The Urban Darling -

We Bought Our First House: A Fixer Upper In Savannah, GA

By Esperanza on September 10, 2026

Growing family, young family, toddler, second pregnancy, pregnant mama, family blogger, mommy blogger, new home owners, first time home buyers, new home, first home, fixer upper, Craftsman Bungalow, Savannah, Georgia.

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! Andrew and I just bought our first home—a 1920s Craftsman bungalow in Savannah, GA! We visited the city in July, and just two months later, we are homeowners here. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about whether or not we are still planning to move to Italy. The answer is yes! Andrew has his citizenship application appointment scheduled for February. We’re hoping he gets it, but if not, we’ll have to go back to exploring the visa route. When the time comes, we’ll either keep the house and rent it out or sell it. Our little guy is due in early January, and this home needs a lot of work, so we’re going to be very busy getting it ready! Andrew has been doing all of the demo work, and I’ve been putting my years of experience working in interior design back to use. It’s a very exciting time for us, and we are incredibly grateful to be homeowners. Wish us luck!

Savannah Travel Guide: Where To Stay, Eat, & What To Do

By Esperanza on July 23, 2026

From its charming historic squares to its moss-draped oak trees and welcoming Southern atmosphere, Savannah is a city that’s easy to fall in love with. My husband, our toddler, and I visited in July while I was pregnant as we explored the city and considered making it our future home after our lease in Colorado ends. While we had an amazing time, I wouldn’t recommend visiting during the peak of summer if you’re traveling with young children or while pregnant—the heat and humidity can be intense. Even so, we made the most of our trip and discovered so many wonderful places along the way. In this guide, I’m sharing our favorite things to do, the best restaurants we tried, and the hotels I’d recommend to help you plan your own Savannah getaway.

Savannah, Georgia, USA | Travel

A Retro Luxury Stay at Municipal Grand In Savannah, GA

By Esperanza on

Savannah, Georgia, 5-star hotel, hotel review, hotel stay, boutique hotel, Savannah hotel, Municipal Grand, retro, mid century, luxury hotel, resort hotel, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, hotel recommendations, luxury travel, The Urban Darling.

Our first trip to Savannah was one we won’t soon forget, and staying at Municipal Grand made the experience even more memorable. Traveling with my husband and our toddler, we were looking for a hotel that was beautiful, comfortable, and centrally located—and Municipal Grand checked every box. From the moment we arrived, the valet team made everything effortless. They were incredibly quick whenever we needed our rental car, which made exploring beyond downtown completely stress-free.

Savannah, Georgia, USA | Travel

5 Restaurants We Absolutely Loved in Savannah, Georgia

By Esperanza on July 22, 2026

Savannah, Georgia, travel, Savannah travel guide, restaurant guide, where to eat in Savannah, Savannah coffee shops, Savannah restaurants, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations.

When my husband and I spent four days in Savannah with our toddler, we weren’t just visiting—we were seeing if this beautiful city felt like home before committing to a move. Between touring houses and exploring different neighborhoods, we made it a priority to experience Savannah’s food scene. My husband is a chef, and I’m always drawn to unique restaurants with incredible ambience, so we had high expectations. Thankfully, Savannah completely delivered with memorable meals, beautiful spaces, and so many restaurants that felt just as special as the food they served.

Savannah, Georgia, USA | Travel

5 Family Friendly Things To Do In Savannah, Georgia

By Esperanza on July 20, 2026

Savannah, Georgia, travel destinations, US travel destinations, travel, travel guide, things to do, things to do in Savannah, family-friendly travel, family travel, travel blogger, The Urban Darling, Wormsloe Historic Site, Victorian District, Forysth Park, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Tybee Island.

Savannah quickly won us over with its beautiful historic neighborhoods, moss-covered oak trees, and laid-back Southern charm. My husband, our toddler, and I visited in July while I was pregnant because we were considering a move there once our lease in Colorado ends. While we loved exploring the city as a family, I wouldn’t recommend visiting during the middle of summer—especially if you’re traveling with young children or while pregnant. The heat and humidity were intense, and we found ourselves planning most of our outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the evening. Even so, we had an amazing time and discovered several places that are perfect for families.

Savannah, Georgia, USA | Travel

Our Luxurious Family Stay at Hotel Bardo In Savannah

By Esperanza on July 16, 2026

Savannah, Georgia, 5-star hotel, hotel review, hotel stay, boutique hotel, Savannah hotel, Hotel Bardo, luxury hotel, resort hotel, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, hotel recommendations, luxury travel, The Urban Darling.

There are hotels that simply give you a place to stay, and then there are hotels that become one of the highlights of your trip. Our stay at Hotel Bardo, a five-star boutique hotel in the heart of Savannah, was exactly that. Traveling with a toddler can sometimes feel like you’re packing up your entire house, but Hotel Bardo’s Tiny Travelers Club package made everything feel effortless and genuinely welcoming for families. From the moment we arrived, thoughtful touches like an adorable in-room play fort, nightly treats, and family breakfast made our little one feel just as much a VIP as we did. Every detail was thoughtfully designed to make traveling with kids easier while still delivering the elevated luxury experience Hotel Bardo is known for.

Family Style | Pregnancy

Our Gender Reveal For Baby Number Two

By Esperanza on July 14, 2026

Pregnancy, Pregnancy announcement, baby announcement, baby #2, second baby, second pregnancy, toddler mom, boy mom, toddler parents, newlyweds, growing family, growing our family, family blogger, mommy blogger, family photography, maternity photography, Evergreen, Colorado, gender reveal, baby gender reveal.

When we found out we were expecting our second baby, it was impossible not to dream about what this next chapter would look like. If I’m being completely honest, I had started picturing a little girl. I imagined tiny dresses, matching moments, and watching our family grow in a new way. So when we found out we were having a baby boy, I needed a moment to let go of the picture I had created in my mind. But deep down, I had always felt I was meant to be a boy mom. And considering my husband’s family is made up of almost all boys, the odds were definitely pointing us in that direction. Looking back now, I truly can’t imagine it any other way. Two little boys will be so sweet!

My Life | Pregnancy

Growing Our Family: We’re Expecting Baby #2

By Esperanza on June 24, 2026

When we made the temporary move to Colorado earlier this year, we knew it would be a season of change and adventure for our little family. As we settled into this new chapter, Andrew and I decided it was finally time to start growing our family. From the very beginning of our relationship, we talked about our hopes for the future and the family we wanted to build together. After getting married last September—following eight wonderful months of dating and a six-month engagement—we felt ready to take that next step. To our surprise and excitement, it only took two months of trying before we found out we were expecting!

Travel | Venice, Italy

14 Cities In Italy We Visited During Our Honeymoon

By Esperanza on June 17, 2026

Italian cities, Italian towns, Italian honeymoon, Italy, honeymoon, travel, Italy travel, travel blogger, couples, married couples, traveling with a toddler, toddler parents, best cities in Italy, must see cities in Italy, The Urban Darling, Europe, Europe travel.

Our honeymoon through Italy was a three-week journey filled with slow mornings, spontaneous stops, and an incredible mix of cities, hill towns, and coastal escapes. Traveling with our toddler added a different rhythm to the trip. One that encouraged us to slow down, linger longer, and appreciate both the iconic highlights and the quiet in-between moments. From Venice’s canals to the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the golden towns of Tuscany, and the dramatic landscapes of Sicily and Puglia, each destination offered something completely unique. Looking back, it wasn’t just the places we visited, but the way we experienced them together that made the trip so unforgettable.

Travel | Venice, Italy

Our Venetian Island Stay at Casa Burano & Venissa Wine Resort

By Esperanza on June 5, 2026

Venissa, Venissa Wine Resort, Casa Burano, Burano, Mazzorbo, eco-resort, luxury resort, Venice, 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.

Toward the end of our three-week honeymoon through Italy with our toddler, we spent a few days exploring Venice before continuing on to Lake Como. After flying in from Sicily, we left our rental car behind and made our way into the Venetian Lagoon, deciding to stay on the colorful island of Burano rather than in Venice itself. This was my second time visiting Venice and Andrew’s first, and while we both wanted to see the city’s highlights, we were especially drawn to the idea of staying somewhere quieter and more local. Just a 30-minute Vaporetto ride from Venice, Burano offered exactly that—brightly painted houses, winding canals, and a slower rhythm of life that felt completely different from the busier streets of Venice.