While this definitely qualifies, it begs the question:

xo

 photo credit: Attractions Magazine

Did we mention that PortaPocket is super convenient for those who use
walkers and wheelchairs?

No matter your situation, whether you're dealing with a temporary or chronic
condition, there are ways to hands-free carry your cell and small essentials
without worry. If you must have pockets, try these Must-Have pockets! :)

 xox,

PortaPocket.com

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of feeling like a second class citizen.
These are trying times indeed. With the fallout from scandals that have
reared their heads in our society of late, who dare even care about a
subject like pockets?

Certainly, other topics are more relevant. Like the galvanizing and important
#MeToo movement. The horrifying and heinous cases of sexual abuse
perpetrated by prominent individuals. The latest political apocalypse. 
And what about those unfair, unequal pay situations?

Yet with all that, here's just another everyday example of women being given
short shrift, and treated as if our needs don't matter. Or, at least, don't matter 
as much.

Pockets are power.  And guys are holding all the cards. They're getting their
needs catered to by the whole fashion and clothing industry.  Why are us
gals being left behind?  Is it because women are so often fashion-first?
But what about function? Personally, I'm one who prefers NOT to be a slave
to style. And I actually value function as an equal, if not more important, priority.  
Sorry, but I must've missed that memo that said women's clothes have to be
relegated to the not-so-smart category. 

So where's the outrage? Looking around, there've actually been a fair number
of articles written up about this very subject. From The Atlantic, to Racked, Buzzfeed,
and more. Feminists have pointedly made their statements, and their wishes known.
At least there's that.

And now, fortunately, there's this.
A new way to do things.
A way of putting pockets on ourSELVES. Literally.
No sewing needed.
Let's eqalize that playing field!

What do you think?

Do you believe there's a pocket shortage in women's clothes?
Do share your thoughts, below. 

xo

I sometimes get melancholy when that school bell rings and brings an end to summer. But it's also a fresh start and makes me feel good our daughter is off to new adventures and learning new things.

The start of Junior High can be exciting, but also nerve-wracking for soon to be teenagers trying to navigate through the corridors of life. With a little reassurance, I know my tween will meet her challenges head-on and find self confidence. And it doesn't hurt to know she's always got a part of me with her... every day. xo

 p.s. keep that phone in your locker though, sweetheart... rules are rules ;)

It's Mother's Day tomorrow.
Enjoy! 

Mothers are a blessing and should be cherished, daily.
Hug. Smile. Repeat.

To every mom out there... this is for YOU!

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 ;)

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 :)

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...

Ah, yes..... time flies when you're having fun!  We've been in this space for years, and the more we go along, the more we see other products introduced into our category...it's a veritable cornucopia, but we're actually glad to see it. Competition is actually good as it just proves the need for what we do.  After all...who doesn't have something small and important to carry, right?!

While we're on the subject, we might as well share a few things you might see out there, and how they differ from PortaPocket...

First up, let's talk about those who have affinity to stash that phone (etc) in their bra. Not sure why people would want to get their stuff so sweaty, but if they want, they can find a host of companies out there touting this very thing. Of course, all of this stems from the thought that often putting a cell phone on your chest area is a good idea. ;/ Hmmmmm....well... the obvious problem with this is twofold...

                    + !

1. sweat can kill your cell
and
2. health concerns

As far as #2... while it's true nobody can yet realistically claim with certainty that cell phones stored there cause breast cancer (as technology's too new to have a history...) why would you even risk it? Especially as there are viable, convenient options to allow you to hands-free carry things without relying on that bra, why deliberately put a cell phone and its emissions on top of your heart+chest?

There are plenty of articles on the matter...here's one example. Here's also a segment 'Keep your cellphone out of your bra' from Dr Oz, including testimonial from a 21 yr old cancer victim. And yet more evidence.

Fortunately, with PortaPocket, you'll have much more choice in where you wear what you need...without relegating you to use that bra to do the job at all, thankfully! Nevermore will your money get moist, or your skin get indentations from your keys, please ;) Plus, we can suit both gals and guys, too.

Stop on by, and we'll continue with part 2.  
So how about you?
Have you ever stashed your cell in your bra?
Why or why not?

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!