July 2020 Brown Sugar Box Mini Magazine

JULY 2020 $111 RETAIL VALUE

Why We Can’t Get Enough of Blood & Water on Netflix

A Beginner’s Guide to

Meditation

T he

Ultimate Afrobeats PLAYLIST

TAKING IT BACK HOME:

African Spices to Have at the Cookout

Heritage The

Ways to Recharge

in Our Political Climate

Inside the

Heritage T

he heritage of our people creates the endless possibilities within our culture. The pride Black women,

men, and children have is unmatched. There are those of us who specifically know the tribe from which our DNA flows, and there are others of us who are simply proud of the African heritage we know runs through our blood.

Heritage is the collection of values, traditions, artifacts, and cultural expressions that make a group of people who they are. Our African heritage is lit. That’s the bottom line. From the patterns of tribal cloth to the dances of the people, the heritage derived from the motherland influences all elements of life.

In this HERitage Edition, we’re exploring the values, traditions, artifacts, and cultural expressions that make our ancestral DNA spectacular and special. You know the saying “the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice”, and we know all of that to be true. Black women around the world are showing how much sweeter their resilience really is as they conquer obstacles placed in front of them. This is our ode to the sweet HERitage of the African continent.

Say it with us: I’m Black, and I’m Proud! And, ain’t nothing going to hold me DOWN!

2

JULY 2020 We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value

This month’s value:

$111

“Ase Accents” African Print Sunglasses & Case, $26

Everyone throwin’ shade won’t make being Black and beautiful any less amazing. Block out the shade with the “Ase Accents” Sunglasses & Case. Shatter-resistant polycarbonate lens.

Pouch material: 100% neoprene.

1 of 5 options: Zebra, Red/Teal, Coral/Yellow, Green/Teal and Red/Gold.

“Wrapped in Beauty” Tie-On or Elastic Headbands, $15

Quarantine doesn’t have to catch you slippin’. The “Wrapped in Beauty” tie-on or elastic headband can keep you chic and cute even if you’re inside all day.

Machine-washable, fully absorbent, and 100% durable cotton. 1 of 2 styles: Tie-on or Elastic. 1 of 4 colors: Pink/Blue, Green/Pink, Aqua/Navy Blue, White Blue.

Brought to you waxandwonder.com

“Culture, Confidence, Soul” Tee, $25

Life started in the motherland. Life continues because of the motherland.

The “Culture, Confidence, and Soul” short sleeve, 100% cotton tee says it all. You are the culture. You have the confidence. You create the soul.

“Nubian Royalty” Tribal Card Set, $6 Your descendants are royalty. Your ancestors have always been kings and queens. Appreciate every element of your heritage with this enlightening Nubian Royalty Tribal Card set. Trace Your DNA & Find Your Tribe in partnership with AfricanAncestry.com

“Hues of Heritage” Print Canvas Bag, $39

The strength of your African heritage and this chic bag go hand-in-hand. Carry the “Hues of Heritage” Canvas Bag this summer to bring your pride to your side. Size: 32 x 22 x 12cm.

1 of 4 options: Black Paisley, Safari Wild Child, Tribal Queen, or Pink & Poppin.

3

Resting in Your Heritage: 4 Ways to Recharge in Our Political Climate

by Jarius Edens

A

re you feeling overwhelmed by the tension in the air?

As the political climate of America changes and civil rights movements command our attention, we have to find a way to rest in who we are, the heritage we possess, and the heart of the matter. The ability to be overstimulated comes quickly when a myriad of large evolutions take place at the same time. This may be happening for you right now.

You may find yourself in a constant state of unrest. You have a difficult time getting sound sleep; you are tense and on guard as you maneuver through everyday life; and, your mind is continuously playing loops of video clips, audio snippets, and other visuals. The world is changing fast, and you have to find peace in the middle of it all.

4

You have to recharge, my sister.

Here are 4 ways to recharge during our political climate.

1

Turn Down the Noise.

Find 1-2 trusted news outlets to gather information from on specific days, and then turn down the rest of the noise. Limit your intake of news to 2-3 times a week to help you recharge your mind.

2

Dig in the Dirt.

Go back to your ancestral roots and plant a few seeds, pot a few plants, and play in the dirt. The practice of earthing can significantly decrease your cortisol levels and help to relax your muscles after tense events take place in the world.

3

Listen to the Music.

After you turn down the noise, be sure to turn up the music.

Rhythmic sounds, songs, and vibrations can change our spiritual health. The music you listen to can positively affect your mood and your spirit. Turn the music up!

4

Bask in Solitude.

Sit in the quiet space for a while. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you for it. Even if we don’t realize it, we take in more than 100,000 words of info each day. Disconnecting can prove beneficial in our overall health.

5

Takin’ it Back Home: African Spices to Have at the Cookout

by Jarius Edens

Q

uarantine & Cookout. You know...with your family. As you break out the grill for the Summer festivities in the backyard (because you’re not having big cookouts, right?), here are a few spices from Africa to add to your menu this grilling season.

6

JULY 2020

Harissa.

Cardamom.

Ginger.

Cumin.

The spicy, red paste made of Baklouti peppers, coriander seeds, and other native spices is from Tunisia, a North African country. Use harissa as a rub for your chicken or veggies.

As the root of the spice family, a tablespoon of fresh grated ginger can take your favorite cookout lemonade to the next level. Ginger can be found growing in Nigeria.

SHOP THESE BLACK-OWNED SPICE COMPANIES:

Grill your root veggies in this floral flavored spice to add a hint of uniqueness to your carrots, sweet potatoes, or corn. Cardamom is native to the East African country of Tanzania.

This smoky-flavored powder from Morocco is perfect for steaks and burgers you plan to throw over the fire. Add a pinch of nutmeg and curry for a new African inspired flavor.

» Iya Foods » Keith Lorren Spices » EssieSpice

» The Spice Suite » The Fleetwood

Spice Collection

7

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO

Meditation

by Girl Tyler

C

arving out intentional quiet time can be difďŹ cult even when you live alone or accustomed to being indoors for extended periods of time. We know you have been carrying a heavy load this year. Daily meditation is an effective way to alleviate stress and reduce tension in your body by creating a positive shift in your thinking.

So relax, relate, release. Find a quiet, distraction-free space in your home.

Set the mood with a candle or calming music. Total silence always works best.

You can lie on your back on a yoga mat or sit in an upright position. Just find the position that makes you feel most at ease. If you are upright, cross your legs in a comfortable position and rest your hands in your lap or at your sides. Close your eyes and take slow, controlled breaths. Focus on your breathing on every inhale and exhale.

8

When you begin, your mind may wander and you may even find it difficult to concentrate. Not to worry, this is perfectly normal. The purpose is to release and literally free your mind to create a state of total awareness throughout your entire body. Honor each passing thought and return to your breathing.

JULY 2020

You may find yourself drifting off to sleep when you are on your back. If that happens, try redirecting your attention to your breathing or even sitting up. Meditation doesn’t require sitting still. You can also practice walking meditation. Similar to seated meditation, your breaths are the main event in walking meditation. Try to align your steps with your breaths.

If your thoughts are scattered and your mind is all over the place, we recommend starting off with short periods of meditation. Set a timer (no blaring alarms please). Start with two or three minutes and gradually work your way up to 30 minutes or more.

Meditation is most successful when you practice it consistently. The more you do it, the easier it will be to shift your thoughts. Namaste.

9

WHY WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF BLOOD & WATER ON NETFLIX

by Girl Tyler

10

JULY 2020

B

lood & Water puts the MESS in messy!

It’s a modern-day Veronica Mars meets Beverly Hills 90210 with a mix of Euphoria vibes. This Netflix original follows South African teen, Puleng Khumalo, a 16-yearold accidental sleuth desperate to find her long-lost sister. Puleng ends up at a party for a girl with the same birthdate as her abducted sister. Is it her? The story gets wild from here. Puleng enrolls in a prestigious prep school, led by academic misfits, to find out whether she shares DNA with the school’s most popular girl. She’s an outcast from the very beginning and to make matters worse, Puleng’s dad is implicated in her missing sister’s cold case. While she tries to infiltrate the social hierarchy within the school, Puleng will make powerful enemies and lose valuable allies along the way. Bombshell secrets, with a few obvious stories, drive the story forward, unpacking irreparable chaos along the way.

And of course, there’s lots of sex, drugs, and culture with a few American references. Don’t let the description fool you. This South African coming-of-age drama is for mature audiences.

You’ll immediately be sucked in within the first few minutes. Brace yourself though, there are only six episodes available and once you get to the finale, you’ll be wanting more.

The streaming platform confirmed Blood & Water for a second season, but with Miss Rona running wild, there’s no word on how soon production will begin. Judging by the positive reviews on social media, the follow-up season is sure to please.

11

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! @lustkraftyeventz 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 June 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.

12

JULY 2020

13

The Ultimate Afrobeats Playlist

by Girl Tyler

A

frobeats is an undeniable global force dominating the airwaves.

This genre hits different in the best possible way. Over the last several years, afrobeats has swept the U.S., influencing countless American artists.

We’ve curated an intense mix of soul-stirring, sexy, sensual and tantalizing hits from today’s most popular artists from across the diaspora.

“The Ultimate Afrobeats” features artists with their own original style and patterns to keep you moving. Ride the beat and get lost in the culture.

• F E M A L E by Sampa The Great • Snack by Ms. Banks ft. Kida Kudz • Don’t Jealous Me by Tekno • Go With the Flow by Erockfor • Iskaba by Wande Coal & DJ Tunez • Single & Searching by Yemi Alade ft. Falz • Ojuelegba by WizKid • Dance by Teknomiles • Soapy by Naira Marley • Welu by Teddy-A • Leg Over by Mr. Eazi • Motigbana by Olamide • Attention by Tiwa Savage • Innocenti by Fefe & Northboi • #YawaDey by Burna Boy • Love Riddim by Rotimi • Dance 4 Me by J. Martins • GO by Tekno • Pon My Mind by Maleek Berry • Your Body Hot by Skales ft. Attitude • Lifestyle by Ajebutter22 ft. Maleek Berry • Fantasy by Niniola ft. Femi Kuti • Fall by DaVido

14

JULY 2020

Frequently asked questions

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

6

5

7

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!

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.

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!

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

15

ARE HAPPENING IN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

You shoul d be t here… Member s Only L ounge www.facebook.com/groups/izzyandliv