Welcome to my new monthly series, It’s Come To My Attention…

I’ve always loved cutting and styling hair, but one of the things I love most about my job is educating my clients about their hair. Styling, scalp care, products and tools, texture—you name it. While so much of that happens one-on-one in my chair, I want to start sharing more of that information with you, CLOSE FRIENDS.

Over the years, I’ve been continually reminded that sometimes the most basic lessons are the ones we need to refresh. It’s so easy to get busy, fall into a routine, and keep doing things the same way we’ve always done them—sometimes for years, maybe even since high school. No shame! We’re creatures of habit, after all, and haircare is no exception.

Enter It’s Come To My Attention… This will be a place to revisit the often-overlooked but very important basics, clear up confusing information, and maybe even rewire a few hair habits that are no longer serving you. My job (and my passion!) is to help you understand your own hair and figure out what actually works best for you.

We’ll get into things like how to properly wash your hair, how to choose and use a hairbrush, understanding your hair texture, how often you should really be washing your hair, what to do about dandruff, and so much more.

And I really want this to be a safe space for questions—especially the ones that feel too obvious to ask. Drop your most pressing hair questions in the comments or send them my way. Don’t hold back! Consider me your CLOSE FRIEND in the chair and we can sort through it all together.

And with that, let’s get into our first topic: Brushing Up on Brushes!

It’s come to my attention that there’s a lot of misinformation out there about brushes—what kind is best, how much to actually invest, and how to use one properly to support the health of your scalp and hair. So we’re going to get into all of it, including my top recommendations plus what to avoid.

Let’s brush up!

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It’s been a hot one here in Northern California. I’ve been soaking up these last weeks of summer and enjoying Ansel’s time off from school—lots of swimming and slip-and-slides, fresh tomato martinis, slower evenings, and settling into some good books. It’s also been an exciting month behind the scenes with the relaunch of The Streicher Standard, which I’m so excited to finally share with you!

Below are my August roundups: a few things I’ve been loving, using, reading, and generally keeping close this month—a little collection of personal recommendations gathered from my summer so far.

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Beyond the paywall I’ll be sharing a little of the behind the scenes of my development process, my tips and tricks for getting the most out of this product, and a special discount code to use on all Sun Catcher products.

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I’ll never forget being in Paris for my 40th birthday and watching Clay’s mind be blown when he saw a “fashion” Carhartt store selling pretty basic men’s workwear with prestige-brand price tags.

Clay is one of my fashion icons. He is so good at wearing clothes. He never looks like he’s trying too hard, and because of his work, he gets dirty and needs clothes that are actual workwear. I remember watching his looks blossom while he managed The Orchard. I wanted to wear everything he wore. It made me want to work outside in the trees just so I could wear fitted, cropped Dickies with suspenders and orchard hats. He’s so lucky! He’s so fashion!

Trying to understand this mystique a little further, Clay and I got to go on a Filson brand trip, where we visited the headquarters in Seattle and saw what this hundred-year-old workwear company has built its legacy on. They’re basically doing the same thing they’ve been doing for 100 years, but now it’s evolved to become part of the culture and fashion conversation too—which makes Filson probably the coolest workwear brand I’ve seen.

They’re smart, too, and have started making more women’s workwear and adventure wear.

This was on my mind when the weather suddenly shifted into full-blown summer and I found myself wanting to wear shorts more than ever. Which is funny, because I’ve never really been a shorts guy. It’s a category of clothing I’ve never quite figured out. When I see other women wearing shorts, I think, Oh, how cute. But on myself, I just feel uncomfortable. I envy women who look good in a pair of hot pants. I think I’ve always kind of hated my legs? And if you know me, I’m definitely a little more on the conservative side when it comes to showing off my body.

All this to say, I wanna wear shorts. I feel pretty dialed with my pants selection, but that doesn’t exactly work in 90- to 100-degree summers. It’s too fucking hot, and I wanna feel—and look—cool in some summer gear without showing off too much gam. I’m not climbing trees like Clay is, but I still need to feel comfortable while I work and spend all day on my feet.

So I’ve been on a mission to try to understand what kind of shorts I can vibe with. While men’s workwear has always appealed more to me, it’s not easy to find the right cut. What I’ve learned is that I kind of love women’s workwear and I just had to find the right pieces that captured the same utilitarian spirit but cut in a way that actually works for my body. I’m excited to report that I’ve found a handful of brands that make shorts I actually want to wear—to work, out to dinner, dressed up, or dressed down. So, here they are!

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After a month of crossing climates and time zones, spending time in places with humidity, ocean air, and entirely different weather patterns before returning home to California where it’s mostly dry, I started thinking about how differently my hair reacts to each place I go and how each trip demands its own unique styling routine to make me and it (my hair) happy.

This got me thinking about people and their hair. What I’ve found after years of working with different hair textures and types is that most people have only one reliable way of doing their hair to make it look good. So going to a different environment—with different water, humidity levels, wind, or an unexpected thunderstorm—is very unsettling for most folks.

I wanted to share a little bit about my experience this month in different environments and how to adjust accordingly from place to place. A little agility, a little spontaneity, and an openness can make a surprisingly big difference in how our hair responds. It’s part technique, part mindset!

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I don’t LOVE swimsuit shopping, but the fact is, if you want to be outdoors in the summertime or frolic around a nice, warm, crystal-blue body of water, you’re gonna need a swimsuit that suits you.

I haven’t bought a new swimsuit since I was pregnant with Ansel. My body has changed a lot over the last several years, but it finally feels like it’s settled into something that will stick for a while.… it’s time. I want options. I don’t want anything riding up my butt or feeling too sexy. I need a suit I can actually be active in—but I don’t want a Speedo or anything too sporty. I want something kind of modest, but not necessarily a one-piece. I want something flattering, well-made and something that makes me feel long and lean. Too much to ask??

A couple weeks back, I asked the internet what swimsuits folks are into this year—any new great brands or favorites I need to know about—and it came back with a plethora of suggestions. Some I’ve heard of and tried before, but many I had to research, and some I ordered, tried, and tested so you don’t have to. I have pretty small boobs and average-size hips. That being said, many of these swimsuits seem to work well across a range of different body types, which I really appreciate.

I ordered a few new suits to try from the recs my Instagram pals gave me—here’s what I found.

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This time of year is very nostalgic to me, but it’s a different kind of nostalgia, as it’s more recent. Just three years ago, we had acquired a family apple orchard and were working our tails off to soft-open by June. Ansel was on…

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So when I got the picture, the first thing I felt was… annoyed.

After not speaking for over ten years, this is how you reach out? With no words?

I put my phone down and didn’t think about it again for a couple of weeks.

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I’ve changed and grown so much in that time, SO MANY ups and downs, and big life stuff that have brought me to where I am now: 42, and finally feeling the perks of my 40s. I’ve grown out of a lot and am feeling way more grounded and comfortable in my own skin. When I turned 40, I thought I’d have it all figured out—Pssssht, not my experience. After a few more speed bumps—ha!—I feel more ready for whatever comes next. I’m SO GRATEFUL for the last couple of years of lessons and self-exploration, which brings me to the REAL point of this post: A New Era.

2025 has truly been a year of letting go—of shedding what no longer fits. One of the biggest things I knew I needed to leave behind was my chapter at Striiike. But I don’t want this to sound all dramatized, because the truth is the decision has come with so much lightness—and even a bittersweet spark of joy.

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I feel like every single hair brand has a hair oil, because let’s face it — it’s really easy to make / blend an oil. But there’s a new category of hair oils on the market that is more specific and treatment-based. So lately I have been re-exploring hair oils and specifically using different ones on different types of hair. And I will be honest, I can really see a difference when the right oil is added to a daily routine!

Hair oil really does treat the hair that you have (as opposed to a supplement scalp product that supports new growth) — adding shine, nourishing your hair to make it more powerful, and therefore giving you healthier-looking hair. Whether you’re looking to grow your hair out, keep your short, sassy bob looking fresh and healthy, or maybe your hair is just feeling dull and brittle, I think this post is for anyone who has hair!

Why hair oil?

The benefits of using a hair oil on a regular basis can help prevent split ends and breakage, and add a radiant shine and health to hair. Yes, your scalp naturally produces oil. But unfortunately, this oil usually doesn’t get further than your roots before you go in to wash it all away (cause lets be honest, who wants oily roots??!) It’s great if you can use a natural boar bristle brush and do some “scientific brushing,” which will help bring these oils down your hair shaft to nourish and hydrate your dry strands. Most people don’t have the patience for oily hair and brushing, and you know...time! So this is when a hair oil for our hair ends really does give your hair life, shine, helps frizz, reduces breakage, adds shine, protects, and helps hair strands get their luster back!

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From what I’ve read, the transition from snake (2025) to year of the horse (2026) is expected to bring a significant shift in energy and pace. The year of the horse represents energy, independence, and forward momentum. People may feel encouraged to act on long-gestating ideas. So now is the time to start new projects and take bold leaps without overthinking every detail! Oh my God, that just gave me shivers, I’m so excited! This year has certainly taught me to shed some things from my past, including identities that I thought were my whole being, and outdated practices that no longer work for me in the way they used to. I don’t know if everyone else felt this as intensely as I did this year, but if you did, you are in good company.

I’m not sure if it’s due to my age, where I’m at mentally, physically, and/or also career-wise, but this year was certainly a year of change for me. And I have to say, I’m feeling really ready for the new things that lie ahead! Sorry to leave things a bit vague, I will be able to talk more in detail in the coming weeks! But for now, let’s talk about some insight I got this year about aging in general.

I know there’s been a lot of new talk about perimenopause, menopause, and just hormones in general. I’m very grateful the conversations are happening, but I also feel that now maybe we may have swung a little too hard in that direction? People either do not want to hear about it or take it as a fad. The truth is, there is just a lot more attention going towards women’s healthcare, finally! So there’s a lot of new information out there. And that is a great thing. Long overdue. And it also just so happens to be a time that I’m feeling change.

I’m not in perimenopause yet. However, I am 41, almost 42 — and I personally have been feeling a lot of change both physically and emotionally. In speaking to women all the time from my job as a hairstylist, I find that almost everyone I talk to is feeling a change in some sort of way, and also wanting to know more about it.

I think sometimes this this inevitable change can be hard to acknowledge and talk about, because there is a stigma with women and getting older (as in, it shouldn’t happen). But what I have found from these conversations is that when someone starts to suddenly gain weight, or feel so tired all the time, or start to not be able to sleep at night, they would rather deal with the stigma and begin the conversation, to figure out why this could be happening to them. Women are the very best problem solvers, after all!

The hard part is that everyone experiences something different, at different times. Aging for you could be just starting to feel fatigue and not having as much energy as you used to. Or it could be the way you look, starting to see more wrinkles, fine lines, and a difference in your skin. As we’ve all seen in Hollywood lately, celebrities are definitely starting to react more about aging. I, like many of you I’ve chatted with, am shocked by the number of surgical procedures going on in Hollywood. In an era of body-positivity it really seems like an all time high. I really have no judgment for how people want to age, because I feel the aging process myself. However, when your job is to be on the big screen, it’s hard not to talk about the way the changes look when your job is to emote. It seems like stretching, altering, or freezing your face would be an occupational hazard.

But I guess maybe this is just part of the storyline now? How are aging people currently portrayed in stories and entertainment? I just think about a middle-aged woman who is getting work done on her face, will she ever be able to work in a period piece? Maybe the fight to stay relevant in fickle Hollywood is worth losing certain opportunities. It’s certainly an interesting time. As our treatments and surgeries get more advanced and commonplace, its strange to be able to watch this big tidal wave shift happen in real time.

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Don’t worry, you all will get a full review when I have my he…

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I didn’t really know what the event was until I experienced it. It’s called MTHR Collective, and it’s run by Danielle, who produces and offers retreats to inspire mothers to pursue their creative passions while empowering them to seek the necessary rest and self-care to be their best selves. It ends up being an incredible group of imperfect moms with no egos — a group of like-minded women who all share a willingness to trust and fall into this retreat and experience that she’s created.

There were about 40 women there, and all of them were mothers of young children to high schoolers, etc. She brings in professionals of all kinds to create this incredible self-care retreat.

When I had put my manager in touch with Danielle, they had gone back and forth a little, I was able to get my new product to all the women, as well as some other ideas I had for the weekend. We also got Ellen Bennett to join the speaker panel, which I was really excited about because she’s a close (now even closer) friend.

As we got closer, my schedule started to tighten up a bit, and when I reached out to Danielle to ask about how long I needed to be there for, she kindly replied that she would love me to be there the entire retreat, which was Friday through Monday. I have never really given myself that kind of time, but because this was more of a “job”, I explained to her that I would just have to leave a little early on Sunday to get to LA in time for clients.

Ukiah, in Northern California, is one of those special places that is hard to get to, which is partly what makes it so special. The drive there was about three hours from my house, but others flew in from all over, and there are not very many close airports. So the people who were coming were very committed to this. I got the panel questions about a week prior, but of course, didn’t really look at them (classic). All I knew was that I was on a panel with Ellen Bennett, famously the founder of Hedley and Bennett, and Caroline Lee, who is a grief therapist and death doula. I wondered what kind of group this would be and where the conversation would go.

But when I reviewed the panel questions, I got excited because this was definitely something different from what I’ve done before. And very interesting. The panel was called “The Art of Tending: Tending to Food, to Beauty, to Grief, to Ourselves.”

And as I would love to share more of this retreat with you guys, I wanted to also share the questions I was asked (with a little insight into my answers and thinking), just in case you might be interested as well! So this week will be a little more interview-style, and a dive into intimate topics we don’t often discuss here!

Each of you works with creativity and such different ways – food, beauty, grief. How do you see creativity itself as a form of care?

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My New Wellness Practice —

First off, I have to tell you guys about my new Chinese medicine journey!  After my summer of trying to figure out my life, now that I am settled, I have decided that it is time to take care of myself, my body, and my mind. For the last several years, whenever I’m overly stressed, I get this crazy, acute ear pain in my left ear — and nobody can figure out why it happens and what to do about it. I have decided that it’s probably some kind of nerve that gets inflamed when my neck and shoulder muscles are too tight. After continuously getting nowhere with Western doctors, I decided that I needed to find a really great acupuncturist.

My Pilates instructor is also a naturopath, and suggested a woman named Tian*, who has been doing Chinese medicine for over 30 years. I made an appointment and showed up to what seems like an acupuncture day spa. I immediately felt relaxed. She looked at my tongue, poked around my ear, and listened to all of my grievances. She very confidently explained that my Qi is very hot. It actually has been too hot for several years, and it is boiling up my body and getting stuck at the top of my neck.

Now, hang tight, I understand that too many people this may sound pretty out there. But something about our conversation really resonated with me, how I was feeling suddenly made so much sense. What she was describing was just exactly how I’ve been feeling, I don’t know how to explain it, I just felt seen. So I was sold and ready to join the cult. I bought a package of acupuncture and started my journey that day.

For the record, I had never done acupuncture before, because before having a baby, I was totally needle-phobic. My mind tends to get the best of me when I’m lying there with my eyes closed, and imagining them putting all those needles in my body. I couldn’t handle the thought! But it doesn’t hurt! It actually feels really good, and I’m so glad I was able to get past this fear finally and help my body feel better.

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Speaking of turning fall, last week I took a trip to Chicago, and then to Bedford, New York, for a quick work trip, and got my first real taste of fall for the year. It was a crisp 50°outside and I even got to experience a little bit of rain in Chicago — this is dreaming for a California girl. Even more exciting, while working at Duchess in Bedford, I got to experience my first big East Coast thunderstorm. I loved watching it rolling quickly (like wow, so quick) and bringing extremely loud thunder, wind, and lightning, with just buckets and buckets of rain pouring down. I loved it all so much, coming from dry, hot California.

But now that I am home, I do feel a little bit of change coming in the nights and early mornings. All that to say, I am very excited to wear more clothes. Especially while I’m organizing my closet! I have found it so fun to dig out some old pieces that I love and pair them with a new, exciting purchase – or even envision something that I would love to buy in the future! I prefer a combination of high-low dressing, and some of my most treasured items are Zara pieces! And I love pairing those with some high-end classics that I’ve had forever, along with some new favorites.

You all have been very kind (and outspoken in the comments!) to let me know you want a recent style/fashion type post. I just think there is so much to dive into when it comes to personal style! At the end of the day, my number one rule with anything style-wise is that feeling great in your clothes (and your skin) is what makes you look great. I have always believed the most inspirational dressers are the ones who are just so bold and comfortable in their own skin. But for those who want to know what is in my closet, or what I’m finding a bit of fashion inspiration in, I want to share some important fall basics.

Boots & Socks —

My first tip for transitioning to fall is to bring out a couple of pairs of boots. Start wearing them with your dresses, skirts, shorter pants, etc. I personally think September is a little too quick to go full knee-high boot. So a couple of good pairs of ankle boots are crucial. I would say a classic pair of black and brown ones. And then I like to have one or two fun patterned or colored boots. Christy Dawn makes a great pair of lace-up boots that I have in BOTH brown and black cause they’re so comfy, have the perfect low block heel and are just perfect for fall with or without socks.

I am kind of obsessed with chocolate brown for fall. I want everything in chocolate brown. I also am kind of in love with a chocolate brown monochromatic moment or two. So get yourself a pair of chocolate brown pants, definitely some chocolate brown boots. I love these ones by Larroudé.

Which leads me to the next basic: good socks. It’s time to start wearing some socks while we enter fall, but like some nice thin socks that just add a fun little zip to your fall dresses or short pants.

Some very favorites include, Le Bon Shoppe HER SOCK, No. 6 Store socks, this socks from Bombas, and of course, Comme Si socks.

Chocolate Browns —

I’m currently on the hunt for a nice chocolate brown medium-sized bag. If anyone has any hot tips on that, PLEASE let me know in the comments. I would much appreciate it! But that brings me to a chocolate brown black combo idea, I love just dark colors together like dark chocolate brown, black, and even throwing in some navy blue. It all feels very rich in depth, and I think it looks interesting together. This chocolate brown wrap skirt by Ozma of California feels like a great addition to a fall wardrobe that can also be work with sweater and tall boots into winter.

Depending on where you’re living in the world (especially if you’re in California), it’s still probably real warm. Not quite cool enough to wear a full fall outfit. But this chocolate brown floral two-piece number is a great transition to fall when it’s still a little warm out. Especially paired with some short socks and loafers.

Something More Unexpected —

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We have finally found a place to land! We officially found our next era — and it’s a modern farmhouse, people. We found the coolest farmhouse in Loomis, which is closer to family but also new place for us both! So, we are happy and settling in. This one feels a little different than our other summer adventure chapters. I think we are going to stay here for a while. Still dreaming that San Anselmo is still in our future, but maybe as even far out as retirement? Who’s to say, all I know is I definitely want to just be here now.

It’s super nice to finally feel at home, and I’m thinking that maybe my next CLOSE FRIENDS will be a formal house tour for you all! (Let’s just hope that I get things unpacked by then.)

Meanwhile, we are chatting HAIR today. This week’s tutorial is for those excited to get back to classic hairstyles for fall and yet not quite ready to give up the carefree routines of summer. I will show you how to take dry second, third, fourth day hair and revive it into a shiny, bouncy blowout. Freshly washed hair can be a little too much of a styling commitment when we’re not feeling it, so let’s chat about how to best use heat on dry hair!

Video Tutorial (w/ Yours Truly) —

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Hopefully I can explain this somewhat eloquently, but bear in mind I’m still fully in this, so reflecting, but also in it.

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Additionally, I can officially announce the new, exciting PRODUCT LAUNCH I have been so rudely teasing you about!! Our favorite leave-in conditioner just met her match, SUN CATCHER now has an ultra-fine counterpart. This gorgeous styling spray is a lightweight mist that nourishes and protects all hair types from UV damage, pollution, frizz and heat, and of course, smells UNREAL. You can honestly skip your hair wash day. Just mist dry, tired hair all over with this and watch as your hair texture refreshes and RE-STYLES itself! In this hair era of "air dry" and "heat-free" hair styling, this truly is a modern styling spray. Re-mist and re-style with heat-free jooj-ing or you can re-blow out your front pieces just the way you like them, because there's heat and sun protectant built in! I am so excited for you guys to try it, I think you will be just as obsessed as I am. The light hydration and fragrance are good for your soul — like California summertime in a bottle.

Tips and ways I love using it:

• 2nd, 3rd, 4th day hair, mist all over dry morning hair. Squeeze or scrunch the product into your hair and let it air dry! Instant re-style!

• Spray into dry hair before going for a swim in chlorine or salt water to nourish and protect your hair from the elements.

• De-style hair that's been a little too curled or coiffed and looks a little too "prom-y". Lightly mist over curled hair and scrunch in to achieve a more relaxed, lived-in look.

• BANGS! The ultimate bang re-styler. Mist into bangs and re-blow dry them, or let them air-dry.

• If you're a week blow-out girlie, use this as your blow-dry styler + heat protectant. It's lightweight but adds beautiful shine and separation while maintaining natural volume for a blowout that can last.

I will go deeper on life updates (and more on our new R+Co gal!) in the coming posts, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging in the meantime. I needed to dive bomb in a give you all a little TLC. As I have been navigating these busy, busy weeks there have been a couple of summertime obsessions that are bringing me absolute JOY so I wanted to of course share them with you all.

Skincare & Beauty —

I have been trying out skin flooding — basically, I double cleanse my skin (am/pm) with an oil cleanser and a gel cleanser, then literally flood your skin with several hydration-based toners and light serums (if you are like me, you probably have a million of them already lying around.) I was initially influenced by TIKTOK here, so I tried it with the products I already had on hand, and honestly, my face loves it. I don't think you need to go as hardcore as the Ashley on TikTok does by any means, but adding a few more light products on clean skin has really changed my skin barrier. Listen, I'm just here to report to the people!!

If you are looking for a new hydration product, I have been loving this new brand ERLY, specifically their Daily Dew. It plays well with my sensitive skin, gives some juicy moisture in the dry summer heat, and layers really nicely!

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