CocoLime and a Birthday!

Hey Y'all!

I hope this email finds you doing well. First things first! Today is the birthday of the CEO of SystemBath, Shelley. Happy Birthday you demanding heifer! Relax.....she's used to me calling her that. On a serious note, Shelley is a talented, witty and fabulous Guinea Chick and I am grateful for her friendship!

You may remember me posting pictures of two fabulous gals I met on Twitter, and with the aid of another crafty Indie, photo shopped my hair onto their heads. Here is Shelley's picture as me and then the real Shelley!


Now, I thought I'd share with you some of the natural bath and body products I am working on and hopefully launching in the coming weeks. I've created a new soap that contains coconut milk and fresh lime peel. The Harry Nilsson song, 'Put the lime in the Coconut' was dancing through my head the whole time I was formulating. CocoLime Body Soap will be available in a few days.

Also in the works are these fabulous products that I have had a ball creating: Coconut Hair Mask, Creme De Mint Milk Bath, Avocado Hair Butter, Milk Bath Teas and Face-It Toners in Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Violet and Cucumber. Oooooo......Mufasa.....Say it Again! Woot!

There ya have it. Just a little bit more to wet your whistle and keep me from being so antsy. I had to share!! Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day! Happy Birthday again Shelley!!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

I'm a Guinea Chick! Are You?

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous Friday! This is a short but sweet post today. Cactus & Ivy needs a t-shirt! Today, I designed one and I want to get your feedback. What do you think?

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

What's In A Name?

Hey Y'all!!

Wow....it's November and I can already smell the good holiday food that will surround my family in a few weeks.

What's in a name? Hmmmmm......lets see. Everything! Your parents thought long and hard what name to give you, just like you did with your own children. I take the same consideration when I name a product. For instance, Cactus & Ivy has a rub called Back Acre's. Some people thought I didn't know how to spell the last word correctly. On the contrary. I named our back rub Back Acre's for a reason.



When my family moved to South Carolina 30 years ago, the acres where my parents built their house, had to be cleared. Being the military family that we are, we cut every tree down by hand. Then we dug up every stump by hand. The trees left brush behind as well. The remnants of the trees had to be dragged to a pile, which was moved 15 times until we finally found its resting place. The labor of clearing the acres gave us all back pain, hence the name Back Acres Rub.

Now I need your help naming two little incredibly lovable creatures. My husband and I have never paid for an animal. We take in the lost, lonely, unwanted and damaged animals that cross our path.



These sweet kitties took their first trip to the vet on Saturday and received a clean bill of health. I also needed help in determining their sex. They both happen to be males and are in desperate need of a name.

Both are very lovable, rambunctious, curious and down right full sweetness. The gray loves to jump and the multi colored loves to climb. They are so much alike that it's hard to distinguish individual personalities.

We love to extend nicknames to our cats. Our other cats, Smokey and Maggie are also called Monster Man and Mag Pie. So, what's in a name? Will you please help us name our newest members of the family? The person with the winning names will receive a box of Cactus & Ivy goodies. I will choose the winner on Friday, November 7, 2008.

Thanks for stopping by y'all!

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

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