GG Recap: ‘The Backup Dan’ #NeedsToBackDown

*SPOILER ALERT*

Last week on Gossip Girl, we saw the royal runaway have to resort to her backup plan, which happened to be have curly hair, be an author, reside in Brooklyn, and be one of the many people she used to hate–Dan Humphrey. “The Backup Dan” picked up right where last week’s exciting episode left off, with everyone searching for the missing bride and the newly revealed Gossip Girl finding new schemes to bring up the websites sinking views. Maybe last week’s surprising comeback was too much of a turn over to follow through with a strong 101st episode, because this week’s episode seemed really disconnected and almost a waste of an hour. Dan tries to rescue Blair from the horrible accented Grimaldis, meanwhile Serena and Chuck are frantically searching for her too. Of course Dan doesn’t think to tell Serena that he is with her, because he wants to be the only knight in shining armor for Blair (who is one confused girl).  Lastly, surprise, surprise Georgina actually isn’t Gossip Girl but is just a wannabe. The episode sadly ends with Blair smiling for the paparazzi with Louis; apparently being in a fake marriage is better than buying your way out of one. Making Blair into a hot commodity (literally) is turning me and many other viewers off. Does anyone else agree that the whole “who is Blair going to end with” storyline needs to come to an end? What ever happened to Diana? What’s going to happen with Lola? Dan needs to find a girl outside of the infamous “Inside.” Chuck and Blair just need to be together, and the evil Grimaldis need to take the next flight to Monaco. They are #NotWanted.

To mix things up a bit, I thought it would be fun to recap the uneventful episode with a Backup Dan Twitterfeed! #CheckItOut #Tweethearts

Looks like Serena and her real cousin are getting in some bonding time. #ProjectFindTheRunawayBride

Prince Louis may not have been left at the altar, but the honeymoon seems to be over before it began. #GG

Looks like everyone wants to know where the royal bride ran to, but will they find her in time? #AllOverTheMap

Researching divorce laws? #FirstSign to not get married. Come on Blair! For a student accepted into Colombia, you sure need to think deeper. #Duh

Looks like Lonely Boy is fleeing Princess B to Santo Domingo. #HelloFreedom?

Why wouldn’t Princess B be smart enough to get out of her royal dress?! #CallHerASoreThumb

“They do give credit to people from Brooklyn, right?” Spoken like a true royal. Or at least a Manhattan one. #QueenBsBack

You can run and you can hide but Princess B beware, Gossip Girl has eyes everywhere! #OrDoesShe?

Only Blair would use a tabloid to prove her identity. #PrincessProblems

Dorota to the rescue. #WhatsNew

Looks like Serena’s prince charming is acting as someone else’s #Shady Who else is already over #Dair? S is about to be.

Chuck is beginning to realize it’s over? #NOOOOOOOOOO GG writers need to stop prolonging the inevitable. #FrusturatedFan

Apparently, Lily and Rufus have the #MovesLikeJagger. Too bad they’re not #BringingSexyBack or anything for that matter. #UselessCharacters

If Blair decides to use her birth right of making a choice, a decision of her own, that would mean her family would have to pay dowry to the Grimaldis. Nice touch GG writers. First, Chuck and a hotel. Now either Blair’s hand in marriage for a year or the entire Waldorf business. Apparently Blair is #OneHotCommodity…too bad that’s all she is made out to be. #WomenAreNotProperty

Looks like even Nate Archibald can chill out with a cool beer…or not #TroubleInParadise

Nothing mixes Blue and Bougie like a classic cool beer, right? #WrongAgain For those of you hoping for a Lola lala’s Nate, you’re going to have to wait. #TroubleIntheArch

Dair spotted getting comfy on New York airport benches? #FromNobilitytoNobody

Getting her the help she needs equates locking a girl into tall towers. #DorotaSpeaksTruth At least someone else can sense the lack of agency for women on this show. #GG writers get it together!

 Anyone notice Georgina’s exquisite vocabulary during the episode? Looks like the #GG in her is oozing out… #Cunning or #Counterfeit ?

 Knock, knock. Whose interrupting Dair’s not-so-cute married-couple fight? It’s understood that the two may be more than friends, but their conversations throughout the episode were too forced. #FullHouse has retired people.

“I’m not just anyone. I’m her bestfriend.” *Camera falls out* Oh, how quickly the tables can turn. S behind the destructive device that caused the noble nuptuials to nosedive into the deep end? #The[friend]ShipThatKeepsRocking

Does Lily feel the family connection with dear old Lola. #LooksLikeIt

 Gossip Girl tipped out the Grimaldis? Or shall we say, Georgina. What is her motive? Because if her motive is to ruin Blair’s marriage, it wouldn’t persay, be hurting B. Where’s the #DivineIntervention now?

 Princess or pauper? Blair has a #toughie to make!

Dan wants to be a night in shining armor for just one Upper East Side Queen. Looks like the truth hurts, especially when the look isn’t towards you. #PoorS

 Chuck once again is willing to do anything for his one true love. But Blair thinks they won’t be on an equal playing field if he has to buy her love. Understanding, but would she really rather spend a year with someone who is using her than get help from someone who is willing to do anything for her? B fails to see that love is being selfless, and by allowing Chuck to save her she’s paying him back in a way money never could. #ANNOYING #JUSTSTOP #OVERIT #IWILLMARRYCHUCK

 It’s apparent that Dan cares about Blair more than Louis? But just as friends. #NiceObservationSweetheart #WelcometotheFriendZone

 Does Lola want to be in Nate’s crazy world? Oh wait, she’s already in it. She was born into it. #BougieBaby

 A year of Princess B with Prince Louis? What is this whirlwind wedding turning into? First a swept away miscarriage, and now a forced marriage. I’m not liking the sound of this. #GiveBlairMorePower

 According to #GG, Blair’s lucky her prison is a palace. But innocent loneliness in a palace is worse than guilty living in a prison.

Looks like there’s a faux Gossip Girl taking over Manhattan. Georgina, get off your high horse, we all know you’re not good (or bad) enough to be her. #ImposterOnTheRun

 But most secrets make excellent blackmail material. Looks like Dan is the clueless culprit of the nasty GG post. #WhoDunIt

 Next time on “Crazy, Cupid, Love” Nate throws an infamous party, a Valentine’s Day party for all the cute couples on the show (joke!). Looks like Dan is asked to make his move. The question is whose heart is his arrow piercing? Looks like we have a traditional S vs. B war on the field. Check out exclusive photos from next week’s war on love below, the promo here, and come back next week for the top 5 OMG/UGHs of the episode!

xoxo Sunny

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

The Bachelor (Week 6)

In Week 6 of The Bachelor, the contestants continue to bash Courtney, undoubtedly the villainess of the season. Most girls are more concerned with sending her home without a rose than furthering their relationships with Ben Flajnik, a winemaker from Sonoma. Courtney has adopted the attitude of the front-runner. She believes her relationship with Ben is the strongest, and it very well may be considering her and Ben’s “intimate moment” of skinny-dipping in Puerto Rico last week. Their relationship continues to grow this week as Ben’s group date with the girls turns more into a one-on-one date with Courtney. The two spend the majority of the date, in which the group dresses up with an Embera Tribe, dancing together. This infuriates many of the girls, who, instead of attempting to form their own connections with Ben, criticize Courtney for being “aggressive” and scheme to send her home.

 

Ben also shares a romantic one-on-one date with Kacie B., unquestionably a viewer favorite. Ben takes the 24 year old from Tennessee to their own private island. She is told to bring three things with her on the date. Her choices—a stuffed monkey, a corkscrew, and a bag of candy—reveal her young age and careless attitude. Kacie, who is the first contestant to have a second one-on-one date with Ben, opens up to him about her eating disorder in high school. This brings the two closer together, forming a bond Courtney and the other girls should definitely be concerned about.

 

Lastly, Ben takes Rachel and Blakely on the dreaded two-on-one date. In this situation, “there are two girls and one rose—one stays and one goes.” After receiving the date card, Rachel immediately becomes nervous and dreads the date while Blakely is overly confident and excited about it. Maybe that is her downfall. Blakely, although opening up to Ben in a way she claims she never has before, is tragically sent home.

 

Week 6 wraps up with the dramatic exit of Casey B., who admits to being in love with her ex boyfriend from home after questioned by Chris Harrison, and the dismissal of Jamie in the rose ceremony. As always, week 6 is a very eventful episode—perhaps “the most dramatic in Bachelor history.”

 

-Katie O’Brien

Style by the City: Buenos Aires, Valentine’s Edition

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Still have no idea what to wear? Look to one of the most romantic cities on earth for inspiration. No, not Paris. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Date Outfit: El Rosedal

Evening Out: Puente de La Mujer

Dress, Shoes, Jacket, Photo Credit

No hot date this Valentine’s Day? You can still look hot out on the town with your girls. Buenos Aires has the perfect landmark for you to base this weekend’s outfit on – Puente de La Mujer, or the Woman’s Bridge. The bridge is said to depict a couple doing the tango, perhaps the world’s sexiest dance, so slip into your LRD: Little Red Dress. A silver blazer keeps you warm and adds the metallic feel of the Puente. The white mast of the bridge is said to be the man, so try a pair of white heels with a masculine touch; we chose spikes. Now get ready to dance the night away, Buenos Aires-style.

Internship Outfit: El Ateneo

Blouse, Blazer, Belt, Pants, Flats, Bag, Earrings, Photo Credit

El Ateneo used to be a theater, but was then converted into a bookstore. The style lesson you should take from this? Don’t be afraid to do the unexpected, like wearing festive clothes to the office on Valentine’s Day. We gave a romantic white blouse a work-appropriate silhouette with a structured red blazer and a skinny belt cinched around the west. Black pants and black flats provide a neutral base, while the satchel is muted yet in tune with the Ateneo’s color scheme. And don’t forget the books! We love the adorable earrings of a classy lady reading.

What are you wearing for Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments!

Sasha Graffagna is a NYU junior studying Journalism and Comparative Literature. She is currently on exchange at La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Follow her on Polyvore at sasha74.

Fashion world prepares for biggest week in NYC

Twice a year, the biggest fashion gurus travel to New York City to celebrate one of the largest and elaborate events in the industry; Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  This year fashion week will be held at the Lincoln Center from Feb 9 to 16.

Formally known as New York Fashion Week designers, celebrities, and the fashion press travel from all over the world to preview upcoming collections. During this week long series of runway shows, over 70 designers will showcase their work for the upcoming fall 2012 season. The preliminary lineup includes many of the usual designers such as BCBG, Max Azria, Tadaski Shoji, Carlos Miele, and Michael Kors as well as some new additions including Whitney Eve and Chadwick Bell.  To view the complete list of designers and show times visit the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week schedule.

 

 

 For all those fashionistas who would love to experience fashion week but can’t make it to the Big Apple, Fashion Week has teamed up with Maybelline and YouTube for a “Live from the Runway” channel! It’s an all access pass to the show from the comfort of your living room. Choose which designer shows you want to watch and RSVP on Merceds-Benz Fashion Week facebook page. Make sure you add it to your calendar and don’t forget to tune in.  What shows will you be watching?!?

 

 

 

 

 

Minyvonne Burke is a fashion and lifestyle writer for College Lifestyles ™. She graduated from Point Park University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Hofstra University. She loves online shopping, cute bags and NYC.

Score Your Own Touchdown This Superbowl…With Style

Every girl has the dream at least once in her life to date the super-cute football player (if you were in high school or a fan of the NFL). With Superbowl around the corner, I found stylish outfits for you to look like the ultimate fan and feel unstoppable enough to score a touchdown yourself!

We all know this game will end one of two ways, the Giants will win, or the Patriots will win, but as far as style goes I’ll call it a tiebreaker. Both outfits are equally cute and sporty, so just sit back, grab some snacks, and get ready to cheer!

The first look I created was for the New York Giants. I was inspired for this by the classic, football-loving fashionista who loves to be comfortable and cozy when watching a game. I love 80’s style and was instantly inspired when I found this Giants off-the-shoulder burnout sweatshirt. Junkfood Clothing makes the stylish vintage sweatshirt (famous for the “Little Miss…” shirts) and it sells on Amazon for $39.00. Pair with a burnt orange tank from generalpants.com to complete the look.  The steal of the outfit is the ‘I’m a great catch’ underwear from Victoria’s Secret for $3.99! It is a cute touch showing spirit from head-to-toe. I am also I huge fan of ripped jeans; it goes along the relaxed look. My favorite brand has to be Joe’s Jeans. The denim is super-soft; it’s almost like wearing your favorite sweats. I purchased mine from Sack’s Fifth Avenue for just under $100. Lastly, what outfit would be complete without accessories? I found these adorable slippers with the NY Giants logo and colors for $30 from nflshop.com.  The baseball hat, $22 from Amazon, adds a flare to the outfit. Last but not least the tote! Wouldn’t you be the coolest girl at the Superbowl party carrying all the snacks and goodies for on Sunday? You can purchase the bag for $25 from the nflshop.com.

Now to be 100% fair, there is another team fighting for the title, the New England Patriots! My favorite football item of all time would be the sequin football shirt. I personally own a Pittsburgh Steelers sequin shirt, and you can purchase it for any team from Victoria’s secret for about $50. Match it with a white long sleeve thermal, I found this one for $14, and this puffed Patriots’ vest both from Victoria’s Secret. One of my favorite trends this year is the trend of colored denim, particularly red. Show off you’re Patriots’ spirit with red jeans like these J Brand ones I found for $69 from barneys.com! To finish off the look, how perfect are these New Balance shoes in the New England’s navy and scarlet red? Go ahead and tell your friends the “N” stands for New England!

I can assure you whatever look you decide to sport, you won’t be disappointed, and who knows, you might score the football cutie you always wanted. That’s a touchdown if you ask me!

Alex Lomicka is a freshman at Kent State University. She loves fashion and football. She has and always will be a Pittsburgh Steelers girl, but this  Superbowl she will be cheering for the NY Giants.This is her first semester interning for College Lifestyles TM!

HOW TO: Host a Super Bowl Party

Are you ready for some football?  Whether you’re watching this year’s Super Bowl because you love football or you love staring at Tom Brady, a good party requires three things: food, drinks and friends.

If you’re anything like me, everything is last minute. With only one day until the Superbowl, this guide will prepare anyone like myself looking to celebrate this Sunday. From what to wear to what to serve, I’ve prepared a step-by-step guide to throwing your college friends a last minute Super Bowl party.

 

Football fashion:

Keep it casual and comfy. No one needs to look fabulous while screaming at a TV and hanging out in your living room. Thanks to Polyvore, here are two classy outfit ideas for game day:

Team theme:

If  you plan to decorate for your party, keep to the theme of the two teams playing. This year the  match-up is between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Since their colors are similar (this should be fun while watching) decorating is easy. Anything red, white or blue will suffice and satisfy all fans at your gathering. Who knew Fourth of July decorations would come in handy five months early?

Finger food:

Don’t get caught whipping up something in the kitchen and miss out on what could be another scandalous half-time show. Small finger foods are perfect for an evening of football. Start out with a  homemade hummus dip served with crackers or pita chips. More filling meals are double cheese chili  or these simple sliders. Football jersey cut out cookies  are a trademark at my family Superbowl parties. They’re easy to do and go with the football theme.

Themed spirits:

Although standard beer may be the trademark drink for the Super Bowl, other options include The Big Blue in honor of the Giants or Patriots Punch for New England fans. Be sure to also have a selection of drinks for those under 21.

When it comes time for kick-off, be sure to provide plenty of places to sit for your guests. This is the one day where being in the way of the TV is highly unacceptable. Choosing to set up a couple TVs may also be a key play at your party.

The Super Bowl only happens one day a year. With that said- kick back, relax and enjoy the game.

 

Jessica Fecteau is a  senior fashion, etiquette and apartment/dorm life writer and is a sophomore at Central Michigan University. Jessica loves fashion magazines, listening to indie/folk music and traveling to big cities.

4 Different and Delicious Ways to Use Oatmeal

College Lifestyles really, really, really loves oatmeal– but sometimes oatmeal can be a little bland. Sure, it is inexpensive, easy to make, and healthy (full of fiber and whole grains) but its plain flavor can grow old fast. Traditionally, it is eaten topped with berries, bananas, or brown sugar, but there are even more ways to use standard rolled oats. Savory Oats Source Liv(e) Love Laugh Sounds a little scary, right? Just think of oats like you would another grain! They don’t need to be reserved just for a bowl with brown sugar in the morning. Cook oats in water, milk or broth and add in any combination of cheese, vegetables, spices, and protein (meat, beans, tofu). CL recommends Liv(e) Love Laugh’s recipe. Transition oatmeal from your traditional breakfast food to meals after 11 AM. Smoothies and Shakes Source My Body Zone Soak a half-cup of raw oats in milk overnight and add into your favorite smoothie. A combination of Greek yogurt, fruit, ice, oats and your choice of liquid create a satisfying meal. Muesli Mix Want to feel like you are eating breakfast in Europe? Forget tiny cups of coffee and pastries; try this delicious staple! Muesli is simply a combination of raw oats, nuts, and dried fruit, typically mixed with yogurt or milk. You can purchase muesli in most supermarkets or easily make your own. Mixing the muesli with yogurt the night before and letting it sit overnight will create a smooth, chewy consistency and a perfect breakfast to grab on your way out the door. Oat Flour Source Happy Herbivore Oat flour is a gluten free option adding a rich, nutty flavor to baked goods. You can make your own by placing  raw oats into a food processor or purchase a bag right next to your traditional wheat flour. It may take a little trial and error to achieve baking success, since it acts slightly different than white flour. Check out Happy Herbivore for successful recipes!                                             Claire Brooks-Schulke is a Health & Sorority Writer for College Lifestyles. She ate a bowl of oatmeal while writing this as inspiration and loves making muffins with oat flour.

Cute Items Under $20 To Brighten Up A Winter Day

The Christmas lights have been taken down. The New Year has been here for a month already, and soon, the Valentine’s Day decorations will disappear from stores. We are coming upon that dreaded time in every college student’s life – when we are sick of winter, but spring remains far away. Still, while the skies may be gray, your mood doesn’t have to be. Brighten up your day with these cute, cheap items under $20.

1) Bright nail polish. Nail polish is a great way to pick up your mood, since it’s cheap, lasts forever, and is available at any drugstore. Think outside the box – try a bright yellow or a metallic polish. Or combine them both with Tangerine Glitz from Pop Beauty, $10 on their website and at drugstores.

2) Cute socks. You may be wearing the same boots in the snow everday, but you can still have some fun underneath. We’re great fans of Sock It To Me, a small business that sells creative socks. Try their Ninja knee socks, $9 on their website.

3) Wild underwear. Even if nobody sees your underwear, knowing you look super-hot underneath your outfit will keep you feeling sexy and confident all day. Try this leopard-print bra from Forever 21, $7.80.

4) Dramatic makeup. Dramatic makeup at a party is expected, but in class, it’s refreshing. Keep the look classy and not tacky by only playing up one feature and doing your makeup in the right lighting. Try red lipstick or a swipe of electric blue eyeliner.

5) Anything from Fred Flare. I discovered Fred Flare when I was 14, and have been drooling ever since. The online store sells clothes, accessories, and apartment decor that is adorable AND useful. Even if you don’t buy anything, just browsing through all the cuteness is sure to lift your mood. We’re big fans of this iPod Hoodie, on sale for just $4.99.

Have you bought anything lately to escape the winter blues? Let us know in the comments!

Sasha Graffagna is a NYU junior studying Journalism and Comparative Literature. Currently, she is an exchange student at La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can read about her experience at http://thegoddesscomplex.wordpress.com/

3 Things You Should Quit (And Start) Doing This Year!

One full month of 2012 has come and gone. Now that you’re well adjusted to the change of the year (it’s not so “new” anymore!), it’s time you let go of those habits that are holding you back and pick up some new, positive ones! Think you’re up for this CL challenge? Let’s find out!

3 Things To Quit

1. Comparing — Comparing yourself to others breeds jealousy, and jealousy is one unattractive trait! Learning to love yourself could be as simple as smiling to yourself everyday in the mirror, appreciating your curves, your “four-eyes,” or your frizzy hair, or it could turn into a journey that takes a little more soul-searching to fulfill. Either way, wishing you had what the girl sitting next to you has is a waste of your valuable time. Sending positive words instead of ones of envy will help you feel better about yourself, so tell her how stylish her outfit is and take with you inspiration for you own wardrobe.

2. Nail Biting — Nail biting is a nervous habit that millions of people have, making it even more difficult to break–you’ll probably walk by at least one nail-biter a day. Some women find it helpful to get their nails done which in turn makes them resist ruining their stylish manicure by biting at it.

3. Excessive Cursing – It’s natural to belt out a profane word or two when you’re upset, but cursing excessively may give off a less personable impression of you. Here at College Lifestyles, we live by a standard of staying classy, so refrain from muttering (or screaming) those four letter words that only offer temporary satisfaction. When you feel ready to curse, remind yourself to hold back. After a while, your brain will get the hang of it.

  3 Things To Try

1. Moving On – If you find yourself making unnecessary assumptions about people and situations, it’s the leftover anger, hatred, or mistrust from past grievances that’s getting in the way. Once you start trusting that negativity tests your mental and even physical strength, you’ll realize how tough of a woman you are. If you need help healing old wounds, seek a therapist or a trusted friend or family member to begin the coping process.

2. Read A Book Every Month — This year, tons of people have started challenging themselves with once-a-day tasks (blogging every day, eating a fruit a day). Reading one book is an accomplishment in itself so set your standards high and strive for finishing one book for every month, even if it’s a short book. To make this easier, you may want to stick to an area that excites you: history, women’s rights, love stories, or book series such as Gossip Girls or Stieg Larsson novels, for example.

3. Complimenting Yourself — CL wants you to be as confident as can be! The more you tell yourself that your “flaws” are in fact attributes, the more you’ll begin to believe in it. What you feed the mind, whether that be good or bad thoughts, manifests itself until you agree. So rather than hating your freckles, start telling yourself how much they compliment your skin and eyes and soon you’ll start to love what you’d grown to despise! 

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

 

CL Presents: Biggest Loser Week 5 Recap

Biggest Loser has proved to be full of drama.  Adrian and Daphne (the old aqua team) have made it onto the ranch and the Red Team isn’t adjusting well to Adrian being there.  He set a tone appearing on the ranch  saying he works out 14 hours a day implying that the Red Team wasn’t working hard enough.  The argument turned into a he-said-she-said and tension was building between team members.  Dolvett stepped in to try and settle the arguments but as the episode continued the team was still failing to mesh.

The challenge once again proved to be exciting.  Running in the sand is not as easy as the contestants expected.  Catching medicine balls in a net seems to be difficult, especially when there being bounced off a trampoline and over a wall.  The Black Team takes an early lead but quickly loses concentration.  As the Black Team is struggling the Red Team takes advantage and wins the challenge.  The Red Team wins the chance to pick one player from each team whose weight will not count at the weigh-in.

The black team is having problems of their own.  Chris is trying to prove to her team that she does want to be at the ranch after last week’s second guessing.  She is trying to get to know Chism and and Jeremy but they feel Chris is only doing this so she doesn’t get voted off the ranch.  Chris knows she is in jeopardy and has to be the biggest loser this week to claim immunity.

Both trainers, Bob and Dolvett have decided to use the treadmills at the last chance workout.  Dolvett gets frustrated with his team and pushes them to the max as Adrian back talks him the entire time.  On the other hand, Bob’s players never turn their treadmills on and are forced to get the tracks moving without pushing start.

The Red Team loses the weigh-in and is sent to the elimination room.  With 5 votes Nancy is sent home.  The team reminds her that she is an inspiration and truly will be missed.  Unfortunately it can’t be left at that.  Adrian speaks up saying by voting her off the ranch shows the contestants are just playing “the game.”  The team gets frustrated and tells Adrian to listen and not talk for the second time this week.  Adrian is also being accused of playing the game but insists he isn’t even sure what the game is yet.

Stephanie Coppola is an intern at College Lifestyles ™.  She is a graduate student at Quinnipiac University studying Interactive Communications.  Tune in next week for another recap of Biggest Loser!

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