PortaPocket Notebook

Lollapalooza is on the horizon and if you have a ticket to the annual music shindig in Chicago's Grant Park, you're in luck! Such fun scheduled for this year's festival...  

Who wouldn't want to see (and hear ;) rockin' artists Metallica, Paul McCartney, and Florence & the Machine? Oh yes... and that new young Englishman Sam Smith, among others. Ahhhh....such a full menu of treats, yet so little time. But why not? Decadence is the word!

One small suggestion if you're heading to this concert extravanganza...
just plan ahead. If you're going to brave the roads, get ready for gridlock, but make it easy on yourself and use Spot Hero to find (way better priced) parking ahead of time.

I use this smart service whenever I plan a trek into the city. It saves me so much stress about finding a place to leave the car and worry about how much they'll take me for when I get there. See how it works at www.spothero.com

Though it's been a little cool in Chicago this year, you're sure to see some hot outfits in the mix. Rather goes with the territory, doesn't it? ;) 

So...go down there, have a blast and enjoy!! The only thing I ask?

Just take 'me' with with you ;)

Mother's Day is next Sunday, but I'm celebrating EVERY day as Mother's Day. There are no words to describe how grateful I am for my mom to be a guiding force and a presence in my life... to this day. On her 84th birthday in March she said (bless her spirit) "Every day is a bonus!" 

Love her to pieces.

Just the other day a friend of mine lost his mom. She was 83 and died in his arms. ;((
Never take your mom for granted, and revel in every minute you can get.

Life is short. We need to value and appreciate those we love and tell them how much they mean to us.

Often.

xox

I guess that could refer to a lot of things...

Iron? Gas? Or, how about wearing a certain style shoe? ;)

While all those are fair guesses, we're actually talking diabetes today. We're gearing up to exhibit at the American Diabetes Association's Chicago EXPO and we're excited to share our hands-free solutions with people who wear insulin pumps or who need to carry diabetes equipment. 

Over the years, we've gotten many calls from people who are interested in using PortaPocket for exactly this purpose, so it was high time we focused on bringing these solutions to this specific audience, too.

Whether you have a Medtronic, OneTouch, Animas or DexCom model of pump,
it's almost a certainty we've got a pocket to help you discreetly and comfortably
wear it, so do't be shy...stop on by! 

if you are diabetic and use a pump, where do you wear it on your body and
what do you carry it in? 
How is it working out for you?  
We'd love to know... please comment below :)

Having been on the planet for awhile now, I've been around the block enough times to see this phenomenon on more than one occasion. One big Q for many product developers is: Why do some ideas get embraced like wildfire, and others (even perhaps better ideas) never get their moment in the sun?

It's a strange, even bizarre conundrum that I don't know if anyone has the answer to, but boy don't we wish we knew!  

 A current example is the next bra-with-pockets offering that's about to hit abc's Shark Tank episode on Friday the 13th (perhaps that date's symbolic? ;)) Here's another iteration of the same idea we've seen for the last few years, with more companies excitedly jumping onto this band wagon. Of course no one can adequately explain why the concept of putting one's cell phone (and corresponding emissions) basically on top of one's heart and chest is a good thing to do. There've been concerns raised about this, and the suggestion that one can just turn off one's phone, but in the grand scheme I think both you and I know that people are simply not going to remember to do that.        

Perhaps another reason this particular idea is being heralded is the notion that 'sex sells' and the folks in the Shark Tank episode are choosing to leverage this... otherwise why would there be something called 'B**byPack'? A bit disappointing to see society embrace these kinds of tactics, but seeing how long such strategies have been in use....what can you do.                                                                       Now let's see if they sink or swim...! ;)

photo credit: Environmental Health Trust (ehtrust.org)

Let the fun continue! On our last post we'd discussed other products that are like PortaPocket in that they help people hands-free carry things, but may not be as beneficial since they encourage users to keep cell phones or other essentials near (or on top of) the chest area.

Seeing that it's almost Super Bowl time, let's now look at products with which people can hands free carry things into stadiums. 

Maybe you've heard of Scottevest... it's an interesting line of clothes that have a multitude of pockets which is definitely of use to get past the NFL Bag Ban thing.  I even have some of their line myself and do indeed like much of it.  But sometimes too much is too much. Good things are good to a point, but then they can become overkill. For instance, I wore my SeV vest to a Bears game last year, and literally lost my sunglasses in the garment. Sure you can blame it on user error, but it's just easier if you have a way to know where your stuff is without checking 20+ places to figure it out. At least that's just me ;)

Another thing to be mindful about SeV clothing is if you load up your vest or jacket with your valuables (with everything in its place which is good!) but then you get hot so you want to take off your jacket or vest ...and now you have put your things down over ...there (which is bad). One way to get around that is to use PortaPocket in concert with Scottevest, as THAT way you have all your bases covered.  

What do you think?
Are too many pockets GOOD? ...or not so good?

Stay tuned to this space as we continue the convo with products that can be used for running or exercise...

For those who have much more tolerance than I ever would, I say go for it girlfriends (or guys, too). Just make sure to have PortaPocket riding shotgun :)

Why risk carting a purse around within the sea of shoppers, given those opportunists in our midst. Schemers are unfortunately part of the equation, and they're out there waiting to take you (well, at least your stuff) for a ride. Don't let them. You already know never to leave your bag unattended, even for a microsecond. But here's something else you may not know...

A couple years ago, I spoke with an experienced ER nurse (with 25+ yrs in the field) who was buying some PortaPocket kits for her family. She shared something interesting I'll never forget: sometimes wearing a purse in a cross body fashion ends up being even MORE dangerous since when a thief is determined to get your stuff, that person will do WHATEVER it takes to get that bag. And that often can mean throwing you down on the ground to get to it, which leads to broken clavicles and shoulders ...things she'd seen time and again while working her job in the hospital.

Better to simply avoid the purse problem in the first place, and keep your valuables safe in a spot they'll never think of. Outsmart those bad boys. And have a happier holiday.

What about you?
Do you plan to shop during the Friday frenzy,
or are you going all on line this time? 

Did you just drop your cell in the toilet? Or did it fly off that roller coaster? Maybe it broke from sweat since you stashed it in your boot or your bra. How about your purse...was it ever stolen... or your wallet pickpocketed? If you have medical needs...do you ever feel embarrassed about wearing that insulin pump with your prom dress? Or carrying that EpiPen to the festival? 

There are so many different reasons why people seek us out, and we are always grateful for their interest and appreciation. We just wish it wouldn't have to be, so often, the result of them having gone through bad experiences. 

While we wish everyone in the world was kind and decent, there are opportunists who prey on others. We can't make them disappear, but we CAN improve upon the risk of our becoming a victim by simply thinking ahead. Of course, simple things are often anything but, and many people don't think this way until it's too late. Yet it's the bad experiences that prompt ACTION.

Which is why we'd like to pay it forward. 

Today we're introducing PortaPocket...Rescue Me! It's an on-going program we'll be running several times a year to offer help to those who've "been there." Simply nominate yourself or a deserving someone by telling us about what happened on our facebook page along with #PortaPocket #RescueMe (please share that post to your own page, too), and/or tweet:

I nominate ____ for a 
#PortaPocket #RescueMe (add info here)

Photos will help, too.  We'll choose the most compelling story and gift that nominee (and you, for sharing him/her) a 2pc PortaPocket kit of their/your choice! Entries now being taken through Thanksgiving Day, Nov 27, 2014 at  5pm CST. 

We look forward to your contributions 
...and being of service!  

Ah yes.... what's old is new again, including that ole mainstay from the 80's. Have you seen these A listers rocking the fanny pack lately? Boldly. Proudly. With no shame. I say power to them! Who says function can't be fashionable, and these two stud muffins certainly have their share of appeal, no matter WHAT they've wearing ;)  Well...

how about you? Are your sporting one of these vintage gems? We totally get it...they're uber handy and let you walk around without having to drag a bag. But, hmmm... why not move on over to the 21st century, sweethearts, and rock something that's a little more au courant?  PortaPocket will give you a more versatile way to keep your goodies where they're good, and the option to swap out pocket styles to suit your mood.

That's it. Do you hear that, Jared and Matthew?
We've got some little beauties here with your names all over 'em.

Coming at ya!

Photo Credits: Splash News; Getty Images 

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!