

3. SET OUT YOUR DESIGN

It’s best to draft your design on a piece of paper before you actually start drawing/painting on your pole. So get to work with words, colours and wonderful pictures.

4. SKETCH LIGHTLY ONTO THE POLE

Once you are happy with your design, sketch lightly onto the pole, therefore if you make any mistakes, you can either rub them out or they are not as visible.

5. PAINT OR COLOUR YOUR POLE

Once you are happy with your sketching, start using colours to bring the pole to life. Depending on the type of post you have chosen, will depend on the type of colouring you can use. Again, when purchasing your post, ask for advice. Would felt-tips work, or is paint better? Get as much information from the store as possible.

6. FINISH OFF WITH VARNISH

When your colouring is complete, using a varnish, or similar product will protect your post from extreme weather conditions. You don’t want your peace pole dripping with ink after a rainstorm. Make sure you get advice from the store when you purchase your pole.

7. DISPLAY OUTSIDE AND SHOW THE WORLD

Secure the pole into the ground in your garden. You can even place them in plant pots if you have no place in your garden. Once you have displayed your pole, take a photo and upload onto the peace pole project website. You can also show others through social media what you have created, encourage others to take part and make their own peace poles.

Click here, if you would like to participate in a therapeutic writing exercise to help you find your inner peace?

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