Knicks In Five, Baby!
The power of sports fanfare
If you’ve spent even five minutes in New York lately (or even just scrolled through social media), you’ve seen it—the city has become a sea of blue and orange. The “Knicks in 5” energy has completely taken over. It’s on the subway, at the office, in bars, on TikTok and walking down every block in Manhattan and Brooklyn. And what’s fascinating is that people aren’t just buying official team merchandise. They’re buying into the feeling of the moment, too.
Suddenly, orange sneakers are selling out. Blue trousers feel oddly relevant. Knicks-adjacent color palettes are everywhere, with people reaching for orange sunglasses, blue handbags, vintage varsity jackets and anything that lets them participate in the cultural conversation without necessarily knowing all that much about the sport (guilty!). That’s the power of sports fandom at its best—it spills far beyond the game itself and becomes a cultural moment. The brands that recognize this and move quickly are the ones winning. You don’t need an official league partnership to capitalize on cultural relevance. Sometimes all you need is an understanding of what people are excited about right now.
And the Knicks are just one example. The FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and the energy is already impossible to ignore. Every sports bar is packed, every television seems to have a match on, soccer jerseys have become the outfit of the summer and sports-inspired fashion is popping up everywhere from street style to red carpets. People want to feel connected to something bigger than themselves, and sports are an easy way to do that, especially now. It’s community. It’s identity. It’s belonging. And increasingly, it’s influencing what we wear, buy, post and talk about.
Honestly, I don’t see this slowing down anytime soon. If anything, I’m seeing more demand for sports-adjacent content than ever before. My editors are hungry for stories that sit at the intersection of sports, fashion, beauty, travel, culture and consumer behavior. So if you’re sitting on interesting data, trend insights, unique spokespersons or story ideas that connect sports fandom to broader lifestyle trends, send them my way. Because right now, sports aren’t just entertainment—they’re one of the biggest cultural forces shaping consumer behavior.
On My Radar
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Every summer, my skincare routine becomes a game of survival. It’s humid, I’m sweating more, spending more time outside and the last thing I want is a heavy moisturizer sitting on my face or body like a sticky blanket. That’s why I always find myself reaching for CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It’s one of those rare products that just works—no irritation, no fuss. The texture is lightweight and absorbs almost instantly, leaving my skin feeling hydrated and comfortable without that greasy feeling I absolutely cannot tolerate in July. Plus, it’s packed with hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture and CeraVe’s MVE technology for long-lasting hydration, so my skin stays happy even through heat waves, park days and all the other chaos summer likes to throw my way.
Sweed Miracle Powder
When I tell you I would defend this product with my life, I’m not exaggerating. If I could only keep one complexion product in my makeup bag, this would be it. The finish is what I imagine my skin would look like if I drank enough water, got eight hours of sleep every night and lived a stress-free life in the south of France. It has this beautiful blurred effect that softens everything while still looking like actual skin—not just makeup sitting on top of skin. The lightweight mineral powder gives just enough coverage to even things out, but never feels heavy or cakey and somehow manages to leave behind the prettiest natural glow. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, I love that it’s free of talc and bismuth oxychloride as well as packed with antioxidants and vitamin C so it never clogs my pores. Some days I wear it on its own, other days I dust it over foundation, but either way, it makes me look like the best version of myself—and that’s why I’ll keep repurchasing it forever.
Maison Madison Mafalda Dinner Plate Set
I’m currently in my “trying to be financially responsible” era, which unfortunately means cooking at home a lot more often (I miss you, Taco Bell). The problem? I’m not exactly whipping up Michelin-star-worthy meals over here. But I’ve learned that a beautiful plate can do a lot of heavy lifting. Somehow, pasta I threw together in 12 minutes feels significantly more impressive when it’s served on the right dish. I’ve been loving these Mafalda Dinner Plates because they make even my most questionable weeknight dinners look intentional. The wide rim gives them that elevated, restaurant-like feel, while still being practical enough for everyday use. Honestly, if I can’t cook like a chef, I can at least plate like one.
Story SOS
Here’s the current lineup of open opportunities, as of today.
Quick reminder: when pitching, email me at alyssa.rotunno@gmail.com. Please don’t just hit reply to this newsletter, or your message might get lost. And follow the subject line requests below—it’ll save you (and me) time!
Real Simple: I Tried “Scream Therapy” (Even If It Sounds Ridiculous)—Here’s Why It Works
Subject line: SCREAM THERAPY: [Insert Expert Here]
What I need: Mental health professional to answer commentary on the benefits of scream therapy; exact questions will be sent via email if a fit
Deadline: June 19 EOD
The Everygirl: Why Summer Isn’t Feeling as Spontaneous as It Used To—And It Might Come Down to Beauty Routines
Subject line: SPONTANEITY GAP: [Insert Expert/Product Here]
What I need: Beauty experts to provide commentary on the “spontaneity gap” within beauty routines + products that help cut down prep time; exact questions will be sent via email if a fit
Deadline: June 19 EOD
The Everygirl: Fashion Is Breaking Up With Matching Sets in Favor of Controlled Chaos—Here’s How To Get The Look
Subject line: CONTROLLED CHAOS: [Insert Brand/Product Here]
What I need: Inspiration for the new trend embracing the anti-matching set (ex: track pants with ballet flats, logo tees paired with silky skirts). Products may be called in for feature consideration
Deadline: June 23 EOD
The Everygirl: 10 Derm-Approved Ways to Prevent Sun Damage This Summer (That Go Beyond SPF)
Subject line: SUN DAMAGE: [Insert Derm Here]
What I need: Derm commentary on the best ways to prevent sun damage; exact questions will be sent via email if a fit
Deadline: June 26 EOD
The Everygirl: The ’90s Blowout Is Trending Again—Here’s How I’m Actually Getting the Look at Home
Subject line: 90S BLOWOUT: [Insert Pro Hairstylist Here]
What I need: Hairstylist commentary on the best methods to achieve the ‘90s blowout trend; exact questions will be sent via email if a fit
Deadline: June 26 EOD
Catch a Byline
Your go-to update for everything I’ve got out in the world. I’m just as in-the-dark as you on publish dates, so check out this week’s latest and see if the story has officially gone live:
Parade: I Recreated 5 Viral Y2K Makeup Looks—Here’s What Still Works in 2026
Parade: I Tried 10 ‘Ballet Slipper’ Lip Products—Only 3 Gave That Soft-Focus Finish
House Beautiful: The “Two-Foot Rule” Is the Simple Decluttering Method Pro Organizers Swear By
The Everygirl: The Subtle Summer Nail Trend You Can Actually Achieve at Home
Parade: 12 Hairstyles That ‘Fake Fullness’ on Fine Hair for Women Over 50, from Bold Curls to a Pixie
Parade: I Tried 8 Redness-Relief Products for 2 Weeks—Only a Few Actually Worked
Want a Consultation?
Want real, no-fluff advice on how to make your brand actually stand out? Or, are you a writer trying to break through in the industry? Either way, I got you.
I can hop on Zoom, a call or swing by in person for a Q&A to answer all your pressing questions about pitching, events, mailers, trips, follow-ups and more—basically, anything you’ve been wondering about, all from a blended PR + media POV that actually makes sense.
We can switch it up however your team wants. Most calls are virtual, but I am always happy to chat over a cappuccino—because why not?
Hit me up at alyssa.rotunno@gmail.com and let’s make it happen.