hello, ARNOLD! (er... Andy?)

Earlier this month I had the interesting experience to exhibit at the ARNOLD Sports Expo in Columbus, OH...

VERY interesting.

I'd heard the show had morphed from just attracting muscle-bound men to include almost anyone who participates in a fitness activity of any kind, and I have to agree. Among the 150,000+ throng were little girl cheerleaders, fitness models, martial arts people, funky people in weird costumes, he/shes, and the traditional body builders, among others. Quite the creative bunch!

We had lots of nice comments and sales -- was even called "genius" (yeah, whatever...just throw some $$ at me already...) ;-) Arnold (yes, THAT Arnold) was even over at a nearby booth and I was hoping to get him to stop by and sign the letter from his wife that I brought with me (...hey, Arnold! do you know Maria?), but no such luck. He was mobbed and I barely saw anything but the top of his head. oh well...

On the way home, I had the pleasure of meeting Andy Haman, one of the more well-known ARNOLD participants who sat near me on the plane coming home. And of course I had to see if PortaPocket worked on his arm (no problem) -- he was kind enough to oblige :) Anyway... he & his family are working with a MAJOR cable channel right now on a show about the strongest family in America (or something along those lines)...nice folks... I hope it works out for them!

You just never know who you'll run into next...

Who have you happened across in your day-to-day life?

O the VIEW! now standing on my head... in traffic. whoopi!!

So there I am watching Oprah re-run last night at 11pm CST.

And there are the ladies from the VIEW as guests.

And there's Oprah saying to them --

something to the effect of.... "I can tell alot about someone from what she keeps in her purse... "

and there's Barbara, Joy, Sherri, & Elisabeth showing what's in theirs.

and then there's Whoopi.

And well,

Whoopi doesn't carry a purse.

so Oprah says to Whoopi, "so where do you put your stuff if you don't have a purse?"

HE-LLO

like, He-LLO????

I'm sitting here screaming at the huge chasm the size I could've driven a Mack truck through.

talk about the PERFECT time to mention PortaPocket.

c'mon.

...but no.

*ACK!*

I've sent samples to the VIEW, wrote on their website, mailed 'em to Oprah, walked them into harpo myself, sent 'em to Gayle, Whoopi, Sherri, Barbara, Elisabeth, tweeted, facebooked, commented, and yet...

here I still sit.

an unknown soldier.

Maybe I'll just go play in traffic.

naked.

that'll get someone's attention.

or...

maybe not?

So who hasn't been to Chicago?

okay okay...I know....MIA, right??

I've been just a teensy bit busy, so once again forgive my ever-expanding time lag between posts *ack!*

I'm gonna kick off 2011 with some good 'ole hometown cheerleading...

If you've never been to the Windy City....here are some great places to visit in Chicago that are unique to us here & well worth the time:

1. Even though no longer the tallest in the world, the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) has an observation deck on the103rd floor that is impressive to see...

At 1353 feet, the building is still a sight to behold and the 3rd tallest on the planet. There's now a glass box Skydeck ledge that juts out over 4' from the building...only for the brave!

I used to work in that building back in the early 1990's (on 26th floor) and actually experienced an earthquake while working there. Fortunately it was a tiny one ;-)

2. Take an architectural boat tour on the Chicago River. It's an awesome way to experience the beauty of the city from a different vantage point and they operate at many times of the day. Plus, they run up & down the only River in the world that actually flows BACKWARDS! Wendella and Shoreline are a couple of those who offer these sojourns, and are easily accessed off of Michigan Avenue in the heart of the city.

3. Speaking of boats, our renovated Navy Pier is a treat with outdoor cafes, concerts, shopping, rental bikes, boat tours of Lake Michigan and things like a giant Ferris wheel, mini golf, and current home to the Chicago Children's Museum. You can spend a full day here and never run out of things to do.

4. Take a Michigan Ave stroll. For the shoppers among us, and even for those who aren't...there is a worthy promenade down the Gold Coast and passing the likes of Millennium Park (check out the BEAN sculpture, fountains and the Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion among other treats), the famous Art Institute, Orchestra Hall, and more. Grab a horse drawn carriage ride and enjoy the views.

5. Museum campus. For any taste, this swath of culture can deliver. This is a compendium of the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History, each of which can be enjoyed from a central space although there wouldn't be enough hours in your day! Soldier Field is also nearby for the Bears fans among us.

I could think of at least a dozen more, but perhaps in another post ;-)

In any event... we'd welcome you to see our beautiful city and are certain you'd enjoy your visit!

Holiday CHEERS!

Happy December --

have to say been a tad bit overloaded and remiss on writing...miss me?

OK......not!

But we still try...none-the-less... ;-)

The important thing is I'm baaack....and in the spirit of the season, I wanted to offer a few congratulations to some peeps I've met on social media channels...and their recent achievements/noteworthy news:

@CarryHer was interviewed by Donna Reyer (channel 18 news, NY) re: her awesome invention

@tamsenfadal from WPIX in NY and hubby @MattTitus were featured on TODAY segment with Kathie Lee & Hoda discussing relationships + their book Why Hasn't He Called?

@KimMance has heard word that @TripAdvisor & @DiamondPR are on board again as sponsors for #TBEX '11 -- woo hoo!

@CellySmellys are now available at @Wipemart (http://www.wipemart.com)

...and last but most certainly not least...a shoutout to my awesome twitbud, the inimitable Kay...

@KayBallard has penned her New and Improved Guru Guarantee! http://goo.gl/fb/3OSiP

what amazing news have YOU got to share? Do tell! :))

We made it into the top 200 Leading Moms in Business!

Wow -- where has the time gone? Hello, October!

For all of those who were so kind to support & vote for us throughout the months during StartupNation's leading moms in Business competition 2010 -- a HUGE THANK YOU!! With your gracious help we were named a winner at #40... we couldn't have done it without you!

We'd also like to express our Congratulations to fellow tweethearts who also scored wins in the competition...

@AboutOne

@CordialLee

@cutiepatutus

@LivingMyMoMent

@LoveBugKids

@MarthaVan

@susuandjohn

@TempletonSilver

kudos to all of you, and the other amazing winner moms, too!

As for us, it's now it's time to concentrate on all the Happy Halloweeners who could use our help carrying their cash (etc) under their costumes...

what are you wearing this holiday? Do you think PortaPocket would work with your outfit? We'd love to know!!

until next time....

go out there & brighten someone's day!

How 'bout a little BLING?

So I've heard from a few people over the years about how they like the concept of PortaPocket but think it may not be fancy enough. I had a little bit of trouble understanding why the fashion of this really mattered seeing it's mostly under the clothes, but okay...I guess it's really true that perception IS reality so why fight it?

Get ready for the BLING!!

We're working on some do-it-yourself sparkly kits that will be an option for people to "fancy up" their PortaPocket as they wish. That way us plain but practical girls can keep ours naked like we like, and the fashionistas can add the razzle dazzle decor.

What colors and patterns would YOU like to see for PortaPocket Bling?

We'd love to hear your ideas!

All Aboard the Good Deeds Express!

With so many things being not right with the world right now, we have to rely on ourselves to spread a little sunshine on an otherwise bleak day.

Spreading a little love around even in unexpected ways can really lighten our load and make us feel good!

A few months ago, there was a newspaper story of a pizza delivery man who got beaten and robbed while on the job in Evanston. Lots of good hearted people donated money and gifts to him, and it was an outpouring of positivity. When I was in the neighborhood, I donated a dozen portapocket carrying cases to the pizza parlor with the hope that they may help their delivery folks hide their valuables and avoid the same fate. No bands were playing. No parades kicked off. I didn't get a written thank you. But it didn't matter.

It just felt right.

And I'd do it again.

Let's be the architects of uplifting spirits.

Let's sing the praises of the unknown soldiers.

Let's bring joy to each other in these small gestures.

What good deed did you do today?