The final hurrah: why I am returning to the garden salon!

But first- a little backstory.......

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in 2020 I closed my shop in San Francisco and moved to Alameda. I had no idea what I would do next and frankly- we weren't even sure humanity would survive at that point- so it wasn't the first thing on my mind, Remember that? No one talks about it- we act like it was no big deal- but it was, in fact, a very big deal. 2020 brought a massive shift to all of our lives. For me it was a moment of slowing down for the first time in decades and saying- okay life is short- what actually matters to me, where am I and where do I want to go? it was a time where I really zoomed out and looked at my life, It was also the moment I decided to lean in to healing both in my hair practice but also in my personal life- I knew I needed to take care of my heart and my body. So, I turned my gorgeous little garden in to a fully functioning hair salon and created so many magical moments with my clients. And when I wasn't doing hair- I was pondering the future....

my "business partner" Sky and I in the garden salon in 2024

And that brought some really hard truths for me to face. One hard truth that I have been trying to come to terms with during these last 5 years is the very real fact that my body is wearing down from my work as a stylist and that this job that I do- this thing that I am so good at- this thing that I love, well, it's going to have to come to end at some point. That's just facts. But ya know- facts I was trying to ignore. As we do when stuff feels too hard and overwhelming to grasp.

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It has taken me until THIS WEEK - so just about 5 years to accept this truth. My body has limitations- I have to honor that. I can wait until it really starts to decline or I can plan now for what comes next. And if I don't do that - I'll just be delaying the inevitable.

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OR-

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I can set a sunset date for my career for 2 years from now. Which will be exactly 30 years from when I began my career- and i can make this the BEST few years of my career. Going out on a high note, leave the party while it's still poppin off. I decided that my long and storied career deserves a gorgeous final hurrah.

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So that is what I am doing. And lucky you- if you are reading this it means that you get to be one of my clients during this magical moment in my career!

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Opals Magic Garden Salon 2021

I am dedicating my heart and soul to giving my hair career the sendoff it deserves. I am seeing this as an opportunity to take all that I know- all the wisdom I have gathered from all my failures and my wins and everything in between and creating my dream practice.

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I have a lot of really cool plans- and I'll share them with y'all over the next few weeks. The first thing you need to know is this. When I started asking myself what this would look like- the very first thing that came up was- I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE GARDEN SALON. There is nothing better than working outside. With the flowers and the green leaves, hummingbirds, butterflies and of course my iconic cats - it's just without a doubt the happiest I've ever been working as a stylist. So that comes first. I'll be moving back into the garden at the end of December. I'm sooooo excited. And you should be too. Tis going to be very magical indeed. And if you've already been a garden salon client of mine- the answer is yes, my cats have missed you too!

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Make your garden salon appointment today and let's get back to the magic of cocreating enchanting hair transformations under the shade of a giant avocado tree together, shall we? Stay tuned for lots of fun updates and follow me on Instagram for a look at the GARDEN SALON 2.0 as it unfolds over the next few weeks. I'll be making the official move over the Xmas holidays and be back in my happy place - working in the garden starting the final week of 2025. Can't wait to see you there!

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Finally, a HUGE thank you to all of my amazing clients who have been with me as these past few years have unfolded, From Edo Salon to Florette in SF to the garden to Magic Spell studio- and now back to the garden-just know that in a few years when I retire from my role as a stylist- it will be you all that I miss. I truly mean that. I love hair but more than that I love the humans that I get to work with so much. That's facts. Tears of gratitude fill my eyes as I type this. I really do love y'all so much. 🩷

XOXO.

Opal