Brown Sugar 5
Box
JUNE 2018
Ways To Uplift Your Space and Your Spririt
Lyrics To Empower Black Women
Perfect Summer Playlist
4 Tipson
Reconnecting
With Yourself 90’s Producers
Loved
We
$102 BOX VALUE www.izzyandliv.com WWW.IZZYANDLIV.COM
INSIDE YOUR
This month’s box has a $102 retail value!
We Promise: 5-6 items at an $85 value
Relaxation
JUNE BOX
Edition
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June feels like the month when we can finally woosah. The first six months of the year has flown by! In this
RELAX. RELATE. RELEASE T-SHIRT (RETAIL VALUE $28) Summer is all about taking the time to relax, relate, and release. As much as you want to- (and for some of us have to)-- keep hustling, let this tee be a reminder that even Superwoman needs a moment to pause and reset.
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GOLD & BLACK REVERSIBLE SEQUINS PILLOW COVER (RETAIL VALUE $16) What’s better than one pillow cover? Two. This chic black and gold sequin pillow cover is perfect to stack with or compliment your “lay your head on my pillow” cover. They also make for a uber chic photo prop while you are getting your relax on this summer!
edition we want you to take a few deep breaths and sit back and relax while you take in all that this year has been for you so far. Recharging is an essential part of living your best life. For some recharging simply means to unplug from the busyness of the world and for others it means to go and explore the world by stepping away from work, or your studies. Either way, good for you, you deserve it and we hope that this months selections will put you in the right frame of mind to do so.
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Now is a great time to do some sprucing up around your place. Who says sequins is only for the holidays? We beg to differ, these super fun sequin pillow covers will add a dash of jazz to your space. Every time you
“THE GLOW UP” CANDLE (ONE OF 3 SCENTS) (RETAIL VALUE $19) The season of the glow up is upon us! There’s nothing quite like that natural melanin glow in the summer. We can’t wait to hit the streets and soak up all the sun we can. With our Glow Up candle, we can keep the glow vibes going even at home. One of 3 scents: Can You Stand The Rain; I’m In Love With the Coco or Forever My Lady.”
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“IT’S LIT” MATCHBOOK (RETAIL VALUE $2) When your candles glow up, it’s only right your matches do too! Light your candles and sage bundles this season with our “It’s Lit” custom matches and don’t be surprised when your girlfriends try to snag a pack!
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“LAY YOUR HEAD ON MY PILLOW” PILLOW COVER (RETAIL VALUE $12) Need to spruce up your space for the season? Yea, us too. This throw pillow cover is the perfect addition for your summer decor. Tell bae or the girls to kick off their shoes, relax their feet, and lay their heads on your chic sequin pillow cover.
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walk past your sofa or bed you will be tempted to “lay
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BLACK GIRL MAGIC BREW TEA – 10 TEA BAGS (YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE OF 3 FLAVORS) (RETAIL VALUE $10) We’ll always love a good cup of coffee to get us going in the morning but, us magical black girls know that the real power comes from slowing down with a cup of tea. Enjoy our Black Girl Magic Brew--hot or iced--to slow down and reclaim your day.
your head on my pillow”literally. While you’re at it, go
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Stay hydrated and stay cute with your very own
ahead and light up your soy “Glow Up” candle to set the mood for yourself, because honey it’s about to be ”lit” just like your matchbook says. If you are feeling particularly fancy use your candle while you draw a bath and “relax, relate and release” like this month’s tee recommends. Oh, but don’t forget to get your daily water intake in honey, this sun did not come to play this summer.
BROWN SUGAR BABE GOLD TRAVEL THERMOUS (RETAIL VALUE $15) Who else has been waiting for summer to fulfill their #travelgoals? As you’re packing your carry-ons and making your packing lists, don’t forget to add our Brown Sugar Babe travel thermos to the list! You gotta stay hydrated so why not do it in style?
“Brown Sugar Babe” travel tumbler. We won’t tell
- For hot or cold beverages - Hand wash
through for you! Until next time, live a little but don’t
anyone if you decide to put something extra inside. That’s between you and you! When you are ready to feel a bit more relaxed. brew a hot or cold cup of our signature flavored teas and let that black girl magic simmer on through. We can’t forget that June is Black Music month so be sure to check out our summer music playlist in this issue. See girl, we thought this thing all the way forget to relax!
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USE MIRRORS If you’re trying to “ball on a budget,” one of the biggest problems is searching for a home within your price range. A small living space can have you feeling crowded and uncomfortable in your own home, but there’s a small trick that can help you out: Invest in a few mirrors! Depending on their size and location, you can use a mirror to help widen your living space which will make it appear bigger and more comfortable. Large mirrors will do the trick better than smaller ones. By hanging a large mirror on a wall, you’re creating the illusion that the room expands further into the space thereby making the room appear larger than it is. USE BRIGHT COLORS While dark colors might be a trendy, if you’re trying to uplift your space, you want to go with the exact opposite. Dark blues, grays, reds, and purples might be a trend for making your room more cozy, but if you want a brighter vibe, opt for brighter colors! If you’re trying to open up your space, nothing works better than bright colors! While white furniture is an easy faux pas, you can definitely compensate with white or bright colored walls. For your couches, go with light grays and decorate them with accent colored pillows. White will always brighten the room, but a small pop of color will bring life into the area.
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WAYS TO UPLIFT YOUR SPACE
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And You r Spirit
By Jouviane Alexandre
hen it comes to our homes and living spaces, the situation can get stuffy very quickly. Whether your space is small or you’ve been there for a few years, you might need a change to uplift your space which in turn can help you uplift your life! If you’re unexcited about your living space, this can carry on into other aspects of your life. Your home should be a place of serenity and reprieve, so if you need a few tips to brighten up your home, check out our ideas! www.izzyandliv.com
HANG QUOTES At times, we need our space to uplift our lives! While setting the atmosphere is a big part of it, uplifting your lives will also give you the ability to enjoy your space even more! Gabrielle Union in “Being Mary Jane” didn’t hang up Post-It notes of quotes for no reason! Sometimes we need a daily reminder. Hanging simple quotes about doing what you love or persevering through the struggles is just what you need to uplift your home and your mood. CHANGE YOUR SHEETS There’s almost nothing better than sliding into brand new sheets. A quick and easy way to uplift your space is by buying a new bed set! New or freshly laundered sheets give us all the feeling of starting over fresh, and this might be what you need to uplift your spirits in your bedroom. USE FLORA Many people go hiking or exercise outside because something about being in nature helps to brighten our spirits and our mindset. While living outside might not seem like the most plausible thing, you can bring the nature to you! Setting up a few plant and floral pieces in your home can quickly brighten it and put you at ease! No one is telling you to bring a tree and plant it in the middle of your living room! Adding a few accent pieces like a plant in the living room and flowers in the dining room can quickly transform your space and your mood. Your home is probably where you spend most of your time, so you should definitely feel happy and comfortable with the space! These tips will definitely help you transform your room, dorm, apartment, or house into an area you can be happy with.
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Lyrics to Empower, Uplift, and Inspire
Black Women
By Jouviane Alexandre
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“People always trying to find the world I’m in, I’m the envy of the women and I rule the men” ~ Erykah Badu It’s no secret that black women’s features and style are constantly being replicated, duplicated, and appropriated. Erykah said it the best with this lyric. I like to consider Black womanhood to be this exclusive club that people are always trying to gain access to. Always trying to find the world we’re in.
“I’m holding on to my freedom. Can’t take it from me. I was born into it, it comes naturally” ~ Jill Scott I have a special place in my heart for Jilly from Philly and “Golden” will always be a favorite. This lyric, in particular, is a reminder that you were born into the greatness of black womanhood so your body, your skin, your style, and your culture are your natural inheritance.
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W
hen I think of black women I think of strong, beautiful, magical beings who are more than worthy of love, abundance, confidence, and living their best lives. But, it’s no secret that this group of women happen to be some of the most marginalized group and the one people seem to have so much to say about. Whether it’s thoughts about our hair, our bodies, the way we speak, or our actions, black women seem to always be the topic of conversation and scrutiny. And even though WE know we’re magical black girls, it’s hard to keep that positivity when the world seems to consistently throw shade our way. So for those days, when we’re feeling less than magical, let these lyrics—by black women—empower, uplift, and inspire you.
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“I am not my hair, I’m not my skin, I am not your expectations, no.” ~ India Arie I love this lyric because it speaks directly to one of the conflicts we battle with a lot. From our natural hair styles being deemed unprofessional to our complexions being degraded, India reminds us that we are not bound to this society’s views. We are only bound to ourselves.
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“How we’re smart enough to make these millions, Strong enough to bear the children (children), Then get back to business” ~ Beyonce While the list of Beyonce lyrics that speak to empowering black women is extensive, this one from “Who Run the World” hits close to home as a working mother myself. And yes, I know all women bear children and get back to work, but I’m speaking from MY experience. Now, about those millions though….
“Even when I’m a mess, I still put on a vest With an S on my chest, Oh yes I’m a Superwoman” ~ Alicia Keys Historically, black women have always been viewed as super strong beings, capable of birthing nations and holding the world on their shoulders. We have to be careful when playing into that narrative. Instead of embracing the traditional view of superwoman, I like to use this as a personal nod to myself, a pat on my back for living and thriving against all odds.
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4 Rec onn ectin g TIPS ON
WITH YOURSELF
By Alexandria Daniels
By Jouviane Alexandre
I
n a post-Myspace world with a different social media platform for every day of the week, it’s easy to become so focused on what everyone else is doing instead of focusing on ourselves. Add in balancing careers, relationships, and lifestyles, and it becomes way too easy to lose track of who we are. While it’s easy to get caught in the trap and find yourself molding your life to fit someone else’s, we can get back in tune with who we are and what we want by reconnecting with ourselves first!
HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU CAN START:
EXCERCISE/YOGA
TAKE A SOLO TRIP
One thing you can definitely do to connect with yourself is get that body right! What many people fail to realize is that our physical and emotional beings are all tied in together. While exercising and yoga are definitely good for the physical aspect of our lives, it can definitely help with the emotional and mental part! Instead of solely focusing on your gains, try exercising or taking some time out for yoga to help put your mind at ease and help you become more comfortable with yourself.
With great films like Girls Trip, you might think traveling with your “Flossy Posse” is the only way to go, but it’s definitely not! Traveling in a group can be great, but solo travel might be one of the best ways to reconnect with yourself.Traveling alone definitely makes you more independent, and while you’re taking in the sites will definitely help you become and culture take some time to focus on the things you love. Whether you’re hitting up a city like Chicago or backpacking through Europe, the alone time will definitely help you become one with yourself.
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START A JOURNAL While some people blog or vlog about every aspect of their life, for many of us, those thoughts are sacred. There are those who keep their thoughts under lock and key from all those around them, but we all need a way to vent! A great way to still get your thoughts across is with a journal. Sometimes our thoughts are kept under wraps even from ourselves, so starting a journal can help you get those thoughts out and learn some things you might’ve been scared to reveal.
LOG OFF We live in the world of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Tumblr. With all these social media platforms, we’re practically getting front row seats into the news and drama of the world. Want to know what’s happening to your favorite celebrity? I’m sure your favorite Instagram accounts are serving up the tea before the celebrity is even aware that they made some. Social media makes it so much easier to focus on the lives of others, so much to the point where we know more about them than we do ourselves! One way to reconnect with ourselves is to spend less time on social media! No one is saying that you should give it up completely but, try cutting down your electronic use, especially before be. Put away your phone and try reflecting on the highlights of your day and what could’ve gone better. With everything going on in the world and in our lives, it’s not surprising that we often forget who we are or what we’re working towards. The biggest step is recognizing that maybe we’re losing our way and deciding to focus on ourselves! These tips should definitely help you start to reconnect yourself. www.izzyandliv.com
best of the best:
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90’s music producers we loved
By Tyshia Ingram
e’re always talking about 90’s music around here. It’s no secret that we kinda feel like it was the best decade for all the things but, especially, music. From the girl groups slaying the scene to the female MC’s killing the mics to the smooth R&B tunes we grew to love, there’s nothing quite like 90’s music. And even though we talk about it a lot, one thing we don’t mention as often are the producers behind the tracks. Regardless of the decade, a good song is nothing without a good producer. So for the first time, in honor of our love and devotion for 90’s music, we’re taking a look back at the best of the best music producers from the decade we love.
Photos (left to right) : Total, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Biggie Smalls, Craig Mack
timbaland
diddy
The neptunes
jermaine dupri
We had to start off our list with the original Bad Boy. Whether we’re talking about Puffy, P. Diddy, or just Diddy, this producer has given us hits from the greats like Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim, and Faith Evans. Not to mention the countless groups and solo artists he brought to the team. And even though he evolved well beyond his producing days, we’ll always have a place for Puffy and Bad Boy Ent.
We know everyone is a fan of Pharrell now, but before he was doing his solo thing and making his own records, he was producing hit after hit as part of the duo, The Neptunes. The Neptunes were responsible for those upbeat, hip-hop/ funk hits of the 90’s and early 00’s that weren’t like anything we’ve ever heard before. Remember when they dropped “Rock Your Body”? Iconic.
This So So Def producer had to make the list for his beats that laid the tracks for so many songs that have ended up on our playlists over the years. From Da Brat, to Usher, Destiny’s Child, to Mariah Carey. There’s few 90’s artists that didn’t have a Jermaine Dupri track at some point in their careers.
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If you’re a fan of Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, or even Empire, you know firsthand how legendary Timbaland is. Out of all the producers on this list, Timbaland has to be the most versatile when it comes to production with a career that has serious producer credits every decade, including the one we’re in now. We have Timbaland to thank for the late, great Aaliyah’s One in a Million along with too many Missy tracks to count. Oh and we can’t forget everyone’s favorite slow grind song Pony by Ginuwine.
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Perfect summer
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Playlist
Can I change my size preference for future boxes?
By Alexandria Daniels
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.
H
ey Ladies! What comes to mind when you think about summer? Is it love? A
week-long vacation from school or work? New beginnings? I think summer can be all of those things. Simultaneously, it makes the halfway point of the year. Most of us could be taking the time to reflect and asked: “what have I accomplished so far?” Or maybe you feel not much has happened yet!
Personally, I feel like summer is the perfect time to refresh our spirits by aligning with our goals but, more importantly, with ourselves and what matters most to us. It’s a season to remind ourselves it’s okay to just take a break and just enjoy the warm weather coming in. Music is the ultimate cure for needing to take a break from the real world and chill. Down below is a summer playlist of some of our favorite tunes that make us dance, rap along, or just sway to the rhythm.
Earth Wind, and Fire- Boogie Wonderland
Migos- Stir Fry
Bruno Mars- Finesse
Erykah Badu- On & On
Beyonce- Love on Top
Janet Jackson- Feedback
Destiny’s Child- Girl
Drake- Hotline Bling
Aaliyah- Are You That Somebody
Alessia Cara- Wild Things
Marvin Gaye- heard It Through The Grapevine
Kendrick Lamar- Damn
Bob Markey- Is This Love Destiny’s Child- Hey Ladies Monica- Don’t Take It Personal Alicia Keys- Superwoman Nicki Minaj- Starships
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Rihanna- Desperado Jackson 5- Shake Your Body Prince- Purple Rain Michael Jackson- Butterflies
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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 May box on the 25th of April; for the June box on the 25th of May 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 anytime 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.
FREQUENTLY Asked Questions
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Can I exchnage 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 subcription. To skip a delivery you just need to clcik “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, 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 hastag #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 months box.
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I have feedback or questions, who do I contact? We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com
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Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! @ladonna_kake was randomly selected from among everyone who shared their May box on social media to WIN her next box FREE. Thank you to everyone who shared using the hashtags #brownsugarbox #izzyandliv. We appreciate you!
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