Treat Your Summer Feet to Peppermint Tree Foot Balm

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a spectacular day! What a slacker I have been! Time to remind you that summer is here and your feet need to be at their best.

I can't say enough about Peppermint Tree Foot Balm. The tingling and cooling sensations coupled with the moisturizing ingredients is a must have for keeping 'barking dogs' at bay. Volleyball has been wreaking havoc on my feet so Peppermint Tree Foot Balm is my BFF!



Peppermint Tree Foot Balm can be used daily to revive tired, dry feet or as an intense overnight treatment for really worn out tootsies. The oils of apricot kernel and sweet almond penetrate the skin easily, emollient and great for dry, inflamed or irritated skin. Menthol gives it the fantastic tingling and cooling kick! Includes tea tree oil and the pick me up relief of peppermint oil to round out this fabulous product.

How about a discount? Ok, here's 15% off, just because. Use promo code JB2010 at checkout, good through midnight, June 30, 2010. Also, you automatically receive an additional 5% discount when you order 5 or more products.

So, kick your tired and dry feet to the curb and pick up a tube of our cruelty free and vegan, Peppermint Tree Foot Balm today! Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a fantabulous Wednesday!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Cruelty Free & Vegan Body Products Kick Dry Skin To The Curb

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous Tuesday! Over the weekend, we had a burst of warm weather. Needless to say, I am no longer in stir crazy neutral. I have shoved the gears into over drive and determined to make spring appear faster. If you need help kicking dry skin to the curb, Cactus & Ivy has a couple recommendations for ya!


For tired, over worked barking dogs, our Peppermint Tree Foot Balm is just what the doctor ordered. Spring means sandals, bare feet and fun. The tingling and cooling sensations coupled with the moisturizing ingredients is a must have to keep your feet in tip top shape and feeling refreshed.

Peppermint Tree Foot Balm can be used daily to revive tired, dry feet or as an intense overnight treatment for really worn out tootsies. The oils of apricot kernel and sweet almond penetrate the skin easily and a great emollient for dry, inflamed or irritated skin. Menthol gives it the fantastic tingle and cooling kick! Anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil and the pick me up relief of peppermint oil round out this fabulous product. It is one of my faves!


Our body souffle`s are creamy, dreamy and whipped to perfection with a sweet aroma of butter cream frosting or almond biscotti. Shea butter contains a wealth of healing ingredients while peach kernel oil has high levels of fatty acids to nourish the skin. A moisture rich and intense emollient to soften, soothe and hydrate dry skin. It doesn't take much so a little goes a long way. We include a mini spatula to eliminate the use of your fingers to remove the souffle` from the jar!

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





Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Beauty Review and Powerful Beauty

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Today is a double hitter kind of day and I love it. Oh yeah....Happy Friday!!

KD and the gang at Your Daily Vegan reviewed our Peppermint Tree Foot Balm™, Cactus Nail Balm™ and our Orange Vanilla Butter Me Up Body Balm™. A big ole southern thanks for their awesome reviews and so glad Cactus & Ivy rocked their world! Your Daily Vegan is one of my new favorite sites to visit so stop on by and give it a read!



My fabulous new friend, who also shares my interest for the love of horses, asked me to give her my definition of Powerful Beauty for her site, Bionic Beauty. Jami has reviewed Cactus & Ivy products in the past and I love her down right, bare bones, honest opinion. If you want to achieve powerful beauty, I highly suggest you subscribe to receive beautiful goodness in your inbox each day!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Apricot Kernel Oil

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Apricot Kernel Oil is found in several Cactus & Ivy products because it happens to be one of my favorite ingredients.


Apricot Kernel Oil - Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil - Originating from Asia, the apricot kernel is a transitory tree that can grow to 30 feet tall, withstands colder climates and the oil pressed from the kernels can be used in cooking.

An emollient oil high in oleic and linoleic acids, is light, penetrates the skin easily and is highly sought after for its skin softening properties. Apricot kernel oil prevents water evaporating from the skin, helps retain the elasticity of the skin, contains a high amount of vitamin E and provides great slip to massage oils. Flat out, it's a fabulous oil to incorporate into any skin care regiment for mature, dry, sensitive or troubled skin.

You can find Apricot Kernel Oil in Butter Me Up Body Balm, Citrus Mint Acai Body Glow, Lemonmint Body Bath & Massage Elixir, Blah Blah Lip Balm, Perk Up Lip Balm and Peppermint Tree Foot Balm.

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


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Cactus & Ivy Loves Feedback

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. I am presently fighting off allergies or sinus issues and I do believe I am losing.

Today I am taking the time to post some reviews and to thank all who have provided me with valuable feedback on Cactus & Ivy products. In case you haven't dropped by the website lately, here are some that can be found on our Raves & Reviews and Press pages.

February 6, 2009 - Cactus & Ivy received some love from Naomi Serviss on her Spa Trekking blog! Naomi is a freelance writer specializing in spa-trends, travel and health issues. She also happens to be one fantabulous chick, also known now as a Guinea Chick™! Naomi is not on a Trek at the moment so she decided to share some of her spa-related goodies and Cactus & Ivy happens to be on the list! Read Naomi's spa column Spa Trekking. You ROCK Naomi and thanks for the love!
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Lisa -

I seriously, truly love the Cactus Nail Balm™. My hands are a mess from soapmaking and in just one day, noticeable difference. I can't stop using it, I love the concept, it's so clever, it smells amazing, and my hands feel so much better. I would heartily recommend your stuff to anybody.

Michelle G.
Cleveland Heights, OH
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January 13, 2009 - Cactus & Ivy Soy Milk Lip Balm™ gets a fabulous review from Shannon with A Girls Gotta Spa! Woo-hoo!!! Loving the review love!! Read the review here

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Hi Lisa,

I picked up my package from the post office this morning; everything I tried was great. I especially like the new packaging for the Nail Balm. This is the first time I've ordered from Cactus & Ivy and I have to say based on the products I've tried and the customer service, which has been truly great, I will definitely be back to order again.

Sincerely,

Sharon
Miami, FL
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December 11, 2008 - Woo-hoo!! I could so get used to this!! Our Soy Indulgence™ line received a fabulous review from Sonja with The Coveted. Sonja is a former model that also reported the news for TV stations in Seattle, St. Louis & San Francisco. Her love of skin care and make up began at an early age and now. Sonja has expanded her interests into all natural beauty lines. Thanks Sonja for your rocking review! Read Sonja's review here
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Lisa, thank you for your email. I did receive your products and am VERY satisfied, and plan to purchase from your company again. I especially love the foot balm in the deodorant style container. I also really like that I can personalize each product. This is a perfect feature for when I want to send gifts! Thank you for following up, and I look forward to ordering from your company again soon.

Jessica
West Hollywood, CA
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December 4, 2008 - Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! Cactus & Ivy has received more review love. It feels like Christmas is already here! This time, the review is from Jenny with BabyAssFace. In my opinion, the name rocks and so does Jenny! Read her review of our Soy Indulgence Coconut Soy Bath Grains™, here

While you are on BabyAssFace, take a moment to sign up to get posts delivered right to your inbox. You'll be happy you did!
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So, there ya have it. To read more fabulous reviews, visit Cactus & Ivy. I also wanted to let you know that Cactus & Ivy will be in Southern Living Magazine, the March issue, which comes out at the end of February. It will only be available in the South Carolina editions, however, I am working on getting a digital copy. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by y'all!! I hope you have a great day and a fantastic weekend!

Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

The Cooling of Menthol

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Over the weekend, I decided to make some time for me. I have truly neglected pampering myself while working on a to do list.

Saturday night, my dogs were barking. No, we don't have dogs, I am talking about my feet. When I was a kid, my Dad would come after a long day at work and say his dogs were barking. Well Dad, my dogs are barking too!
A favorite ingredient of mine is menthol, clear and colorless crystals acquired from steam distilled peppermint oil. Menthol can be found in lip balms, chest rubs, sunburn relief and mouthwash, to name a few. It is refreshing, cooling and possesses a strong peppermint aroma.

You will find menthol in our Peppermint Tree Foot Balm and Back Acre's Rub. Tired and sore muscles or achy feet don't stand a chance with this fabulous ingredient. After applying Peppermint Tree Foot Balm, my feet felt cool, relaxed, energized and ready to take on another day! Our sampler packages include a travel size Peppermint Tree Foot Balm if you would like to take a test drive.

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


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

12 Years and Sweet Almond Oil

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Today is my 12th Wedding Anniversary....woo-hoo!!! Happy Anniversary to me!

Did you know that silk or linen are the gifts for 12 years? Since I do not wear silk, nor do I use it in my products, I will tell you about an ingredient that feels silky smooth!


Sweet Almond Oil Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis is a high quality nut oil that is a great emollient for conditioning and softening the skin and hair. It is well suited for psoriasis, eczema, dry and itchy skin. Sweet Almond Oil is rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, is light, penetrates easily and is suitable for all skin types. Sweet Almond Oil soothes sunburned and inflamed skin.


The almond is native to an area stretching from Pakistan to Turkey. Over the years, humans have spread the almond to the Mediterranean, southern Europe and more recently, California. There are two varieties of almond plants. One has white flowers and produces sweet almonds. The other has pink flowers and produces bitter almonds.

Almond Oil is obtained from the dried kernel of the plant. The brown powder on the outside is removed and then the kernels are milled. Once this process is complete, the mill is exposed to hydraulic pressure for which the expressed oil is the end result. The oil is then filtered and bleached by light exposure. The fixed oil of Almond is extracted from both the bitter and sweet . If intended for external use, the oil must be obtained from the sweet variety.


You can find Sweet Almond Oil in our Body Bath & Massage Elixirs, Peppermint Tree Foot Balm and Walnut Body Glaze.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and hope you have a fantabulous day!

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