Friday, January 28, 2011

Strength in Letting Go

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well and staying warm. It's been a while since my last post and there are a million reasons why I have been such a slacker.

As you may know, I injured 3 fingers on my left hand in September, 2009. Several surgeries and countless trips to the torcher chick {therapy} later, I am left with fingers that won't straighten. They are in a permanent bend, and will be for the rest of my life. I'm also experiencing nerve issues because of all the trauma my fingers have been through.

Dealing with the day to day of functioning with this slight disability, it has forced me to take a hard look at my life, both personally and professionally. The statement of "you don't realize how much you miss something until it's gone", is an understatement. I figured it was my left hand and not my right hand, which is dominant. Once it healed, how bad could it be?

There are many duties or actions I can no longer perform without my hand interfering. I'm here with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart to announce I will not be manufacturing cruelty free and vegan bath and body products as of April 1, 2011.

I'm a perfectionist to a fault and was raised to be a hard worker and put 100% of myself into everything that I do. I am no longer 100% because of my hand, and I am not one to offer any less to my customers.

Cactus & Ivy was created on April 1, 2000 and it only seems fitting to close down the manufacturing on the same day, especially since I have a little "OCD" in me that wouldn't have it any other way. The site reflects changes that have already taken place, as in the removal of products that are no longer available for retail.

Cactus & Ivy will remain a company and I am planning to have other projects under its umbrella. Once I have all the particulars nailed down, I will announce what is to be next on this journey.

I've been my own boss for close to 11 years. I know for a fact I would make a terrible employee, just because I've been doing my own thing for so long. I am taking the front seat in my other venture, Personal Care Truth, that I co-founded with Kristin Fraser Cotte with The Grapeseed Company.

Even though I will not be manufacturing personal care products, I believe in the truth and will continue to fight for all the manufacturers in the industry, both big and small. For those that know me well, know that I stand firm in my beliefs and I can be just as loud, if not louder, when it comes to standing up for the truth.

Thank you for making my dream a reality. For the business, feedback, comments and press for the past 11 years. I've met some fabulous people and gained valuable friendships over the years. I'm confident that the trail I blaze will always be associated with the cosmetic industry. It's in my blood. This decision would be unbearable if it weren't for the love and support of my husband, family and friends.

I leave you with a quote that I shared with a friend that was moving forward in her life. “Some people think it's holding on that makes one strong - sometimes it's letting go."

Thanks for stopping by y'all! Have a fabulous day!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year

For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning ~ T. S. Eliot


Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year, full of love, laughter, good health and prosperity. Thank you for a beautiful 2010!


Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your family and safe and happy holiday!

Cactus & Ivy will be closed from December 24, 2010 and re-open on January 3, 2011.


Thank y'all for a wonderful year! I couldn't have been blessed with a better bunch of customers and readers of this blog.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Honoring Our Veterans

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous day!
For those that know me, know that I love the military, HOOAH. I'm a Navy brat and an Army wife. While this post has absolutely nothing to do with the science behind personal care products, it has everything to do with honoring our nation's Veterans.


My husband is on his 25th year in the Army. The military has been very good to me and my family. Growing up in a military home, I learned discipline from a very early age. Moving every 3 years molded my personality. Saying goodbye to old friends and hey to new friends was an emotional cycle, and one I'm very glad to have experienced. It especially helped me in my teenage years when being a follower would have been an easy choice.

When my husband Prevo returned home in 2006 from a tour in Iraq, he wrote the song, 'Veteran's Hand'. It's about his experience while being in a foreign land, away from the comforts of home and everything you know. Away from everything you hold to be true and dear to your heart. Last year, Dennis, a brother in arms, contacted Prevo to ask permission to use his song in a video to honor Veterans. Some of you may have seen this video on my post last year and I wanted to share it again.



Our Nation's Veterans, past and present, deserve to be honored for their dedication, service and sacrifice. A favorite quote by Gen. MacArthur says it all, "Duty," "Honor," "Country" - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, what you will be".

Thanks to all Veterans and their family members. I greatly appreciate your dedication, service and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten.

Thanks for stopping by y'all. Have a wonderful day!