MARCH 2020 $130 RETAIL VALUE
Carpool Karaoke Things For Travel Divas To Do in Any Location Giving Them All Of Your Travel
Diva-Tude TYPES OF FRIENDS YOU’LL NEED FOR A
Successful Girls’ Trip
RECONNECT WITH YOURSELF THROUGH WORLD TRAVEL
MARCH 2020 Black Girl Illustrated Versatile Scarf $25
Inside the
B
1 of 3 versatile scarves: Motherland Magic, Cultured Queens, or Brown Sugar Sunshine Wrap your hair with ease or make it a beautiful accessory, the Black Girl Illustrated multiuse scarf is the one item you will pack that you will use over, and over again, during your trip. • Size: 53” W x 47” L • 80% silk, 20% polyester • Machine wash cold, low iron. Do not bleach.
ook flights. √ Take trips. √ Get stamps. √ Izzy & Liv is on
board to help you plan an adventurefilled year and beyond! Traveling, whether stateside or internationally, is a pastime that can be filled with excitement, exploration, and even education. When we travel, we expand our horizons and get to view different cultures. Talk about “A Different World”. Whether you’re heading to Miami or Morocco, we want you to enjoy every single moment, delighting in the culture of wherever you land. So, to celebrate your year of traveling the world, Izzy & Liv is sharing some of our favorite travel essentials to make your travel adventures even better. From luggage covers to use on your long trips, to beautiful scarves to wrap yourself in during your long flights, we’re giving you a few travel goodies to make getting there more pleasurable. In this Travel Diva Edition, we’ll tell you some of the best ways to use your layover time in the airport; what travel habits you should adopt to stay safe during your excursions; and how traveling can help you fall in love—with yourself. Cute, cultured, and ready to travel. We see you, Sis! Now catch those flights and embrace a year of adventure!
Light & Love Tee - $25
We Promise: 5-6 Items at an $85 value This month’s value:
$130
Zipped & Ready Travel Toiletry Bag - $25
1 of 2 colors Carry your essentials in style this year as you explore the world. With assorted pocket sizes and a zipper feature for secured storage, these vibrant Izzy & Liv toiletry bags will make traveling that much easier. • Multiple compartments to hold toiletries and makeup • Compact and fold-able for easy storage • Made with waterproof material and inside lining • Hook to hang over door
Your light shines from deep within and radiates magic from your soul. Wear this tee to show just how much you’ve come to embrace your inner light. Throw it in your carry-on as you prepare for your adventure. What’s a trip without a little Izzy & Liv on board? • 100% Cotton • Machine wash cold
Reign or Shine Umbrella - $30 1 of 4 prints: Nubian Queens, Cultured Queens, Pretty Patterns, and Brown Sugar Sunshine Don’t let a little rain stop your show. A Brown Sugar Box exclusive, Reign or Shine Umbrellas are exactly what you need to cheer you up on a gloomy day. You’ll love the push button feature for easy opening and closing! • Non slip rubber handle • Push button open and close • Full UV ray protection • Matching pouch • Size: 21” wide canopy, 11” compact size - when closed
2
“Wheels Up” 2-Pack Luggage Cover Set - $25
1 of 3 prints: Divine Diva (blue), Cultured Queens (yellow), World Renowned (orange). Bringing sand to the beach is okay with us, so adding a luggage cover to your suitcase is right up our alley. We are here to support your travel shenanigans with our Izzy & Liv “Wheels Up” Maximum Stretch Luggage Cover. • Stretchable luggage covers – set of 2 (S and M) • Small size fits carry-on luggage up to 24” • Medium size fits checked bag luggage up to 27” • Machine wash cold. Do not bleach and do not iron. Hang dry.
3
MARCH 2020
The Types of Friends You’ll Need for a Successful Girls’ Trip by Girl Tyler
A
fter a certain age, you come to realize that, as much as you love them, you can’t vacation with all your girlfriends. While they each may hold a special place in your heart, only a select few make great travel companions. Some people prefer to sightsee during every waking moment while others like to just kick back and relax. Depending on where you fall on the spectrum, some of your friends may be on the opposite end. If you’re not accustomed to spending extended periods of time with them, being together in close quarters may be a recipe for disaster. After a while, you’ll start to notice little annoying quirks that could potentially drive a wedge between you and your girls. So, before you send that invitation, be realistic about how you want to spend your time and determine which girlfriends have shared interests. Here are three girlfriends who should ALWAYS make the cut:
The Planner
The Fixer
The Peacemaker
She’s your go-to logistics girl. Coordinating a trip can be a headache, especially when multiple people are involved. Some of you will be early risers while others prefer a late check out. The Planner is skillful at assessing the needs of the group and seamlessly pulling off an unforgettable trip. She’ll present travel arrangements that offer a happy medium. She’ll take care of the accommodations in a timely manner, come up with budget-friendly activities, and create a compromising itinerary that everyone can get on board with.
Minor hiccups are inevitable during group travel. Flight delays, missing luggage, lost personal items; you name it, chances are you’ll run into some of these problems. No sweat. If things go awry, you can count on The Fixer to handle it. She’s practically a survivalist. A forward-thinking, natural problem solver who keeps the ship sailing smoothly. While no one can prevent the occasional hiccup, The Fixer will activate her savvy skills and do everything in her power to solve whatever problems arise to keep the trip on track.
The Peacemaker is invested in making sure everyone has a good time. She’s super levelheaded and not one for drama. Even with the tightest group of friends, there’s still a chance that you’ll clash with at least one of your girlfriends during the trip. Be it a petty misunderstanding, a huge blowout, or simply someone not being able to hold her liquor, things can quickly escalate if they aren’t nipped in the bud— quick, fast and in a hurry. When things get tense, The Peacemaker remains neutral. Her mediation skills may just save the day—and the trip.
5
MARCH 2020
Be Ready (And Willing) To Try New Things
Giving Them All of Your Travel
Now, think about it. You’re dressed to impress and feeling fabulous during your trip...you cannot just eat at McDonald’s!! No, Sis. Just no. Part of being a true diva is bringing a bit of diva-tude to your dining experience. So, pinky up and be gracious. While you may not enjoy every meal, trying different foods is a major part of the overall travel experience. Don’t miss out on any of those tasty surprises!
Diva-Tude by Saeeda Ruffin
T
ravel can be a touchstone that not only connects you to other people, but also to yourself. Let’s face it, the daily grind will always be there – that’s just life, but travel can recharge your batteries, and it may even feed your soul. Even more reason to take the time to awaken your inner curiosity and experience new and amazing things by taking travel off your “Wish I Could” list and elevating it to a mainstay on your life agenda. Come on Sis! You’ve got places to see and adventures to mount! The thing about travel is you should do it with your whole heart. You want to get the absolute most out of every opportunity. You’ve work hard for your money, and you’ve earned that time off. So, when you finally decide to make travel a priority, really go for it, and don’t forget to bring plenty of diva-tude along with you! Yes! Make every second count!
6
Do Your Research
Pack With Your Style In Mind People often travel in clothing that is considerably more comfortable, but often less stylish. Well, that may be fine for getting you there, but when the real memory making starts, make sure you show up in style. When you look back at your pictures, and your trip with gratitude, you also want to be able to take note of how good you looked and felt. So, bypass outfits that just don’t express your inner diva. After all, your inner diva needs her vacation too Sis!
One of the worst things you can do is to spend your hard-earned money on a trip only to find you don’t like the destination once you get there. Your trip, and everybody else’s in your travel party, will be miserable! So, before jumping on that plane, boat, or in that car, do some basic research. Learn about the climate, the attractions, and spy out opportunities for connecting and learning. But, above all, make sure there will be lots of FUN things to do.
Capture Your Memories
It’s so nice to recall the places you’ve been, and the things you’ve done during a trip. Unfortunately, a huge mistake that many people make is failing to include pics of themselves enjoying their trip. Now, your inner diva will NOT be happy to find out you missed her greatest travel moments and that you only have pics of landscapes, statues, buildings and OTHER PEOPLE. Nope. Travel at its best is about much more than that. YOU are the most important part of your trip. So, take lots of videos, pics and live stream segments. Just make sure that YOU are in some of that footage, in all your travel diva-tude. Now, you go and enjoy, Miss Travel Diva!
7
MARCH 2020
Scavenger Hunts Take You Off The Beaten Path You will learn more about a place through their hidden “treasures” than you will by visiting the average tourist spots. To really take your trip up a few notches, consider trying your hand at a local scavenger hunt to discover new and exciting places in the area where you are vacationing. Depending on where you go, there may be an app or website that can guide you. There are even companies that specialize in producing these scavenger hunts, and some offer deals on sites like Groupon. You definitely “gon” see some stuff, now! Sis, just a reminder that even though this is an adventure, do your best to stay safe. Your squad may want to dress similarly. And yes, a glamorous Izzy and Liv scarf or matching tees would be the perfect way to stay in sync.
Things For Travel Divas To Do in Any Location by Saeeda Ruffin
S
o much to do, so little time. That’s how it can feel when you are on a travel adventure. Some want to hit all of the “touristy” type places—you know, the main reason that some folks pay the cash and take the time to travel. It’s the norm and better than not traveling at all, but Girl—don’t be basic! Get creative. Do more and see more. Of course, you want to take a pic in front of the tourist traps, and you can do that too. But not JUST that. After all, you are a Travel Diva. Let your fabulousness shine through and make exploration the hallmark of your adventure. Here are some alternatives that will help you to break free from the regular shmegular stuff, and that may just help make your trip the experience of a lifetime:
8
“Crawl” Your Way To An Amazing Time A crawl is an event that takes place when a group decides to pursue one thing together. Most people have heard of a “beer or pub crawl” when groups of people go from bar to bar. But crawls can take place in the strangest places. Ever heard of a Chocolate Crawl, a Taco Crawl, or even an Art Crawl? Crawls can get really wild and fun. Do some Googling, find your tribe, and get your “crawl” on. But, don’t forget to dress for it and be prepared for the weather. Yes, that new Izzy and Liv umbrella could sho nuff come in handy!
Make The Trip About More Than You Sometimes, it’s nice to be a “visitor”, but other times, you want to really dive into the culture and learn more about the people. By stepping out of your comfort zone and actually connecting with locals, you can uncover tons of interesting factoids, get a deeper understanding of their daily lives, and you may even make new friends. A great way to do this is to create video logs, or vlogs, during your trip. Interview, learn from, or simply hang out with some locals. How amazing would it be to cook a local or traditional dish, or try your hand at an indigenous craft! True Travel Divas will appreciate these fabulous and memorable experiences.
9
MARCH 2020
Reconnect with Yourself
Through World Travel by Jarius Edens
T
raveling used to be reserved for vacations and special times. Over the past decade, however, traveling has become an act of selfcare and personal reconnection time, especially for many Black women. Currently, Black women are the largest group of individuals exploring the world. From safaris in the savannas of South Africa, to the vineyards in the wine countries of Europe, Black women are encountering true moments of joy, solace, and connection as they travel the world. Why is traveling so profound? Traveling can change how you see others and how you see yourself. Packing up their favorite swimsuits, comfortable hiking boots, or fun winter gear, can be the beginning of an evolution and rebirth for travelers.
Have you ever taken a trip and returned home feeling rejuvenated, motivated and inspired to develop a new habit, try a new restaurant, or even stop doing something you know is hindering your progress? Well, your travels may be the reason for the motivation you felt when you returned. Traveling definitely can rewire your brain, and help you change your life for the better.
Here are 5 activities you can do to reconnect with yourself while you travel.
1.
Journal. Taking a journal along during your travels will allow you to record feelings, revelations, and lessons you may learn while you’re relaxing on white sandy beaches of that island.
2.
4.
3.
5.
Sit with locals and talk to them. As you travel, try to talk to at least one local person, even if it’s in the airport. Listening to the stories and cultural differences of others can help you reconnect to your own deep roots.
Do nothing. That’s right do nothing. Take one day during your travels to do ab-so-lute-ly nothing. Clear the schedule and relax with your own thoughts and ideas. Use your journal from #1 to jot down your innermost thoughts.
Visit a historical or educational site. Learning about the history of a place while you’re traveling can change how you see yourself in the world. It can help you appreciate your magical heritage. Do something you normally wouldn’t do. Go dancing or try an exotic, ethnic dish while traveling. These small experiences can eliminate stress from your body and offer new moments of happiness that can change you before you even get back to your front door.
All in all, traveling has proven to be a stress reliever, life changer, and eye opener. The more you travel, the more you understand the wonders of our world and this grand creation we inhabit called Earth. The beaches of South America are calling you. The mountains of the Colorado Rockies are waiting for you. Let this be the year you answer the call. After all, we only go around once!
11
MARCH 2020
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.
Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! Ahki L-C. was randomly selected from everyone who shared their February 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.
12
13
MARCH 2020
Frequently asked questions
1
“That’s My Jam Carpool Karaoke” Playlist for Your Next Road Trip by Girl Tyler Spontaneous adventures always beget unforgettable moments. Hit up your friends or call bae and get gassed up for an impromptu road trip. Whether you’re going out of state or keeping it local, we’ll supply the music that’ll keep the energy up for many miles. Our “That’s My Jam Carpool Karaoke” playlist is full of nostalgic vibes from the ‘90s and ‘00s. These classic hits will bring back old memories while you create new ones with your favorite people. Download it and sing off-key as loud as you want.
• No Scrubs by TLC
• Can We Talk by Tevin Campbell
• Tipsy by J-Kwon
• So Fresh, So Clean by OutKast
• Killing Me Softly by Fugees
• Candy Rain by Soul For Real
• Don’t Mess with My Man by Nivea ft. Jagged Edge
• Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill
• Fantasy (Remix) by Mariah Carey ft. O.D.B.
• You by Lloyd ft Lil Wayne
• Weak by SWV
• Hot in Herre by Nelly
• That’s the Way Love Goes by Janet Jackson
• So Gone by Monica
• Come and Talk to Me by Jodeci
• Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’) by T-Pain ft. Yung Joc
• Right Thurr by Chingy
• Mo Money Mo Problems by The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Puff Daddy and Mase
• Foolish by Ashanti
• I Wanna Be Down by Brandy ft. Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, and MC Lyte
• Jumpin’, Jumpin’ by Destiny’s Child
• Yeah! by Usher ft. Ludacris and Lil Jon
14
• Don’t Walk Away by Jade • Milkshake by Kelis • Get Low by Lil Jon and The Eastside Boyz ft The Ying Yang Twins
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 re-billed on the 1st of the month for the next box. So you will be billed for the March box on the 1st of March; for the April box on the 1st of April 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 help us 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 as 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/Skip Billing” 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. You can only skip your next order and the following first scheduled order. Alternatively, you can email to have us skip deliveries for you. 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 that month’s box. If your box was returned due to address 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
6
15
ARE HAPPENING IN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP
You should be there… Members Only Lounge www.facebook.com/groups/izzyandliv