Latest news with #Kova
CNN
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Can you trust social media to sell you a couch? I tried the viral Albany Park Kova sofa to find out
Your couch is arguably the most important piece of furniture and decor in your home, where you and your family will spend countless hours each day interacting, unwinding, entertaining and more. And with so many direct-to-consumer furniture brands operating solely online these days, there's a strong chance that you might never actually sit on your couch until its already purchased and set up in your living room. So social media comes in handy, then, when it comes to gaining a better sense of what you're actually getting yourself into as you make this major purchase. But can TikTok and Instagram be trusted with such a big decision? That's the question I've been grappling with specifically in relation to the Albany Park Kova collection. A mainstay of my FYP, the Kova couch looks extremely comfortable and seems to be priced well, but is it all the influencers and creators out there say it's cracked up to be? Here's what I found out. Albany Park Kova Sofa and Ottoman The Albany Park Kova sofa has gone viral on social media for its pillow cushions and ease of assembly. It's available in a wide range of sizes and configurations, and you can choose from 33 fabric options. It started with the Restoration Hardware Cloud Sofa, aka the viral Cloud Couch. That ultra relaxed, sink-in feel of this couch's pillow-like cushions captivated the internet — and celebrities, who could actually afford the starting price tag of over $1,700 for a single armless section and more than $2,200 for a corner — back when it launched in 2015. But now, a decade later, that comfy, cushy vibe has been adapted by many furniture brands into sofas that are far more accessible in terms of price, but no less cozy and sought after. Related article The best couch and furniture deals to shop before prices increase The Albany Park Kova collection is one of the most popular pillow-cushioned options available today. I've personally seen dozens of videos on TikTok of creators putting the couch together with ease (at least according to their picture-perfect edited videos) before flopping onto the finished product and singing its praises. You'd be hard pressed to find a couch, especially for a smaller space, that's absolutely perfect, but there's a lot to love about the Albany Park Kova. My experience is based on the 86-inch sofa with a storage ottoman, and for the upholstery, I opted for the performance boucle fabric in mocha, a pinkish brown hue. First, delivery was relatively seamless. The couch arrived in five large, very heavy boxes. My delivery guys were able to drop them off inside my apartment building, and because I'm on the ground floor, I was able to push them into my living room myself. But if you live on a high floor of an apartment building or you're planning to put this couch upstairs in your home, just know that you'll need some help to actually get the boxes there. Prev Next Assembly was intuitive and straightforward, though again, I do recommend having a second pair of hands around to help. All the pieces of the couch are packaged securely, but not so securely that unwrapping them is much of a challenge, and once you remove the plastic wrap from around the cushions, they puff up pretty much instantly. There are no tools required to put the couch together; the feet simply screw into the base, so that process is a total breeze. Meanwhile, the bases attach to the arms and backs via metal brackets that nest together by sliding one into the other. In a YouTube assembly tutorial video, it looks like these brackets fit together without too much effort; in reality, they don't — this was by far the most challenging aspect of assembly and the reason I recommend having at least one other person around to help, and preferably someone with some muscle. Lucky for me, my mom happened to be staying with me, and we only got the pieces to fit completely together when one of us was bracing the base while the other threw their entire body weight against the arm/back. It wasn't the most difficult furniture assembly task we've ever encountered, but we did break a sweat. If you got a sectional (and you probably did), the sections have a gator clamp that pivots out from under the base and easily clicks into its counterpart. Initially, I actually forgot this step, but it's vital. You'll notice that the sections move around quite easily if you forgo it, which actually speaks to one of the brand's selling points: The ability to easily reconfigure the couch if you opt for one of the bigger sectionals. Finally, you're ready to put the cushions into place. For the actual couch, they're simply placed on top (the seat cushions have a textured side that faces down to prevent slipping and sliding), with the cushion for the ottoman is zipped into a cushion cover that's sewn on. Speaking of the ottoman, I highly recommend opting for the version that includes storage! I've been able to fit two regular and one large bolster pillow inside with room to spare, and this piece actually arrives fully assembled, so you don't have to mess around with assembling any hinge systems. I've been living with the sofa for over a month now, even sleeping on it for over a week, and I've been impressed with its level of comfort and durability. I expected to need to fluff up the pillow cushions rather often, but I've actually only needed to do that a couple times, as they hold their shape nicely. The performance boucle fabric has also surpassed my expectations: Despite my best attempts to deter her, my cat loves to scratch at the fabric, but so far there's no evidence of damage (this was not the case with my previous couch). It's also spillproof; liquids just roll off the fabric, rather than soaking in. For me, the Albany Park Kova lives up to the hype it's received on social media. It's priced well; comes in a variety of sizes, configurations and fabrics; assembly was more than manageable; the upholstery is impressively durable; and most importantly, it's really, really comfortable. If you're looking for a sofa you can really sink into, it turns out social media hasn't steered you wrong — this time. How deep is the Albany Park Kova couch? How deep is the Albany Park Kova couch? The Albany Park Kova's seat depth measures 29 inches for each section. Here at CNN Underscored, we rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure everything we recommend is worthy of your money. In addition to hands-on testing products, we also consult top experts to understand what features, benefits and possible downsides each item offers. We also seek out important considerations and advice from our experts to help give you the information you need to make smarter shopping decisions. For this article, editorial director Chelsea Stone tried the viral Albany Park Kova sofa to see if it lived up to the hype it's received online.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dog with a job: How the Ohio State Highway Patrol trains its K9s to detect explosives
Kova, a three-year-old Labrador Retriever, doesn't get paid for her job detecting explosives for the State Highway Patrol. Instead, she sits when she detects one of the 30 scents she's trained to find. Then, she gets a toy. "The entire process for them, when we train our dogs on narcotics, or we train them on explosives, they don't know what they're smelling," Kova's handler, Trooper Kurt Hedges, said. "They just know that when they find that odor, that is what gets them their toy. So, it's all a game." Hedges said Kova is one of the first Labradors the patrol has used in 25 years. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and German Shorthaired Pointers are much more common dogs. Hedges added that Labs are typically more challenging to come by when they were the most popular breed in the U.S. The Highway Patrol looks for a few characteristics when choosing dogs to become working dogs. They have to have a good sense of smell, high motivation to hunt and retrieve, and they have to be trainable. Once the patrol has chosen a dog (often from out-of-state and overseas vendors), it's time for training. The pups are presented with a wall with three holes, one of which contains a smell they will need to be able to find in the future. Once they find the source of the scent, the handler gets the dog to sit and then rewards it with a toy. This process is repeated for each of the many explosive scents the K9s need to be able to detect. Trainers mix up the length and conditions of the exercises to ensure the dogs will stay on task in a variety of situations. Once the dog has learned to find the eight odors required to be certified by the state, they move on to learning around 22 other scents. At the end of the process, the highway patrol has a dog that can quickly find explosives. To demonstrate, Hedges hid a small bundle of smokeless powder in one of the dorm rooms at the OSHP training facility. After sniffing excitedly up and down the hallway, Kova correctly identified the room the powder was in and sat in front of it. She was rewarded with her toy, taking off running up and down the hallways with it in her mouth. When it was time for more work, Hedges opened the door to the dorm room and let her find where exactly in the room the powder was. In less than a minute, she had found the cabinet containing the powder and sat in front of it. She was again rewarded with her toy, spending the next minutes chewing and playing with it. "She loves (her toy), and that's what it takes. You have to have, it has to be a game to them that they love doing and never gets old," Hedges said. After a day of work, the patrol's dogs go home with their handlers. Kova spends her free time running around Hedge's house, playing with her toys and accompanying him on miles-long runs. Sometimes, even the runs are not enough to tire out the energetic dog. "I keep waiting for the puppy-ness to kind of slow up a little bit," he said. NHart@ @NathanRHart This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How the Ohio State Highway Patrol trains its K9s to detect explosives
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dating in your 50s, 60s and beyond: Here's what a relationship expert wants you to know about mature dating
Looking for love has no age limit. In recent years, the conversation surrounding dating in your 50s, 60s and 70s has moved from the kitchen table to the mainstream, thanks to TV shows like The Golden Bachelorette, starring Joan Vassos and Netflix's The Later Daters produced by former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama. Although reality shows are normalizing mature dating, they merely scratch the surface when it comes to the complexities and challenges many people face in the modern dating landscape. Kat Kova, a Toronto-based psychotherapist and member of the Sexual Health and Relationships Lab at York University, said shows like the Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette series are a step in the right direction in terms of representing an often-overlooked demographic when it comes to topics like relationships and sex. 'I think when people think about dating, sometimes they think about it as a phenomenon that only occurs in younger people and assume that individuals 55 and over are married or in long-term partnerships,' Kova told Yahoo Canada in a previous interview, adding that people sometimes don't think dating can be a big concern for seniors. 'But that's not the case. Many people are widowed or divorced or just haven't found the right person yet.' Despite the excitement surrounding the premiere, some people have criticized the show for glamorizing the dating scene for mature singles. In a recent interview with the New York Times, one woman in her 60s described dating as 'the romantic, geriatric Hunger Games' and 'panning for gold in a sewer.' Others said many people are the prime targets for online scams and face ageism on dating The Golden Bachelorette definitely gives dating in the modern age the Hollywood treatment, Kova said it's important for mature singles not to be deterred during their search for connection. Gerry Turner, the first Golden Bachelor contestant, had previously connected with many of the women on his season over the shared experience of grief and the loss of a loved one. Vassos in particular had opened up about losing her husband of 32 years to pancreatic cancer and how difficult milestones like birthdays and celebrations can be after his death. Her husband had told her that he hoped she'd find another partner after he was gone, even though Vassos said she wasn't ready to hear it. Many people are widowed or divorced or just haven't found the right person yetKat Kova 'It's been three years…,' Vassos wrote about her late husband in January 2024 Instagram post. 'I'd have to name the tallest building in the world to do him justice. Every floor would stand for something kind he did for someone, the good deeds are too many to mention.' She added that her late husband 'always made [her] feel safe and cherished." Dipping your toe into the dating world after the death of a partner can be difficult and filled with complex emotions, including guilt and shame. Additionally, people might feel a little disappointed with the level of connection they have with a subsequent partner after being widowed because it might not 'feel as deep.' According to Kova, it's important to recognize that the relationship might need more time to develop. Also, whether you might be widowed or the person you're dating has been widowed, Kova recommended holding space for that loss. 'It's important to still honour the person that's gone.' Every relationship is different. When entering into a new relationship, it's helpful to reassure yourself that your bond is unique and to try not to devalue your new connection. 'Your situation might look different but every connection we have with someone is unique,' Kova said. 'Try not to compare yourself. And practice gratitude for this new chance at an important and meaningful connection…The grieving process can exist alongside a new connection.' Still, it's worth being mindful if you think you might have to reach out to a mental health professional if your grief feels like more than you can handle, Kova added. For mature adults trying to get back into dating, Kova said it's important to keep an open mind in terms of how you meet someone new. 'Don't shy away from online dating,' she said. 'Many people meet their partner that way and if you have difficulty using technology, ask your kids or grandkids to help you create an online dating profile.' It also helps to familiarize with some red flags to protect yourself from potentially being catfished or lured into a scam on a dating app or social media. Avoid sharing personal information, like your address or banking information online. If you're ever skeptical that someone might be too good to be true, try doing a reverse image search to verify their identity. Be cautious, but have fun — and be sure to protect yourself. If you're feeling shy or embarrassed about telling your family or friends that you're online dating, remember that the majority of people want to see you succeed and have connections. Also, staying socially connected in your community or in groups can help you meet other like-minded people. 'People tend to isolate more when they're older, so it's important to work on those connections whether that's in-person, on the phone or online.' One benefit Kova pointed to for older adults dating is that most people are sure of themselves and what they're looking for, in comparison to dating when you're younger. 'Over time, people become more comfortable in their skin.' She adds that having habits that support you feeling good about yourself can help boost your confidence if that's one of your concerns. If you're trying to reconnect with your libido and sexual desires, Kova said you might have to access that in a different way than you did before. 'What kind of happens in older years is sexual desire and sexual arousal doesn't happen as instantaneously or as spontaneously as they may have in earlier years,' she said, adding that it might not be true across the board, but is a general trend as you age. 'But that doesn't mean that sex can't be pleasurable or that you can't get in touch with your sexuality.' Sexual desire might become more responsive than spontaneous with age. 'Desire can be created from touch, whether it's from another person or yourself," Kova said. If lubrication and erections aren't as reliable as they once were, consider talking to your doctor about hormone replacement medication or about the use of Viagra. 'Keep in mind, sex doesn't always have to be penetrative,' she says. 'I like to use the word outercourse rather than intercourse, to describe what may be more pleasurable and achievable for folks who are in their older years or have a decline in their sexual function.'
