PortaPocket Notebook

Living in this day and age, one cannot deny the success and influence of one of the most powerful and (financially) successful entrepreneurs of our time, Sara Blakely. The creator of SPANX has been lauded by Oprah, praised by the (then) First Lady, and given millions of women around the world a reason to feel more comfortable in their own skin. All of these are good things.  And yet... 

The irony is...if you really think about it... one main premise of SPANX is that it's built around the mindset that women should look a certain way to be attractive and acknowledged. While I have no problem if people want to wear these shapers if they choose to and if it makes them feel better about themselves, great! ...but should people feel any less worthy if they choose not to? 

Empowering women (and men) is good. But should we be perpetuating the skewed societal view that women are objects and how they look is of utmost importance? It's not Sara's fault that our society values physical beauty over intangible qualities, but must we keep buying into the notion that that is our best asset?  

How about you?
What do you think? 

Photo Credit:  Compfight.com (SPANX) 

Now that Halloween is just around the corner, the thought of how you're going to carry your cell phone, ID and keys+ to the party may be inciting some frightening ideas...

hmm.... let's see...
stick it in the ole underwear? 
how about that waistband trick?
inside the boot?  ...or in the bra?

no. no. no and no
Don't let those things happen to you...
PortaPocket to the rescue! 

Here's your costume fashion fix.
Help yourself. ;)

Like so many others, we love the show. And watch it often. But when people ask us, "weren't you on that show...?" well... the answer is... that wasn't us. It was another company that overlaps a bit into the space of where we are...but not really.

And it's a company which pretty much has ceased business at this point. http://sharktanksuccess.blogspot.com/2012/12/partie-poche.html 

We'd actually been called by producers for the show, and they liked PortaPocket a lot. So they asked us to apply, and then...

they said no.

And the next season, we tried out again.

And then...

they took on the other company.

And then we tried a third time and ...

no dice either.

All we got that last time was one of the ABC staff members running over to take a picture of THE LEG,

and of course a bunch of smiles / stares...

but that was it. ;/

 *sigh*

Ah, well....what can you do. We're just going to keep going...
making solutions to the lack-of-usable-pockets-in-our-clothes problem,
and will continue to be here to help you...

help YOURSELF! ;)

Worry not. Now you can avoid embarrassment and carry all those girly things you need...

Who wasn't been there before? it's that time of the month and you don't want to broadcast that fact that you're on your period to the world, let alone that cute guy you've been noticing at the gym. Now... finally. There's a solution!  Your little secret agent is here...

PortaPocket to the rescue

No more sticking a tampon in your bra or up your sleeve… or having to pretend nothing’s in your hand while you make a mad dash for the restroom. Us gals have constantly needed to get “creative” every month when dealing with that human condition. Why can’t clothing designers recognize the need for women’s clothes to have pockets? And even when they DO include pockets in garments, why can’t they design them so they actually WORK?  

Fortunately there are new ways to manage this common conundrum. Easily and comfortably. No sewing needed. This handy little accessory will help you help yourself. And it’s so lightweight, you’ll almost forget it’s there. Simply wrap the band around where you like, and you’re good to go. Works discreetly around your thigh, calf, ankle, arm or waist/ hip, and under your outfit so noone will even know.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Why not simply be prepared?

Confidence is beautiful!

With apple's new lineup of iPhones now out, and Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 here...people are trying to figure out how they're going to carry the larger devices around with them. Clothing pockets are often ill designed to handle the size of these smartphones, and even if you're able to (barely) squeak one in there, no doubt it's ready to fall out, or you're trying to sit or bend there (hmmm...comfy yet?) No problem. We can help.

Our XL PortaPocket pocket is sized to be able to handle either iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, the 6 even with a case on it first, and the 6 Plus, perhaps also with a sleeve. Or the Galaxy Note 4, too. And of course this means you can WEAR your phone, as well. No theft, loss, bending damage or droppage. yay! Here's a photo showing this pocket size along with a Galaxy Note, and one with the iPhone 6:

Video demo showing how iPhone6Plus fits in the XL pocket: http://youtu.be/Je9BL5Qj6EA           

As soon as the 6Plus is more readily available, we'll see what other possibilities there are with sizing (phone+case). Stay tuned for more info... and photos... as we have them. But either way...  freedom is YOURS!                          

*Recommended kits for carrying iPhone6/6Plus or Galaxy Note, try our Combo Kit or our Waist Belt with Pocket Kit (choose an XL pocket)...examples of how to wear it (on these very small gals ;), below:    

Last weekend it was time for our annual trek up to Wisconsin and the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Always a treat! We've been going for years now, and this time we took some friends with us so it was double the fun :)

I always have a good time watching how the women in costume get "true to the age" by stuffing their money in their cleavage, which inevitably leads to "the conversation!"

This year Angelina wore her belly dancer outfit she got when we went there last year, and had her dragonfly PortaPocket on her leg underneath so she could have money handy when she wanted to add to her fairy collection :)  Sweet!  Such a proud moment when your kid finally "gets" why you do what you do... 

XO!

Of course, what do cell phones have in common with medieval times? Not much but you know we all need our cameras (and out lifelines) with us, right?  So, inevitably, you'll also see a little bit of things like this: 

    and       and   

Where the pockets aren't big enough, but phones get shoved in them anyway (whether they work or not...) really can't be all that comfortable, and what about when you sit down? hmmm.....maybe next time for those moms...

Anywho...what about you? have you ever been to a Renaissance faire?

What do you wear when you go?

It's the milestone day and you want to catch those important moments.  
Why not have a way to keep your smartphone handy to capture all those shots?
Graduation gowns are notoriously pocket-free and so are many of those outfits
you might want to wear for that Big Day...

Wear PortaPocket under your gown and you're good to go! Keeps your ID, cash, cards,
keys and girly stuff (++) handy, without having to babysit that bag.  Plus, there's no need
to micromanage a friend to carry what you need. :))

Larger smartphones fit in a XL PortaPocket pocket which can work over your graduation dress
(and under your grad gown) by lacing it onto a belt or scarf of your choice, and wearing it
as a complement to your outfit. Otherwise, smaller cells can be worn on your leg under
your outfit with ease.

Congrats on your degree!
Now have a degree of peace, knowing where your important things are, too.

Help yourself ;)
xo

which also means it's time to find a cute outfit to wear so you'll feel good in the crowd. And while you're at it, why not wear something that will make your experience more care-free at the same time? You know where to go...check out our bling styles for a little fashion with your function ( http://www.portapocket.com/collections/bling ) ...and lose the worry not your stuff. ;)

Who are you looking forward to seeing at Coachella this year?

We had such fun at Chicago's McCormick Place last weekend, sharing the love and spreading the word to so many smart women about the joys of PortaPocket. It was a whirlwind (and exhausting!) three days, but we were thrilled to be a part of it and grateful for all the fantastic comments, conversations, and purchases! Know that your kind words are never forgotten, and your support means the world to us. 

GMA 's fabulous anchor (and my personal favorite) Robin Roberts had come in for a keynote, and wish I had a chance to have seen her again, but busy in the booth meant no time to break away. At least the first day was able to run over to a get a couple moments to say hello to ABC network's Janet Davies and (at least a glance with) news anchor Cheryl Burton. Ah, well...maybe next time...!

this was before...now this gal will never need to stick her phone in her bra ever again.

Hallelujah!

How about you? Where you there and will you be going again next year?