Kevin & Eniko Hart Prove Thailand Is The Instagram-Worthy Vacation You Didn't Know You Needed
Every now and then, all of us just want to pack some underwear, hop on a plane, and head to a faraway island where your only obligation is to be Black and soak up the sun with the ones you love. Kevin and Eniko Hart's crew just proved that Thailand is the place to do exactly that.
If you're looking to add a new location to your list of places to kick off your shoes and relax your feet, look no further. In a series of Instagram stories that make us wish we could ditch our responsibilities and head to the East Asian country and its overflowing abundance of beautiful beaches right now, Kevin and Eniko gave us an inside look at real life #SquadTravelGoals on their recent voyage to Thailand.
The couple, joined by a group of close friends like Will Packer, and Kevin's trainer, Justin Train, stayed at a luxury Resort that starts at $7,000 on the secluded island of Koh Yao Noi.
The island, which attracts a much smaller crowd than other vacation destinations in Thailand, is known for having beautiful beaches and lowkey nightlife, so if you're looking for a zen AF yoga class for you and your squad, Koh Yao Noi is the plug, sis. But if you're anything like Eniko and Kevin's crew, you'll probably find yourself turning up on a boat in the middle of the ocean.
If after reading this, you're looking for an authentic Thailand experience and don't happen to have $10,000 lying around to drop on an Instagram-worthy vacation in the near future, xoNecole has a guide on how to plan a trip to Thailand and capture some ridiculously dope views (and memories) while you're there.
Visit The Floating Market
Full of color, fun, and authentic Thai flavor, the floating markets in Thailand are said to be must-see tourist attraction. Selling souvenirs, snacks, and sweets, there are a number of markets in Thailand, but some of the most visited are the ones in Bangkok.
Embrace Your Primal Nature At Kho Phi Phi Don (Monkey Island)
Cute but dangerous is the name of the game when it comes to the monkeys on Phi Phi island. The island, known for its white beaches and limestone cliffs, has no shortage of wildlife and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Thailand.
Get Wild At Tiger Kingdom in Phuket
Have you ever wanted to take a selfie with a wild animal that could savagely attack you at any moment (but probably won't)? Head to Phuket to the Tiger Kingdom to make that lifelong dream come true and help create sustainable living conditions for these kitties in the process.
Make Memories With An Elephant in Chiang Mai
Elephants are dying all over the world, y'all; but the elephant sanctuaries in Thailand are doing their part to prevent as many mastodon-related fatalities as possible. The ethical elephant rescue centers are located in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Phuket, where visitors can feed and play with the animals while helping to raise money for better veterinary care and living conditions for these gentle giants.
Watch The Sunset At Pai Canyon
Pai Canyon is not for the faint of heart, and has a slope that is nearly three hours steep. The canyon features a rare, panoramic view of the sky at sunset and has vantage points that are to die for. No seriously, be careful. It's kind of dangerous.
Take in The Magic At Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of The Dawn is located in Bangkok, and is among one of the most visited tourist attractions in Thailand. Wat Arun is considered one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the country.
Featured image by Instagram/@EnikoHart.
'Sistas' Star Skyh Black On The Power Of Hypnotherapy & Emotional Vulnerability For Men
In this insightful episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Sistas star Skyh Black, as he opened up about his journey of emotional growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The episode touches on emotional availability, self-worth, masculinity, and the importance of therapy in overcoming personal struggles.
Skyh Black on Emotional Availability & Love
On Emotional Availability & Vulnerability
“My wife and I wouldn't be where we are today if both of us weren't emotionally available,” he shared about his wife and Sistas co-star KJ Smith, highlighting the value of vulnerability and emotional openness in a relationship. His approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the traditional, stoic ideals. Skyh is not afraid to embrace softness as part of his emotional expression.
On Overcoming Self-Doubt & Worthiness Issues
Skyh reflected on the self-doubt and worthiness issues that he struggled with, especially early in his career. He opens up about his time in Los Angeles, living what he calls the “LA struggle story”—in a one-bedroom with three roommates—and being homeless three times over the span of 16 years. “I always had this self-sabotaging thought process,” Skyh said. “For me, I feel therapy is essential, period. I have a regular therapist and I go to a hypnotherapist.”
How Therapy Helped Him Heal From Self-Doubt
On Hypnotherapy & Empowering Self-Acceptance
Skyh’s journey is a testament to the power of tapping into self-development despite life’s struggles and being open to growth. “I had to submit to the fact that God was doing good in my life, and that I'm worthy of it. I had a worthiness issue and I did not realize that. So, that’s what the hypnotherapy did. It brought me back to the core. What is wrong so that I can fix it?”
Watch the full podcast episode below:
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Quinta Brunson Gets Real About Divorce, Boundaries & Becoming
Quinta Brunson is the woman who chooses herself, even when the world is watching. And in her June 30 cover story for Bustle, she gives us a rare glimpse into the soft, centered place she's navigating her life from now. From leading one of television's most beloved series in the last decade to quietly moving through life shifts, the creator of Abbott Elementary is walking through a personal evolution and doing so with intention, grace, and a firm grip on her boundaries.
Back in March, the 35-year-old filed for divorce from Kevin Jay Anik after nearly three years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." The news hit the headlines of news outlets fast, but Quinta hadn't planned to announce their dissolution to the public so quickly.
Quinta Brunson On Divorce, Public Scrutiny & Sacred Boundaries
"I remember seeing people be like, ‘She announced her divorce,’" she told Bustle. “I didn’t announce anything. I think people have this idea that people in the public eye want the public to know their every move. None of us do. I promise you. No one wants [everyone] to know when you buy a house, when you move, when a major change happens in your personal life. It’s just that that’s public record information."
In regards to her private moves becoming tabloid fodder, Quinta continued, "I hated that. I hate all of it."
"I Am An Artist First": Quinta On Cutting Her Hair & Reclaiming Herself
Still, the diminutive phenom holds her crown high in the face of change and is returning to the essence of who she is, especially as an artist. "Cutting my hair reminded me that I am an artist first. I want to feel things. I want to make choices. I want to be a person, and not just stuck in having to be a certain way for business." It's giving sacred rebirth. It's giving self-liberation. It's especially giving main character energy.
And while the headlines keep spinning their narratives, the one that Quinta is focused on is her own. For her, slowing down and nourishing herself in ways that feed her is what matters. "It’s a transitional time. I think it’s true for me and my personal life, and it’s how I feel about myself, my career, and the world," Quinta shared with Bustle. “I feel very serious about focusing on watering my own gardens, taking care of myself and the people around me who I actually interact with day-to-day."
That includes indulging in simple rituals that ground her like "making myself a meal" which has become "really, really important to me."
That spirit of agency doesn't stop at the personal. In her professional world, as the creator, executive producer, and lead actress of the critically-acclaimed Abbott Elementary, Quinta understands the weight her choices carry, both on- and off-screen. She revealed to Bustle, "People used to tell me at the beginning of this that the No. 1 on the call sheet sets the tone, and the producer sets the tone — and I’m both of those roles."
She continued, "I understand now, after doing this for four years, how important it was that I set the tone that I did when we first started."
Quinta doesn't just lead, she understands the importance of curating the energy of any space she enters. Even amid a season of shifts and shedding, her power speaks loudly. Sometimes that power looks like quiet resistance. Sometimes that power is soft leadership.
And sometimes that power looks like cutting your hair and taking back your name in rooms that have forgotten you were an artist long before you were a brand.
Read Quinta's cover story on Bustle here to witness the fullness of Quinta's becoming.
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Featured image by Zach Hilty/BFA.com/Shutterstock