Your dad is so much cooler than ties and "World's Best Dad" mugs—upgrade your Father's Day gift for your dad or the dad figure in your life to something that is equally as cool. Think, a succulent subscription service because #PlantDad is totally a thing right now.
For this Father's Day (June 21), we've rounded up the trendiest items to surprise your pops with, so have TikTok ready to capture his face the exact moment he realizes you truly get him.
For The Cool Dad Who Always Keeps It Holistic: CURATIO Full Spectrum CBD
Even cool dads get aches and pains. If your dad has replaced conventional medicine for CBD like the rest of the world did in 2019, then reload his stash with Curatio CBD— the THC-free medical grade cannabinoid products with higher absorption, bioavailability, onset and performance. For the cannabis experts out there, Curatio converts THC to CBN so it remains full spectrum. Curatio comes in a tincture, cream (pump), salve and roll-on starting at $40.
For The Cool Dad Who Doubles As A #PlantDad: SUCCULENT STUDIOS
Does your dad love his plants almost as much as you? Succulent Studios is a monthly subscription that delivers two unique succulents to your doorstep with specific care instructions for both. Keep your old man's greenery collection flourishing even in quarantine with this no-contact solution all for the low price of $10/month. Get ready to visit dad and your cacti siblings!
For The Cool Dad Who’s A Girl Dad: 'The Mamba Mentality: How I Play' by Kobe Bryant
The tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gigi shed light on the impact of fathers like the legendary NBA baller—girl dads. Gift your #GirlDad with the secrets of Kobe's famed "Mamba mentality" written in the wake of his 2016 retirement. The read is available via Amazon on Kindle, hardcover or audiobook.
For The Cool Dad Who Still Trains Hard: THERAGUN Mini
Athletic dads will appreciate Theragun's new, compact-sized recovery device. Its deep tissue massage powers will melt away soreness and help soothe injuries. Bonus: It'll save you from having to knead out any of dad's knots when you come by for a visit. Trust us, that alone is worth the $199 price tag.
For The Cool Dad That Needs To Level Up His Dad Shoes: ADIDAS Stan Smith
Your dad is too cool for kicks from Walmart, so do him a favor a pick him up a pair of Adidas Stan Smith Shoes. The sneaks are classic enough to suit any father's style and trendy enough to get him photographed for the pages of GQ. Even sneakerhead fathers will love these!
For The Cool Dad Who’s A Know-It-All: MASTERCLASS All-Access Pass
If you have one of those fathers who thinks they know it all, well find the one subject he doesn't know it all in and get him a MasterClass annual membership to teach him. You name it, they got a class for it and A-list instructors—Steph Curry, Gordon Ramsay, Spike Lee and more. Bonus: For every purchase of a membership you get one free, so you can join dad and make it a father-daughter shared experience!
For The Cool Dad Who Likes To Tune Out: SONY Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones with Alexa Voice Control
Let dad listen to the next Verzuz battle in peace with these industry-leading soundproof headphones complete with a built-in mic for hands-free calls. Features include 30 hours of playtime with a single charge and smart listening which adjusts the ambient sound to your activity. Alexa, add to cart!
For The Cool Dad Who Has Impeccable Sock Game: BOMBAS Men's Muhammad Ali Ropes Sports Box
Sure, socks are right there next to ties on the list of predictable Father's Day gifts, but this Muhammad Ali-inspired sock box set makes it predictable and cool. This limited-edition box comes with four pairs of Muhammad Ali x Bombas socks and a sturdy collector's box that's embossed with 'Float' on one side and 'Sting' on the other. Bonus: Bombas donates a pair of socks to someone in need with each pair sold!
For A Cool Dad Who’s A Proud #BeardGang Member: SAFI MAN Face & Beard Care
Safi Man
Keep dad's beard thriving with this comprehensive beard system by entertainer Andra Fuller. The 4-step kit includes a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and conditioning oil. The products are free of sulfates, parabens and other clean beauty no-no's. Dad will especially love that the cleanser is formulated with activated charcoal to remove toxins, bacteria, tightens pores and balances oil production.
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Jazmine A. Ortiz is a creative born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn and currently living in Staten Island, NY. She started in the entertainment industry in 2012 and now works as a Lifestyle Editor where she explores everything from mental health to vegan foodie trends. For more on what she's doing in the digital space follow her on Instagram at @liddle_bitt.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Essence Atkins Shares Why Abstinence Is Her Path To Purpose And A 'Great Harvest'
Essence Atkins is having a very important conversation.
Known for her role on the hit show Half & Half, the actress appeared on Sherri to discuss her latest projects, her friendship with Tia Mowry, and spilling the tea on her personal life. Surprisingly, Essence revealed that she has been abstaining from sex for the past four years and plans to continue until she remarries.
The star met her first husband, Jaime Mendez, on Valentine's Day in 2008 through the online dating platform Match.com. Mendez was a former All-American collegiate football free safety. The couple wed in September 2009, with Atkins' co-star Valarie Pettiford performing at the reception. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 2016.
When talking about why she chose abstinence, Essence said, "It was something that I heard very clearly. I believe there's honor in what I'm doing, and my obedience is going to yield a great harvest."
And the benefits are real. "I have tremendous clarity. When I meet someone, I can really assess and listen with much better ears because I’m not distracted by the possibility [of physical intimacy]," the actress shared.
Most of all she believes her journey should serve as encouragement to young women. "It's important that we value ourselves and make sure that others are valuing us. Can you spend time with someone without physical companionship? Do they make you laugh? Are they joyful? Are they purposeful and intentional?"
Abstinence vs Celibacy
Abstinence is a temporary decision to avoid sexual activity, while celibacy is a lifestyle choice to abstain from sexual activity for an extended period of time, or even a lifetime.
The Girls Are Celibate
A recent survey conducted by BLK, a dating app designed for the Black community, has uncovered a growing trend of celibacy among Black Gen Z women. The survey's findings indicate that 64% of Black Gen Z women are currently practicing celibacy, with a significant majority (63%) having made this decision within the past six months.
61% of respondents chose celibacy as a means of self-improvement. Furthermore, 66% reported experiencing improved emotional well-being, and 87% found that celibacy either positively impacted or had no negative effect on their dating lives.
As a millennial woman who practiced celibacy for three years, it is a truly awakening experience because you get to wholly honor yourself. And with the dating pool having some pee and other unknown substances in it, it just feels good to make the decision for myself.
Dating apps that focus on specific communities, like BLK, have a unique opportunity. They can see and respond to changes in dating behavior, such as the growing trend of celibacy among Black Gen Z women. For these women, celibacy is a way to take control of their own stories, resist societal pressures, and build healthier relationships. By adapting to these needs, these apps can better serve these users and strengthen their connection with these important sub-communities.
4B Movement
CNN reports that following the news of Donald Trump's re-election as President of the United States, there has been a significant increase in interest in the US for the concept of "4B". The article says, “Young liberal women across TikTok and Instagram are discussing and sharing information about the South Korean feminist movement, in which straight women refuse to marry, have children, date or have sex with men.”
These women are furious after the majority of their male counterparts voted for a candidate who was found liable for sexual abuse. They are also frustrated that his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices overturned national abortion rights protections.
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Featured image by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE