Amina Lake Patel

Writer. Editor. Shopping Expert.

About

Hi, I’m Amina Lake Patel (formerly Abdelrahman)! I’m a writer, editor, and shopping expert based in New Jersey — though I’m often in New York City. I’m currently the home and gifts editor at CNN Underscored, CNN’s product reviews and recommendations site. I lead our year-round gift guide strategy and cover everything from home decor that looks more expensive than it actually is to kitchen appliances that are worth the counter space.Previously, I was at Dotdash Meredith (now People Inc.) as the commerce editor for Real Simple. There, I contributed across all verticals — home, fashion, beauty, gifts — and managed a team of junior editors and freelance writers. Before that, I was a product reviews writer on their central commerce team, contributing to Real Simple, PEOPLE, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, Food & Wine, and more. I started my editorial career at Good Housekeeping, where I worked with the esteemed Good Housekeeping Institute experts and wrote about all kinds of expert-recommended products, from kitchen appliances to children’s toys, for the print magazine and website.I graduated from Montclair State University in New Jersey, where I studied communications and journalism and was heavily involved in the school’s magazines and newspapers.

Contact

For writing/editing opportunities or any other personal inquiries, reach out to me at:
[email protected]For anything related to my work at CNN Underscored, reach out to me at:
[email protected]