The Urban Darling -

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

By Esperanza on April 28, 2026

Ostuni, Puglia, Italy, Southern Italy, Italy travel, slow travel, travel guide, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, honeymoon, Newlyweds, toddler parents, travel style, family style, coffee shop, Sponda, lifestyle shop.

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.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

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

By Esperanza on April 25, 2026

Santa Fe, Santa Fe travel, Santa Fe hotel, New Mexico, New Mexico travel, boutique hotel, hotel review, hotel stay, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, travel recommendations, hotel, El Rey Court, travel style, family style, hotel style, hotel design, Southwestern style.

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.

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Alberobello, Italy | Travel

Visiting the Fairytale Town of Alberobello in Puglia, Italy

By Esperanza on April 20, 2026

Some of the most memorable moments from our honeymoon in Italy came from the unplanned stops along the way. While driving from Matera to the coast of Puglia, we mapped out a few towns to visit, hoping to experience a little more of the region beyond our final destination. One of those stops was Alberobello—a place I had seen photos of before and knew I didn’t want to miss. Even though it was just a quick stop, it ended up being one of the most charming and memorable parts of our entire drive.

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Phoenix, Arizona, USA | Travel

5 Cute Spots I’ve Visited Recently In Phoenix, AZ

By Esperanza on April 19, 2026

Phoenix, Phoenix coffee, Phoenix restaurants, Phoenix spots, Phoenix coffee shops, coffee shops, restaurants, foodie guide, restaurant guide, travel guide, travel blogger, The Urban Darling.

Living in Phoenix, I’ve definitely figured out what I like when it comes to going out: if it’s not cute, aesthetic, and actually has good food or coffee, I’m probably not going. Lately, I’ve been trying a mix of newer spots and long-awaited ones with friends and family, and a few have really stood out. These are all places I’ve personally been to recently—and would genuinely go back to.

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Matera, Italy | Travel

Matera: Italy’s Underrated Ancient City We Didn’t Expect to Love

By Esperanza on April 15, 2026

Matera, Italy, Basilicata, Southern Italy, Unesco Heritage Site, travel guide, Caveoso district, Sassi di Matera, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, honeymoon, Newlyweds, toddler parents.

Our time in Matera was one of the most memorable stops of our trip. We spent 2 1/2 days in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, arriving with high expectations after seeing it on so many travel lists and photos over the years. There was always something intriguing about its ancient cave dwellings and dramatic hillside setting, and we were genuinely excited to finally experience it for ourselves. What we didn’t expect, however, was how quickly we would fall in love with it. From the moment we arrived, Matera felt unlike anywhere else we had ever been, both raw and beautiful in a way that immediately stayed with us.

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My Life | Wellness

How We’re Swapping Toxic for Non-Toxic in Our Home

By Esperanza on April 14, 2026

Non-toxic, Non-toxic swaps, Non-toxic living, Non-toxic homes, Non-toxic lifestyle, home, guide, shoppable guide, sustainable, healthy living, sustainable living, toddler parents, parents, healthy home, family blogger, lifestyle blogger, The Urban Darling.

Andrew and I recently watched The Plastic Detox on Netflix, and honestly, we were shocked by what we learned, especially about how microplastics can impact our health. We’ve always tried to be intentional with how we live. Clean beauty, sustainable products, and healthy eating have been important to both of us since we first met, so we felt like we were already doing a pretty good job. Our home was filled with non-toxic cleaning supplies, organic foods, and we avoided things like synthetic perfumes and conventional deodorants. But this documentary opened our eyes in a completely new way, and as parents, it hit even deeper.

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Matera, Italy | Travel

A Dreamlike Stay in Matera: Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort

By Esperanza on

Matera, luxury hotel, luxury resort, Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort, hotel stay, hotel review, Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, prettiest 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.

There are some places that stay with you long after you leave, and our time in Matera was exactly that, unforgettable. Known for its ancient cave dwellings and timeless atmosphere, this southern Italian city feels like stepping into another world. We wanted our stay to reflect that same sense of place, and Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort delivered in every possible way. Built into the historic Sassi, the hotel perfectly blends the raw beauty of Matera’s past with refined, modern luxury. From the moment we arrived, we were completely captivated, not just by the setting, but by the feeling that we were experiencing something truly unique and special.

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Baby | Pregnancy

My 25 Baby Must Haves As A Second Time Mom

By Esperanza on April 6, 2026

Newborn, newborn photography, newborn style, baby boy style, baby boy, newborn must haves, newborn essentials, newborn baby boy, new mom, first time mom, mom style, mommy and me style, neutral style, neutral nursery, nursery decor, nursery style, boho nursery, boho style, lifestyle blogger, The Urban Darling, second time mom.

Now that Sage is 2, my husband Andrew and I decided that we would start trying for another baby this year! Getting ready for a new baby can feel both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. With so many products out there, it’s hard to know what you actually need versus what just looks nice on a registry. After going through this season myself, I’ve narrowed it down to the essentials that truly made everyday life easier. In this post, I’m sharing my top 25 baby must-haves—the items I reached for constantly and would recommend to any new or expecting mom.

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Positano, Italy | Travel

A Slow Morning in Positano: Beating the Amalfi Coast Crowds

By Esperanza on March 28, 2026

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Amalfi Coast town, prettiest 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.

We set out early from our Airbnb in Scala, winding our way down the cliffs toward Positano just as the day was beginning to wake up. Getting there ahead of the crowds made all the difference because we were able to park in a garage close to Spiaggia Grande, which felt like a small victory in itself. With the beach still quiet, we took advantage of the calm to snap a few family photos by the water, the pastel buildings rising behind us in that iconic Positano backdrop. For a brief moment, it felt like we had the place almost entirely to ourselves.