I hope this post finds you doing well! The weekend was absolutely beautiful and staying indoors was not an option. I hope your skies were bright and you had a relaxing couple of days.
Over the weekend, I worked in the yard taking in the sunshine and blue skies. Gardening totally relaxes me and some of my most creative ideas come from working in the yard.
I have decided to give new life to old bath and body formulations. Cruelty-free and vegan creations that didn't make it to the solitude of my shop are about to get a new lease on life! For whatever reason the formulations were never put to the test, I am looking forward to working on them again with a fresh eye and a wide selection of fabulous ingredients at my disposal.
So, y'all please keep your eyes peeled for the unveiling of new formulations and thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!!
I hope this post finds you doing well! What is Custom Blending? Cactus & Ivy offers the option for our wholesale clients to have cruelty free and vegan products created especially for their business.
Custom blends are created based on botanicals, scents, and other raw materials indigenous to the clients area. We also create from a particular theme, scent and botanical of the clients choosing.
Once the formalities are handled, research begins on the various oils, plants, trees, flowers and scents that are indigenous to your area or theme. Custom blended products will never be marketed to another client, even though Cactus & Ivy maintains ownership of the formulation.
Cactus & Ivy can create custom blends for use in Retail, Professional, In-Room Amenities, Bath Butler, Sales/Marketing and the possibilities are endless. For more information, please complete the request form here.
Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!!
I hope this post finds you doing well and you had a fabulous weekend! Well.......it's here! The new line from Cactus & Ivy for Valentine's Day!
Soothing, captivating and sensual were the inspirations behind our Valentine's Day line. Each product contains ingredients to nourish, moisturize and hydrate dry and damaged skin. The essential oil blend of vanilla, patchouli and rose all have sensual properties that are sure to relax your mind, body and spirit.
Cocoa Vanilla Body Polish Regenerate and rejuvenate dry skin with this soothing combination of mango butter, virgin coconut oil and sweet almond oil. The addition of sugar cane, salt and raspberry seeds provide exfoliation to remove dead skin while the aroma of vanilla, patchouli and rose fill your mind.
Macadamia Vanilla Body Melt The smoothness of macadamia nut oil, penetrates and hydrates the skin leaving it nourished and moisturized. Vanilla, patchouli and rose blend well to lend a light and pleasing aroma to capture your senses.
Chocolate Bliss Bath Grains Soak away your troubles with our bath grains, containing coconut milk powder, cocoa powder and shea oil, creating a creamy and chocolaty environment to relax. Comforting, yet spirited aroma of vanilla, patchouli and rose.
So, there ya have it. Our Valentine's Day line will only be around for a limited time, so get yours while you can. I can't wait to get Andreah's feedback, especially since she had a hand in choosing some of the ingredients!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
Woo-hoo!!! I hope this post finds y'all doing well. For those of you in the warmer climates, I am so jealous of you right now! And, for those of you that are freezing to death, I say boo......hiss to the weather and hope you are warm! I am so ready for Spring!
We have a winner in the Design A Valentine's Day Line contest with Chic Shopper Chick!! Drum roll please............
The winner is Andreah, a wife, mother and blogger who loves to review products and host giveaways on her blog. You can follow Andreah on Twitter at simplyandreah
A big thanks goes out to Erika with Chic Shopper Chick for partnering with Cactus & Ivy to bring this contest to life! The amount of feedback the contest generated is greatly appreciated and I have already made a few changes to the website. Thanks so much for posting your comments about the Cactus & Ivy website and/or blog. Feedback ROCKS and so do y'all!!
Andreah has chosen the ingredients that will be incorporated into the Body Scrub, Body Melt & Bath Grains. The aroma Andreah chose just happens to be my favorite between the selections. You ROCK Andreah!!
On Monday, January 19th, I will reveal the Valentine's Day Line, so stay tuned! In the meantime, don't fry anything naked!
Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a fabulous day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
I hope this post finds you doing well and my apologies for not having a post with words in a few days.
Working with ingredients for Cactus & Ivy creations, Cocoa butter has to be one of my favorites! It is a natural, edible vegetable fat, pale yellow in color, and is extracted from the cacao bean to make a variety of products, such as cosmetics, ointments and oh yes....chocolate.
Theobroma Cacao, the botanical name of Cocoa Butter, is from the Mexican word "cacauati" meaning cacao and the Greek word "Theobroma" meaning food of the Gods.
Cocoa trees generally grow in Central and South America and produce a brown fruit with about three dozen long seeds or cocoa beans. The seeds are ground into chocolate liquor and then pressed to separate the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids, which is also referred to as cocoa powder.
Cocoa butter has a low melting point of 34 to 38 degrees Celsius, is solid form at room temperature but melts easily at body temperature. It contains natural antioxidants that prevent rancidity and has a shelf life of 2 to 5 years, which makes it a highly popular ingredient in skin care products and cosmetics.
You can find Cocoa butter in our Body Scrubs, Butter Me Up Body Balm, Shea & Soy Body Melt and Lip Balms. Cocoa butter protects and softens dry skin, helps to reduce stretch marks, is a super emollient and aids in reducing wrinkles and fine lines around eyes, mouth and neck. Cocoa butter is just plain fabulous and smells heavenly!
Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a wonderful day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
I hope this post finds you doing well. This post was inspired by an email I received from a friend. It's a conspiracy!
"This is happening right here in our own country! We must put a stop to this immediately! Have you noticed that stairs are getting steeper? Groceries are heavier? And, everything is farther away?
Yesterday, I walked to the corner and I was dumbfounded to discover how long our street had become! And, you know, people are less considerate now, especially the young ones. They speak in whispers all the time! If you ask them to speak up, they just jeep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent message until they're red in the face! What do they think I am, a lip reader?
I also think they are much younger than I was at the same age. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn't even recognize me!
I got to thinking about the poor dear while I was combing my hair this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection. Well, REALLY NOW......even mirrors are not made the way they used to!
Another thing, everyone drives so fast these days. You're risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror.
Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days. Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20? Do they think no one notices? The people who make bathroom scales are pulling the same prank. Do they think I actually "believe" the number I see on that dial? Hah!! I would never let myself weigh that much. Just who do these people think they are fooling?
I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on, but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too! They've printed the phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number in there!
All I can do is pass along this warning.........We're under attack!! Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful indignities.
P.S. I am writing this in a large font size, because something has happened to my computer's fonts. They are smaller than they once were".
Ahhh......I needed a little laughter today. The sad thing is, I can relate to a few of the above mentioned items. Ugh!!
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to enter the Design a Valentine's Day line contest at Chic Shopper Chick. You have until 11:59pm CST tonight to get your entry in!
Have a fabulous day and good luck!!!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
I hope this post finds you doing well and having a fabulous Monday. The mini vacation over the holiday has left me rested and ready to face the New Year head on!
Just a reminder, the Design a Valentine's Line contest ends tomorrow, January 6th at 11:59PM CST. Go to Chic Shopper Chick for the rules and entry.
I am taking this opportunity to celebrate some of the comments from our customers. Feedback is so important to me. Good, bad or indifferent, they all play a role in how I create products for Cactus & Ivy.
When I teamed with Erika, Chic Shopper Chick, to do a contest, one of the things I asked for was feedback on the Cactus & Ivy website as well as The Southern Accent Blog. I am still overwhelmed at the amount of feedback received. One of the comments that appears frequently is they would like to read reviews/testimonials from customers. Now, I thought it was a good idea to post comments/feedback from our customers, so I dedicated a page to them. However, the link is in the wrong location on the site if it is not getting noticed. Duly noted!
Read Raves & Reviews from our customers! Here are just a couple that can be found on the page:
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 ____________________
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 ____________________
Also, to read reviews we've received from beauty blogs and sites, visit our Press page. Feedback is awesome so feel free to leave me a comment here!
Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
I hope this post finds you doing well and having a fabulous start to 2009! I wanted to fill you in on something awesome. As you may know, I am a member of the Indie Beauty Network. Donna Maria, or dM as we refer to her, has created the Indie Shopping Network.
Just a little background on dM, from my perspective. Donna Maria is a true champion of the Indie Business owner. She works tirelessly on keeping on top of legal issues related to our industry, providing cost effective products for our business, as well as creating other avenues for the cosmetics/toiletries small business owner to participate.
dM has been doing vignettes, or short highlights of 3 companies, in between her full blown shows, and above is the vignette dM did on December 31, 2008. I feel so honored to have Cactus & Ivy included with the creative talents of Bidwell Botanicals and Soapylove.Thanks again dM!! You rock gal!
I hope this post finds y'all doing well! Woo-hoo!! I am so stoked about this opportunity that I can barely stand myself! I am actually beside myself with so much enthusiasm that I wish I could bottle it up!
Cactus & Ivy has teamed up with Chic Shopper Chick for an awesome contest, if I do say so myself! We are offering one lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader the chance to work with me to create and design our Valentine’s Day Line. Not only will you get the chance to take home some of your fab new products but you'll also have bragging rights. What? That's right!
You have to visit Chic Shopper Chic for the official rules for entering this contest, which ends at 11:59pm CST on January 6, 2009! Good Luck!!!
Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a fabulous day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
I hope this post finds you doing well. The countdown has begun and as the saying goes, "out with the old and in with the new". I still can't believe that another year has passed by so quickly.
What does it mean for Cactus & Ivy to be cruelty free? It means that we have not, nor will we ever test our products on animals. Furthermore, we do not engage in business with suppliers that test their products on animals. Cactus & Ivy began with this standard and we have absolutely no intention of ever changing it.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love animals! Our friends say that when they die, they want to come back as one of our four legged family members. That's right, they aren't considered pets around our house, they are family! I couldn't imagine using the lovable, furry creatures as anything other than a warm and soft cuddle bug!
Every year, Cactus & Ivy signs The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program cruelty-free standard. We also list our suppliers, and they must recommit to the standard as well.
We are also a member of PETA's Caring Consumer program. Feel free to visit both sites to see that Cactus & Ivy is listed. If you have any questions about Cactus & Ivy being cruelty free, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a fantastic day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
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
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.
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
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.
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
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 Galsand 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
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
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
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 isMentha 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
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
I hope you find yourselves having a fabulous day. It is a gorgeous 75 degrees in my neck of the woods.
A couple years ago, I created an insect repellent for horses and Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray was born. Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray is a natural blend of ingredients to safely provide insect repellent for your horse. Includes moisturizing oils, vitamin E and essentials oils whose properties repel horse flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other flying pests.
Our neighbor, Clint, was asked to put our new creation to the test. Clint is a farrier and a Team Roper. He uses his horses for work and pleasure.
Clint used Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray for 30 days. The results he came back with were phenomenal. Upon applying for the first time, Clint noticed an immediate reaction the flies were having to the blend. During Team Roping practice and events, his horse gets very hot and sweaty. What impressed Clint the most is the fact the spray continued to work, even while the horse was sweating.
Clint was nice enough to supply us with a testimonial, which reads:
"I have been using the spray for almost a year and have found it to be the best around for controlling flies and other flying insects. I use my horses for pleasure as well as in roping. What really surprised me was the effectiveness of the spray after I worked my horses. I figured that the spray would lose its kick after working the horses in 90 degree temperatures for hours at a time. I have really been impressed by the product, especially since it is "All Natural". I am now and will forever be a customer!" Clint Durst Farms - Saluda, SC
Thanks Clint for the awesome feedback you provided. Since we are having such great success with our horse spray, we will be venturing in to other pet markets.
Every year while on vacation, we have a friend, Cyndi, take care of our home and animals. Before leaving for vacation this year, I was asked to create a dog spray and shampoo that could be used to repel ticks and fleas. The feedback I received from our dear friend was so fantastic that Cactus & Ivy will be offering a spray and shampoo for dogs. I am in the process of creating a name and finalizing the ingredients. Creating a product line for cats will take a little more time since cats do not have the ability to metabolize essential oils. Stay tuned for more information.
That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
It’s another brisk morning in South Carolina and I couldn’t be happier! The rush of cool air has my creative juices flowing with new product ideas and I am looking forward to sharing them all with you.
Today I am writing about my favorite show...Survivor, and what it actually means in comparison to the "Indie" business owner. The tag line of the show is Outwit, Outlast, Outplay. In today’s struggling economy, that is exactly what small business owners are doing. With the fall of 4 major players in the banking industry, I am reminded why I started Cactus & Ivy so many years ago.
Survivor is defined as:
one who lives through affliction;
one who outlives another;
an animal that survives in spite of adversity
Survivor completely describes what the “Indie” business owner is all about. We survive sourcing ingredients, packaging options, shipping, equipment, etc, in smaller volumes because we don’t meet the minimum requirements that are afforded by big business. And yet we survive.
Every “indie” owner has started out the same, whether in a small work area or even our homes. We strive to build a business that will produce products that offer something different than the “one size fits all” concept that big business is putting on retail shelves. With the threat of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 discussion draft, we are really in for the fight of our lives. If you haven’t already done so, please click here to read and sign the petition. Your support is greatly appreciated by so many, myself included!
I applaud you for supporting your “Indie” business owner, whoever they may be. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and never forget how far we’ve come. Cactus & Ivy will work hard to earn your business and even harder to maintain it. That is a promise!
You know what I’ll be doing at 8pm tonight. That’s right……watching Survivor!
Thanks for stopping by y’all and have a great day!
Lisa M. Rodgers Creator-Extraordinaire Cactus & Ivy
I have decided to give new life to old bath and body formulations. Cruelty-free and vegan creations that didn't make it to the solitude of my shop are about to get a new lease on life! For whatever reason the formulations were never put to the test, I am looking forward to working on them again with a fresh eye and a wide selection of fabulous ingredients at my disposal.
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