Kelsey Wheeler
đLos Angeles, CA | Formerly corporate, currently thriving
đ Editorâs Note | Rob Belk
If youâve been reading for awhile, you may remember that Iâve talked about my wifeâs serial killer unique trait: she talks to snakes like you and I talk to puppies.
Normally, this is something I rarely or if ever, think about. Maybe similar to my trait where I can watch 98.5% of a movie, turn it off, and be content.
However, I canât brush this one off any longer.
Why?
Because we have a new âpetâ. And her name is Patrick.
Patrick is my nephewâs corn snake. My wife decided we would pet sit for a few weeks while he is at camp. We make sure that she is well feed. Patrick likes to eat the dead baby mice that are stored in the freezer next to the ice maker and frozen berries.
Do I care that we have a pet snake in the house? No, not really. But the trend of having 3 kids under 5, a puppy, and now a snake is starting to make me nervous. Especially when I saw my wife enviously scrolling an instagram account for Tofu a pet pigâŚ.
Without further adoâŚ
Why Kelsey?
We are former coworkers and friends from our time working together on Call of Duty in LA. Weâve continued to stay in touch and Kelsey is exploring creative entrepreneurial paths. Iâm excited to share a refreshed profile of Kelsey who was supportive early on of Rambull. My kids have loved their baking coloring books!
IG: heykelseywheeler
Self-Description
Mom of two, baker of too many things, and someone learning how to turn a creative itch into something real.
Kelseyâs 6 Recommendations
Written in Kelseyâs own wordsâŚ
1. French Butter
I swear French butter just tastes better. Something like Maison Bordier or Isigny Ste Mère has this deeper, almost nutty flavor that makes everything you bake feel a little more intentional. It melts differently, bakes better, elevates your toast and somehow makes you feel slightly fancy.
2. Victorinox Classic Paring Knife
The Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife is one of those tools you donât think much about until you use it constantly. Itâs small but weirdly powerful, like it can handle everything from delicate fruit to random kitchen tasks without missing a beat. I originally got it as a gift (welllll, my chef friend left it here and I loved it so much I bought her a new one so I could keep it) but it quickly became my most-used, canât-live-without knife.
3. Barnaby Jack Vintage
Barnaby Jack Vintage is my favorite kind of shopping experience, even though itâs all online. Sara does these weekly themed drops where every piece feels perfectly curated, but also totally unexpected in the best way. What really sets it apart is how she styles everything, so youâre not just buying vintage, youâre getting the full vision for how to wear it. Sorry guys, she currently only offers women's clothing.
4. Highbourne
Highborne Cay in the Exumas feels almost too special to talk about, but I'm not one to gatekeep. It's incredibly private, just one restaurant and a handful of villas, so for a few days it genuinely feels like your own island.
My family has boated to the Bahamas for over 30 years, thanks to my dad, who owns a marina and built the "Grady Bunch", a community of customers who travel together on their Grady White boats to different excursions around Florida. Most summers we stick to the Abacos, but every few years we go farther out to the Exumas, and that's where Highbourne lives. Arriving by boat feels different there, quieter, slower, more untouched. The water doesn't look real, time stretches out, and you remember how good it feels to slow down.
5. Baked Goods with Recipe Card
Baked goods with a handwritten recipe card is my favorite kind of gift, it feels personal without trying too hard. You get something warm and immediate to enjoy, but also the recipe to recreate it later, which somehow makes it last longer than the actual treat. Itâs simple, thoughtful, and always feels a little more special than anything store-bought. If you need some thought starters, use this recipe card for the best banana bread ever. Otherwise, Broma Bakery is my tried and true!
6. Alison Parsons Art
Alison Parsons Art is one of those accounts I keep saving on Instagram. Her work is soft, nostalgic, and a little romantic. It's the art equivalent of slowing down and noticing things you'd normally rush past. I haven't bought a piece yet, but it's fully on the list, less "if" and more "when."
Plug | Kids Activity Coloring Books
I created two kids activity coloring books, Little Bakers (ages 2â4) and Busy Bakers (ages 4â6), inspired by wanting something fun and actually useful for my kids while Iâm in the kitchen. Theyâre filled with mazes, alphabet matching, counting, coloring, plus five simple recipes at the end you can make together. They're perfect for slower summer days, airplane travel, gifting, or a screen free activity at home. They have been such a labor of love, and I still get a little thrill every time I see an order come through.
Want to get in touch with Kelsey? Email her at hey@kelseywheeler.com
P.S. from Rambull â If your are a guy in your 30s living in the Southeast youâve probably seen a few of your friends cosplaying like Texas ranchers this summer. Thatâs because they are wearing the brand Poncho.
Normally, I do everything possible to make sure people never mistakenly think Iâm from Texas. With Poncho, I have to admit, I like their stuff.
Great recs!!! Love all the cooking upgrades.