Soap is a Necessity

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous Friday. My apologies for being a slacker, yet again in the posting department.

Yesterday I received an email asking all soapmakers to answer the call by sending any soap they could spare to help with the devastation in Haiti. Naturally, I went right to work on it!



Clean the World, a fabulous organization founded in 2009 by Shawn Seipler and Paul Till. Taken from their website, their mission is: "Through the collection, recycling and distribution of soap and shampoo products discarded by hotels every day, Clean the World is dedicated to preventing millions of deaths caused by acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease."

Cactus & Ivy is shipping the remainder of its soap inventory today to help with the relief efforts in Haiti. My life and the lives of my family and friends are truly blessed compared to the people of Haiti. Prevo and I have already donated money and sending soap was a no-brainer for me.

If you would like to donate, there are several options that come to mind:

- $10 donation via your cell phone to the Red Cross by texting "Haiti" to 90999 or make a donation via their website.

- $5 donation via your cell phone to the Yele Earthquake Fund by texting "YELE" to 501501 or make a donation via their website.

- A monetary donation to Clean the World. "Every $1 donation will recycle two hotel rooms for an entire month. That equates to 40 bars of soap and 40 bottles of shampoo that will not hit our landfills and water systems, but instead supply 5 needy families with a life saving necessity for ONE MONTH."

- Unicef (United Nations Children's Fund) - "was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity."

- Doctors Without Borders - "Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971." You can donate via their website.

Since I have decided to donate the remainder of our soap inventory, that means there is none left for you, my fabulous customers. I will be working all weekend making soap and they will all be ready for purchase in approximately 4 weeks. I apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause. The people of Haiti need all the help they can get and sending our soap inventory was something I had to do.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a fantabulous weekend!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Reed Diffusers - A Safe Alternative To Candles

Hey Y’all!

First and foremost, my heart and prayers go out to all who have been affected by Hurricane Ike. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through and will continue to pray for the help needed to get back to some sense of normalcy.

Cactus & Ivy is doing our part to spread the word that your help is needed. Please click here to be taken to the American Red Cross website to make your donation today. On the American Red Cross website, you will find a variety of ways to donate. Please take a moment to see how you can help!



Today I am focusing on a Cactus & Ivy favorite. It seems that more and more people are turning to Reed Diffusers to scent their home and/or office. Reed Diffusers offer a safe alternative to candles and the scent lasts up to 3 months. The scent travels up the reeds and the intoxicating aroma fills the air.

According to an article in GCI Magazine, October, 2007, "Decorating a home includes more than the placement of furniture and art. Consumers today are using scent to decorate, adding an individual touch that represents their personality and tastes. Companies are branding scent to create an emotional connection with the brand, evoking a mood or memory."

Our Reed Diffusers are a huge hit! This is the only product that we will scent with a fragrance oil. We are adding replacement scents to our site this week, for those that need a refill! Also, we are sourcing a variety of decorative bottles for the upcoming holiday season.

On a different note, I am psyched about (3) three new products we are adding for the Fall. Later this week, I will announce what they are. Stay tuned!!

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

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinarie
Cactus & Ivy