I’m Claudia Dionigi, the face, heart, and keyboard behind Stellar Raccoon. For the past 12 years, I’ve turned my obsession with storytelling, tech, and the vibrant chaos of New York City into a lifestyle blog that’s equal parts relatable and revolutionary.
Let me pull back the curtain and share how this raccoon-turned-guide came to life.
From Brooklyn to Bytes: My Unconventional Journey
I launched my first blog at 18 from a clunky laptop in my Brooklyn dorm room, armed with nothing but a passion for connecting people through words. While most lifestyle bloggers were chasing aesthetics, I was knee-deep in code.
I studied Information Systems at NYU, where I merged my love for creative writing with the logic of tech—mastering SEO, web design, and data analytics before they became buzzwords.
That hybrid edge? It’s why Stellar Raccoon doesn’t just talk about managing family life—we engineer practical solutions. When my DIY budgeting hack for new parents went viral in 2015 (yes, the one where I turned spreadsheets into a game my toddler could understand), I realized: Parenting content isn’t just about inspiration—it’s about innovation.
Why Trust a Raccoon? (Spoiler: We’re Smarter Than We Look)
With 12 years of pivoting through algorithm shifts, platform wars, and the rise of AI, I’ve learned to thrive at the intersection of trends and technology.
My work’s been featured in Forbes’ “Under 30 in Digital Media” and collaborated with brands like Google Nest and Adobe—not because I chase clicks, but because I speak the language of both overwhelmed parents and savvy money managers.
Editorial Team:
Claudia Dionigi – Senior Editor
I’m Claudia Dionigi, a Brooklyn-born mom who turned my Information Systems degree from NYU into 12 years of helping families navigate the beautiful chaos of parenting while keeping their finances intact.
Brandy Nicole – Senior Editor
I’m Brandy Nicole, and I’ve spent the last eight years perfecting the art of editorial precision—because when it comes to family finances and parenting advice, accuracy isn’t optional.
Our Editorial Standards
Every single piece of content that goes live on Stellar Raccoon passes through the sharp eyes of our two dedicated editors: Brandy Nicole and Claudia Dionigi. Both bring years of editorial experience to our team, and nothing—absolutely nothing—gets published without their thorough review.
Our writers craft the initial content, but Brandy and Claudia are the guardians of quality. They fact-check every financial tip, verify every parenting hack, and ensure our children’s fashion recommendations are both practical and budget-friendly. Each article undergoes multiple rounds of editing before I hit that publish button.
We source our images from Depositphotos to maintain professional standards while keeping costs manageable for families like ours. When we do use AI tools to streamline our workflow, every piece of content receives meaningful human review, editing, and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness.
What We Do Differently
Stellar Raccoon isn’t your typical “10 Ways to Adult” blog. We’re for the curious parents who want to:
Navigate family finances without losing sleep over spreadsheets. Dress their kids stylishly on a realistic budget. Manage household chaos with tech-smart solutions that actually work.
Rooted in my IT background, every guide, review, or financial tip you read here is backed by clean research, tested strategies, and a dash of Brooklyn sarcasm. We focus on the real challenges of raising children while maintaining your sanity and your savings account.
Join the Den
Whether you’re here for the dopamine of a perfectly organized toy closet or practical advice on teaching kids about money, welcome home. Let’s make parenting feel less like survival mode and more like an adventure worth documenting.
Stay curious, stay stellar.
— Claudia Dionigi
Born in NYC, Built for Real Families