Writing Portfolio
Here you'll find various stories, thinkpieces, reviews, and other musings. Enjoy!
How Much Does Ear Hematoma Surgery For Dogs Cost? (2023 Guide)
April 18, 2023
When a pup’s ear is irritated—either by an ear infection, allergy or something else—it will usually shake its head. Sometimes this violent motion causes the blood vessels in a dog’s ear flap to break, leading to internal bleeding. This blood accumulation in the dog’s ear flap is known as an ear hematoma.
The Grad's Guide To Your First Credit Card (& Not Screwing It Up)
January 17, 2023
Credit cards can be the stuff of dreams (like using it to pay for a Sephora haul) and nightmares (like paying that bill). When you’re new to paying everything on your own, they can seem especially daunting — interest rates, payments due, and credit scores, oh my! But your first credit card doesn’t have to be intimidating. Once you understand most of the jargon, know what to look for, and more importantly, what to avoid, you’ll be ready to add a new piece of plastic to your wallet in no time.
Comedian Elyse Myers' TikToks are as Real as it Gets
March 23, 2022
It’s like having a never-ending coffee date with your best friend.
Gentrification Complete: Will Wynwood's Progress Be Its Downfall?
October 5, 2021
Once just an aggregation of unassuming warehouses, Wynwood was intentionally reimagined to form one of the world's grittiest and most beloved art districts. These days locals and tourists flock to Wynwood to eat, drink, and, more recently, to party. In the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns, the neighborhood has mutated into a flashy nightlife destination.
Taste and See's Guide to the Most Unique Bars in Tampa Bay
August 3, 2021
Taste and See dives into Tampa Bay's unique bars, from a piano dueling joint to a virtual reality hot spot, Tampa Bay has got it all!
Is a $25 Coffee Worth the Instagram Clout at the Dior and Fendi Cafés?
July 2, 2021
Miami has become home to not one, but two designer cafés. Dior Café opened in January of 2019 as a pop-up but has been so successful it now has an open-ended run. This past May, the Fendi Caffè opened inside OTL Restaurant. It will last until Tuesday, July 6, as a pop-up. Both are situated in the Miami Design District, one street apart from each other.
YesJulz Brings “The Juice” to Lincoln Road With Pop-Up
May 4, 2021
Lincoln Road, known for its touristy shops and restaurants, might have a fresh appeal to locals, thanks to the addition of YesJuice. The juice bar opened its doors to the public this past Saturday.
Data Shows That Airbnb Listings Are Contributing to Further NYC Gentrification
March 29, 2021
It’s a story many New Yorkers are familiar with. After years of eating at their favorite mom-and-pop restaurant or grabbing a coffee at their local bodega, it’s suddenly…gone. And in its place is Chase Bank, Whole Foods, Starbucks or some other corporation or fast-food chain. Gentrification is a massive issue in New York City — increasingly pushing low-income residents, minorities and local businesses out of their familiar neighborhoods as they gradually transform into the “next hottest block.”
At 60 she has health issues and is raising her great-nephew but hasn’t lost her spirit
December 19, 2020
Deloris Brown was born in Kendall in 1960, but grew up in Naranja. She was raised by her paternal aunt and lived with her four cousins. Her mother died when she was just 8 years old. Her father came around to visit her aunt’s house often, and they grew close over time.
Having Beaten the Odds, Sniper Gang Rapper Jackboy Is Feelin' "Like a Million"
November 5, 2020
When Pompano Beach rapper Jackboy is asked what he will experiment with musically, he doesn't hesitate with his answer: “Everything. Everything that they think I can’t.”
It turns out this simple yet bold declaration embodies Jackboy’s determined nature and steadfast work ethic. Since the very beginning, the 23-year-old Sniper Gang artist has faced challenges posed by his environment and upbringing, the industry, and more. But in the last four years, he has managed to beat the odds to prosper while cultivating a sound uniquely his own.
The Eight Weirdest Things You Will Discover at the Swap Shop
October 5, 2020
Almost every South Floridian knows what’s inside that massive bright yellow and red building at 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale — it’s the Swap Shop, a daily flea market that spills out into a vast parking lot. Among the world's largest, it serves as a tourist destination for those visiting the Sunshine State. However, locals know the Swap Shop — open daily — is far zanier than tourists might think. And that’s exactly what makes it an entertaining visit time and time again.
Trippie Redd Stays Humble Amid Chart-Topping Success and Heartache
February 19, 2020
Trippie Redd is more familiar with the emotional lows of heartache than he'd like. The Canton, Ohio rapper has built a following and endeared himself to listeners through his lovesick ballads, trademark emo wails, and all-around candidness. His latest project, November 2019's A Love Letter To You 4 (ALLTY4), details his revelations about love and heartbreak.
With the Help of Cardi B, Vewtopia Music Festival Found Its Footing After a Shaky Start
February 3, 2020
The inaugural Vewtopia Music Festival was off to more than a bumpy beginning this past Friday, the kickoff of the two-day gathering. The festival, which had joined forces with Superfest Miami Live only a couple of weeks earlier, boasted performances by Gunna, Ty Dolla $ign, Fabolous, Megan Thee Stallion, and Chris Brown, but as fans would later find out, none of the advertised headliners would perform.
Miami's City Girls Stand With the Femcees Poised to Take Over the New Decade
January 7, 2020
2019 was the "Femcee Takeover," with numerous female rappers like City Girls, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Rico Nasty, and more experiencing heightened recognition and acclaim for the works. The monumental year signified a major change in hip-hop and it's now clear that there will be many more "Hot Girl Summers" ahead.
Leave Summer Walker Alone! Practicing Empathetic Fandom in the Social Media Age
December 13, 2019
As R&B singer Summer Walker's canceled December 16 tour date at Revolution Live comes and passes us by, now's as good a time as any to reflect on the factors - ranging from her treatment by fans to her mental health struggles - that caused the singer to drop out of the show.
¿Otra Vez? Former Sidebar Space Is Rebirthed as La Otra
November 19, 2019
Those following the ongoing saga of the Brickell space once known as Sidebar might be unsurprised to learn yet another new concept has debuted there. La Otra is the Latin bar and cabaret now inhabiting 337 SW Eighth St.
Le Zoo (Food Review)
February 1, 2020
Le Zoo, a charming French brassiere located in the Bal Harbour Shops, serves up bubbly sorbet-pink Bellinis, melt-in-your-mouth foie gras, cheesy fresh tagliolini, and chocolatey profiteroles.
Enter The Gates of Paradise
July 1, 2019
Pack your bags, fill up your gas tank, and hit the road! This summer, embark on an extraordinary vacation without even leaving the state! I stayed at The Gates Hotel in Key West for a weekend to show you how to make the most out of Florida's very own special island!