We
Me, Myself, and I Edition
This month’s
TRATED 2023
WALL CALENDAR $18 Word on the street is, you loved our 2022 calendar. The response was so strong, we had to do it again! Cheers to another 12 months of Black girl art.
SHE’S FOCUSED 2023
PLANNER & SELF-CARE JOURNAL $28 New year. New memories. Plan your joy now. Don't wait until you've run out. Get a head start on living life to the fullest.
PAJAMA SETS FOR THE CULTURE (1 OF 4) $52
Remember the time when you were less than excited about new PJs? Today in this day and age, elevating your pajama game is a way of life! Never fear, your new favorite set is here. You'll receive 1 of 4 styles: Afro Flower Child, She's Zen, Botanical Feathers, or Black Royalty.
You did it, sis! You made it through another year. The days may have seemed long, and the weeks short, but we made it, and that’s something worth celebrating! Whether you’re bringing in the new year in the house, at church, or outside (we’re not judging!), here are some helpful ways to prepare yourself to ensure your 2023 is filled with abundance.
Take a moment to reflect on the past year silently or by writing in a journal. Be thankful for all the good and bad moments: the big ones, the ugly ones, and especially the unexpected ones. They all contributed to the woman you are today. Give yourself praise for surviving it. Instead of viewing those bad moments as negatives, give yourself grace and try to look at the brighter side. What lessons did you learn? Celebrate your growth in all ways!
Start 2023 with a clean slate and a clear mind. First, declutter your home. Create a “maybe box” for items you’ve struggled to throw away. Set a reminder months from now and if you don’t need anything in the box, toss it. Next, declutter your social circle. Be mindful of who brings you peace and who brings you anxiety. Go through your social media friend lists and unfollow people who no longer serve you.
Creating boundaries may seem selfish but protecting your energy comes first. Be Intentional The secret here is to keep your goals simple. Create a list of the essential areas of your life and put at least two measurable goals. For example, If you want to “travel more,” be specific and write “visit a Caribbean island this spring” to create a visual in your mind.
The days between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day present a unique opportunity to do the one thing you’ve said you’re going to do all year but never got around to doing—catch up on some good TV! Find some uninterrupted time to browse these critically acclaimed Black-led shows, films, and documentaries. Happy binging!
TVAbbott Elementary Bel-Air City on a Hill First Wives Club From Scratch Grand Crew Harlem Raising Kanan Reasonable Doubt Run the World Swagger The Equalizer The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey The Wonder Years Film Breaking Master
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. The Silent Twins
The United States vs. Billie Holiday Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
Civil: Ben Crump
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues Mary J. Blige's My Life
Phat Tuesdays (I associate produced this one!)
Sidney Screen Queens Rising
Arguably, the best thing about the holidays is the opportunity to rest and spend quality time with your loved ones, but as sweet as those lazy days on the couch may be, chillaxing quickly turns stale. So, this year, instead of giving in to boredom, try exploring your city a la tourist style.
If you live near a major city, purchasing passes through sources such as City Pass is a convenient way to buy tickets to attractions, at a discount.
Try packing the car and taking the family on a long drive. If you live along the coast, make a day trip out of this. A long scenic drive is a cute way to spend quality time together and make new memories.
Another way to truly unlock the tourist experience is to treat yourself to a staycation. Book a hotel room for a night or two and take full advantage of those amenities. Treat yourself to the pool, the hotel bar, and some good room service. If you plan to stay-cay alone, book a spa appointment, visit a museum or see a movie. These activities involve little to no speaking, which is also a treat after a busy holiday season.
The greatest project you'll ever work on is you. Healing takes inner work that some people spend a lifetime avoiding. The sooner you begin, the sweeter the journey. December is a perfect time to reflect and establish a game plan by setting intentions, not resolutions, for the New Year.
Journaling and reading books by authors with similar experiences can shift your mindset into a positive state. You're never alone in this life, and countless Black women authors have been in your shoes. From love and finances to self-care and overcoming racial trauma, this list of self-help books is a great resource to enhance your perspective on life's challenges in 2023 and beyond.
Love in My Language by Alexandra Elle
She's Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You by Chrystal Evans Hurst
Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche the Budgetnista
Fattily Ever After: A Black Fat Girl's Guide to Living Life Unapologetically by Stephanie Yeboah
Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Tunde Oyeneyin
Self-Care for Black Women : 150 Ways to Radically Accept & Prioritize Your Mind, Body, & Soul by Oludara Adeeyo
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health: Navigate an Unequal System, Learn Tools for-
Emotional Wellness, and Get the Help you Deserve by Rheeda Walker, PhD
It's Healing Time for the BodyMind of Black Womxn: How to Live a Life You Love and Love the Life You Live by Tien Sydnor-Campbell
Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration by Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts
A Year of Black Girl Magic: Daily Reflections and Practices to Celebrate Black Women by Eboni Morgan
The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, Rhonda Joy McLean, Angela Burt-Murray
Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace by Minda Harts
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 October 2022.
Congratulations to our WINNER! Del M. was randomly selected from sharing Brown Sugar love on social media to WIN her FREE box.
Thank you to everyone who shared! Stay in it to win it and don’t forget to share this box using 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.
SCAN HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PLAYLIST & MORE!
The late 1980s and 1990s belong to Sir Teddy Riley. His cultural impact dates back to the decade's dawn and spans multiple generations. His notable infusion of R&B, hip hop, and swing ushered in an era many considered to be the new Harlem Renaissance. The Teddy Riley's Pen Game Playlist is a tribute to the man who made the sounds we'll never get tired of hearing.
I Like by Guy
Is It Good to You by Heavy D & The Boyz Before I Let You Go by Blackstreet That's the Way Love Is by Bobby Brown and Aquil Davidson Stutter by Joe Slow Wine Bass Line by Lloyd and Teddy Riley
Rump Saker by Wreckx-N-Effect
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.
When will I be billed for next month’s box?
You will be rebilled on the 1st of the month for the next box. You will not be billed for the next box until after the box from the current month has been shipped/delivered.
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 (1st of month), your cancellation will take effect 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.
Can I exchange or return items in my box?
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.
Yes! We live for customer feedback & reviews! Just post your pics, or videos on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube, and hashtag #brownsugarbox or #izzyandliv or tag us @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!
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.
If your box was returned due to consumer error, please reach out to customer service for reshipment at an additional cost.
Now
We Found Love by Heavy D & The Boyz and Aaron Hall No Diggity by Teddy Riley, Blackstreet, and Queen Pen
I Want Her by Keith Sweat
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 ensure every Brown Sugar Box is 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!
I have feedback or questions, who do I contact?
We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com.
