Hi Afton, please introduce yourself.

Hi, I’m Afton, cofounder of Modern Fertility and President of Women’s Health at Ro. Modern Fertility is all about making proactive fertility information and tools much more accessible, so we can own the decisions impacting our bodies and future — no matter what these decisions may be. Info is power!

What are some brands you’ve recently spotted?

Dear Brightly. We say all the time at Modern Fertility that our voice is like your “OBGYN that is also your best friend.” I love my doctor friends, who span all kinds of subspecialties, and love hearing their advice. My dermatologist friend’s top pieces of advice are 1) SPF every. single. day. 2) prescription-grade retinol, and 3) preventive botox. I have gotten to #3 yet, but have tried to overcompensate with #1 and #2 :)

Dear Brightly is a direct-to-consumer provider of prescription retinol, the same kind you’d get from a doctor or dermatologist. The science behind skincare is all over the map (not to mention the marketing claims!) and while I enjoy dabbling in different products, I like to revert to an ingredient that’s clinically-backed and with proven efficacy.

Chairish. Chairish is like shopping online from high-end global antique and vintage markets, specifically for funky and beautiful pieces of furniture. I’ve used Chairish to find chairs for all over my house, and each feels like a fun yet comfortable piece that’s unique to our home.

Machines for Freedom. In my opinion, this [label] is the cycling apparel brand we are not talking nearly enough about! It’s functional fashion at its finest. Their pieces are not only supportive and comfortable, they are some of the most flattering cycling jerseys and bibs I’ve found. I love their bold colors and prints, which genuinely make me excited to get dressed to ride — a great way to get out there more!

What's a brand you recently tested?

What else is in your current rotation?

A weekly bike ride is almost always in my rotation. I love biking because it’s the perfect balance of freeing and challenging, and stimulating and relaxing. It’s a great way for me to have some me-time outside of my daily life (especially since my hands are occupied and away from screens!) and get outside, which is essential to my wellbeing.

I tried to get into the craft of cocktail making, but kept missing ingredients, so instead I try to find creative recipes around a particular purchase. I am currently very into Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur and variations on “The Last word” cocktail for whenever friends are in town.

I have not been since before COVID, but I love the Black Cat jazz bar in San Francisco. It is the closest thing I have found in San Francisco to the New York City jazz club vibes, which I love so much. I grew up listening to jazz, transcribing Miles Davis solos and playing the trumpet (in my high school jazz band, but that’s a story for another time). It always feels therapeutic and exciting to get out and listen to some great jazz.

Who are some brand spotters in your community that you look to for new things?

I often look to Karla Welch, who's the CEO of The Period Company, the founder of the personal styling company Wishi, and a renowned celebrity stylist. Karla was an early investor in Modern Fertility and is a fierce advocate for reproductive health access and equality. She also has impeccable taste.

I also really respect Jing Gao, from what she’s built with Fly by Jing to her eye for modern consumer brands in the general food and wellness spaces. We met a few months ago and I am obsessed with her new dumplings.

Spotted in Afton's entryway...

These cool ocean colored tiles I picked out from Zia Tile!