April 2021 Teen Brown Sugar Box Magazine

APRIL 2021

P retty

L itty Vibes P L AY L I S

T

LIT UP edition

GLOW GIRLS ONLY

How To Make Sure That Your Squad Stays Positive and Lit

5 REASONS

Why We Can’t Get Enough of Amanda Gorman BRIGHTEN YOUR WORLD

With

Positivity

LIT UP Y

ou were born a star. How will you use your influence? Will you speak up for others? Boldly speak out against injustices? Make your presence unforgettable. Be the center of attention for all the right reasons. The It’s Lit edition is all about radiating positive energy. Light up every room you enter this month! There is only one you and that is your power. Boldly express your truest self. We’ve packaged up items that positively reflect you and stories to inspire.

You’ve got purpose! Be unapologetic about your place in this world.

“Dream Girls” 5 pc. Earring Set Glamorize then accessorize! A girl can never have too many earrings. Shine a little brighter with the Dream Girl 5 pc. earring set. You’ll receive a gold or silver set with a pair of studs for each day of the week: butterflies, bumble bees, stars, crowns, and queen!

“Self-Portrait Mode” Tote Bag When that light hits just right, you gotta snap a selfie! Here’s a cute tote bag to go with every pose. Fill it up with your everyday essentials then take it along on your next adventure.

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You Glow Girl, “Periodt” Crop Top Tee And don’t let anyone tell you anything differently. Be cute in this easy to wear crop top tee. Throw it on with your favorite jeans or biker shorts. Made with 100% cotton.

Let Me Hear a Rhyme Book Once you get started, you won’t be able to put this book down. Let Me Hear a Rhyme is a hip hop inspired YA novel written by Tiffany D. Jackson. This captivating story follows three friends in Brooklyn determined to turn their murdered friend into a legendary rap artist by getting his music into the right hands.

“It’s Lit” Book Light Love late-night reading? Light it up! The It’s Lit book light is a handy companion when you need just enough light to study or cozy up to your favorite book. Comes with a white USB cable for convenient charging.

“Issa Vibe” 50 pc. Sticker Set This artsy sticker set is the perfect animated Black girl aesthetic. 50 times the vibes!

Decorate your water bottle, your laptop, and school supplies.

Share them with you girls!

“Cultured & Cute” Disposable Face Masks (Pack of 10; 3 designs) You can never have too many face masks.

These days, they’re a girl’s best friend and you might as well look cute while you stay healthy. We chose these patterns with you in mind. You’ll get all three designs: Fly Girls, Culture Queens, and Bold & Chic.

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BRIGHTEN YOUR WORLD

With Positivity

by Saeeda Ruffin

L

onger days, warmer weather, and flowers all over the place... Spring has definitely sprung and we are here for it! There is a freshness that comes with a new season that just makes life feel more exciting and full of positive possibilities. Can you feel that vibe in that air? Well, it’s out there and waiting for you.

All of that being said, it’s definitely the perfect season for building yourself up and bringing a bit more sunshine into your life. You are a bundle of awesomeness and black girl magic, and you have so much to offer. Do you ever ask yourself what you can do to keep your self-confidence and happiness on point? Sis, it’s easier than you think, and we have some strategies to get you started on a path to an even more promising outlook for your life.

Here are 4 ideas for ways that you can brighten your world with positivity:

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FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE So, there are places that people like to go that give them gobs and gobs of joy when they are there. It can be any place that makes you feel super content and chill. If you don’t know where that is, look for it! It could be a favorite restaurant, the gym, or even a nook in your home. All that matters is that it’s a spot that helps you to focus on your own happiness. Once you find it, savor every moment that you are there. Everyone needs a happy place! That inner happiness will come through big time, and affect everything and everybody around you.

ADD COLOR AND TEXTURE TO YOUR WARDROBE There is a belief that if you look good, you will feel good. That is also one way that you can maintain a positive attitude, by looking the part!

Your whole world and outlook can change depending on how you feel about the way that you look. You could achieve a smile-worthy day simply by wearing something that is different or interesting. The Izzy and Liv tie-dye shirt in your Brown Sugar Box would be a perfect addition, and could be a key piece in creating an energized ‘fit.

DO GOOD One thing that makes the entire world seem more livable is when people do good things for others. Whether you decide to serve others through volunteer work or even if you just decide to help someone in your own family, the heartwarming satisfaction that you get from that will make your life feel amazing.

When we show love, we feel love.

Those positive thoughts and vibes are infectious, and can really create a greater sense of purpose in people. So, just do it and enjoy feeling absolutely phenomenal!

POUR POSITIVITY INTO YOU Whatever you put into your mind is what will start to come out of you. Commit to pouring positivity into yourself by reading books and watching things that give you a feeling of hope, happiness, and purpose. Repeating daily affirmations, sayings that you tell yourself about what makes you great and how you can have a fantastic and lit life, could really have a strong impact on your life. You have a light in you already. Try these strategies to make it shine even brighter, and fill your world with sweet feelings and tons of positivity.

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Glow Girls ONLY HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SQUAD STAYS POSITIVE AND LIT

By Saeeda Ruffin

N

ot sure if you realize it yet, but you have tons and tons of potential inside of you.

You have the potential to be a positive contributor and leader within your school and community. You have the potential to be a strong support for your family. You have the potential to be an absolutely fabulous teenager with the power to make this world a much better place for everybody to chill. Yup, you have all of that inside of you.

With all of that great stuff being said about you, what are you doing to make sure that nobody hinders you from turning all of that potential into the best life ever? Who do you hang with and how do they make you feel? These are super important questions as you grow.

Remember, you are doing the things to become the grown woman that you want to be right now...be they good habits and behaviors, or not-so-great pitfalls to your personal success.

You are a young queen, and you have your whole future ahead of you. But, not only should you be really positive about all of the amazing things that your future will hold, your friends should be, too! Your squad can do more than grow up together. You can GLOW UP together also, and here’s how:

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Make Positivity Your Squad Language.

Complimenting each other should be the norm with you and your girls. Whether it’s telling them how tight their fit is or even gushing over great they did something, your crew should always be able to find the good in each other. That’s extremely important.

Banish Negative Vibes.

All of you will have some obstacles or struggles that you go through. You will need each other for support.

You should be able to lean on each other without somebody putting a bunch of bad vibes in the mix. If you ever start to feel like a friend is bringing way too many negative vibes, address them and get it straight. You don’t want their negativity to bring you all down.

Find Happiness. Be Happy.

It feels amazing to be happy. There is something magical about being able to face this crazy, mixed up world with a smile. When you are happy, your inner light shines through and others can see it in you. Even if you have on one of those cute Izzy and Liv masks, your eyes will give your happy mood away! That’s the same kind of energy you want from your squad. So, do things together that gives all of you a sense of joy. Do that and you are sure to have the most lit times together!

Dress To Impress...YOURSELVES. They say that clothes make the person. Well, clothes may not “make” you, but they can make you feel terrific. A fun way to show the world that you are the best of friends and still look really cute is to dress alike. It doesn’t matter if there are two in your squad or 20! Go for it! You can keep the squad look as simple as everybody wearing a funky tee like the Tie-Dye Izzy and Liv t-shirt, or go all out with a full set of gear that makes all of you look fabulous!

Whatever you decide, just do it together. Everybody knows that you all will look good, for real. Glow girls will always come through!

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Reasons Why We Can’t Get Enough of Amanda Gorman

By Girl Tyler

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A

manda Gorman captivated millions of hearts around the globe during her history-making moment at the 2021 Presidential inauguration. President Joe Biden hand-picked Amanda to read her original poem, “The Hill We Climb.” Amanda became the youngest inaugural poet to receive this honor. Wearing a bright yellow coat crowned with a classic braided updo, Amanda bridged the gap as the nation transitioned into a sense of ease. Her elegance, poise, and way with words are breathtaking. Amanda is a role model for children and teens all around the world. Here are five more reasons why we are team Amanda!

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Amanda is a humanitarian at her core The 23-year-old from Los Angeles is a Harvard grad with a heart for people. Amanda made her mark as the first poet commissioned to write a poem for the 2021 Super Bowl.

Her poem, “Chorus of the Captains” honored the lives of three frontline essential workers.

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Amanda demonstrates perseverance Amanda and her twin sister were born prematurely and she later developed a speech impediment. She turned this into a method of empowerment. In interviews, Amanda has noted that she worked to improve her speech articulation by writing and reciting her original poetry.

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She has new material on the way Amanda’s debut poetry collection, also titled “The Hill We Climb,” will include her poem from the inauguration and is set for a September release. Her debut picture book, “Change Sings,” will be released on the same day.

4

Amanda is in the business of supporting the next generation Amanda formerly served as a United Nations Youth Delegate at age 16 and has appeared on countless network broadcasts. Amanda is the youngest board member of 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the United States.

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She’s history in the making Amanda was named as the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States in 2017 and we have a feeling that she is just getting started.

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By Girl Tyler

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PL AY LI S T

ou’re almost at the home stretch. Summer vacation is right around the corner! You know the vibes. Stay up a little later and sleep in a lot longer. More free time to hang out with all your faves while dreaming up future plans. Ah, rest and relaxation. Stay focused though, there are still a few more weeks left. The Pretty Litty Vibes Playlist will help you power through the final days of another dynamic school year. Turn it up in the morning while you get dressed or pop in your earbuds and enjoy these songs during lunchtime. When you need a quick pick-me-up, you can catch these vibes from today’s all-star hitmakers.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Back to the Streets by Saweetie ft. Jhené Aiko Fashion by Pop Smoke ft. Polo G What’s Next by Drake May I by Flo Milli Time Today by Moneybagg Yo Mean by $NOT ft. Flo Milli Beat Box by SpotemGotten No Lames by Kash Doll ft. Summer Walker Tic Tac by Future x Lil Uzi Vert Streets by Doja Cat Tyler Herro by Jack Harlow ILOVEUIHATEU by Playboi Carti Ric Flair Drip by Offset & Metro Boomin Masterpiece by DaBaby Wolves by Big Sean ft. Post Malone May I by Flo Milli Roll Some Mo by Lucky Daye Pick Up Your Feelings by Jazmine Sullivan

This is where Izzy & Liv teens deserve all the shine!

We absolutely adore seeing you beautiful, brilliant Queens showing off your new boxes.

Here are a few snapshots from February 2021:

Our Brown Sugar Teens are THE BEST! We LOVE all the pictures you shared of them and their boxes! Congratulations to last box’s WINNER! Kendall was randomly selected from everyone who shared their last box on social media to WIN her next box FREE. Thank you to everyone who shared! We appreciate you! Don’t forget to share this box using the hashtags #IzzyandLiv #BrownSugarBoxTeens and tag @izzyandliv for your chance to win next month’s giveaway.

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You could be a star in our next Brown Sugar Box Teens magazine!

Share your pictures and videos on social media with the hashtag #IzzyandLiv #BrownSugarBoxTeens and tag us @IzzyandLiv