In 2021, the Goldfaden MD team is manifesting Bright New Beginnings. After such a hard year, our goal is to approach this new chapter with optimism, peace of mind and even a blank slate. So, to give you a bit of inspiration, we tapped some of our favorite founders to see how they’ll be approaching the new year and making it a Bright New Beginning.

Annie Jackson | Co-Founder + COO of Credo

“Our bright new beginning is to be together in person as a team again.  After 9 months of all day zooming, we are excited to collaborate in person but more importantly hear how peoples weekends were, celebrate babies being born, talk over the lunch table.  I cannot wait.  We all know each other on a much deeper personal level now – which is ironic because it happened when we were separated.  We are stronger now more than ever at Credo and can’t wait to celebrate 2020 being over as a team, in real life.” 

Celene Gee | Gee Beauty + 6 By Gee Beauty

“My intention for 2021 is to be really present, and focus on what’s around me. How I can learn more, love more, give more, take more care of myself and the ones I love, and to create more. To try to take in the beauty of my surroundings each day, while exploring and having new experiences. Seeing beauty with my eyes in each day is my intention.”

Ariel Kaye | Founder of Parachute

“I’m a big believer in self-care and plan to carry the rituals and routines that serve me into 2021. I just had my second baby, so taking time to care for myself allows me to be the best mom to my kids and leader to my team at Parachute. For me, I turn to meditation, long walks, breathwork, and a warm shower each night to nurture my mind and body. I also like to be intentional with my home to create a nurturing environment. I plan to fill our space with music, flowers, natural light, and cozy textures in 2021.”

Olivia Muniak | Founder of La Cura

“In 2021 my intention is expansion and growth, harnessing the creative clarity and vision I’ve received in the past year and shift into actionable change. For me, that looks like reactivating events (when it’s safe), building out the catering services, and continuing to share the gift of entertaining at home. Personally, carving out more time for reading and analog activities, traveling (a girl can dream), and quality time with friends I have not seen!”

Kelly Marks |Co-Founder and Director of PuRe PR

“My intention for 2021 is to fully respect all aspects of my life, being sure to recognize joy, show gratitude and be positive. I’m a believer that what we put in, we get back. I will be making time for it all. “

Tell us a little about yourself? 

I’m a Crystal Healer, Reiki Master, Herbalist, Author and Designer based in Los Angeles, CA. I grew up in the mountains in Utah, before moving to NY and LA to dance professionally. I transitioned from dance into fashion and then my passions of wellness and art became woven together when I launched my wellness footwear company ASTARA.

What is Crystal Healing, how does it work?

Minerals have the ability to hold a particular “tone” or vibrational frequency. And as quantum physics shows, everything in this universe is frequency and vibration. When we work with particular vibrations, they have the capability of balancing and harmonizing our own energies within our body, and this helps to create wellbeing within our energetic field and physical body.

What Crystals should we be using now?

Lepidolite – Oftentimes called the “Xanax of the mineral world,” it is high in lithium and helps to release stress and anxiety as well as calm “screen fatigue” or headaches from too much tech time!

Moonstone – This is the stone of new beginnings and helps us attune to energies of the lunar cycle, our own cycles of life and moving through transition and transformation into the next cycle.

Herkimer Diamond – A crown chakra stone with a very high frequency that helps us imagine and re-envision/visualize our new way of being so we can create that in our physical reality

Smoky Quartz – helps to keep one grounded in times of change and helps transmute and transform dense energies thought forms and ways of being into new expressions of being.

We are so excited about your new book, Crystal Healing for Women, can you share a bit about it?

Thank you! Yes! Crystal Healing for Women is the first crystal book written specifically to support the phases and changes that women go through throughout their life. It is a practical and thorough exploration into the world of crystal healing and has 50 crystal profiles along with 40 different rituals and meditations. The intention is for women to access their own innate natural healing abilities and reconnect with the elements of the earth for support along their exploration of self and self-care practices.

Where do you find inspiration for your incredible shoes, Astara?

ASTARA was born out of the desire to create a shoe that would keep the body connected to the healing frequency of the earth, but while still wearing a shoe. There is a grounding component that is embedded in the sole of the shoe that resonates at 7.83hz, which is the same frequency as the earth. This has been shown in many studies to help balance the body and help reduce inflammation and imbalances. Each shoe also has a different crystal as well for specific intentionality and purpose. I wanted my customers to feel empowered, grounded and centered when they wear their ASTARA’s and head out into the world as they walk and step with intention.

What have you been doing during quarantine? A trip you have taken? Any hobby started?

It’s actually been a very “full” time during quarantine with the book launching and ASTARA! I did manage to take a trip to Utah this summer to be in the mountains with my family and spent some in Mt. Shasta at one of my friend’s retreat spaces Guru Shasta which was so deeply nourishing. I also started taking guitar lessons which have been very fun and challenging in a new way!

Background on your phone?

I use my background on my phone as a sort of vision board of what I am currently creating in my life. I make a dream board with collected images, phrases and visions I have both personally and professionally and then take a photo and have it as a visual reminder of what I am stepping into and co-creating in my life.

What are your go-to daily beauty products, and why?

Skin: 

Ice Rolling: I have been ice rolling every morning which has been helping to reduce inflammation and any puffiness around my eyes and cheeks.

Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub: Not only are there microcrystals in this scrub, but I love how this scrub exfoliates without completely drying my skin. I always feel bright and luminous after using and following up with Fleuressence.

Goldfaden MD Plant Profusion Night Cream: I LOVE this night cream and have been wearing a bit during the day when my skin has been extra dry. It is the absolute perfect face cream and leaves my skin extra soft and hydrated.

Goldfaden MD Fleuressence Oil: I love how light yet potent it is. I wear it under my makeup and keeps my skin supple and dewy.

Make-Up:

Iris + Romeo “Best Skin Days” is my favorite all in one as it has sunscreen as well as minerals and ingredients that are supportive of combatting blue-light from screens. My skin is extra sensitive and I’ve used this for about a year now and it is my absolute favorite.

Ilia Cheek to Cheek: Perfect clean multi-stick that is great for both cheek stain and a lip. I’m very low maintenance when it comes to make-up so all for multiple applications on products.

Is clean beauty important to you?

I’ve been using clean beauty products for years. I switched over about 10 years ago when I was having autoimmune issues and learned that so many of my beauty products had chemicals and certain ingredients that were adding to my toxic load as well as disrupting my hormones. And energetically, clean products just feel better!

How do you de-stress?

Being in nature, swimming in the ocean, hiking, dancing, breathwork or taking a bath.

Favorite mood-boosting meal?

I love breakfast. I actually just always get very excited to eat so I love a morning smoothie or almond butter and banana gluten-free toast with a matcha latte. I also could eat a bowl of delicious spicy veggie curry with quinoa any time of day (or squash tacos) every day of the week.

What is your daily mantra?

“Ground in.” I can be very vata and living in a city can be quite un-grounding, so I’m constantly bringing myself back to the present moment, in my body, and reminding myself to breathe, ground in and anchor. It helps me to stay fully embodied and not get overstimulated by other people’s energy or situational stress.

The holiday season is upon us and while it may look a little different this year, there are plenty of cozy gifts to make the home feel full of holiday spirit. We asked the founders of Wonder Valley, Alison & Jay Carroll to share a few of their go-to gifts this holiday season. Below are their picks!

Donabe

Al’s been wanting one of this all-purpose Japanese hot pots for some time, perfect for braising, curries and cooking rice. 

Signet

We’ve both been eyeing a custom signet ring from our talented pal, Kate Jones of Ursa Major 

Jay wants all the indigo, always, from Japanese Tunics to Old French workwear, and I love to get it from Marston House

Two nights fly fishing at Dunton River Camp next spring

RTH belt

A favorite belt but with a pop of leopard print.

Jacques Marie Mage

Al’s been on the hunt for the right lens to ditch the contacts, JMM is always the way to go