My name is: Lauren Harwell Godfrey.
I’m known as a: Designer and founder of Harwell Godfrey.
My expertise is in: Fine jewelry.
I stay physically healthy by: Taking really good care of my skin. It’s our largest organ! I suffered from acne in my past and have finally found some great products that work really well for me. I use quite a few Marie Veronique + Kristina Holey products and have learned so much from them about caring for the skin’s microbiome. I also love both the Active Treatment Essence and Botanical Serum from Vintner’s Daughter. April, the company’s founder, is relentless in her pursuit of the highest quality products possible and it shows. For my body, I really like Everyday Oil's Mainstay Blend.
I’m also a ginger and turmeric fiend. I put it in everything I can. My body craves it. Some of my favorites are Golde’s Turmeric Tonic Blend, Happy Moose Juice’s “Feel Mo Betta” ginger shot, and Trader Joe’s Ginger Turmeric Salad Dressing—the bomb!
I keep my emotions balanced with: As much outdoor time as possible. It’s amazing what a game changer fresh air is. There are several hikes I love in and around my homes in San Francisco and Sonoma. Some favorites are Corona Heights Park, Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, The Presidio Bay Trails, Tennessee Valley Trail, The Boot Jack Trail loop in Muir Woods, Bartholomew Park and Jack London State Park Trails in Sonoma. I could go on.
I’m intellectually stimulated by: All kinds of things! I love movies, some recent favorites being The Last Black Man in San Francisco and Parasite. Books—and I am currently reading The Goddess of Fifth Avenue by my friend Carol Simone. And I’m in a cookbook club. Our next book is Moorish, and I’m making labneh for a group dinner party.
In terms of art, I recently hired a curator to take me through the “Soul of a Nation” exhibit at the De Young Museum and spent a bunch of time in the Egyptian Antiquities area at the Louvre. I’m also a total Goop fangirl. I love the podcast and the Netflix Series. Another podcast I found super inspiring was the Girlboss “In Progress” podcast series that was all about origin stories and hosted by Aurora James, who I think is amazing.
I was recently transformed by: A trip to India led by my friend, Grant Gibson. Grant is an incredible interior designer with impeccable taste and he curated the most amazing trip to Jaipur, Agra and Delhi. Some highlights were the Gem Palace, City Palace and Cafe Palladio—all in Jaipur. The Taj Mahal at dawn did not disappoint. And we went on a street food tour in Delhi (and survived)!
In the last six months, the ritual that has become so important for me is: Waking up and drinking a big glass of lemon water. It’s so simple, but to do the same thing every morning helps me feel grounded in my day. And it’s beneficial to our bodies. I have a very flexible schedule which can be liberating, but I often find myself craving some kind of a routine. Starting my day off in the same way every morning helps. I end my day with water + “Calm” magnesium supplement, which really helps me to mentally and physically unwind.
Here’s how you can do it too: Find your own thing that makes you feel good first thing in the morning. It can be lemon water like me, or maybe it’s a mantra. I say keep it small, but do it every day, and see if it helps you feel more grounded in your day.
It helps me live my process because: No day looks the same for me. I like having this one small, positive constant.
Take a moment to learn more about Lauren Harwell Godfrey’s journey here.