Latest news with #ThePoet
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'I tried adult toys from a woman-centred brand and they're incredible'
'I tried adult toys from a woman-centred brand and they're incredible' When shopping writer Lauren Codling came across Smile Makers Collection - a brand that champions female pleasure and is known for its colourful, approachable lineup of toys - she knew it was time to explore further Smile Makers create products they hope customers will proudly display on their bedside table rather than feeling compelled to hide under the bed (Image: Smile Makers Collection ) Ever since I purchased my first glittery toy from Ann Summers at 18, I've been a strong advocate for sexual wellness. What began as a curiosity has evolved into something far more empowering, and I now view self-pleasure not just as fun but also as a form of self-care. When I discovered Smile Makers Collection - a brand that promotes female pleasure and is renowned for its colourful, approachable range of toys - I knew it was time to delve deeper. The playful packaging and inclusive messaging had caught my attention for some time, and it seemed like the ideal moment to enhance my toy collection, reports the Mirror. Read on to find out how I fared with my new bedtime companions. And if you're tempted to make a purchase, use the discount code SELFCARE20 for a 20% reduction. READ MORE: 'I tried protein shakes for women and lost weight while getting more energy' READ MORE: Hand luggage bag that's the 'perfect fit for Ryanair' now has a massive 45% off My thoughts on Smile Maker toys Firstly, I had to choose my preferred toys, and Smile Makers makes this process incredibly straightforward, particularly for novices. The website features a quick and friendly quiz that inquires about everything from toy experience to pleasure preferences. Shop the range Prices vary Smile Makers Collection Buy Now on Smile Makers Collection Product Description Use the discount code SELFCARE20 for a 20% discount. I was matched with The Poet (£79.95), a toy that, coincidentally, a friend had already praised. I also added The Tennis Pro (£49.95), a sleek vibrator, a bottle of toy cleaner, and a lubricant to my basket - essentials for anyone assembling a thoughtful kit. The toys arrived in vibrant packaging, perfectly complementing the aesthetic of each toy. They feel soft to the touch, thanks to the body-safe silicone, and I could tell they were high-quality products. The only downside was that both needed to be charged before use. Once powered up, I reached for The Poet first. It comes with three interchangeable 'mouths' to fit your body properly - something I've never seen from other toys. It also has five pulsation modes. Each one delivered beautifully. There are also squeeze sensors that adjust the intensity, which sounds ingenious, but I found them tricky to use - especially when trying to maintain a good angle. I find Lelo's Sonic 2 massager easier to use, although it's more expensive at £129. Lauren tried two toys (The Poet and The Tennis Pro), as well as a toy wash and lubricant (Image: Lauren Codling ) As for the results? Let's just say my friend wasn't exaggerating. The Poet is genuinely one of the best toys I've ever tried. However, while it's marketed as 'whisper-quiet', it's more chatty than silent when not pressed against the skin - something to bear in mind if you're sharing walls. Then, it was time to explore The Tennis Pro. With its rounded, angled head, it's designed to target all the right areas - saving me the cost (and clutter) of buying two more toys. If you'd prefer to introduce an external toy, though, I highly recommend Love Not War's Koi Wand (£59.99) - it's been a reliable favourite for a couple of years now and never lets me down. The Tennis Pro boasts four speeds and pulsation patterns. It's potent, offering a delightful deep rumble rather than a light tickle, and the variety of speeds makes it an exciting toy to explore. The Tennis Pro has an angled head and flexible neck to hit the right spot every time (Image: Smile Makers Collection ) Article continues below It's a fantastic gadget for solo sessions but also a welcome addition to partnered play. Unlike The Poet, The Tennis Pro is quiet, which means no uncomfortable morning after discussions with my flatmate about strange sounds. A combination of discretion and pleasure is always a winning formula. So, if you're on the hunt for toys that feel contemporary, body-positive and thoughtfully designed, Smile Makers deserves your consideration - whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro. I'll certainly be returning for more.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I tested the adult toys from a woman-centred wellness brand'
These fun and friendly adult toys are seriously worth the hype I've been a big advocate for sexual wellness ever since I bought my first glittery toy from Ann Summers at 18. What started as a curiosity has since grown into something much more empowering, and I view self-pleasure not just as fun but also as a form of self-care. When I came across Smile Makers Collection - a brand that champions female pleasure and is known for its colourful, approachable lineup of toys - I knew it was time to explore further. The playful packaging and inclusive messaging had been on my radar for a while and it felt like the perfect time to upgrade my toy box. So, how would I get on with my new bedtime besties? If you're tempted to shop, use the discount code SELFCARE20 for a 20% discount. What I thought of Smile Maker toys Firstly, I had to select my chosen toys, and Smile Makers makes the process incredibly easy, especially for beginners. The site features a quick and friendly quiz that asks about everything from toy experience to pleasure preferences. I matched with The Poet (£79.95), a toy that, incidentally, a friend had already raved about. I also added The Tennis Pro (£49.95), a sleek vibrator, a bottle of toy cleaner, and a lubricant to my cart - essentials for anyone building a thoughtful kit. The toys arrived in colourful boxes, perfectly matching each toy's aesthetic. They feel soft to the touch, thanks to the body-safe silicone and I could tell they were high-quality products. The only buzzkill (no pun intended) was they both needed to be charged before use. Once charged, I reached for The Poet first. It comes with three interchangeable 'mouths' to fit your body properly - something I've never seen from other toys. It also has five pulsation modes. Each one delivered beautifully. There are also squeeze sensors that adjust the intensity, which sounds genius, but I found them tricky to use - especially when trying to maintain a good angle. I find Lelo's Sonic 2 massager easier to use, although it's more expensive at £129. As for the results? Let's say my friend wasn't exaggerating. The Poet is genuinely one of the best toys I've ever tried. However, while it's marketed as 'whisper-quiet', it's more chatty than silent when not pressed against the skin - something to keep in mind if you're sharing walls. Then, it was time to explore The Tennis Pro. With its rounded, angled head, it's designed to target all the right areas - saving me the cost (and clutter) of buying two more toys. If you'd prefer to introduce an external toy, though, I highly recommend Love Not War's Koi Wand (£109.99) - it's been a go-to for a couple of years now and never lets me down. The Tennis Pro has four speeds and pulsation patterns. It's powerful, delivering a lovely deep rumble rather than a buzzy tickle, and the variety of speeds makes it fun to try. It's an excellent toy for solo sessions but an equally welcome guest in partnered play. Unlike The Poet, The Tennis Pro is actually quiet, which means no awkward morning-after chats with my housemate about mysterious noises. Discretion plus pleasure is always a win-win. So, if you're looking for toys that feel modern, body-positive and thoughtfully designed, Smile Makers is worth your attention - whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. I'll definitely be going back for more.
Gulf Today
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Firetti Contemporary features works of Reynier Llanes in ‘Reverie' show
Firetti Contemporary, the gallery where art and creative concepts align from the region and beyond, is hosting Reverie, the Middle Eastern debut of acclaimed Cuban-American artist Reynier Llanes (Apr. 14 – June 14). Curated by Celine Azem, the exhibition showcases works from Llanes's celebrated series, The Poet, where themes of self-reflection, memory and storytelling, unfold through pictorial representation. The show draws inspiration – and gets its title - from the philosophy of 'reverie', as articulated by French philosopher Gaston Bachelard in The Poetics of Reverie. Bachelard insisted that reverie is not a mental vacuum, but actually indicated an abundance of spirit. For Bachelard, reverie was a state of contemplation where imagination and memory merged to reveal truths about the self and the world. Llanes embodies this vision, creating works that act as gateways to introspection, with reality and reflection playing major roles. Emotions and memories surface in his works, with the compositions sharing personal and universal qualities. Reverie, according to the artist, is not about escaping life's struggles but about reinterpreting them, in a space where emotions, memories and aspirations, interlink. Harvest of war in gouache, crayon and paper. At the heart of Reverie is The Poet, an enigmatic figure observing the fleeting yet profound moments of life — self-discovery, nostalgia, love, and loss. Suspended between memory and imagination, The Poet exists in a state of perpetual contemplation. Through delicate line-work and atmospheric compositions, Llanes invites viewers into a zone of reflection and thought, where the boundaries between past and present, real and imagined, what was and what is, are blurred. He has the ability to balance melancholy and beauty, hardship and hope, loss and gain, which creates a tragic yet rewarding experience. Some of the works in The Poet series bridge ancient echoes and contemporary realities, projecting both personal and generic human experiences. 'There is a perspective in storytelling that I love: the more personal a story is, the more it connects with people,' Llanes has said. He presents a poignant piece titled Place dedicated to the wars and conflicts around the world, endowing their stark realities with poetic sensitivity. Solar is a luminous composition with a brighter palette, symbolising renewal and the pursuit of beauty amid adversity. A radiant figure emerges from an ocean of gold, dissolving into the surrounding texture. The canvas radiates warmth as if The Poet has merged with the sun itself, introducing a transcendental element. Holiday Tree on a windy day. In Stellar, The Poet is suspended in the vastness of the cosmos, surrounded by an expanse of celestial fragments. The golden hues of the figure is surrounded by cosmic dust, evoking humanity's search for meaning among the stars. Telephone juxtaposes time past and present, depicting a millennial woman leaning against an old telephone booth, while The Poet — ghostly and translucent — stands alert on the opposite side. The contrast between their worlds is palpable; the work explores connection, distance, and the silent conversations between past and present. Other works further examine solitude, nostalgia and transformation. In The Portal, a spectral figure steps through a rainbow entering the sea, crossing from one realm into another, dissolving in light and colour, suggesting the beauty of the unknown. Thoughts sees The Poet in deep contemplation, reminiscent of Rodin's The Thinker, yet rendered in wavy translucency. The figure merges with its surroundings, as though thinking itself was eroding the boundaries of the physical world. Reynier Llanes and an artwork detail. Another work, Eve, is set against a Cuban porch, where The Poets appear as ethereal figures caught in an intimate, fleeting moment. The painting is a tie-up of reality and memory, since it depicts Llanes's personal connection to Cuba. The piece incorporates familiar imagery — weathered facades, warm streetlights and everyday architecture — grounding dreamlike storytelling in tangible reality. Beyond personal and cultural narratives, Llanes also engages with contemporary discussions on artificial intelligence, consciousness and immortality. As technology advances and raises questions about the legacy of human memory beyond physical existence, The Poet serves as a metaphor for the soul — an eternal essence that infinitely accumulates knowledge and experience, beyond time and space. Just as Reverie allows the mind to journey the past, present, and imagined futures, The Poet becomes a keeper of collective memory and the continuously evolving human experience. 'Time present and time past/Are both perhaps present in time future,/And time future contained in time past.' – T. S. Eliot. Reynier Llanes (b. 1985, Pinar del Rio, Cuba) uses his art to delve into topics steeped in folklore, organically linked to the Cuban landscape. He often portrays this landscape with a magical lens, offering new interpretations. Conceptually, his works craft fables and allegories. He has relocated to the United States, to its South, where he has been hailed as one of the 'New Superstars of Southern Art'. Llanes's art is deeply influenced by the Southern culture of the USA. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he is an avid art collector, focusing on works by Cuban artists, particularly those hailing from his native province of Pinar del Rio. The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, Florida, has noted that his 'symbolist narrative paintings and mixed media works underline not merely his immense talents as a realist, but also his ability to conjure alternate yet convincing realities of his own imagination', adding that the artist's 'memories of his roots in Cuba intertwine with his mystical, audience-engaging visions of the present and future.' Llanes's art has found permanent homes in many reputed museums in the United States.
Boston Globe
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Even without its signature set, BLO's ‘The Seasons' is no dry run
Early in the opera, The Poet (as portrayed by countertenor and 'The Seasons' co-progenitor Anthony Roth Costanzo) sings: 'You know poets, sometimes we feel the weather inside of us more than we feel the weather outside of us.' Given Wednesday's performance, it's clear that axiom doesn't just apply to poets. Advertisement There's no doubt that 'The Seasons' would have been a different show had the six singers and six dancers been working with the visual and tactile elements of Lien and Forman's soapscape set in addition to the lighting, the lithe modern choreography by Pam Tanowitz, the diaphanous costumes by Carlos J Soto, and Vivaldi's music as performed by a zesty Baroque pit band. Regardless, 'The Seasons' was on solid ground musically and visually. The iconic concertos of 'The Four Seasons' served as the piece's creative springboard, but thoughtfully selected arias, songs, and other pieces from Vivaldi's vast catalogue made up the bulk of the score, blending the familiar with the old-made-new. Baroque arias often manifest emotions through nature or weather imagery in both voice and instrumentation: plinking pizzicato for rain here, twittering birds for spring there, and 'The Seasons' made plentiful and effective use of that trope. Advertisement In Ruhl's dramatic scenario, an artists' rustic retreat is disturbed when the seasonal cycle falls out of order due to climate change, and the singers portraying those artists were all outstanding. As the Farmer, soprano Ashley Emerson unfurled luscious melismas while chopping vegetables, and countertenor Kangmin Justin Kim's warm, velvety timbre as the Painter provided a keen contrast to Costanzo's icy, clear precision. In the role of the Choreographer, mezzo-soprano and BLO emerging artist Alexis Peart partnered with dancer Lindsey Jones in a touching and tragic duet for human voice and human body. Every baroque opera must have its rage arias, and soprano Whitney Morrison and bass-baritone Brandon Cedel tackled those with incisive wrath. Special kudos goes to Ji Yung Lee, who led the pit ensemble from the harpsichord on only minutes' notice after production music director Stephen Stubbs was accidentally injured backstage on his way to the pit and needed to sit the performance out. (A BLO spokesperson confirmed Stubbs was OK, but that's not the first medical emergency Maile Okamura, front, and other members of Pam Tanowitz Dance in Boston Lyric Opera's "The Seasons." Nile Scott Studios The narrative of weather disrupted seems simplistic on the surface. The paradigm of four seasons neatly divided into spring, summer, fall, and winter has only ever been true for very specific parts of the world. And even in those parts that can claim those four seasons, like New England, it gets more complicated than that. I'm reminded of Advertisement But therein lies the point: No matter the exact rhythms of the cycle you're used to, the effects of climate change can turn it into disaster followed by disaster. The most powerful tableau of the show featured the violent third movement of 'Summer' from 'The Four Seasons,' as haze effects filled the air and the stage was illuminated in orange with the back wall invisible through the smoke. It's an image Further productions in New York and beyond are planned for 'The Seasons,' and hopefully by then the complications with Lien and Forman's iridescent setpiece will be resolved. I do look forward to experiencing 'The Seasons' as its creators envisioned it. Still, though the Boston run of 'The Seasons' may not have realized everything it had wanted, the show is not lacking anything it needs. It's even there in the stage directions of Ruhl's libretto: 'Mostly an empty set. And weather.' And so they have it. THE SEASONS Presented by Boston Lyric Opera and ArtsEmerson. Through March 16. A.Z. Madonna can be reached at
