AUGUST 2019 $105 RETAIL VALUE
5 Fun & Fresh Outfits
Perfect for the Workplace
Dear Black Women,
It’s Okay to Take a Break
Why We Support the Naturalistas in the Workplace
4 Podcasts
Every Black Professional Needs in Her Life
Boss Women THE
EDITION
Inside the
Boss Women Edition hout out to all of our boss women! Something about the month of August has us ready to get back on our grind! Whether you’re pursuing your education and getting ready to go back to school or just buckling down on work and your goals, a little motivation never hurt! Inside the Boss Women Edition, we’re giving you all the items you need to get work done! To take over the world, all you need is a good t-shirt. The Build My Empire T-Shirt is perfect for casual Fridays or any day. Pair it with a chic blazer, your favorite jeans, and you’ve got the uniform for handling your business. One of the most important parts of handling your business is staying organized. The Like a Boss File Folders are a cute addition to any desk whether it’s for your workplace or home office. While you’re finding the perfect place for your file folders, add some life to your space with our Say It Loud Letter Board. Whether you’re putting up weekly reminders or inspirational quotes
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from your favorite women, it’s a great way to put your personality on display. One more thing to display is your new Minding My Business Desk Plaque. Everyone else might be into other people’s business, but this is a reminder to anyone who’s curious that the only business you’re minding is your own. And while you’re busy minding your business, boss women sometimes forget to take care of themselves. Before you skip lunch, make sure you’re getting your life right with our Brown Sugar Lunch Totes and Izzy & Liv Vibranium Thermos. With strong depictions of black women on the lunch tote, you’ll be eating in style. After all the love of the original vibranium thermos in the June 2018 Brown Sugar Box, we’re bringing it back! With daily affirmations and cute phrases, your drink will stay warm or cold no matter what. Today is just a continuation of the moves you’ve been making. Go ‘head, girl! Keep building that empire!
AUGUST 2019 We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value
BUILD MY EMPIRE T-SHIRT (Retail Value $28)
This month’s value: $105.00
Are you ready to take over the world? While you handle your business, you need the right outfit to do it. Your August tee has the only thing that needs to be on your agenda whether it’s Monday or Friday – build your empire. Material: 100% ringspun cotton; Care Instruction: Machine wash cold inside out.
IZZY & LIV “VIBRANIUM” VIBRANIUM” THERMOS [One of Five Designs] (Retail Value $15) The thirst is real! Whether you’re sipping tea, water, or coffee, our latest Izzy & Liv Vibranium Thermos is going to keep your drink perfectly hot or cold. You might be unbothered or need a reminder to build your empire, and this bottle is the final piece to your boss woman persona. For hot and cold beverages. Care Instructions: Hand wash.
LIKE A BOSS FILE FOLDER SET [One of Three Sets] (Retail Value $10) Life isn’t going to wait for you to get organized, so we’re keeping you ahead of the game. With cute designs to hold all your documents and notes, getting your life together just got easier. This set comes with four folders to help you act like a boss.
SAY IT LOUD LETTER BOARD [One of Four Colors] (Retail Value $18) Say what you want to say! This letterboard fits perfectly into any place in your life whether it’s the office or your home. Coming with pre-cut letters, numbers, and symbols, you can express yourself anyway you want.
MINDING MY BUSINESS DESK PLAQUE (Retail Value $12) When you’re a boss woman, people probably know your name, but they should also know what you’re about. Who has time to worry about what other people are doing? This desk plaque is a quick reminder to yourself and anyone who’s curious that the only business you’re minding is your own.
BROWN SUGAR LUNCH TOTES [One of Four Designs] (Retail Value $22) Building your empire can be a lot of work, but even boss women need to eat! Pack your lunch in one of these cute Brown Sugar Lunch Totes. With beautiful and strong black women adorning the sides, these lunch totes are necessary for you to dine in style. Material: 100% Neoprene; Care Instructions: Spot Clean. Machine Wash Cold, Delicate cycle. Drip Dry.
5 Fun and Fresh Outfits
Perfect for the Workplace by Alexandria Daniels
When it comes to office spaces, the words “mundane” and “boring” come to mind. Even if you don’t wear a uniform, there’s this notion that everyone should still look the same. Well, there are ways to break up that habitual pattern of sticking with the traditional clothes for the office. You can still “wow” your higher ups and coworkers by switching up your normal clothes for something more fashionable and more you! Keep reading to see five fun and fresh outfits that are perfect for the workplace.
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Denim Dress
Nothing says fresh and fun more than a cute denim dress. It’s perfect for the summer months. It’s super casual and appropriate enough to wear during meetings, especially if your work deals with the public like PR or entertainment. Wearing a denim dress gives you an approachable look for co-workers and your higherups while still looking fly. Pair the dress with a small heeled
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Animal Print Midi Skirt
Toss out the boring pencil skirt for something that’s more high fashion caliber. Slip into an animal print midi skirt instead. They are fitted like a pencil skirt but have some flair to make the overall look appear more free-spirited and feminine. Pair this with a tight fitted crop top or tank top and some flats. It’s a gorgeous and professional outfit for any workplace.
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Poplin Blouses
Wearing poplin blouses are a great alternative to the traditional white, buttoned down shirt. To spice things up a bit, these blouses have more flair with their large sleeves and polished look. No need to worry about ironing them either as they usually are ready to wear. Pair a white poplin blouse with some jeans and you got a cute and casual style fit for
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Asymmetrical Tops
Some may believe the bare one shoulder look is very 90s. They may be right but the asymmetrical looks are in. They are a mix of class and modern art, depending on the design. These tops make
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Striped Wrap Dress
Depending on where you work, some offices don’t want you to look like you came out of Fashion Week. So, if you are looking for an outfit that is somewhat traditional but can still make you stand out, go for a striped wrap dress. The unique wrap look adds some edge while the stripes help
Working in a cubicle doesn’t have to be so bad if you can experiment with your fashion style as go after your career goals. You may not need to throw away those plain blouses but you can surely make room for some brand new clothes for the office. These five outfits will certainly make you standout and look confident as you slay at work.
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4 Podcasts
Every Black Professional Needs In Her Life
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by Saeeda Ruffin
hat have you been listening to lately? You may have to think about this one for a minute. We know that you hit up your favorite jams whenever you can. But, what are you listening to for your own professional growth and grown lady needs? It may be time for you to add more to your daily listening pleasures besides the blah, blah, blahs of meetings, the neverending needs of your family, and the noise of the world. Thankfully, many professional women have learned this, along with strategies for personal success, prioritizing YOURSELF in your life, and the importance of building each other up out here in this crazy world. These sisters are willing to share their knowledge and experience with the rest of us, straight up and unfi ltered, and they are doing this through their podcasts. YESSS! We gon’ listen and learn today. We wanted to share a few of our favorite podcasts with you. These podcasts were selected because they feature real black women that are dropping knowledge about real life stuff. Don’t expect “fluff ” from these ladies. As professional black women they understand that your time is
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valuable and precious. So, they give their audience many “pearls” and tools, and keep things 100...period. Check out these 4 podcasts that every black professional needs in her life: When people hear the name Tanya Acker, they may automatically think of the judge on the CBS show “Hot Bench.” Well, ladies, there’s more to Tanya than just that show. She has her own podcast, The Tanya Acker Show through which she gives us tons of insight into the public and private business sectors. Yes, she had a very successful career before her CBS gig. Tanya’s podcast is more about providing solutions to the issues that we face as black people, than simply fussing about them. She, along with her guests, address the toughest issues with professionalism, honesty, and relatability. They get beyond the basics and delve into topics that affect us politically, professionally, and globally. She helps us to think bigger and work to live up to it! The “We Know How To Do This” Podcast features three phenomenal women from Philly: Johanna Daye, Juanita Jenkins, and Karima Bouchenafa. This podcast
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was created with the purpose of to bring it! The guests, the hosts, the addressing the different facets of topics...we just LOVE them and we life that professional black women are here for all of it. Hosted by Cori have to deal with. So, the material Murray and Yolanda Sangweni, the is always fresh and edifying. What “Yes, Girl” podcasts take its listeners we liked most about this podcast is through some self-exploration and how they skillfully mix professional educational pieces that feature some advice, faith experiences, and the of our favorite celebrities delving importance of embracing your into topics that most won’t expect to WHOLE SELF, all while letting their hear from them. They can get deep real-life friendship come through. with things. Their goal with this With a little encouragement and podcast is “to uplift everybody who’s perspective, we all can know how to taking black culture a little higher.” do this life thing to the fullest. That should be the mission of all Kimberly Sumpter is the host of professional black women. the Sistahs Connect podcast. This is one of the realest, most inspiring bi-weekly interview-based podcasts out there. Kimberly brings women to the mic who have been personally instrumental in her life journey. The the Box Inside topics range from balancing a career while caring for an ailing parent to entrepreneurship and purpose. While her walk may be unique, the life lessons that she learned from these amazing women that she features have universal value. That’s why we all need to listen in and grab onto that knowledge. We would be remiss if we didn’t include the Essence “Yes, Girl” Podcast. Y’all know Essence is going
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Why We Support the Naturalistas in the Workplace by Saeeda Ruffin
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he debate around natural hair has come to a boil in the United States.
Black people have been forced to deal with insult after insult over our hair. We have had our beautiful brown children ostracized and even dismissed from schools because of their hair. Even more ridiculous is the assault on black men and women in the workplace who choose to wear their hair the way that it naturally grows out of their heads. They have been treated as if they are wrong for embracing their physical reality and their culture. Well, we will never accept that for ourselves or our children. We ain’t gotta take that from society. Our black is and will always be BEAUTIFUL. That being said, we will always support the naturalistas in the workplace. There is nothing that we believe in more than every black woman owning her life and being her genuine, authentic self. But beyond
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that basic belief, we have some other reasons why we support the naturalistas. Here are a few of our main reasons: Women who decide to wear their hair in its natural state are exhibiting their personal commitment to themselves. We are all for being who you are. They are saying that they believe that they are gorgeous regardless of what others may feel. Whether they are wearing their hair in twists or a twist out, dreads, or in an afro, they know that they look good. So, if someone can’t see the beauty in that...Oh, well. Ain’t nobody got time for unbelievers! When naturalists take the personal stand to be unapologetically themselves in the workplace, they do so knowing that there may be a risk involved. The also know that their professional image and credibility are being put on the line. But, they do it
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anyway! Of course, we support that resolve and resilience. Naturalistas are subject to tons of questions in the workplace. They have to be confident and self-assured or else their self-esteem could be totally obliterated. People will question everything from how you style your natural hair to how you care for it (yes, there can be “dirty” implications that come with those questions) to why you wear it like that. None of those questions are anybody’s business, and naturalistas have every right not to answer them. But, what those questions really mean is that many people are “uncomfortable” with naturalistas expressing who they are. Truth be told, their “lack of comfort” will never be YOUR problem. That’s what
they have to deal with and process. Naturalistas are just living their best lives and their confidence to do so is awesome! We want our young black girls to know that they don’t have to change how they look to be successful or blend into the workplace. Naturalistas in the workplace are walking the walk and talking the talk everyday. They are positive examples before the next generation of young women of color. The older generations may not have had those types of self-affirming images and people in their workplace, but these young girls certainly will. We will ALWAYS support that!
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Dear Black Women,
It’s Okay To Take A Break
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by Alexandria Daniels
lack women can carry many burdens. On one
hand, these manifest on a mundane level. Many of you are married with kids. You may feel as if you have to be the perfect wife and mother. Others of you may be single, dealing with the pressure of finding a mate while also creating a stable life for yourself. Some of you may be taking care of an ailing parent. Maybe you are trying to balance a full-time job and getting an education. You could be frustrated with your current job, wondering if you are ever going to climb up the corporate ladder. On the other hand, maybe you’re trying to start a new business, with or without a degree. Despite the day to day concerns, black women also carry the burden that’s cast down to us due to privilege, racial discrimination and oppression. These matters are political and socio-economical that affect black women all around the world but especially in the United States. People like to believe black women are so independent to the point we don’t need help. Others believe black women are not worth investing in, so we are left having to prove our worth time and time again. Many believe that black women don’t need to be taken care of. In turn, we carry on with our lives believing we can and should carry the world on our shoulders.
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Well, ladies I want to remind you that it is okay to take a break. Take a break from being perfect and pushing yourself to overachieve. Take a break from putting pressure on yourself to change a bleak situation overnight. Take a break from beating yourself up so hard while trying to survive. It’s time to take a break from feeling like you have to do everything right all the time. If you are feeling drained right now, it is time for you to realize you need to put your needs first. Self-care may seem selfish to those who don’t understand the concept, but it is a healthy thing for everybody, especially for black women. Self-Care for Black Women Matters!
Like many other women of color, black women carry so many burdens that affect us mind, body and soul. Some of these burdens are because of centuries worth of oppression that was cast upon our race. We internalize them unconsciously. This is why self-care is so important for black women. We cannot constantly show up for others and neglect ourselves. If we prioritize our needs first, we can better show up for ourselves and the people we love. Self-care for you may look different for someone else. That’s okay! What matters is that you feel replenished and reenergized. It can be as simple as saving money to take yourself to
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the spa every month. Do it because you are worthy of being pampered like an A list celebrity. Self-care can be treating yourself to your favorite delicious meal after a long day at work or school. It can even look like a two-week vacation after three months of hard work on your business. Go for it because you earned that extra $1000 boost of income. Self-care is About Caring for the Mind, Body, and Soul
However, self-care can also be establishing healthy boundaries. Sometimes you have to say “no” to plans and commitments because you need to rest. Sure, your friends maybe disappointed that you can’t go out with them Friday night but if they love you, they will respect that. The same applies to your job. It’s OK to say no to taking on extra duties, or clients if you are working for yourself. Black women need to
see themselves as worthy of having a peace of mind. Squeezing in a few minutes of mindfulness meditation, yoga, or simply a nice walk is great for the soul. Things like prayer, journaling, or repeating positive affirmations are also small ways to take care of your spiritual, emotional, and mental health. The more you take time to do things that make you feel good, the more you cultivate self-love. You begin to know your worth. You give yourself the permission to breathe deeply and feel whole again. You will begin to let go of those heavy burdens, be more present, and take one day at a time. You will be able to take care of the people you love without losing yourself in the process. Black women carry too much weight of the world. It’s time to take care of our own inner worlds.
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beauties Izzy & Liv customers truly are THE BEST! We LOVE seeing your social media posts sharing your boxes each month. Here are a few highlights from last month.
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Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! Ina Danai Roundtree was randomly selected from everyone who shared their July 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 month’s box using the hashtags #brownsugarbox #izzyandliv for your chance to win next month’s giveaway. BONUS: Join our Facebook Group: The Brown Sugar Lounge, for a SECOND CHANCE to win a free box.
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Boss Women
Playlist by Alexandria Daniels No matter how hard the hustle is, we know you have your eyes on the prize. You may work the 9 to 5, have a side hustle, or run your own business. Either way, we see you working towards big dreams and making money as you go. The road isn’t easy. Every boss babe will have highs and lows. To help you on your journey, we have a special playlist for you! Every boss woman needs a playlist to motivate her and this is exactly what we are giving you today. The following 25 songs contain empowering lyrics, uplifting beats, and rocking harmonies to inspire you to keep going. This all female playlist is compiled of some of the best boss women of the music biz like Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston. These songs will get into your soul, making you sing and dance as you go get yo’ bag.
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Work (feat. Drake) by Rihanna Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce Independent Women Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child Work It by Missy Elliott Bodak Yellow by Cardi B B*tch Better Have My Money by Rihanna Formation by Beyonce Feeling Good by Nina Simone Respect by Aretha Franklin Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys Survivor by Destiny’s Child Bossy by Kelis Doubt by Mary J. Blige I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer Feelin’ Myself (feat. Beyonce) by Nicki Minaj I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross Disparate Youth by Santigold Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson Gimme Dat by Ciara On the Sunny Side of the Street by Billie Holiday Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross Lady Marmalade (feat. Missy Elliott) by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Maya, & Pink I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor None of Your Business by Salt N Pepa
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Frequently asked questions
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Can I change my size preference for future boxes? Yes, you can do so inside your Brown Sugar Box account on izzyandliv. com, or you can email us at support@izzyandliv. com to update your preferences for you.
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When will I be billed for next month’s box? You will be rebilled on the 25th of the month prior to the next box. So you will be billed for the January box on the 25th of December; for the Februry box on the 25th of January and so on... You will not be billed for the next box until after the box from the current month has been shipped/delivered.
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What is your cancellation policy? Your subscription can be cancelled at any time in your Brown Sugar Box Account Settings at izzyandliv.com. If you’ve already been billed for the next box (25th of the month), your cancellation will take affect the next billing cycle. To cancel your subscription, login to your account and click on the Subscription tab, then click “edit” next to your subscription. You can also email us to request that we cancel for you.
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Can I exchange or return items in my box? We cannot accept returns at this time for Brown Sugar Box items, but we welcome your feedback to improve. Email us at support@ izzyandliv.com to share your thoughts. We value your feedback and our mission is to make every Brown Sugar Box more than worth your while! Your feedback will help us to make sure we make this box amazing and valuable as it can be. As far as the item(s), you can always gift them to a friend, coworker, or family member- these items make GREAT gifts!
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Can I skip a month without cancelling? Yes, you can skip a future month delivery and not be billed for it, without having to cancel your entire subscription. Once logged into your Brown Sugar Box account at izzyandliv.com, you will need to open the “Delivery Schedule” tab. There you will see all upcoming deliveries for your subscription. To skip a delivery you just need to click “Skip” to the right of each relevant delivery. This will only skip that one delivery. To skip multiple deliveries you will need to click “Skip” next to each relevant one. Alternatively, you can email to have us skip
deliveries for you.
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How can I share photos or unboxing videos with you? Yes! We live for customer feedback & reviews! Just post your pics or video on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. and hashtag #brownsugarbox, #izzyandliv and @izzyandliv. You can also leave a photo review on the Brown Sugar Subscription page! If you make a blog post email us with the link. If your social media is private we will not be able to see your post, so feel free to email us to let us know where to check it out!
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Something went wrong with my order/delivery what should I do? Should you have an issue with your box items (damage, received wrong size, etc) you must notify us at support@izzyandliv. com, with photo(s), within 7 days of receipt of your package. After 7 days, we will not be able to process requests related to this month’s box.
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I have feedback on questions, who do I contact? We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com
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You should be there… Members Only Lounge www.facebook.com/groups/izzyandliv