Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Earth Day

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well and happy Earth Day! This is a re-post from last year with a few minor changes.

Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin to bring awareness, inspiration and gratitude for the Earth's environment. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse anything and everything possible. At Cactus & Ivy, we reuse packing peanuts and boxes that are received from our suppliers. If they are in good condition, we turn around and use them in shipments to our customers. Containers that store our raw materials are cleaned when emptied and reused whenever possible. We are also taking steps to securing biodegradable containers, where possible, and labels made from corn.

Here are some things you can do to make a difference:
  • Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • Recycle your glass, plastic and paper
  • Walk, instead of drive, whenever possible
  • Turn your lights off in your house when not needed
  • Unplug all non-essential appliances
  • Take recycle bags to grocery store and stop using paper or plastic
  • Plant a tree or two or ten
  • Use appliances with the Energy Star logo
  • Conserve water
  • Use WaterSense products for your home, yard and business
  • Keep your thermostat on 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter
The following are a few interesting facts on the Climate Change Fact Sheet, provided by Earth Day Network.
  • By 2030 the number of automobiles in the world will increase by 50%.
  • It took 125 years to consume the first trillion barrels of oil – the world will consume the next trillion in only 30 years, according to Chevron.
  • During the last one hundred years the global temperature has warmed between 0.7-1.5°C.
  • The current pace of sea-level rise is 50% faster then in the last century.
  • Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide (a green house gas linked to climate change) in the atmosphere has increased by 35%.
  • The Arctic ice pack has lost an area about twice the size of Texas since the mid-1970's.
  • Each gallon of gasoline burned creates 20 pounds of CO2.
  • As many as 15-37% of all wildlife species in some regions could be "committed to extinction" by 2050 years because of global climate change.
  • By planting a large tree that creates shade, one can reduce heating and cooling costs annually by up to 40%.
Please take a moment to visit Earth Day Network to learn more and what you can do to help protect our planet! To read more on the history of Earth Day, click here. And, if you would like to know what your ecological footprint is, go to the Earth Day Network Footprint Calculator.

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


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Earth Day Giveaway

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Cactus & Ivy is participating again in Eco-Office Gals 2nd Annual Green My World Earth Day Giveaway.



One person will win the lot of fabulous products! For rules and more information, click the button above. This contest ends at 12 noon on April 22, 2010. Good luck!

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






Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Skin Deep | Scratching Below The Surface

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Posts are few and far between while I am recovering from finger surgery. Therapy is intense and needless to say, when I'm not exercising my fingers, I don't really want to type. Praying for the strength to push through the pain!

Today I am sharing an article written by Dene Godfrey. You may remember Dene from the interview I posted last month on Preservatives in Personal Care Products. To read the article, please click the image below.


What are your thoughts on this article? As always, I love to receive your feedback - good, bad or indifferent so please leave them below.

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





Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Whimsical Wednesday | Did You Know?

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. I'm slowing getting back into the swing of things after having hand surgery last week. Did you know that today is International Moment of Laughter Day? I could use a good laugh today!


{image courtesy of marvins dad}

Humorologist Izzy Gesell created this day to encourage people to laugh. As he states on his website, to celebrate this day, do one of the following:

  • laughing out loud at the funny cards in a greeting card shop
  • calling a friend to share a funny story
  • getting naked, looking in the mirror and laughing
  • buying a "laugh-box" in a joke shop and turning it on at work or at home
  • showing your baby pictures to someone who's never seen them
  • thinking up your own way to get someone else to laugh with you
  • or just laughing for no apparent reason at all

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a funny day! "Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life".






Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Friday, April 2, 2010

Good Friday | Happy Easter






Cactus & Ivy is closed today in observance of Good Friday. Wishing you and your family a glorious Good Friday and a happy Easter!





Cactus & Ivy

{photo care of istockphoto.com}

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April Fools Day | Boiled Egg From the Kiwi Bird

{photo care of istockphoto.com}