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Paragraphs & Panels •

The Values of Booktok

"If you don't think books are political, you are dumb," Gabriella Cappelli, 26, captioned her TikTok video, which she posted in frustration in the days following the 2024 Presidential Election results. ShareTyped in bold pink letters, she continued in the video: “Can all the BookTok girlies come together and create a list of authors who voted red because I don’t want to give them a single cent of my money; Books are political, BookTok is political.”
Paragraphs & Panels •

Social Shelves

Located on the corner of 5th Avenue and President Street, steps away from the Union Street R station and the Gowanus Canal, The Ripped Bodice is a niche bookstore wrapped in pink bows and aged erotica pages. As one wanders through the mismatched shelves and handmade decorations, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary bookstore. It’s filled to the brim with personality, with recommendations from staff taped to shelves, candles themed after favorite characters available to smell, and areas devo...
CooperSquared •

Watch Where You Step

When thinking about ghost stories, Brooklyn is not the first place that comes to mind.
The most infamous tales always seem to occur in southern cities with histories of witchcraft and possession, or mountainous towns with stories surrounding haunted cabins and mysterious forests.
When pondering the second most populated New York borough, one is more likely to think of classic diners, overpriced juice bars, or warehouse art studios. But many of these places are home to some of the most unusual...
Observer •

A Guide to New York’s Most Exclusive New Private Clubs

It seems like everywhere you turn in New York, there's a new members-only club popping up. While there has definitely been a resurgence as of late, private clubs aren’t a new concept to Manhattan—the Union Club and the Metropolitan Club have existed since the 1800s.

These private clubs have long held appeal for various reasons; the Union Club and Metropolitan Club served as fashionable dining and gathering spaces for prominent players in academia, law, politics and business, while more modern a
Cultured •

This Year’s Venice Biennale Features an Unprecedented Number of African Countries. One Podcaster Went Behind the Scenes

For Folasade Ologundudu, the 60th anniversary of the Venice Biennale is more than just a contemporary cultural happening—it's a groundbreaking moment for African artists, generations in the making. On her podcast, Everything Is Connected, known for hosting conversations with artists and curators like Sanford Biggers and Liz Andrews, she is interviewing individuals from the African diaspora partaking in the biannual Italian art rendez-vous. The limited series, titled Light Work presents: Everythi...
Girls Like Magazine •

The Women Hockey Left Behind — Girls Like Magazine

The Women Hockey Left BehindThe PWHL is an outstanding testament to hockey and women’s sports. But for some women, it may have come too late.It was a scene familiar and yet so different. The distinct, crisp smell of ice, with a slight aroma of fresh hot dogs and beer. The bright lights of Long Island’s UBS Arena stream down from the scoreboard, accompanied by the announcer's voice booming in the background, making attendees aware of the latest team updates. Young girls and boys, decked out in a...
Observer •

The Best Wineries and Vineyards on Long Island’s East End

For those in search of a respite from the hustle and bustle of New York City this summer, it's time to venture a few hours east, where visitors can find some of the most picturesque wineries in the region. Although perhaps not as well known as acclaimed West Coast wine regions like Napa and Sonoma, Long Island is home to over 60 wineries, spanning more than 3,000 acres of vineyards, and has delighted both avid vino collectors and casual tasters for almost 50 years.



The major...
Observer •

How to Spend a Long Weekend in Montreal

Montreal is a city touched by art, culture and history. This exhilarating metropolis has touches of French life intertwined with Canadian history and culture, and offers a European experience, but without the transatlantic travel for those coming from the U.S. With it just being a short one-and-a-half hour flight away from New York City, Montreal is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Due to the expansive layout of the city, Montreal is best explored on foot, with assistance from the
Observer •

Seeing Through His Lens: A Q&A with Interior Designer Sergio Mercado

Sergio Mercado may draw inspiration from the sleek, contemporary style of California, but his timeless and luxurious designs have become an iconic part of the New York City area, whether that be a classic townhouse or a plush restaurant.

Mercado started his interior design journey in San Francisco, where he developed a signature style that became highly sought after in residential, hospitality and commercial spaces. He spent years building up brands like BAMO, Inc. and Clodagh Design, helping t
Her Track •

What Years of Acne Struggle Taught Me About Self-Love

My journey with acne is one of those topics that I tend to avoid.

I like to pretend that if I don’t talk about it, it never happened.

This is far from the truth since my long battle with acne left permanent scars, both physically and emotionally.

And I know I am not alone.

Sometimes, the stories we don’t want to tell, are the ones that need to be told the most.

The uncomfortable and unpleasant, the deep reflections of our most sacredly held insecurities. This is where we find likeness in ou
Collage •

Ten Books to Help Inspire, Educate, and Change - Collage

Reading about activism? What a waste of time, right? What can a couple of old books tell me about the world that I don’t already know?
It turns out — quite a lot. Reading and educating yourself about disparities, injustice, and change doesn’t stop when you close the pages of To Kill a Mockingbird or A Raisin in the Sun in middle school. It’s our responsibility as citizens to stay educated, constantly challenge our thoughts, and inspire others. Although most activism education comes from social m...
CooperSquared •

Eight New York City Bars to Spend Your St. Patrick’s Day

The Irish community is one of the most prominent and significant cultural groups in New York. Since the late 19th century, they have made their home in the city, sharing their language, music, and food with thousands. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was honored here in New York long before their arrival when Irish soldiers stationed in the American colonies held a parade in his honor. 
These days, thousands of people come from all over to celebrate the saint and the New York Irish co...
Girls Like Magazine •

4 Classes to Finally Get You Working Out — Girls Like Magazine

SoulCycle isn’t some unknown secret spot. In fact, it is one of the most popular spin classes in New York. But it is famous for a reason. According to Byrdie,  “All classes are an aerobic workout that include varying intensities of aerobic output and anaerobic intervals.” In other words, these classes, which can be modified based on your fitness level, will have you working hard during class and feeling great after. It is also so much fun, with different class themes and entertaining instructors...
Cultured •

Here Are the 10 Cultural Happenings Not to Miss in Aspen This Summer

Welcome to This Week in Culture, a weekly agenda of show openings and events in major cities across the globe. From galleries to institutions and one-of-a-kind happenings, our ongoing survey highlights the best of contemporary culture, for those willing to make the journey.Anderson Ranch Summer SeriesWhere: Anderson Ranch Arts CenterWhen: July 9 - August 8Why It's Worth a Look: Every year, Anderson Ranch Arts Center invites influential artists, curators, collectors, and critics to lecture and ho...
Observer •

6 Wellness Treatments to Help Make Travel a Breeze

The spontaneity of travel is one of the reasons people love it—the ability to go on adventures, ignore your regular schedule and make memories. It’s okay to let loose, relax and completely unwind. That said, there’s no denying that travel can wreak havoc on your body, from skin breakouts to back pain. 



One of the most common symptoms of static sitting (staying in one seated alignment for an extended period of time, which is often the case on an airplane, train or other forms...
Nicolette's Paragraphs & Panels •

Virtual Laughter Isn't Virtual Anymore

“How’s your credit score?” Tracy Carnazzo shouted, pointing toward the covered bar. The bartender, Andrew, gave a thumbs-up and laughed from behind the counter. The native New Yorker had decided to start her comedy show off by hitting on the bartender and asking him about his financial status and housing situation.

The crowd at Caveat*, a comedy theater underneath Clinton Street on the Lower East Side, cheered Andrew on as he continued chatting with the performers on stage. This is, of course,
Observer •

Where to Drink and Dine During New York Fashion Week

The best dining spots to help bring your New York Fashion Week to the next level.

New York Fashion Week has never just been about the designer shows. Since its conception, NYFW has become an opportunity for the city to showcase what makes New York so special—whether that be a new boutique, a classic museum exhibit, a buzzy party or a signature restaurant menu. It is also a social extravaganza, as the fashion world descends upon New York to experience the best of the city. To make the most of it

About Me

Nicolette Cavallaro is a lifestyle, entertainment, and culture journalist based in New York.  She received her master's in Magazine Journalism and Digital Storytelling from New York University. Previously, Nicolette attended Binghamton University for her undergraduate degree. 

You can find her work in Fair Observer, NerdDaily, Observer, CULTURED, Her Track, Girl's Like, Her Campus, Binghamton's Pipe Dream and NYU's  CooperSquared. She also has a Substack, Paragraphs and Panels. 

When she isn't writing, Nicolette is traveling, playing video games, planning outfits, at a hockey game, trying new restaurants in NYC, or spending time with her large Italian family.