April 2018 Mini Magazine

APRIL 2018

5

PowerfulQuotes For Us By US

Throwback Girls Night Playlist

Tips on

Recconecting With Yourself

How-To Find Your Tribe

Evolution

of Black Beauty

$149 BOX VALUE

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INSIDE YOUR APRIL BOX This month’s box has a $149 retail value!

07 QUEEN FOR THE DAY TEE- (RETAIL VALUE $28 Today, it’s all about you! Treat yourself to dinner, get a manicure, hit happy hour with the girls, and rock this cute tee. You’re the Queen today sis. Let them know who’s in charge!

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“HELLO GORGEOUS” CERAMIC JEWELRY TRAY(RETAIL VALUE $14) Hey Beautiful! Hi Pretty! Hello Gorgeous! What better place to keep your favorite jewelry stash than in a home that knows just how fabulous you are!

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BAD & BOOZY TRAVEL WINE TUMBLER(RETAIL VALUE $18) Purse? Check. Uber? Check. Wine? CHECK. Pour yourself a drink and head out to ladies night, BYOB brunch, or girls trip in style with our Bad & Boozy travel wine tumbler.

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WE’RE GOING TO NEED MORE WINE BY GABRIELLE UNION- (RETAIL VALUE $26) Every woman has a story that can only be told over a glass of wine in the company of good friends. Gabrielle Union’s New York Times bestseller is full of those honest, real stories.

TIARA HEADPIECE (RETAIL VALUE $15) A true queen needs a crown. We got you covered with an elegant tiara that adds a little royalty to your everyday style.

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10 Oz. double wall for insulation of liquids BPA free Hand wash only Snap-on lid with thumb-slide opening

BROWN SUGAR GIRL KEYCHAIN(RETAIL VALUE $6) Black women are made of brown sugar, spice, and everything nice. Rep your squad wherever you go with a cute little brown sugar girl keychain.

BIRTHDAY Do you know what today is? It’s our anniversary!

SIX PACK BROWN SUGAR GIRLS BLANK CARD SET (RETAIL VALUE $10) Whether it’s a thank you card, a special occasion, or just a note to say hello, send it with some brown sugar. Your friends will love this stationery featuring brown sugar girls of the past.

Hi Beautiful! It’s hard to believe that the Brown Sugar Box is officially 1 years old! Thank you to my team, our vendors and partners who help to make this box possible. Most importantly, THANK YOU. So much has happened in the past year! It’s been a rollercoaster ride and I am grateful for the privilege of having your support along the journey.

We value each and every subscriber around here. We

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work countless hours trying to source items to bring a smile to your face each month. We may not always hit a home run, but we are so happy and appreciative to see that so many of you love what we are doing. Our mission has and always will be to curate each box with you in mind. To remind you that you are beautiful, that

“TIME TO SLAY” LEATHER BRACELET WATCH (ASSORTED COLORS) (RETAIL VALUE $20) You know what they say, “when you stay ready, you ain’t got to get ready.” Make sure you’re always on time to slay with this chic bracelet watch.

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Quartz movement with alloy case and PU leather straps Buckle closure Daily water resistance (not for showering and swmming)

you are important, and that you deserve to be thought of and celebrated. You are deserving of a brand that makes YOU the first thought and not an afterthought, as we head into another year, we will continue to do just that.

Your support, feedback, photos, videos and spreading the word about Brown Sugar Box means the world to me and keeps me going every day. Can’t stop. Won’t stop! I want you to know that you are appreciated, valued and that your support is not taken for granted.

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I don’t know what the future has in store for us, but I can assure you that we’re fully committed to growing our sisterhood and providing you with value, service and expressive items each month. Enjoy this month’s box and continue to reign like the QUEEN that you are.

See you next month!

LAYERED DROP NECKLACE (RETAIL VALUE $12) You can never go wrong with layers. Take a simple outfit from “yes” to “yasssss” with this layered drop necklace. Wear it alone or pair it with a choker for a easy style upgrade.

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Alloy (lead free, nickel free, cadmium free) Gold plating 15in/20in/25in chain with extender

Stay Beautiful, Nicole W. Brown

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An Invitation to

Unapologetic Self Love

5 Powerful Quotes

For Us By Us

“As a black woman, the decision to love yourself just as you are is a radical act. And I’m as radical as they come.”

~Bethanee Epifani J. Bryant,

Author & Motivational Speaker

A Reminder of Your Greatness

“Black women were created of brown sugar and warm honey. The sweetest thing to bless the earth. Be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise.”

~ Alexandra Elle,

Author & Wellness Consultant

A Note of Encouragement “Be not discouraged black women of the world, but push forward, regardless of the lack of appreciation shown you.”

~ Amy Jacques Garvey, Journalist & Activist

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s black women, we find ourselves in the often difficult but always magical position of being both Black and Woman. And while it should be easy to see ourselves represented in each of theses spaces, we know all too well how that often turns out: “All the Women are White and all the Blacks are Men. But some of us are brave.” ~ Akasha (Gloria T.) Hull, Patricia Bell-Scott, Barbara Smith.

Even when no one else will, we are to celebrate, empower, and uplift brave black women. Here are a few powerful quotes for us, by us to celebrate US.

Confirmation that Your Voice Matters

By Tyshia Ingram

“The voice of a Black Woman should always be HERSELF…No edits – no erasure – no pressure – no expectations – no additions – no intruders.”

~ Malebo Sephodi, Activist & Writer

A Call to Remember

Your Magic

“Black Girl Magic is a rallying call of recognition. Embedded in the everyday is a magnificence that is so easy to miss because we’re so mired in the struggle and what society says we are.”

~ Ava Duvernay, Film Director, Screenwriter, & Film Producer www.izzyandliv.com

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Join A Class Outside of work, it often seems like we never have time for anything extra other than eating, sleeping, and maybe going to the gym (on a good day). When we never have the opportunity to go anywhere, this definitely diminishes the number of people we’re able to meet. We have to make time! Find a hobby and join a class.

Regardless of whether it’s a book club or art class, find a group of people who share something in common with you! Walking into these classes, you can already ensure that you’ll have an icebreaker topic to explore. These conversations could lead to temporary friends, or if you’re lucky, a lifelong tribe member!

How To Find

w

Your Tribe

By Jouviane Alexander

hen we think about our favorite TV shows, we could probably all name a group of friends that we wish to emulate. Whether we’re in “Living Single” with Khadijah and company or relaxing with our “Girlfriends” in Joan’s apartment, we’re all looking for or trying to solidify our tribe. There’s nothing more beautiful than a strong group of women who are able to empower and support each other. While it’s a beautiful thing, not all of us have it! If you’re looking for tips on how to find your tribe, keep reading!

Hit the Gym While most people would tell you to hit the gym for health reasons, there’s another benefit. You can meet people! Everyone is usually there for the same reason – to get fit. Once you become a regular member, you’ll find yourself running into the same people every day. When you feel comfortable, just spark up a conversation with someone! Whether you need someone to spot you or would rather have a gym partner, the gym is a great place to meet motivated people who are open to motivating you!

Reconnect with Old Friends Do you have a friendship(s) that seemed to have just slowly fizzled away? One way to finding your tribe is looking back at old tribe members! Not all friendships end because of a difficult situation. Sometimes you just grow apart!

If you’re missing any of your friends, reach out to them!

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Set up a coffee date or a movie date and catch up. Chances are they miss you too! With a little effort and a bit more communication, you could rekindle an old friendship and form a strong and lasting relationship.

Go Out with Your Co-Workers When you think about the 40-hour work week, we spend just under a ¼ of our week at work.

Outside of sleep and maybe our relationships, there’s no one we spend more time with than our co-workers. This makes the workplace a great location to look for your tribe.

Not only do you and your co-workers share the same space, but you’re also dealing with the same stressors. Rather than running to the parking lot or train station at the end of the day, hit a local happy hour! Discussing your day over a nice glass of Pinot might be just what you need to solidify your sisterhood.

A lot of shows give us the impression that your sisterhood should be flooded with strong, powerful women. What we fail to realize is that it’s always quality over quantity. It’s great to have four or five close friends that you share everything with, but it’s just as great to have that one confidante you know you can always count on.

Regardless of how many women are in your tribe, you’ll find them in the places where you feel most comfortable and where you can be yourself!

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By Jouviane Alexandre

An Evolu tion of black beauty

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1990s: DON’T TWIST THE BRAIDS Black beauty of the 1990s moved away from the afros and bumped presses. This decade brought in twists and braids. While these protective styles were always common in the black community, the women in the industry brought the styles into the mainstream media. One can’t think about braids in the ’90s without thinking about Brandy. These two styles were prominent in the black beauty trends of the ‘90s, but we would soon watch the 2000s bring the rise of perms and the extension industry.

Photo via BET.COM

2000s: HAIR, HAIR, AND MORE HAIR At the turn of the millennium, we saw black beauty trends fall away from braids and twists and move towards weaves and extensions. Everyone was either perming their hair or rocking a weave. From singers like Beyonce to actresses like Gabrielle Union, everyone was wearing long bundles. With this common thread during the 2000s, the next decade would open the door for a multitude of different hairstyles.

LACK GIRLS ROCK. BLACK GIRL MAGIC. In more recent years, we’ve heard these terms come into play, but let’s face it. Black girls have always rocked. Black women have always been magic. Although these terms have been coined within the last eight years, we’re paying homage to all the beautiful black women who have gotten us here. From the 1960s until now, let’s take a look at the evolution of black beauty.

Photo via Afropunk

Photo via Boston Globe

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1960s – 1970s: ROCK THE FRO The 1960s was a decade where women were rocking their natural hair. Everywhere you would turn, you would see black women with small or large afros standing with confidence. Regardless of the job or purpose, the afro was a beautiful statement of black women in the ‘60s. Activist Angela Davis was seen during many speeches, interviews, and protests with her bold afro.

Marsha Hunt was singing and dancing in the musical Hair with her natural hair.

1970s – 1980s: FULL COURT PRESS While most of the ‘60s and some of the ‘70s featured the bold and beautiful afro, the new decade also brought in a new style of hair for black women. Rather than rocking an afro, women were going for a pressed look. Singer Diana Ross traded in her large afro for a shoulder-length press. Disco queen Donna Summer was known for her look of long, soft curls.

While this style lasted for much of the ‘70s and ‘80s, the 1990s would introduce a completely new, fresh style to black beauties.

Photo via Twitter

2010s AND BEYOND While the decade isn’t over yet, there are some clear trends within the black beauty community. Although there are multiple, a few have clearly stood out. As Cardi B so aptly said it, many women are choosing to “kill the weave, rock a lace.”

While extensions and weaves are still popular, many women are choosing to go the route of wigs. Another major trend in the black beauty community is the natural hair movement! While millions of women were perming their hair in the ‘90s and early 2000s, many women in the black beauty world have decided to return to their natural roots!

Photo via Instagram

Trends in the black beauty community are constantly changing.

While many of the decades have their own distinct style, it’s clear that the 2010s have brought the idea that women can do whatever they want with their hair! Whether they’re reverting back to natural, rocking braids, or choosing a wig, black women will continue to rock and be magic! www.izzyandliv.com

TIPS ON

RECONNECTING

WITH

You r self

By Jouviane Alexandre

In 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

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.

Take A Solo Vacation

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 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.

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 bed. 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

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Throwback Girls Night

w

Playlist

By Alexandria Daniels

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? e all love a good girls night, but what about those days when you’d rather skip the

club and just Netflix and chill instead? Make it a girls night in with good food, a bottle of wine, and a throwback playlist. Here’s a playlist of classic songs for those chill evenings with friends.

Whitney Houston- My Love is Your Love

702- Get It Together

Alicia Keys- If I Ain’t Got You

Sade- Soldier of Love

Mary J. Blige- I Don’T Want To Do Anything

Earth, Wind, and Fire- Shining Star

Usher- U Don’t Have To Call

Monica- Don’t Take It Personal

TLC- Unpretty

India.Arie- Video

Brandy- Full Moon

Nina Simone- Feelin’ Good

Rihanna- Russian Roulette

Prince- Purple Rain

Destiny’s Child- Hey Ladies

Janet Jackson- Someone To Call My Lover

Marvin Gaye- Heard It Through The Grape Vine

Whitney Houston- Exhale (Shoop)

Aaliyah- One In a Million

Erykah Badu- Green Eyes

Seal- Kiss From A Rose

Destiny’s Child- Survivor

Erykah Badu- Bag Lady

Brandy- I Wanna Be Down

Beyoncé- Me, Myself, and I

Missy Elliot- Work It

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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 on questions, who do I contact?

We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com

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T HAN K YOU //

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\ \ YEAR ONE

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