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Layla Handy

Bio: Layla is an intern at NYCTastemakers and a current college freshman majoring in English. She has a strong passion for writing and enjoys reading in her free time. Layla also values spending quality time with her family.
Business and Finance

So We’re Basically At War: What Does This Mean For Gas Prices

Last Saturday, the U.S., along with Israel, launched a bomb strike in the country of Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  In an attempt to “eliminate” and eradicate the threat of the country of Iran creating “a nuclear weapon,” the U.S. and Israel have initiated the bomb with the ...

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Books

BookTok Gets a Bad Rap

If you have read the title, you may think I am here to defend all of BookTok and thus the books that are popular on the social media platform.  And in a way, I kind of am and kind of not.  I would rather see this article as an opinionated ...

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Fashion

Ban Fur?

What was supposed to be a memorable week of glam, fashion, and beauty to debut on the red carpets in Milan for Milan Fashion Week has been left well… ugly and tainted by many people.  Staging and organizing many protests in response to the event, many animal rights activists have ...

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Movies

BAFTA Disaster

Yeah… Just… Yeah… I mean… Yeah… I’m sure you know what I’m talking about if you’re on any social media, have friends on social media, or have stepped outside in the past week, I know you know what I’m talking about.    But if you are unaware of the current issue ...

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Sports

One Step for U.S., Three Steps Back for Men’s Hockey

If it were a week ago, I could confidently say that hockey is just on a positive winning streak in the past couple of months.  With the rising popularity of the new television show, “Heated Rivalry,” that had everyone talking, bringing new and positive representation to the LGBTQ+ Community, hockey seems to ...

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Music

New Album from Bruno Mars

Mark your calendars, people, because on Feb. 27, 2026, Bruno Mars is coming out with a brand-new album!  Titled The Romantic, Mars announced the new upcoming album on Jan. 7, 2026, and as the release date nears, the excitement and anticipation grow among the fans. Surprisingly debuting as his fourth solo ...

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Sports

Laila Edwards: Winner!

Add this one to the history books, ladies and gentlemen!  Following the well-deserved victory of the Women’s USA hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, we additionally celebrate another win and the success of one of the members of the hockey team!  Team USA defender, Laila Edwards, won a gold medal along ...

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Theater

The Beauty of a Live Performance

Don’t get me wrong.  I love going to the theater to watch new movies.  With a tub of salty popcorn, holding a refreshing cup of soda, as I stare up at the big screen as the film begins, I will drop almost everything and anything to go to my local ...

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TV

Why No Lesbian Love?

Thanks to the surprising success of the new show “Heated Rivalry,” many people are applauding and praising the show for its beautiful representation of the LGBTQ+ community.  Showcasing the love between two male hockey players, the show has received positive praise and recognition for advancing and representing the LGBTQ+ community.  ...

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Movies

Sexism in Supergirl

Just last year, “Superman” (2025) directed by James Gunn flew across our screens and left us wanting more of the super sage.  But just before we fans had time to take to Twitter and demand a sequel to the summer blockbuster, the ending of “Superman” concluded with a promise to ...

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Music

Bad Bunny Makes Waves

It happened, people!  Last night on February 8, 2026, the Super Bowl Performance of a lifetime finally happened, which is sure to go down in the history books not only in football history but the musical industry as well.  When it was announced that Puerto Rican singer and rapper, Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio ...

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Books

Red, White & Royal Blue: Why the Book Is Better

If you are on BookTok, then you definitely have seen the book, “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston.  Written originally in May of 2019, the book quickly became popular among the young adult community, praised for its beautiful writing, captivating story, and deep characters you love to follow.  ...

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