Your Voice, Your Choice - Bath, Body & Beauty

Hey Y'all!

Brrrr.......it is a crisp 30 degrees in my neck of the woods. I am beginning to wonder if fall just dropped by for a small visit and winter is now here to stay!

Something I haven't talked much about in my personal life is the ordeal my husband, Prevo, has been going through. Since December, 2007, he's had vocal cord paralysis. After using our voice to request a second opinion, he is now being treated by a top notch physician that specializes in vocal cords. After having permanent implants injected into his vocal cords in July, Prevo is now on the path to healing. Prevo had his third appointment with a speech pathologist yesterday and he is making strides in getting his voice back. The road Prevo is traveling brings me to this post.


Small businesses like mine are at risk if the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 draft discussion is voted into law. Among the provisions in the draft legislation that adversely impact small cosmetics manufacturers:

- up to $12,000 in annual FDA registration fees

- stringent and burdensome paperwork and reporting requirements that would make it impossible to run a small business

- requirements for compliance with "one-size-fits-all" manufacturing guidelines that small businesses could not possibly comply with

Lend your voice to the many small businesses that so desperately need your support. Please take a moment to visit the Indie Business Blog, watch the video and sign the petition.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Stay warm!!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Sharing the Love - All Things Indie

Hey Y'all!

Here's hoping this post finds you doing well and embracing the cooler weather.

Variety is the spice of life! I believe in supporting your fellow woman owned business. Today, I am supplying you with the links to my fellow "indies" and some happen to manufacture bath and body products. Yes, I said bath and body products. This group of women show so much support, love and comradorie.

Through social networking on Twitter, I have been introduced to and connected with the following group of amazing and talented women. I am a realist. I know that Cactus & Ivy products will not appeal to everyone. Don't get me wrong, I would be stoked if Cactus & Ivy were in every bathroom, purse, suitcase, pocket, spa, boutique, hotel, resort, and the list goes on. That's not to say I'm not working hard every day to make that a reality!

Below, you will find a vast array of women owned companies that make everything from handmade scarfs, jewelry, desserts, and of course, bath and body products. So, without further ado, here is my list, alphabetically.

A Dorana Design
Adore By Nat
BL Soaps
BabyCakes
Baby Fish Mouth
Back Porch Soap Co
Bath Desserts
Bella Lucce
Blue Moon Candles
Body Systems
Cobweb Corner
Criket's Creations
Cutie Booty Cakes
Dhara Holistics
Dr Flower's Essentials Inc
Faerie Made
Flower Peddler
GCDSpa
Goode Scents
Hello Bath & Body
Hello Crafty
Hemp Essentials
Honey Bee Soaps
I Sew Cute
Klean Bath & Body
La Dolce Diva
Lily Gulch Soaps
Lisa Ann Skin Care
Mineral Silk
miSpa
MollyCoddle Soap
Nahia Creations
Nidasii
Palm Beach Soaps
Patisserie Jolie
PRIIA
Sarva Soap
Sevi Organics
Shea & Company
Simply Shells Designs
Soapy Love
System Bath
The 27th Element
The Bath Project
The Grapeseed Company
Three Ravens
Twin Birch Bath & Body
Villainess
Wild Woozle Soap Company


So, what do you think? Please take the time to provide me your thoughts. Feedback is greatly appreciated - good, bad or indifferent! In the end, it is always about the consumer.

Before I leave, I want to mention one last site that is responsible for shaping me into the type of business woman I have become. Donna Maria is the CEO of the Indie Beauty Network and is a true champion of the Indie Business Owner!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Pumpkin Seed Oil - A Natural Treat For Your Skin

Hey Y'all!

I hope you are all doing well on this chilly Tuesday morning! Today I am providing information on the benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil. The INCI name is Cucurbita Pepo.

Pumpkin Seed Oil is dark green in color and cold pressed from the roasted, hulled seeds of Styrian pumpkins. The oil contains valuable vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, calcium, zinc, magnesium and has over 60% unsaturated fatty acids, second only to flaxseed. Sterols and antioxidants are also found in Pumpkin Seed Oil.


Originating in the southeast region of Austria, from Styrian pumpkins, the seeds of this pumpkin variety are hand cultivated, washed, dried, mashed and roasted at low temperatures for oil production. To produce one liter of oil takes approximately 30 pumpkins.

The many benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil are it restores skin tissue, protects the skin from UV damage, absorbs quickly into the skin and supports the healing of sores and wounds.

Pumpkin Seed Oil is sometimes referred to as "Green Gold". Including Pumpkin Seed oil in a massage blend, it is believed to relive headaches, muscle pain, tension, sprains, redness and rheumatic problems. Using "green gold" as part of a cream or lotion formula is said to help prevent stretch marks and relieve dry skin.

Aside from the benefits to your skin when applied topically, we can't leave out the fact that pumpkins make an awesome dessert. Yes, the ever adorned Pumpkin Pie that will soon be on most of our tables during the holiday season.

If you'd like to try some really cool bath and body products containing Pumpkin Seed Oil, look no further! Cactus & Ivy's Indian Summer Fall Line has this beloved ingredient in all three products.

• Pumpkin & Shea Body Soufflé -Shea Butter, pumpkin and walnut oils whipped to perfection to produce a rich and creamy emollient for your skin. Shea Butter contains an abundance of healing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins and a unique fatty acid profile, and is a superior active moisturizer and enables your skin to absorb moisture from the air. As a result, your skin becomes softer and stays moisturized longer. A little soufflé goes a long way.
  

• Walnut Body Glaze -Your skin will love you for this body glaze! High in vitamin e, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, helps to regenerate, tone and moisturize damaged or dry skin. Along with the intoxicating blend of sweet and spicy essential oils, it is sure to bring the Fall season to mind.

• Spiced Sugar Body Polish -Begin your skin regiment with our creation of turbinado, shea butter, apricot kernel, walnut and pumpkin oils to refurbish and exfoliate your skin. Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, your skin will love you for exfoliating and moisturizing, with the aroma of sweet spices.
  

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

You're The Balm Bag - Cruelty Free & Vegan Natural Body Products

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It is a crisp 36 degrees in my neck of the woods. Brrrrr!!

Today, I am excited to announce a promotional opportunity for Cactus & Ivy with the Eco-Office Gals Relaunch and I have supplied 'You're The Balm' Bags for a giveaway.


You're The Balm Bag consists of:

• Peppermint Tree Foot Balm - Our signature balm! A soothing blend of oils and vegetable waxes to create a balm perfect for daily moisturizing of your feet. Use this balm as needed or for an intense overnight treatment.

• Butter Me Up Body Balm - A combination of soothing oils and cocoa butter give this balm a nice glide on your skin. Perfect for after shave use, soothe sun burned skin or an all over intense moisturizer for dry, itchy skin, especially on the knees and elbows.

• Lip Service Lip Balm - Creamy blend of oils, candelilla wax, grapefruit seed extract, vitamin E, plain or essential oils of spearmint and peppermint.

So, what do you have to do to win one of our 'You're The Balm' Bags? Go to Eco-Office Gals and follow their instructions. But you've gotta hurry, the winners will be announced this evening!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator & Guinea Chick Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

What is a Guinea Chick?

Hey Y'all!

It is a crisp, beautiful day in my neck of the woods. The wind is blowing slightly and the sun is shinning. This will be the first time I have ever mowed our grass wearing long pants, long sleeve shirt, possibly a sweatshirt as well and earmuffs! Hah! Have you got that mental picture yet?


What is a Guinea Chick? I came up with the name during an interview I did for a magazine article. Throughout this post, I am sharing with you pictures of the Guinea Chicks in my life! Cactus & Ivy does not, nor will we ever test our products on animals. We use the aid of our friends and family members.....and they are alive and still kickin'!

A Guinea Chick is a gal or guy that has put Cactus & Ivy products to the test before going public. There is such a thing as a male chick. My husband, Prevo, is the ultimate product tester for Cactus & Ivy and he wears that badge proudly! We also induct anyone that has used a Cactus & Ivy product into the Guinea Chick Hall of Fame!


Here is how I describe a Guinea Chick:

• They color outside the lines

• They are not afraid to stand their ground

• The are compassionate towards others

• They love and protect animals

• They march to the beat of their own drum

• They blaze new trails

• They see the glass as half full

• They are not afraid to laugh at themselves

• They are proud of their family and friends
  

• They give of their time and money to those less fortunate

• They don't take life too seriously

• They appreciate life and relish each and every moment

In a nutshell, Guinea Chicks Rock! In the coming months, there will be a website designed for all things Guinea Chick! Keep checking back on this blog for information updates. I will tell you that I will be posting pictures of Guinea Chicks holding their favorite Cactus & Ivy product.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a great Thursday. It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I wanted to help raise awareness and pass on important links.

It's so important that you do monthly breast exams, in addition to, an annual mammogram. If you need help locating a Mammography Center, click here.

For more information about Breast Cancer, here are several sites with a wealth of information:

~ National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. - Click

~ National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Click

~ Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Click


"The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates that each year, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,000 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year".

Click to Give at The Breast Cancer Site. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to help fund free mammograms for women in need. All you have to do is click daily and sponsors pay for the mammograms. It's that easy. Take a moment to visit their site and 'Click to Give' today!

Thank you for taking the time to become more aware of Breast Cancer. We owe it to every woman in our lives, including ourselves! I pray that a cure is found for this horrible disease.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!



Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Poverty - What Can You Do To Help?

Morning Y'all!

As part of Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty, thousands of bloggers are uniting to discuss one issue and that is poverty. "We aim to raise awareness, initiate action and to shake the web"! As I am writing this, there are 10,017 sites and 10,891,705 RSS readers participating in Blog Action Day.

The dictionary defines poverty as:

- the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor; indigence.

- deficiency of necessary or desirable ingredients, qualities, etc.

- scantiness; insufficiency.

"Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, and may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn, to obtain better employment to escape poverty, and/or to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens."

According to Poverty.com, about 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes, according to the United Nations. This is one person every three and a half seconds. Unfortunately, it is children who die most often.


Poverty effects a many diverse groups in and around the world. No person should ever know what it's like to be poor, in need of the basic necessities so many of us take for granted. The saying that most people are one paycheck away from being homeless is especially true in this economy.

To explain why poverty occurs, there are many factors that are cited. However, no single factor has gained worldwide acceptance. The factors are Economics, Governance, Environmental Factors, Social Factors and Demographics.

The Census Bureau states that as of 2007, the poverty rate in the United States was 12.5%, 37.3 million people were in poverty, up from 36.5 million in 2006. Over 3 billion people live on less than $2.50 per day, which is almost half the world. Most Americans living in poverty are still employed, however, they are having trouble making ends meet. The statistics show there are over 37 million poor people in the United States alone. Just in my state, the state of South Carolina, over 445,000 people go hungry every day. That is an astounding figure and it needs to change!

To help understand poverty, The World Bank states as this, "Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom".


Throughout the year, my husband and I donate clothing to the Salvation Army, participate in food drives and donate to the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia, SC. My husband, Prevo, has performed at many a benefits in our home town to help raise money for those in need. We don't wait for a holiday when the need is so much greater. We are compassionate people and want to do all we can to help those less fortunate than us. We believe to our core that helping your fellow man, woman or child is our responsibility as a human being. Not even for one day should an individual, no matter their demographics, go hungry, not have clean drinking water, not receive medical care when they need it, not have a roof over their head or not have a job.

So what can you do? Go through your closets and pull out the clothes you don't wear anymore. Take a few groceries bags full of canned goods to your local church, donation point or food bank. Give of your time and money; whatever you can do to help make a difference. Check within your community to see how you can help. Let's all join together to help make a difference in the lives of so many. We owe it to humanity!

As always, thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Cactus & Ivy

Cactus & Ivy Is Honored

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds y'all having a fabulous day! Cactus & Ivy is so honored to have been included in the lavish gift bags presented by Gifted Presence to Celebrities and VIP Guests at the 2008 Adventa WTT Smash Hits Tennis Charity Event. The event raised more than $400,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund!


Established in 1992 by Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Since its founding, EJAF has raised over $150 million to support urgently needed programs across the US and in 55 countries around the globe.



The Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund is a collaborative funding partnership between The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National AIDS Fund, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, Fashion Cares and individual donors. Since its inception over a decade ago, the AIDS Fund has awarded more than $11 million in grants to help care of people living with HIV/AIDS and to fight the spread of the disease.


The gift bags were given to Elton John, Billie Jean King, Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova, Martina Navratilova, Jesse Levine, Melanie Oudin, Donald Young and others. Each recipient autographed one gift bag which was included in the silent auction. More than $171,000 of the event's total was raised in a live auction with top items including two Wimbledon packages with Billie Jean King's personal Center Court seats which sold for $21,000 each, Sir Elton John's autographed piano bench and a Super Bowl package. Andy Roddick wrapped up the auction with a winning $17,000 bid for artwork created by Martina Navratilova with Slovak artis Juraj Kralik. The pieces are created when Navratilova hits paint-soaked tennis balls onto a blank canvas.


That's the excitement in my neck of the woods. Again, I am so honored to have Cactus & Ivy included in such a wonderful charity event!

A final note. This opportunity became available to me through HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and I would like to thank Peter Shankman for all the awesome opportunities found in my inbox!!

Thanks for stopping by y'all!!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Crunchy or Creamy......Which One Are You?

Hey Y'all!

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Today's post was prompted by my love for peanut butter.

Peanuts are not nuts at all, they are legumes, and they they originated from Brazil. The unsaturated fat content in 1oz of peanut butter per day helps reduce the risk of heart disease by 25%. It is rich in folate and niacin (vitamin B3), which helps increase the HDL (good cholesterol) level by as much as 30%. Peanuts are a very good source of dietary fiber and proteins (up to 25% of peanuts consists of proteins). Peanut butter also has a high content of Resveratrol, an antioxidant produced in some plants when attacked by pathogens like fungi and bacteria. Even larger contents of Resveratrol can be found in red grapes.

As a kid, I can remember my father putting peanut butter on just about everything. I do believe his favorite was crunchy peanut butter on pancakes topped off with blueberry syrup. Being Daddy's little girl, I had to give it a whirl! My love for peanut butter began that very moment as my Mom took a picture of me with peanut butter and blueberry syrup slathered all over my face! Yum!!

Now I am older and I still have a soft spot in the depths of my taste buds for peanut butter. I eat peanut butter-mayonnaise-banana sandwiches, peanut butter on my crackers, snack cubes of cheese, with jelly on bread and crackers, on apple slices, bananas, on waffles and in desserts of all kinds. In my opinion, the ultimate way of eating peanut butter is to spoon out a little and eat it off the spoon. I know I probably grossed you out with the pb/mayo/banana sandwich but I have to tell ya.......don't knock it until you try it! This Guinea Chick loves to eat and appreciates good food!


Peanut Butter Blossoms are my favorite cookies. They bring together two of my favorite tastes. The perfect marriage between chocolate and peanut butter, outside a Reese's, of course. Here is the recipe I grew up with!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 3/4c flour
1/2c sugar
1/2c brown sugar
1tsp baking soda
1/2tsp salt
1/2c solid shortening
1/2c peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
2tbsp milk
1tsp vanilla
1 egg

Sugar (for rolling)
1bag Hershey Kisses (unwrapped)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together. Form into 1" balls and roll in sugar. Bake for 10 minutes. Immediately after removing from the oven, place one unwrapped Hershey Kiss in the center of the cookie ball and lightly press down. Place cookies on a cooling rack. After the cookies have cooled, dig in and don't forget to share!

Now you know my love affair with peanut butter. While writing this post, I decided to define the difference between crunchy and creamy.

~ Crunchy is crisp, hard but breakable, lively and firm
~ Creamy is soft, smooth, slick and laid back

So, my question to you is this. Are you crunchy or creamy? I'm a crunchy kind of gal!

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to leave me a comment about what type of peanut butter you are. I'd love to hear from you!!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Peppermint Essential Oil

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds everyone having a fabulous day! Today I am writing about Peppermint Essential Oil. This ingredient is found in several Cactus & Ivy products - Lip Service Lip Balm, Back Acre's Rub and Peppermint Tree Foot Balm. With the winter months fast approaching, it only seemed fit to discuss the fantastic oil of Peppermint!


Since ancient times in Japan and China, mints have been cultivated. Dating from 1000 BC in Egypt, Tombs revealed evidence of a type of peppermint. The peppermint plant is a perennial herb that grows up to 3ft high. It is easily propagated by underground runners. The 'black' peppermint has dark green serrated leaves, with purplish stems and reddish to violet flowers. The 'white' peppermint has green leaves and stems.

The INCI name for peppermint oil is Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil. Peppermint is a relaxing and cooling oil that can help relieve headache, indigestion, reduce mental fatigue, increase alertness, relieve nausea, relieve itching, help maintain alertness and repels insects effectively. Peppermint Essential Oil may be purchased online or in most health food stores.

Peppermint oil can be used the following ways:

- by rubbing on reflexology points on the bottom of your feet
- steam inhalation
- in an air or reed diffuser
- in a therapeutic bath

Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be diluted with a carrier oil prior to external use. Peppermint oil may cause a skin reaction if the dosage is in excess. Peppermint oil should not be used on children younger than 5 years of age or women who are pregnant.

With the cooler months upon us, mice look for the warmth of indoors too. Peppermint is an effective deterrent to mice. The aroma of peppermint is very displeasing to mice and when they encounter the scent, they go the opposite direction.

Here is a home remedy to try. Place a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and position in areas where mice have been seen. Please do not place cotton balls where children can reach them. Please make sure to wash your hands after handling Peppermint Essential Oil.

I hope you've enjoyed learning about Peppermint Essential Oil. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Guinea Chick With A Southern Accent

Hey Y'all!

I sure hope this post finds you doing well. It's 69 degrees out and there is a 70% chance of rain today. With the gloomy setting outside, this feels like a fun, getting to know me kind of day! Hang on y'all......

By now, you all know that I am the CEO of Cactus & Ivy, a cruelty free, vegan and natural spa and body products manufacturer. Cactus & Ivy is my baby and I take great pride in the products I create for all the present and future "Guinea Chicks" out there! And, you may be surprised to know that guys are "Guinea Chicks" too. There is such an animal as a male chick!

Now to learn a little more about how I pass the time when I'm not creating fabulous bath and body products. As I have mentioned before, I am the Army wife of Prevo and we get along like peas and carrots. Prevo is definitely the man I am destined to spend the rest of my life with.



Prevo has the higher percentage of talent between the two of us. Prevo is a singer/songwriter and I can't sing a lick. Not even in the shower or to the radio. However, I make a mean body scrub and Prevo's talent in that department is that he knows how to use it. Yes.....Prevo is a "Guinea Chick", the first to be exact! I am eternally grateful that he is willing to be my very first test subject for all products! Woo-hoo Prevo.....way to support your wife! I love you more than my luggage babe! You definitely ROCK!



For fun around here, we are usually gathering with friends and playing corn hole. Prevo and I make corn hole boards as well. There isn't a whole lot out there that we can't do. Oops, I forgot.....we can't shag and we live in South Carolina. Gasp!!

Before Prevo left for Iraq in August, 2005, we wanted to give him a send off that he would remember. We got together with a large group of friends and had the 1st Annual Hog Wrestlin' Event. We even had spectators! This had to be the best day, I do believe, that I have spent in all my adult life. Prevo and I were surrounded by people who know how to have fun and absolutely no animals were harmed during the event. The bruised egos, legs, arms and tail bones were all on the intelligent species and I don't mean the pigs! Many of us, (not me), ended up with poison ivy due to our neighbor making the mud hole in a poison ivy bed! Way to go...genius! And, just so you don't think I am "dissing" my neighbor, the "genius" line came from a radio disc jockey. He called my neighbor that after reading my letter on the air. That's another post I'll save for later.



Any who, back to the fun. Here we are in all our glory. It was a fabulous day and this photo remained on Prevo's desk inside his hooch in Iraq. It reminded him of who and what he had back home. It gave him more determination to serve his country and come home alive! Here's to great friends and good times! Life is too short to take it seriously ALL the time! Oh, and by the way, I am one half of the winning team! Oh yeah! Roy and I won the 1st Annual Hog Wrestlin' Event. Woo-hoo!

So, that's a little look into my private life. To some, it may look a little wild and not for them and that's OK. Prevo and I love life and we definitely live it to the fullest. I am leaving you with this. I will never compromise the integrity of myself, family, friends or Cactus & Ivy to get ahead in life. What you see is what you get! I am a loyal wife, daughter, friend and Small Business Owner. That you can take to the bank, even in today's' economy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Guinea Chicks Rock & Rule

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous day! Today I am introducing Cactus & Ivy's youngest "Guinea Chick"!

I love this press!! Cactus & Ivy's youngest "Guinea Chick", Vanessa, posing with our Perk Up Lip Balm. Vanessa's favorite things are school, dancing, playing with friends, mint chewing gum and her Guinea Chick mom, Donna Maria Cole Johnson, CEO of Indie Beauty Network.

Thanks dM for sharing Vanessa's pic for use on my site and The Southern Accent Blog. Vanessa is a cutie pie! Guinea Chicks Rock & Rule!!

As always, thanks for stopping by and hope you have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Going Pink for October

Hey Y'all!

I hope today brings you blue skies and sunshine! I woke to a brisk 48 degrees this morning and it was fabulous. I do believe that Fall is here to stay...yippee!!!

Cactus & Ivy is going 'Pink for October' in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yesterday, I joined the virtual community to walk across America raising funds for Stage IV breast cancer patients.

Go to Gal to Gal Virtual Walk 2008.

In three easy steps, your Gal or Guy will be on their way! If you'd like to be part of the Cactus & Ivy team, when prompted, enter team name "Guinea Chicks". Hope to see you in the virtual community walking across America!

Have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy