September 2017 Brown Sugar Mini Mag

Brown S ugar

Box

SEPTEMBER 2017

5 Ways TLC’s Music Empowered Women LADIES FIRST

Playlist

Quotes To

Inspire Magical Black Girls

5 Ways to Style a Graphic Tee Before Summer is Over

$104 BOX VALUE WWW.IZZYANDLIV.COM

INSIDE YOUR SEPTEMBE This month’s box has a $104 retail value!

QUEEN BASEBALL HAT (RETAIL VALUE $22) Yes, you’re a

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Queen with a crown that be down for whatever. But let’s face it, there are

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some days where the crown just won’t cooperate. For days like those, this QUEEN hat is the perfect way to keep it cute (and covered).

THROWBACK 4-PACK PIN-BACK BUTTON SET (RETAIL VALUE $8) You know those lyrics you just can’t seem to get out off your head? Share your favorite dope rhymes with these music pins. Don’t be surprised if you start a community karaoke session when you pop these on you denim jacket, shirt, or backpack!

- 4-pack pinback buttons

- 100% cotton

- 1.25” in diameter

- Embroidered, 6 panel hat - Unisex fit, one size

03 PEACE LOVE AND HIP HOP VINTAGE LOOK TEE (RETAIL VALUE $28) All we need to get by is peace, love, and hip hop. If you hear us and you feel us, spread a little love by rocking this dope tee with a vintage vibe.

- 100% ringspun cotton - Machine wash cold - Never iron directly on graphic.

DONT BE A HARDROCK STRAW TUMBLER (RETAIL VALUE $18) Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again: water is the key to success. And getting your daily requirement doesn’t sound that bad

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when it comes with inspo from Lauryn Hill. Use this tumbler to keep you hydrated and empowered.

- 22-oz capacity - Single-wall construction - Includes a twist-on lid and matching straw

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- Hand-wash only

BER BOX

music

Edition

The 90’s were one of the greatest periods for the music industry. Across genres, some of the best songs were created during this influential decade.

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CRAZY SEXY COOL COSMETIC POUCH (RETAIL VALUE $13) Whether you’re feeling “unpretty”, heading out for some girl talk, or ready to get your creep on (no judgement zone here sis), stay ready to slay no matter the plan with this Crazy Sexy Cool cosmetic bag.

- 9”w x 6”h x 1”d - 7 oz. poly cotton twill

In hip-hop, women dominated many spaces as solo performers, rappers, and girl groups.

And many of those artists used their voices to speak out about black feminist issues, sexuality, and social justice.

This box is dedicated to the ladies took hip-hop and transformed the genre into an empowering outlet for women of color.

Take a trip back down memory lane with us into the face of hiphop in the 90’s and beyond.

06 MERMAID KISSES WHIPPED SUGAR SCRUB W/ BONUS CHERRY LIP BALM (RETAIL VALUE $15) Kick off your shoes and relax your feet because your selfcare Sunday just got an upgrade with this whipped body scrub and lip balm. Exfoliate your melanin with real cane sugar and nourish your lips with cocoa and shea butter. Handmade for you by Bubbles Soap Co. - Body scrub: 4oz. Made with real cane sugar - Lip Balm: Made with cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax and cherry flavor.

- Visit www.bubblessoapco.com for full list of ingredients

“

YOU CANT JUST CALL HIP HOP A TREND. -LAURYN HILL

”

Quotes to Inspire M A

t a time when phrases like “black girls are magic” and “magical black girls” are abundant, it’s easy to forget that yes, while black women are amazing and extraordinary, we’re still real women, dealing with real struggles, in real life. For those times when we’re feeling less than magical, let us turn to some words of wisdom from the original magical black girls. To lean on, uplift, inspire and empower us. No matter what the situation.

These women have provided us with some reminders that, perspective is everything. We all have our burdens to carry but when you change the way you look at your trial or test, you can change your life.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” ~ Lena Horne

“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe” ~ Oprah Winfrey www.izzyandliv.com

Magical Black Girls

By: Tyshia Ingram

I know better than I’d like to admit how hard it is to resist the urge of throwing in the towel when things just don’t seem to be working out.

But the truth is, putting forth your best effort is the goal. No matter how big or small that is. There are some things in life that can only be learned by going through it. And those are the things that will help you grow.

Truthfully, you never really know what’s ahead, no matter how prepared you think you are. Don’t let the uncertainty of the future steal your joy in the present. My favorite quote of all time. Sometimes ladies, we just gotta do it afraid.

“When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ~ Audre Lorde

“I did what my conscience told me to do, and you can’t fail if you do that.” ~ Anita Hill

5

Ways to Style

A Graphic Tee Before Summer is Over

By: Tyshia Ingram

01 DRESS IT UP And I mean all the way up. I had to start here because I needed to make the point that graphic tees are versatile sis. Pairing a graphic tee with a flashy pencil skire and a pair of cute heels is the perfect way to take your favorite tee and make it a fashion statement. You can go all out with this style adding your favorite accessories and a cute bag to finish the look! www.izzyandliv.com

One of my favorite items to wear at any time of the year–but especially the summer–are graphic tees. They are super versatile, allow me to express myself, and did I mention comfortable? Because who has the time to be hot and uncomfortable during the summer? Not me. I decided to share some of my favorite ways to style a graphic tee to give you some fashion inspo before summer is over for good. Here are 5 simple ways to get the most of your shameless tee collection.

02 CASUAL CHIC To take it down a notch, if you like the idea of pairing your graphic tee with a skirt opt for a denim skirt and pair with a pair of cute sneakers. I love rocking a backpack purse with this kind of outfit. Perfect for a summer day out and easy to dress up.

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WITH CUTT-OFF AND KIMONO If we’re talking fashion, a match made in heaven would have to be with cutoffs shorts—you know the kind—and a kimono for extra flair.

And I’m the kind of girl who’d finish up this look with a pair of lace up or gladiator sandals because why not?

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SIMPLE AND COMFORTABLE The best thing about a graphic tee is honestly how easy it is to wear them. And so you if you aren’t busy dressing them up you should be taking advantage of their simplicity. Rocking a tee with some mid-length denim shorts and slides is an effortless summer outfit that looks good and feels better.

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WORKOUT READY You know those people at the gym who arrive in their perfect gym outfits? I’m never one of those people. Working out is probably one of my least favorite activities but since I know it’s essential, I like to do things on my terms. One way you’ll find me rocking my favorite graphic tee is paired with some leggings and running sneakers. This is the time when I’m wearing something inspirational to keep me motivated!

5 Wa y s

T L C ’s

Mu sicE m p o w e r e d

T

women

By: Alexandria Daniels

he 90s ha d so m e o f t he gre a t e s t a n d i co n i c mu s i c b y female artis t s who do m i na t e d t he wo r l d w i t h ca t ch y b eats, hip chore o gra phy a nd spre a di ng me s s a g e s o f u l t i m a te girl powe r. Whi l e t he po p wo rl d ha d t h e S p i ce G i r l s , t h e hip-hop/R& B sc e ne ha d T L C .

T

ionne “T- B o z ” Wa t ki ns, L i sa “L e f t Eye ” L o p e s , a n d Rozonda “Chilli ” T ho m a s c re a t e d so ngs t h a t w e r e g e a r e d t oward women. T hey we re su l t ry, f u n, a n d j u s t d o w n r i g h t in your face. Th e i r t ri o a ddre sse d t o pi cs r a n g i n g f r o m r el ationships, f ri e ndshi ps, t o fe m a l e i ns e c u r i t i e s a n d everything in b e t we e n. To t hi s ve ry da y, ye a r s a f t e r t h e t r a gic passing o f L e f t E ye , t he i r m u si c s t i l l r e s o n a t e s w i t h w o men, particu l a rl y bl a c k wo m e n.

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1. They reminded us to embrace our individual beauty.

The graphic music video for “Unpretty” hit home to many of us who has ever dealt with body insecurities but it also taught us that your body is just as beautiful as anyone else’s. The video follows Chilli looking into plastic surgery and a voluptuous

2. They reminded you to never settle for less.

“No Scrubs” was the anthem no one could stop singing to and with good reason. It was the song that made every woman out there realize that you deserved the best partner to have a relationship with and not someone who treats you like you’re not worth anything special. Need I say more?

3. TLC encouraged us to have strong friendships, especially with females.

One of the many aspects of TLC that I admired is they made me realize how important it is to form strong connections with others, especially with other women.

There is nothing like having that sense of camaraderie and empowerment you get when you are with your closest girlfriends who have your back. However, “What About Your Friends” is a bouncy track that reminds us all to stick with the pals who’ve been with you from get go and not just be there when times are good. It’s the ones who have been with you in your worse who are worth keeping.

woman battling a eating disorder after comparing her figure to supermodels .

It’s an examination of how women can be easily influenced to change their bodies due to the images we see in the media.

Thankfully, it ends on a positive note by showing both women ceasing their obsession over trying to live up to the world’s stan-

dard of beauty and start accepting themselves for who they are.

4. Told us to have no shame in going after what you want, just as long as you are safe.

TLC was all about confidence in and out of the bedroom. “I ain’t too Proud to Beg” is a hilarious example of this is. They were not afraid of advocating for safe sex and demonstrated that women shouldn’t be afraid of asking for it either.

5. Showed that femininity is more than just looking pretty. It’s also about inner strength.

TLC were not just this group of “crazysexycool” women who wanted to have a great time. These women displayed a raw sense of vulnerability in their music whenever life threw them curve balls.

“Waterfalls” is a song reminding us to not live life on the fast lane in order to get what we desire. Meanwhile, “Turntables” pulls us out of our funk. Their music was full of life and promoted the message that life was worth living for. What can be more empowering than that?

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90’s m u sic a ro u n d h e r e . I t ’s n o s e c re t th a t we k ind a fee l li ke i t wa s the b es t d ec a d e fo r a l l t h e t h i n g s but , es p ec ia l l y, mus i c . F r om t h e g i r l g rou p s sl a yin g th e s ce n e to t h e fe ma l e M C ’s kil l ing t h e m i c s to t h e smoo th R& B tu n es we g r ew to l ove , there’s n o t h ing q u i te li ke 9 0 ’s m u s i c .

And even th o u g h we t a lk a bou t i t a lot , o n e t h ing we d on ’t m e n t i on a s often a re th e p ro d u ce r s be h i n d t h e trac k s . Reg a rd l es s of t h e dec a de , a g o o d s o ng is n o t h i n g wi t h ou t a g ood pro d u cer. S o fo r t h e fi r s t t i m e , i n

#1 D i ddy

honor of o u r l ove a n d devot i on for

We h a d to s t ar t of f our wi t h t he ori g-

90’s m u sic , we’re t a k i n g a l ook ba c k

i n a l B ad B oy. Whet her we’re t al k i ng

at th e b es t of th e b e s t m u s i c p r odu c- a b ou t Puf f y, P. Di d d y, or jus t Di d d y, ers fro m th e d ec a de we l ove .

t h i s p rod ucer has gi ven us hi t s f rom t h e g r e at s l i ke Notori ous B . I. G . , Li l ’ Ki m , a n d Fai t h Evans . Not to m ent i on t h e count l es s group s and s ol o ar t i s t s h e br o ught to t he team . A nd even t h ou g h he evol ved wel l beyond hi s p r odu ci ng d ays , we’ l l al ways have a p l a ce for Puf f y and B ad B oy Ent .

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# 3 J e r m a i n e D u pr i T h i s S o S o Def p rod ucer had to m ake t h e l i s t for hi s beat s t hat l ai d t rack s for s o m a ny s ongs t hat have t he end e d u p on our p l ayl i s t s over t he years .

F r om D a B rat , to Us her, to Des t i ny’s

By: Tyshia Ingram

Ch i l d, to M ari ah Carey. There’s few 9 0 ’s a r t i s t s t hat d i d n’ t have a Jerm a i n e D u pri t rack at s om e p oi nt i n t h e i r c a r eers .

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#2 The N e p tu nes We know everyo ne is a fa n of P h a r r e ll

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#4 T i m ba l an d

w as produc in g hit a fter h i t a s p a r t of

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the duo, The Nep t u n es . T h e N e p t u n e s

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were resp o nsib l e fo r t h os e u p be a t ,

h a n d h ow l egend ary Ti m bal and i s .

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O u t of a ll t he prod ucers on t hi s l i s t ,

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we’ ve eve r hea rd b efo r e . Re m e m be r

t i le wh e n i t com es to prod uct i on wi t h

w hen JT d ro p p ed “Ro ck You r B ody ” ?

a c a r ee r t hat has s eri ous p rod ucer

Iconic .

c r e di t s eve ry d ecad e, i ncl ud i ng t he on e we’r e i n now. We have Ti m bal and to t h a n k fo r t he l ate, great A al i yah’s O n e i n a M i l l i on al ong wi t h too m any M i s s y t r a c ks to count . Oh and we can’ t for g e t eve ryone’s f avori te s l ow gri nd

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s on g Pon y by G i nuwi ne.

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//BE A UTIE S\\ Here are a few highlights from last month’s box.

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LADIES FIRST

Playlist

LADIES FIRST- QUEEN LATIFAH & MONIE LOVE As we are wrapping up summer, I began thinking about how dope women are. We are raising children, getting degrees, mastering our careers, and…dealing with a society that likes to pretend that we are less than we are. Yawn.

So as we celebrate the end of summer, and the begining of a new season in life, let’s celebrate the right way with some women’s empowerment music.

We got a mix of old school, new school, real, and raw from our favorite women artists.

Because, who runs world?

BY:

TYSHIA INGRAM

U.N.I.T.Y – QUEEN LATIFAH

AIN’T NOTHING BUT A SHE THANG – SALT N’ PEPA

I AM WOMAN- MC LYTE

INDEPENDENT WOMEN – DESTINY’S CHILD

BOSSY – KELIS

Superwoman by Alicia Keys I’m Every Woman – Whitney Houston

More than a Woman – Aaliyah None of Your Business by Salt-N-Pepa

Nasty – Janet Jackson

Ladies Night by Lil’ Kim ft. Da Brat, Missy Elliot, Angie Martinez & Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes

Certainly – Erykah Badu Who Runs the World – Beyonce

Where My Girls At – 702

T

The

and respect. “A woman can

namesake

bear you break you take

song for

you. Now it’s time to rhyme

our playlist!

can you relate to. A sister

It’s been

dope enough to make you

almost

holler and scream.”

28 years

since the Queen made her official music debut and dropped the hip hop women’s anthem that we

“

E

o

can still rock with today.

M

She, along with Monie

f

Love, were spitting nothing but facts on the track that promoted empowerment www.izzyandliv.com

M

w

t

c

t

s

PRESS PLAY

PA

MC LYTE “I am Woman. Hear me roar.”

Enough said. This track by one of the most legendary female MC’s was an ode to being a force in a male dominated world. So basically, what we go through on a daily basis. Half conceited and half confident, this song is a reminder that we should never play small.

ALICIA KEYS As a working mother and wife who

LIL KIM, DA BRAT, MISSY ELLIOT, ANGIE MARTINEZ, LISA LEFT EYE LOPEZ

has a lot of trouble in the balance

Lil’ Kim gathered all the ladies for this

department, “Superwoman” is

one and we love her for it. Ladies Night

the last title I feel like I can–or

was a classic 90’s track that was an

want if we’re being real–to hold.

ode to sisterhood. “Oh this is ladies

But the truth is, as women, many

night, and the feel is right. Oh this is

days (even on our worst) we’re

ladies night, oh what a night (oh what

superwoman in some capacity. I’ll

a night)!” I know womanhood isn’t an

own that title this weekend! “Even

easy and that’s exactly why every now

when I’m a mess, I still put on a

and then we need a good turn up with

vest, with an S on my chest. Oh

our tribe.

yes, I’m a Superwoman.”

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