Latest news with #Normal
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Normal Bestie Bundle review: Toys that know the right places
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more WARNING: ADULT CONTENT Normal was one of the first modern sex tech brands I became aware of — both as a sex writer and a sexual woman. Founded in 2021 by Lucy Wark and sexologist Georgia Grace, the Australian label entered the market with a clear mission: to make sexual wellness feel approachable, inclusive, and, frankly, a little less awkward. While I've tried a few of their toys before, I was surprised to realise I'd somehow missed their three bestsellers. Enter: the Besties Bundle. A cleverly curated trio featuring Quinn, Darcy, and Frankie — Normal's most-loved vibrators — the bundle is a brilliant way to explore a variety of sensations and styles without committing to just one. Think of it as a sampler box, but sexier. 'So many in our community are curious about what turns them on — and gets them off,' says founder Lucy Wark. 'From nipple and thigh play to clit, G-spot, vaginal and even A-spot stimulation, the Besties Bundle is your all-in-one way to explore it all. We've taken our most-loved vibes and paired them together so you can discover new sensations, experience blended orgasms, and enjoy more pleasure across more parts of your body.' So, I did what any curious (and professionally obligated) person would do — I took it for a spin. Here's how it went. WHAT'S IN THE BOX? The Besties Bundle includes three vibrators: Quinn: Suction vibrator simulating oral sex with gentle air pulses. Darcy: Double-ended vibrator for internal and external stimulation. Frankie: Compact bullet vibrator with focused vibrations. All three toys in the Besties Bundle are made from body-safe, non-reactive materials — free from any of the nasties like phthalates, PVC or latex — so you can relax and enjoy without worrying about what's going near (or inside) your body. They're USB rechargeable, with up to two hours of play per charge, which makes them pretty reliable as far as battery life goes. The whole kit comes in minimalist packaging and includes a cute little reusable canvas bag — discreet enough to stash in a drawer or overnight bag without a second thought. HOW WE TESTED THE NORMAL BESTIES BUNDLE Because each vibrator in the Besties Bundle is designed to meet a different kind of need, I tested them over a few weeks — reaching for each one as specific urges or moods naturally arose in everyday life. When it comes to reviewing toys like this, I try not to test everything all at once. Sometimes, the novelty or intensity of one toy can overshadow the others, and that's not exactly fair play. In this case, though, each toy is tailored to a distinct moment, environment, or kind of craving — whether it's a slow build, a quick release, or something a little more exploratory. I wanted to give each of them equal opportunity to blow my mind — or not. FIRST IMPRESSIONS The bundle arrives in discreet, eco-conscious packaging — a nod to Normal's commitment to both sustainability and your privacy. Inside, each toy comes with its own reusable canvas bag and a simple instruction card outlining how to charge, use, and care for it. My first impression? They're a great size. Each vibrator feels intuitive to hold — not too bulky, not too dainty — just compact enough to feel comfortable and controlled in your hand. The silicone has a satisfyingly soft, almost skin-like texture that adds to the overall sense of quality and ease. PUTTING THE PRODUCTS TO GOOD USE Quinn Quinn is a suction vibrator that uses gentle pulses of air around the clitoris to create a sensation that closely mimics oral sex. I've tried my fair share of toys in this category, and honestly, Quinn has quickly become one of my favourites. I tested it in the shower — it's safe for up to 10 minutes under running water — and was impressed by how well it performed in that setting. It's gentle, but don't let that fool you; it gets the job done. One of its standout features is the vibrating end opposite the suction. You can switch between the two, or use both in sequence, which allows you to build up slowly or extend the experience if you're not quite ready to finish. It feels designed for pleasure with intention — not just sensation. Darcy I don't usually like to call out favourites … but Darcy is hands-down my favourite in the bundle. It's just so versatile. You can explore G-spot stimulation with the bulb, use the long arm for a deeper, more full-bodied sensation, or treat either end like a wand to tease all your favourite erogenous zones. What I love most about Darcy is how much it offers without feeling overwhelming. It doesn't look intimidating or overly clinical, and it transitions beautifully between external and internal play without needing to switch toys. Size-wise, it's juuust right — the bulb end is perfect if you're craving something with a bit more impact, while the long arm offers a gentler, more sensual kind of penetration. Both ends vibrate too, so you can toggle between the two depending on what you're in the mood for (or have both going at once). I also really appreciate the shape of the long arm — it's subtly curved, which makes finding and stimulating the G-spot feel a lot more intuitive. As with any toy, lube is your best friend — but especially with something like Darcy, if you want to get the most out of both internal and external play. Frankie In my opinion, every girl needs a bullet vibrator in her arsenal — something small, discreet, and easy to take on the go, whether you're travelling or just sneaking in a little self-care between meetings. What I love most about Frankie is its size. It's compact enough to be portable, but not so small that it's awkward to hold or use. A lot of bullet vibrators either slip out of your grip or don't pack enough of a punch — but Frankie nails the balance. It's surprisingly powerful for its size, and the pointed tip is perfect for external or more targeted stimulation. It's the kind of toy that just gets the job done, without fuss. The Besties Bundle is priced at $300 AUD, offering a bundled saving compared to purchasing each device separately: Quinn ($180), Darcy ($180) and Frankie ($60). That's a saving of $120. VERDICT: IS THE BESTIE BUNDLE WORTH BUYING? Short answer? Absolutely. These are some of the best sex toys I've ever used — both in terms of design and performance. The Besties Bundle is a no-brainer if you're looking to refresh your collection with quality, reliable staples that cover the key pillars of vulva stimulation. It's also perfect if you're just starting out and want to experiment with different sensations to figure out what really works for you — without the overwhelm of navigating dozens of options. Price-wise, it's incredibly good value. Some competitor brands charge the same for one toy, and here you're getting three. They're not overly complicated or packed with gimmicks — and honestly, I think that's part of what makes them so great. They're simple, smart, and designed with .
Buzz Feed
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Normal's Doing 50% Off Your Favourites For A Limited Time
Sound the trumpets and alert the guards — Normal is offering 50% off their classic sex toys, spicy sets and convo cards. So, now's the time for that mid-year treat, because quite frankly, you've been through enough. Different spend amounts will also grant you different rewards — who doesn't love free stuff? Spend $100+ and you'll get free shipping. Dish out $200+ and you get a free kink kit (valued at $60) plus, free shipping. And finally, when you checkout $300+, you'll receive the kink kit, shipping AND a Piper Rabbit Vibrator (valued at $200) for FREEEEEEE. Here's everything you should pick up before the sale ends: This suction vibrator will make you forget about needing a partner for oral pleasure. "I lost count of the orgasms," one extremely satisfied Quinn user said. This handheld sucker creates a seal around your most sensitive areas and uses gentle air surges to easily get you from 0-to-100. There's seven settings and seven patterns to choose from depending on your preferences. And, it runs up to two hours on full charge — but judging by the reviews you won't need it going for long. Buy it now from Normal for $90 (was $180). This conversation card set will get you and your partner/s' needs, wants and desires in sync. Find out what you both like (or don't like) and let your intimacy go deeper than physical touch. There's 50 cards to get chats flowing with questions like, "how does it feel asking for what you want?" and "what does love feel like? how does your body respond emotionally, physically, sexually and psychologically?". Get closer before getting closer. Buy a set now from Normal for $20 (was $40). This 5-star rated bullet vibrator is ideal for travelling around, roommates that are always home and/or anyone starting out on their self pleasure journey. Promising review: "I absolutely love this vibe, it's a must-have and it works great and hits the spot perfectly. Super great for beginners, the four vibration settings are ideal. Sharehouse friendly and super easy to use/charge. The charging point is super cool too (completely covered, the plug slots in 😉)." — Lady small, discreet and while powerful, not noisy. Buy it now from Normal for $30 (was $60). And finally, this slim but curved vibrator that'll help you (or someone else) hit the spot, every single time. This could just be you or use this G-Spot vibrator with your partner too! Both ends can be used for penetration, helping you get great use of the entire toy. Incorporate it into foreplay, using it with another toy or even use it for joint penetration with another it now from Normal for $90 (was $180). Use code 'EOFY' at the checkout between June 16 and 30 to redeem the 50% discount, gifts and free shipping — depending on your spend. Happy climaxing!
Economic Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
All-party delegation meets Kuwaiti leadership, Indian community to convey India's stance on fight against terrorism
ANI All-party delegation meets Kuwaiti leadership The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda met with people from several quarters of the Kuwaiti society to convey India's stance against terrorism, the Embassy of India in Kuwait shared the details in a statement on Monday. As per the statement, the all-party delegation arrived in Kuwait on Monday. Kuwait is the second stop of a four-nation diplomatic outreach after Bahrain as part of India's broader engagement with key international partners, including Kuwait, to foster greater global cooperation in combating terrorism. The statement underscored that Kuwait was one of the first countries in the region to issue a statement condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Condemnation of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and messages of condolences were sent by the leadership of Kuwait -Meshal Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to the President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and conveyed Kuwait's solidarity with Monday, the delegation held a productive meeting with Sherida Abdullah Saad Al-Maousherji, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait. The statement observed that the delegation highlighted the continued perpetration of cross-border terrorism against India, including the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, with the intention to disturb peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. They underscored the precise, targeted, proportionate and non-escalatory nature of India's response to the Pahalgam terror the delegation emphasised India's policy of 'Zero Tolerance' and the 'New Normal' approach against terrorism that does not differentiate between terrorists and those supporting them in any manner. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the Indian delegation for sharing their perspective on the recent events and underscored that terrorism has no justification whatsoever. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and per the statement, the all-party delegation interacted with a cross-section of Kuwait's large Indian community and conveyed India's national consensus to fight terrorism. India's affirmative action against terrorism, especially Operation Sindoor, found strong support among the Indian the evening, a special Diwaniya-style interaction, co-hosted with the Kuwait-based think tank Reconnaissance Research, was also held. The event brought together leading voices from Kuwaiti civil society, including members of the royal family, former Ministers, senior editors, think tank experts, opinion leaders, and influencers."While touching upon the strong India-Kuwait strategic partnership, the discussions focused on the recent situation in the Indian sub-continent and India's 'New Normal' approach to dealing with such incidents of cross-border terrorism. The participants were unanimous in their view that terrorism is against humanity and needs to be countered in all possible ways.", the statement stated. As per the statement by the Embassy of India in Kuwait, on Tuesday, the all-party delegation will meet other key interlocutors in Kuwait. Significantly, they will also visit the ongoing India-Kuwait exhibition chronicling 250 years of deep historical connections.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ISU Board of Trustees approves funding for construction projects
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Members of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees in Normal approved funding for a couple of construction projects during its meeting on Friday. Trustees authorized expenditures up to $1.2 million for capital repair projects for two garages. Construction for the School Street and South University Street parking garages will begin this summer, with completion expected by this winter. Trustees also approved up to $41.5 million for all necessary College of Engineering phase one construction. The plan for phase one is to accommodate 600 new engineering students. Phase two of the construction for the College of Engineering will include the cost of renovating space at 1709 GE Road, which will be able to accommodate more than 1,000 students. The College of Engineering will welcome its first class of students this fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Rivian building supplier park near Normal, Illinois plant
Electric vehicle maker Rivian is expanding its footprint in Illinois with another facility downstate. The company is investing nearly $120 million to build a supplier park near its plant in Normal. That will add hundreds of supplier jobs and nearly 100 jobs at Rivian in the next two years. Rivian makes all of their vehicles at their plant in Normal, including the R1S SUV, R1T pickup truck, a commercial van used by Amazon and a delivery van. In 2024, Rivian built about 50,000 cars at that Illinois plant. Earlier this year they announced their factory footprint is growing as they prepare to launch their R2 line in the first half of 2026. The new supplier park will bring suppliers together, reducing costs for shipping, logistics and warehousing.
