We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value $152
This month’s value:
Summer is an invitation to explore new scenery on your own terms. Confidence is at an all-time high during summer months, and one thing about us, we’re going to gas you up to live your life on full blast! Your only responsibility this month is to go on a living spree. Can’t stop, won’t stop! Consider this box a starter pack for a soft summer. Your Soft Life Summer edition of the Brown Sugar Box comes with on-thego necessities for your busy social agenda. Although temptation will be calling your name at every turn, we’ve got the remedy to resist the urge to neglect your self-care routine with greens in a hurry and products to keep your skin protected in the heat. We’ve also got you covered in the literature department with a list of titles written by Black women authors to satisfy your imagination during a day at the beach. Release your worries and say yes to yourself this month more often than not. Let your inner light outshine the sun this month. You GLOW, girl!
A portal smoothie is the new travel buddy that you didn’t know you needed. With all of your nutrients in one place, you can’t help but stay healthy on the go. The blender is rechargeable with easy clean-up. You’ll get 1 of 5 colors.
This tumbler can go for hours and hours in keeping your drinks cold. Insulated and reusable for iced coffee, water, or something a little stronger at outdoor functions. Hand washing is recommended. Comes in 4 designs: Mind over Matter (Pink), Black Girl
Affirmed (Blue), Peaceful Paradise (Orange), and Uninterrupted Confidence (Purple)
You slay all day, but the sun hits different when you step out! This melaninapproved racerback tank,embraced by melanin, is free-flowing and offers a care-free fit designed for comfort. and made for comfort. 100% Cotton.
Keep your snacks hot or cold. This reusable insulated bag is convenient and sturdy for easy carrying. Machine washable. Take it along on your next grocery trip or long-distance travel. You’ll get one of four prints: Natural Creations, Purple Reign, Brown Sugar Circles or Melanin Love
POUR
Mix and match your tastes. This double wine tote is the perfect match for your insulated bag. Grab a bottle and let the festivities begin!
Temperatures are rising, making you want to stay indoors by any means necessary. A refreshing summer drink always does the trick in the face of unbearable heat.
Put on your mixologist apron and whip up a boozy drink in five minutes or less! The recipes below have low alcoholic content to help you skip the hangover and reduce your calories. Invite some friends over to hang out by the pool or turn your place into a midday oasis for a spa day.
There are two rules: choose delightful flavors and the best wine for your budget.
Aperol Spritz
3c Club Soda
2c Prosecco
1c Aperol
Pour the ingredients over a glass filled with ice.
White Wine Spritzer
3c white wine
1c Club Soda
1 splash of lime juice
Pour the ingredients over a glass filled with ice.
Old Fashioned Spritzer
1 ½ oz bourbon
½ simple syrup
A few dashes of angostura
orange bitters
Club soda
1 large orange wedge + 1 orange slice for garnish
Combine the bourbon, syrup, and bitters. Squeeze in the orange wedge. Add ice. Top with club soda (or seltzer). Stir. Garnish with the orange slice.
Mango Wine
Mango syrup
White Wine or Rose
Club Soda
Fill glass with ice cubes. Pour in 1 tablespoon of mango syrup. Add 1 glass of wine. Fill the rest of the glass with club soda (or seltzer).
You get the picture! Here are a few more flavor combinations to try:
Lemon Raspberry Vodka, Watermelon Basil w/ White Wine
Sparkling Champagne w/ Peaches
Cherry Rosé
Cucumber Lime w/ Prosecco
Pomegranate and Lemonade w/ White Wine.
For non-alcoholic beverages , make mocktails by skipping the alcohol or replacing it with ginger ale.
The girls are raving about The Perfect Find by Tia Williams. Originally published in 2016, Netflix released an eponymous adaptation last month. Nothing beats a good movie night, but sometimes your imagination needs a little satisfaction. In the spirit of good reads from dope Black women writers, we’ve compiled a list of 2023 releases to pack for your next beach trip. Grab a physical copy, download the title on Kindle, or listen along on Audible; no matter your preference, support Black authors! Soak up some sun and take a mental excursion narrated by their pen game.
1. What Never Happened by Rachel Howzell Hall
2. Maame by Jessica George
3. Night Wherever We Go by Tracey Rose Peyton
4. Quietly Hostile: Essays by Samantha Irby
5. No Sweet Without Brine: Poems by Cynthia Manick
6. Gone Like Yesterday by Janelle M. Williams
7. Notes On Her Color by Jennifer Neal
8. Side Notes from the Archivist: Poems by Anastacia-Renee
9. Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst
10. I’m Always So Serious by Karisma Price
11. Chrome Valley: Poems by Mahogany L. Browne
12. An Autobiography of Skin by Lakiesha Carr
13. Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century by Jasmine Brown
14. A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
BY GIRL TYLER
‘Tis the season to start going out more and wearing less! You’ve been adding more and more hot girl clothes to your online cart, but have you stocked up on summertime beauty must haves? While some of your winter items are fine to use during summer, many of your heavier creams should take a vacation until the fall. You’ll want to take inventory of which items you should double up on to survive the summer months. Photoaging is real and millions are affected by skin cancer each year. As quiet as it’s kept, Black does crack if you don’t protect it! So, stay flexin’ in your complexion this summer with added protec-
Heavy products can become your enemy when you sweat, causing oily skin, and making your skin prone to acne breakouts. Reach for gels and lightweight moisturizers instead.
Water is especially key during summer months. As you sweat, you’ll lose the hydration that’s necessary to keep your skin happy. Gulp water more often and in large quantities. (Pro Tip: Fill up your water bottle before bed, then chug it first thing in the morning to get a head start on the day. You’ll be halfway to your goal by noon!)
Up your SPF, reapply as needed, and reach for brands that are friendly for Black skin (i.e., one that doesn’t have that caked-up white layer), and don’t skip your hands!
Sun exposure and raw skin are a no-no. While chemical peels are designed to improve the appearance of your skin for a brighter, more youthful glow, they will also increase your risk for sunburn. Reach for gentle exfoliators and, again, apply sunscreen before heading outdoors.
Think of this as a superfood for your face. Vitamin C is packed with premium benefits as it protects against sun damage, slows hyperpigmentation, and enhances collagen production.
BY GIRL TYLER
Summertime screams for quick and easy meals, and lunchtime can be the most hectic meal of the day. No time to make a full meal? Can you make it to the drive-thru and back to your desk before your next meeting? Did an unscheduled Zoom meeting eat into your lunch hour? The things that eat into (pun intended) the one hour of the day that belongs to you are endless. More and more people are choosing to meal prep to skip the hassle. Well, good news! Meal prep just got easier! Mason jar salads are a simple solution. All you need is 30 minutes, your favorite fresh ingredients, and a few clean jars.
Add your favorite salad dressing as a base, then stack your ingredients to the top. Enjoy immediately or cover and store in the fridge for up to four days.
Here are three of our favorite recipes to get you started:
CHICKEN AVOCADO TACO
½ cup avocado dressing
1 cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup cooked chicken breast (chopped)
½ cup grape tomatoes (sliced into halves)
⅓ cup canned corn (drained)
½ cup crushed organic tortilla chips
1 cup mixed greens
RAINBOW SALAD
½ shredded carrot
½ cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup snap peas (cut in half)
½ cup chopped red onion
½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
½ cup dressing of your choice
ANTIOXIDANT MASON JAR SALAD
½ cup blueberry vinaigrette
½ cup cooked quinoa
¾ cup snap peas (chopped in half)
½ cup shredded carrots
½ cup fresh blueberries
1 cup mixed greens
Izzy & Liv customers truly are THE BEST! We LOVE seeing the social media posts of you all sharing your boxes each month. Here are a few highlights from last month.
The 1970s are arguably the most sampled decade of music for Black artists. Nostalgia aside, Black artists brought their A-game in this golden era of music that continues to influence artists 50+ years later. (Shout out to the ‘70s babies!) The We Want the Funk playlist is a time capsule of oldies but goodies that instantly put you in a good mood from the first chord to the last beat. No skips over here! Just good ole fashion funk music forever loved by me and you, your mama, and your cousin too!
• I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan
• Brick House by The Commodores
• Flashlight by Parliament
• The Payback by James Brown
• Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight
• Bad Girls by Donna Summer
• Lady Marmalade by Labelle
• Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody by Brick
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder
• Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye
• I Wanna Be Your Lover by Prince
• Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind, and Fire
• Tired of Being Alone by Al Green
• Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
• Love Rollercoaster by The Ohio Players
• Tell Me Something Good by Rufus and Chaka Khan
• For the Love of You by The Isley Brothers
• Close the Door by Teddy Pendergrass
• You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate
• Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul
• Mary Jane by Rick James
• Little Child Runnin’ Wild by Curtis Mayfield
• Memory Lane by Minnie Riperton
• Lovely Day by Bill Withers
• Superstition by Stevie Wonder
• Le Freak by Chic
• Give It To Me Baby by Rick James
• Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band
SCAN HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PLAYLIST & MORE!
1 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.
2
When will I be billed for next month’s box?
You will be rebilled on the 1st of the month for the next box. So you will be billed for the October box on the 1st of October; for the November box on the 1st of October and so on... You will not be billed for the next box until after the box from the current month has been shipped/delivered.
3
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 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.
4
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!
5 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.
6 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!
7 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. If your box was returned due to consumer error, please reach out to customer service for reshipment at an additional cost.
8 I have feedback or questions, who do I contact?
We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com
