Elizabeth DesBoine

Born and raised in Napa with family still in the valley, we visit constantly from SoCal. Skip the overcrowded commercial tours—these are the tried-and-true wineries, views, and local spots we actually take our own friends and family to every time we're back.

Once they start crawling and pulling up, everything becomes a target. These are the practical, durable baby-proofing items that actually worked in our home to keep things safe without ruining cabinets or driving us crazy.

Growing up in the Bay Area means our standards are high. Even though we live down in SoCal now, our parents and in-laws are still local, so we visit all the time. These are the non-negotiable food stops, scenic views, and easy outings that make the cut every single trip.

Between blowout stains, crawling wear-and-tear, and lightning-fast growth spurts, baby and toddler clothes go through it. These are the brands that held up the best in our rotation—from boutique bamboo favorites to budget-friendly daily staples.

You don't realize how much baby gear is unnecessary until you've lived through the first year. Looking back at infancy through toddlerhood, these are the holy-grail essentials that saved my sanity, held up to daily wear, and earned their spot in our home.

You don’t need half the feeding gadgets marketed for 6 months. These are the versatile, indestructible solids essentials we bought for early purées and baby-led weaning that survived the transition and are still used at every single meal well into toddlerhood.

I pumped and breastfed for over a full year—at home, overnight, and working outside the house. With so many overhyped nursing gadgets on the market, these are the exact essentials that made daily feeds and pumping sessions actually manageable and earned a permanent spot in my routine.

Most baby toys lose their spark after a couple of months. These are the versatile, open-ended pieces we bought during infancy that survived toy rotations and are still played with daily well into the toddler stage.

My morning iced coffee corner essentials. The exact machine, flavor syrups, dispensers, and glassware I use to recreate coffee-shop quality iced lattes at home every day.

The exact thrillers and romances that kept me up late reading. Zero fluff, amazing pacing, and stories that stick with you long after the final chapter.

Honest recommendations for things I use constantly and genuinely love. Consider this my personal cheat sheet for the best daily finds, kitchen staples, and favorite street-style essentials.

A running list of the LA County spots that are 100% worth the drive. From our favorite low-key food stops to beautiful views and easy weekend outings, these are our go-to places every time we're in the area.