The Urban Darling -

3 Beautiful Cities to Visit on the Amalfi Coast

By Esperanza on May 27, 2026

Atrani, Positano, Amalfi, Amalfi Coast, Amalfi Coast town, smallest town in Italy, Italy, Italy travel, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, mommy blogger, honeymoon, honeymoon trip, Italy trip, family trip, mom style, honeymoon style, dad style, baby boy style, European style, vintage style, Spiaggia Grande, travel guide.

There’s something magical about the Amalfi Coast — the winding cliffside roads, pastel-colored villages stacked above the sea, and the scent of lemons floating through the air. During our honeymoon trip through Italy, my husband, toddler, and I spent several days exploring this unforgettable stretch of coastline while staying in an Airbnb rental in La Scala. Having a rental car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, and each town we visited offered a completely different experience. From quiet hidden corners to bustling beachside energy and chic boutiques, Positano, Atrani, and Amalfi each left their mark on our trip.

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Our Eco-Luxury Stay at Donna Carmela in Sicily

By Esperanza on May 26, 2026

Sicily southern Italy, Donna Carmela, eco-resort, luxury resort, Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, hotel stay, boutique hotel, hotel review, luxury hotel, Italy travel, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, mommy blogger, honeymoon, honeymoon trip, Italy trip, family trip, mom style, honeymoon style, dad style, baby boy style, European style, vintage style.

Our two-night stay at Donna Carmela near Catania was one of the highlights of our honeymoon through Italy. After taking the ferry from Calabria to Sicily with our rental car, we made the scenic drive to the hotel, already excited for a few days of relaxation. As part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Donna Carmela felt like the perfect blend of luxury and tranquility, and traveling with our toddler made it feel even more special to have such a peaceful and beautiful place to stay.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

Santa Fe Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay, & Play

By Esperanza on

Santa Fe, Santa Fe Travel guide, travel guide, New Mexico, travel, Santa Fe travel guide, boutiques, shops where to shop in Santa Fe, Santa Fe boutiques, Santa Fe shops, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations, Santa Fe restaurants, restaurant guides, Santa Fe hotel.

Our spontaneous 2-day trip to Santa Fe with my husband and toddler turned out to be the perfect little getaway to a city that had been on my bucket list for years. Known for its rich history, adobe architecture, and thriving art scene, Santa Fe completely charmed us with its creative energy and laid-back Southwestern vibe. From exploring Canyon Road’s art galleries and unique boutiques to finally visiting the iconic Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, every part of the trip felt inspiring — and the incredible food made it even better.

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Taormina, Sicily | Travel

Taormina, Sicily: A Postcard-Perfect Stop on Our Italy Honeymoon

By Esperanza on May 24, 2026

Taormina, Sicily, Italy, Italy travel, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, mommy blogger, honeymoon, honeymoon trip, Italy trip, family trip, mom style, honeymoon style, dad style, baby boy style, European style, vintage style.

Our time in Sicily came toward the end of our three-week honeymoon trip through Italy with our toddler, and it ended up being one of the most memorable stops of the entire trip. We took a ferry from Calabria to Sicily with our rental car and drove to our beautiful boutique hotel, Donna Carmela, just outside of Catania. Since we only had one full day to explore, we decided to spend it in Taormina, and I’m so glad we did. The entire town felt like something straight out of a postcard, with its hilltop views, charming streets, and classic Sicilian atmosphere.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

3 Cute Boutiques To Shop At In Santa Fe, New Mexico

By Esperanza on

Santa Fe, New Mexico, travel, Santa Fe travel guide, boutiques, shops where to shop in Santa Fe, Santa Fe boutiques, Santa Fe shops, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations.

Santa Fe is a great town for wandering. Between the adobe architecture, endless art galleries, thoughtfully curated boutiques, and incredible food, every corner of the city felt inspiring in its own way. We spent most of our time slowly exploring local shops, discovering beautiful art, and stumbling upon places that made us want to stay a little longer. Here are a few of the spots that stood out most during our trip.

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Puglia, Italy | Travel

A Luxury Agriturismo Stay in Southern Italy

By Esperanza on May 23, 2026

Puglia, southern Italy, Tenuta Negroamaro, agritourismo, agritourismo hotel, agritourism, hotel stay, boutique hotel, hotel review, luxury hotel, Italy travel, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, mommy blogger, honeymoon, honeymoon trip, Italy trip, family trip, mom style, honeymoon style, dad style, baby boy style, European style, vintage style.

During our fall honeymoon trip through Italy, we spent two unforgettable nights at Tenuta Negroamaro in the heart of Puglia. Arriving during the off-season meant we had the entire property almost completely to ourselves, which somehow made the experience feel even more intimate and magical. Rainy skies settled over the countryside during our stay, but instead of taking away from the experience, the weather wrapped everything in a quiet, cozy charm. Between the warm hospitality, thoughtful boutique hotel touches, and the stunning interiors designed by a London-based interior designer, it quickly became one of the most memorable stays of our trip.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

5 Cute Restaurants We Loved in Santa Fe, NM

By Esperanza on May 4, 2026

Santa Fe, New Mexico, travel, Santa Fe travel guide, restaurant guide, where to eat in Santa Fe, Santa Fe coffee shops, Santa Fe restaurants, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations.

Santa Fe has a way of pulling you in. Between the adobe architecture, vibrant art scene, and endless sunshine, it’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and savor everything, especially the food. On a recent two-day trip, my husband, our toddler, and I made it a point to find spots that were not only delicious but also welcoming and full of charm. We ended up discovering five places that felt just right. Cute, memorable, and perfect for a little family adventure.

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My Life | Pregnancy

Starting Our Next Chapter: Growing Our Family

By Esperanza on May 1, 2026

Life update, growing our family, growing family, family, motherhood, fatherhood, childhood, sibling, toddler, toddler parents, Mira, Colorado, fertility tracking, fertility, pregnancy.

It’s been such a full, beautiful, and honestly busy season for our family. Andrew and I got married last September, then one month later headed off on a three-week honeymoon through Italy, which still feels like a dream. We came home, celebrated Sage turning two in January, and then jumped straight into our move to Colorado in March. It’s been one milestone after another, and for a while it felt like we were just trying to keep up. But now that we’re finally settled, everything feels calmer and more intentional—and it gave us the space to ask ourselves what we wanted next for our family.

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Ostuni, Italy | Travel

Wandering the White City: A Quick Stop in Ostuni, Italy

By Esperanza on April 28, 2026

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The drive from Matera into Puglia felt like a shift into a slower, softer kind of travel. On our honeymoon road trip through southern Italy, with our toddler along for the adventure, we made a quick stop in Ostuni, the famous “White City.” Set up on a hill and surrounded by olive groves, the whole town seems to glow. The whitewashed buildings aren’t just beautiful, they were historically painted with lime to reflect the heat and even help protect against disease. We didn’t have much time, but it didn’t take long to see why people love it here.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

Our Family Stay At El Rey Court In Santa Fe, NM

By Esperanza on April 25, 2026

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There’s something special about packing up the car on a whim and heading somewhere new, especially as a family. Our spontaneous trip to Santa Fe turned into one of those unexpectedly perfect getaways—equal parts adventure and relaxation. From the moment we arrived at El Rey Court, we felt like we had discovered a place that truly captured the spirit of the Southwest while still being welcoming and comfortable for traveling with a toddler.