Last Updated: October 2, 2026
Welcome to It’s the Sterlings at itsthesterlings.com (the “Site”). The Site is operated by Itsthesterlings LLC, the business of Desi and Hannah Sterling.
We respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit the Site, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.
Information We Collect
Information you give us
We collect information you choose to share with us, such as when you:
- Contact us by email or through a contact form (your name, email address, and message)
- Join our email list (your first name and email address)
- Leave a comment (your name, email address, website if provided, and comment)
- Reach out about brand partnerships (your name, company, email, and the details you send)
Information collected automatically
When you visit the Site, we and our service providers automatically collect some information, including:
- Your IP address and approximate location (city or region)
- Browser type, device type, and operating system
- Pages you view, links you click, and how long you stay
- The website or search that brought you here
- Information collected through cookies and similar technologies (see below)
We do not ask for or knowingly collect sensitive information such as government ID numbers or financial account numbers through the Site.
Cookies and Analytics
We use cookies and similar technologies to understand how visitors use our site and to improve our content. We use Google Analytics, which collects information like the pages you visit and how long you stay. You can read how Google uses information from sites that use its services and opt out with the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some parts of the site may not work as well if you do.
Advertising
We use Google AdSense to show ads on this site. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads to you based on your previous visits to this site and other websites.
Google’s advertising cookies let Google and its partners show you ads based on your visits to this site and other sites across the internet. You can opt out of personalized advertising in Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalized advertising at aboutads.info.
If we add other ad networks in the future, we will list them here.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics and Jetpack Stats (by Automattic) to understand traffic, such as which posts are popular and how visitors find us. These services collect information such as your IP address, device, and pages viewed, and they use it under their own privacy policies:
- Google: policies.google.com/privacy
- Automattic: automattic.com/privacy
You can opt out of Google Analytics with the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Advertising
We use Google AdSense to display ads on the Site. Ads help us keep our content free.
- Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites.
- Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to this Site and/or other sites on the internet.
- You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalized advertising at www.aboutads.info.
If you opt out, you will still see ads, but they may be less relevant to you. To learn more about how Google uses information from sites that use its services, visit How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services.
We may also work with other ad networks in the future. If we do, we will update this policy and list them here.
Affiliate Links and Sponsored Content
Some links on the Site are affiliate links, including links to Amazon and ShopMy. If you click one and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Retailers may use cookies to track that a purchase came from our link.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sometimes we work with brands on sponsored or gifted content. We clearly disclose those partnerships in the post, and we only share products and experiences we genuinely use.
Embedded Content from Other Websites
Posts may include embedded content such as YouTube videos, an Instagram feed, Pinterest buttons, and share buttons. Embedded content behaves as if you visited the other website directly. Those companies may collect information about you, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content, including if you are logged in to their service.
Comments
When you leave a comment, we collect the information in the comment form, your IP address, and your browser details to help detect spam. Your comment and the name you enter may be visible to the public. If you check the box to save your details, a cookie stores your name and email for future comments.
Comments may be checked by an automated spam-detection service (such as Akismet or Jetpack). See Automattic’s privacy policy for details.
Email List
If you join our email list, we use your first name and email address to send you updates, new posts, and occasional offers. Every email includes an unsubscribe link. Our email service provider stores your information to send these emails and may track whether emails are opened or links are clicked.
Links to Other Websites
The Site links to other websites, including brands, retailers, travel destinations, and social media platforms. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those websites, and we encourage you to read their privacy policies.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Run, maintain, and improve the Site
- Respond to your messages and brand inquiries
- Send emails you signed up for
- Display and measure advertising
- Understand which content our readers find helpful
- Prevent spam, fraud, and abuse
- Comply with legal obligations
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information only:
- With service providers that help us run the Site, such as our web host, WordPress and Jetpack, our email service, analytics providers, and spam filters
- With advertising partners, such as Google, which collect information through cookies as described above. Under some state laws, this may be considered “selling” or “sharing” personal information for targeted advertising. See “Your Privacy Rights” to opt out
- When required by law, such as to respond to a subpoena or protect our rights, our readers, or others
- If our business changes, such as a sale or merger, in which case the information may transfer to the new owner under this policy
How Long We Keep Information
We keep personal information only as long as we need it for the purposes above. Emails and brand inquiries are kept as long as needed to respond and maintain our records. Email list information is kept until you unsubscribe. Comments are kept indefinitely unless you ask us to remove them.
How We Protect Information
We use reasonable safeguards, including a secure (HTTPS) connection, to protect your information. No website or internet transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Know and access the personal information we have about you
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your personal information
- Get a copy of your information in a portable format
- Opt out of targeted advertising and the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information
Residents of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas, and other states with privacy laws have these rights under their state’s law. To make a request, email us at desi@itsthesterlings.com with the subject line “Privacy Request.” We may need to verify your identity before responding, and we will not treat you differently for using your rights.
To opt out of personalized ads right away, use Google Ads Settings or www.aboutads.info. Many browsers also support the Global Privacy Control signal, which we honor where required by law.
Visitors from the European Economic Area, UK, and Switzerland
If you visit from these regions, we process your information based on your consent (for cookies and personalized ads), our legitimate interests (running and improving the Site), and legal obligations. Where required, we ask for your consent before personalized ads or non-essential cookies are used, and you can change your choice at any time through the cookie settings link on the Site. You also have the right to object to processing and to complain to your local data protection authority.
Do Not Track
Some browsers send a “Do Not Track” signal. Because there is no common standard for these signals, the Site does not currently respond to them.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is meant for adults. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Although we share stories about our own family, we do not collect information from children who visit the Site. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as the Site, our partners, or the law changes. When we do, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. If the changes are significant, we may also post a notice on the Site.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to make a privacy request, contact us:
ItstheSterlings LLC, doing business as It’s the Sterlings
Email: desi@itsthesterlings.com
Website: itsthesterlings.com
Contact page: itsthesterlings.com/contact