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Lauren Schuster

Lauren Schuster is a content specialist working with McClatchy Media’s Trend Hunter and national content specialists team. She specializes in content about travel, dining, and entertainment. She has worked as a writer, editor and content creator covering lifestyle, food, and pop culture for five years, with bylines at Mann About Town, Tasting Table, TheThings, and more. In 2026, she received a master’s degree in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing from Baruch College in New York City, supporting her work in the digital content landscape.

What virtual try-on tools really do with your selfie and how to stay in control

How Virtual Try-On Tools Are Affected by Privacy Laws

You upload a selfie, swipe through lipstick shades, pick a favorite and drop it in your cart. The try-on part takes seconds. Figuring out where that image of your face actually goes afterward can take a lot longer, and privacy law is still catching up with the virtual try-on tools now baked into beauty, eyewear […]

What's Really Inside Your Can of Pumpkin Puree and Whether Fresh Is Worth the Effort

What's Really Inside Your Can of Pumpkin Puree vs Fresh Pumpkins?

One can in the baking aisle powers Thanksgiving pies, pumpkin bread and your fall latte. Crack it open, though, and the stuff inside tastes nothing like a roasted jack-o’-lantern. Here is what is actually in there, which fresh varieties reward the extra kitchen work and how to pick the right option for the dish you […]

What 'Natural Flavor' and 'Artificial Flavor' Actually Mean on a Grocery Store Product Label

What Do 'Natural Flavor' and 'Artificial Flavor' Actually Mean?

Walk down any grocery aisle and you’ll see “natural flavor” on everything from seltzer to protein bars. Shoppers increasingly assume that phrase signals something healthier or purer than its artificial counterpart. The federal rules say something different, and the gap between what the label implies and what the regulation actually requires is quietly becoming one […]

Pumpkin Spice Ingredients Explained and Whether Your Fall Latte Is Actually Good For You

Are Your Pumpkin Spice Latte's Ingredients Actually Good For You?

Pumpkin spice is back on menus and store shelves. Here’s a straightforward look at what’s actually in it, where the flavor comes from and whether the spices behind it offer anything beyond taste. Does Pumpkin Spice Actually Contain Pumpkin? Most pumpkin spice syrups and flavorings contain no pumpkin at all. The name refers to a […]

Virtual Try-On Kiosks Are Moving From Novelty to Mainstream as Returns Hit Margins

Why Virtual Try-On Kiosks Are Popping Up in Retail Stores

Returns are eating into fashion retailer profits, and the industry is reaching for a fix that sits at the intersection of AI and the fitting room. Virtual try-on kiosks are shifting from novelty into standard retail technology, with grocery giants and startups betting that a more accurate preview will convince shoppers to keep what they […]

High-Protein Snacks Are Rapidly Taking Over College Dorm Shelves and Mini-Fridges Nationwide

The Best High-Protein Snacks to Keep in Your College Dorm Room

If your mini-fridge is stocked with Greek yogurt cups and your backpack always has a protein bar in it, you’re not alone. New campus dining data shows a sharp year-over-year jump in demand for high-protein foods among college students, and the shift is already reshaping what fills dorm mini-fridges, backpack pockets and vending machines. Expect […]

Korean Street Food is Everywhere in American Frozen Aisles, from Kimbap to Mandu and Beyond

Frozen Korean Street Food Is Taking American Grocery Stores by Storm

Korean street food has moved from specialty grocers and night markets into the mainstream frozen aisle. Kimbap, mandu and Korean BBQ bowls now stock shelves at Trader Joe’s, Target and Kroger. Here is what is driving the shift and where shoppers are finding it. Why Is Korean Street Food Taking Over the Frozen Aisle? Korean […]

Sleep Divorce Benefits and Drawbacks: Here's What Behavioral Scientists and Sleep Experts Actually Found

What Behavioral Scientists and Sleep Experts Actually Say About Sleep Divorce

Nearly a third of U.S. adults have already slept apart from a partner to get better rest, and “sleep divorce” is fast becoming shorthand for a choice millions of couples are quietly weighing. Whether it protects your rest, your relationship or just your mornings depends on details researchers are still sorting out. Fans of the […]

GettyImages-2291196921 How Farmers Market Vendor Trust Unlocks Better Recommendations and Seasonal Produce Hauls Over Time

How Farmers Market Vendor Trust Unlocks Better Seasonal Produce Hauls

Weekly stops at the farmers market start feeling different once farmers market vendors know your face. Regulars often get first pick, storage tips and honest advice about what is actually good that morning. Why Do Farmers Market Vendors Treat Regulars Differently? Vendors are more likely to reward familiar faces with off-menu items, pre-orders and “ugly” […]

Inside the First-Week Dorm Room Talk That Helps College Roommates Avoid a Semester-Long Cold War

How a First-Week Dorm Room Talk Can Help College Roommates Avoid Conflicts

Move-in day is here, and for many students the biggest source of stress is not the class schedule but the person sleeping 4 feet away. Here is how to make it work with your new roommates from day one. How Should College Roommates Introduce Themselves Before Move-In Day? Reach out early through text or social […]

GettyImages-2246722148 How to Shop at a Farmers Market Like a Pro, Using Loose Recipe Formats and Smart Storage Techniques

How to Shop at a Farmers Market Like a Pro and Actually Use What You Buy

A weekly farmers market run sounds simple until the kale wilts by Wednesday and the strawberries mold by Thursday. If you have ever wondered how to shop at a farmers market and actually finish what you carry home, the answer is less about willpower and more about building a routine you can repeat. Nisha Vora, […]

GettyImages-2250287334 See How a Grabbing Latte Inside Coach and Uniqlo Stores Powers Gen Z Experiential Retail Growth

How a Grabbing Latte Inside Stores Powers Gen Z Experiential Retail Growth

Stage: Building · Momentum: High · Forecast confidence: Moderate The cafe next to the handbag display isn’t a coincidence. It’s strategy. Retailers from Coach to Uniqlo are wiring coffee counters into their stores to pull in Gen Z shoppers, extend dwell time and keep customers tied to the brand between big-ticket purchases. The model, part […]

Why Gen Z Brands Like Urban Outfitters and Coach Are Winning the Mall Comeback in 2026

Why Gen Z Brands Like Urban Outfitters Are Winning the Mall Comeback

Gen Z brands are having a mall moment. Shoppers ages 14 to 29 who grew up online are increasingly making their way back to physical stores, and retailers from Urban Outfitters to Coach are racing to catch up. Why Are Gen Z Shoppers Going Back to Malls in 2026? Gen Z shoppers are returning to […]

GettyImages-1148021076 Retailtainment Is Reshaping Malls Nationwide, and Here's How to Enjoy It for Free or Nearly Nothing

How to Enjoy Retailtainment Destinations for Free or Nearly Nothing

Shopping trips are turning into outings. Big destinations are betting that concerts, theme park rides, holiday tree lightings and hands-on classes will keep foot traffic strong even as online shopping grows. The good news for curious visitors is that joining in does not require an expensive ticket. Retailtainment is reshaping malls and flagship stores across […]

GettyImages-149327051 Meet the Malls and Immersive Districts Driving Retailtainment Growth, From New Jersey to Las Vegas

The Malls and Immersive Districts Driving Retailtainment Growth in America

Shopping alone no longer draws crowds the way it once did. After years of e-commerce dominance and pandemic-era isolation, the malls and retail districts pulling in the biggest weekend crowds are the ones that treat a visit like a day out, with theme parks under the same roof as flagship stores, immersive art installations next […]

GettyImages-2243703055 Solo Game Day Attendees Meet Fellow Die-Hard Fans More Easily Than You'd Expect: Here's Why That Matters

How a Solo Game Day Can Help You Meet Fellow Fans More Easily

Whether you’re recovering from a breakup, new to a city or just couldn’t find anyone to join you, a solo game day at the stadium can be more rewarding than you might expect. Here’s what to know before you grab a single ticket and head out on your own. Why Is a Solo Game Day […]

Concert Ticket Chaos Explained: Bots Drove 96% of One Sale's Requests, Overwhelming Millions of Real Fans

Concert Ticket Chaos Explained: Bots and What Artists Are Doing About Them

Buying concert tickets has started to feel like an extreme sport, and there is finally hard data explaining why. In one recent high-profile sale, 96% of traffic came from bots, meaning only 138,000 of 3.3 million requests came from legitimate fans, according to Queue-it. That imbalance is why federal regulators are suing, why artists are […]

GettyImages-2280230930 Your Child's First Concert Experience: Why Smaller Venues Ease Sensory Overload, and More Tips

Best Tips for Your Child's 1st Concert Experience and What to Expect

Taking your child to their first concert can become one of those core childhood memories, the kind they’ll talk about decades later. But pulling it off well takes more planning than just buying tickets and showing up. From protecting little ears to picking the right seats, here’s how to make a first concert experience something […]

Why Stacking Presale Access Points Is the Best Way to Get Concert Tickets Before Scalpers Grab Them All

Why Stacking Presale Access Points Is the Best Way to Get Concert Tickets

Buying tickets to see your favorite artist in 2026 can feel like gearing up for battle, and the best way to get concert tickets now starts long before the public on-sale window opens. Ticket sites have become battlegrounds where one wrong click can mean losing out, so a little planning goes a long way. What […]

Why Bangkok and Singapore Top the Best Street Food Cities List, and How to Find Great Stalls

Why Bangkok and Singapore Top the Best Street Food Cities List

Travel changes you, but food cultures are how a city shows you who it really is. The best street food cities don’t just feed visitors — they reveal a community’s history, rhythm and priorities in a single bite. From woks older than your grandparents in Bangkok to UNESCO-recognized hawker stalls in Singapore, here’s where the […]

5 Family-Friendly Vineyard Picks Across the U.S. Where Kids and Parents Both Enjoy the Trip

5 Family-Friendly Vineyard Picks Across the U.S. Worth Visiting With Kids

Planning a wine country trip with kids in tow? These five family-friendly vineyard picks across the U.S. welcome children with juice boxes, lawn games, farm animals and room to roam — so parents can actually enjoy the tasting. What Makes a Family-Friendly Vineyard Worth the Trip? The best family-friendly vineyards pair serious wine programs with […]

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