Thank you, Bristol.

Bristol Palin is our collective daughter. She speaks out – even with the support of family, influence, and money to afford this pregnancy to shed light on the realities of teen behavior- that teens won’t stop having sex just because they are taught abstinence.

She is also unlike many young teens who simply cannot afford the care of a child or is forced to raise her child alone. And because of the choice to have unprotected sex, another child is added to the families living below the poverty level in this great country.

We need to help our daughters - they are in trouble and no one seems to be listening


We also need to SEE and HEAR from young women who have contracted the HIV/AIDS virus – or someone who has contracted an STD like Herpes – the sense of betrayal – the loss of trust and hope.

Let’s put a FACE on these issues as Bristol Palin has so bravely done, and continue the conversation – and also put the real face of a teen that doesn’t have the financial means or the support of her family.

Here is an example of a letter we received recently. It is like many others we receive, which tells us - It’s time.

“I am currently living in student housing for a private college. One of the things my school doesn't have that several of my previous colleges have had is a student union and place where students can discretely get items like condoms. A few years ago a good friend of mine learned that she was infected with HIV, she was 16. She didn't know how to properly protect herself and she thought just being on birth control was enough. Anyways, since then I have been passionate about making sure people at least know the very basics of protecting themselves. In my research for a class speech I will be giving on HIV/AIDS, I found your website. I think its an absolutely fabulous idea you have and have already worked your site in my speech as well as purchased a compact for myself.”

Thank you, Bristol. Now let's keep the conversation going.

Just In Case featured on daytime talk show THE DOCTORS!!

JUST IN CASE® Intimacy compacts take center stage on the new hit Syndicated Daytime Talk Show - THE DOCTORS.

A Stage 29 LLC production, The Doctors, stars four renowned physicians with different medical specialties – ER physician (and former ABC “Bachelor”) Dr. Travis Stork; OB/GYN Lisa Masterson; cosmetic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon and pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears. This groundbreaking new talk show does for health care what Dr. Phil has done for psychology – provides frank discussions in a fascinating, off-the-cuff manner. Expect these medical experts to weigh in on compelling guest issues and dispense valuable information about health topics du jour.

On Tuesday, January 13^th the subject is SEX - and no part of this subject is off limits.

JUST IN CASE® Intimacy compacts are being featured on the show as the perfect solution to carry and store condoms safely and with style.

SEX – It sells. It is controversial. Yet it is of vital importance in our lives and relationships. So what is the message about SEX this go ‘round?

SEX can enhance your relationship – and there are companies out there helping couples to find the joy of sex again – but one element that stands out in the message of having sex and staying healthy is: SAFETY first.

The Mother//Daughter founders of Just In Case, Inc., Marsha Bartenetti and Rachael Sudul, were on the show to talk about their unique product and mission that addresses this very issue. “The condom is a woman’s product, and we are a business founded by women – with a product that finally addresses the needs of women in the area of sexual health.” says Sudul.

JUST IN CASE® compacts are the first way for women to carry protection with a woman’s requirement for style in mind. It is a chic little compact with a mirror and hidden compartment to carry condoms. “We believe that our product will re-define personal care to include sexual health”, says Bartenetti. “And it’s about time.” It’s also a great way to open up a dialog between mother and daughter about staying safe.”

“All the information out there about the consequences of having unprotected sex – (In fact the CDC recently released a study declaring that 1 in 4 teens has an STD Sexually Transmitted Disease) hasn’t seemed to change the behavior of sexually active teens or adults– The statistics are alarming and women are in trouble. Information alone is not enough to change behavior. We believe that trends do change behavior - and this trend just might save a life,” says Bartenetti.

“It was our mission in starting our company to create a product – an accessory - that women would be proud to carry in their purses – and empower them to carry protection, adds Sudul. “Remember – women love the Pretty – and to be in style is paramount. Not to mention the privacy factor. Just like the scene in Sex in The City when Carrie drops her purse and condoms come flying out – right in front of Mr. Big! She was totally embarrassed. If only she had had a JUST IN CASE® compact.

And to be safe…well, that speaks for itself. At the end of the day – we are all responsible for our own bodies – our own health. And when you’re finished with the condom stage of your relationship the JIC compact also makes a perfect pill box.”

“We are having the time of our lives creating beautiful products for women to keep them safe. Look for new designs in 2009, adds Bartenetti.

Check for local listings of The Doctors on: www.thedoctorstv.com

Happy New Year!!

Well it's been quite a year so far and we're only 10 days into it! I haven't written in a while and as one of my resolutions, I hope to allow myself more time to write about what's going on...
So since my last post, we voted in a new administration, watched our collective 401ks spiral down to the point that I don't even read my statements anymore, and Walmart showed ALOT more profit during Christmas than Neiman Marcus... It will be interesting and inspiring to watch a national priority shift to hopefully live within our means in every aspect of life not just financially... what is your emotional budget? What is your physical budget? What is your spiritual budget? What is your health budget? We can't afford to be unconscious with any of our budgets... fill your heart with joy, share it with others, keep yourself healthy and protected... Love Well. Love Wisely.

Sarah Palin Supports Comprehensive Sex Ed?

Am I seeing things?

I must say I am not a rag-mag buyer, but I do check in on the sites every once in a while to see what’s going on in Tinsel-Town… funny enough you can get political information there too.

I found an interview with Sarah Palin… I have to preface that I am not a big fan of hers. I am pro-choice and pro-women’s health freedoms so go figure, I don’t like her policies… or so I thought. Here’s an excerpt from the interview…

Has this changed how you talk about sex with your other children?
SP: I've always been a proponent of making sure kids understand – even in schools – they'd better take preventative measures so that they don't find themselves in these less than ideal circumstances. Perhaps Bristol could be a good example to other young women that life happens and preventative measures are, first and foremost, the option that should be considered –

Do you mean abstinence or contraception?
SP: Well, both. Ideally abstinence. But we have not been ones to say that students, should not know what preventive measures are all about. I've been taken aback by some criticism that mainstream media has thrown my way saying, Oh, what a hypocrite she is and she's now learned her lesson because she's been against sex education in the schools. And I'm like, when? Where? When have I ever said that there should be no sex education taught in our homes or even in our schools?

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20235099_8,00.html

HUH?

Did I see that correctly? Does the woman the Republicans chose to appeal to the base actually believe in COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION?

Well, hallelujah! I little dose of reality! Somehow I think the knowledge about pregnancy and the diseases that are out there that you risk catching and the ways to prevent all of it including abstinence and condoms are vital to decreasing both the spread of disease and unwanted pregnancies ending up as abortions or unwanted children in the system…comprehensive sex education is a much better way to decrease these statistics than overturning Roe v Wade.

I hate to be hopeful and all but I can’t help it. Perhaps this is the crack in the glass… and out pours a real conversation about what we are all facing as a society. Time for a little reality check and some honesty…funny that we can find a little bit of that honesty in a gossip column!!

Early Holiday Discount From JUST IN CASE!!

Macy's Passport Fashion Show in San Francisco

Macy’s Passport San Francisco!

I have recently returned from the Macy’s Passport event in San Francisco… what a fantastic event!!

The first evening was Fashion Inform… teens from all over the Bay Area were invited to this event… the ticket price and transportation was provided by Macy’s and sponsors like Just In Case, Inc. This group of teens were treated to a phenomenal night of fashion and fun, and more importantly, educated about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent the disease. The behaviors that these teens adopt now, will more than likely determine the course of this disease here at home… through awareness and prevention, they have a chance of significantly reducing the rate of infections in the near future.
The health sponsor was Kaiser and they handed out JUST IN CASE compacts to the first few hundred teens that finished their information “obstacle course”. Of course they were a huge hit, and Kaiser really had a phenomenal set up to make the education part of the evening lots of fun.

The second evening was presented by American Express, and it was an evening geared towards the “Young Professional”… the food was fantastic, and the drinks were pouring! Just In Case was well represented by Peachy’s Puff Girls! Anyone unfamiliar with this group in San Francisco… let me fill you in… Peachy’s Puff girls are a standard at many SF night clubs; they are the cigarette girls with the mostest!! Their trays were filled with sizzling Rendez-Vous Red JUST IN CASE compacts and were distributed to most of the guests attending the event. The compacts were such a hit that they ran out about 30 minutes before the fashion show!!!
What a treat to stand back and observe the excitement and buzz the compacts generated with the guests!

The third evening was the SF Gala… what a fantastic event! San Francisco elite were there including the Mayor and the CEO of Macy's, enjoying the fabulous food, yummy Passion Fruit Skyy Vodka cocktails, and a craps table in the Calvin Klein area… we were very lucky and rolled the dice to win a Calvin Klein watch! Now I no longer have an excuse to be late… this is the night we decided to stay for the fashion show… Spectacular!
With designers like Tommy Hilfiger, and Christian Audigier for Ed Hardy, and celebs such as No Doubt’s drummer Adrian Young, and the ever fabulous Dame Edna, we were treated to some fun looks for Fall and a great show.
The highlight for me was an unknown… When she took the podium she was beautiful and composed, and I assumed she was someone with Macy’s… she was a young woman who spoke of her personal tragedy of being raped at 15 and infected with HIV by her offender. She spoke of her own tragedy and the courage she found through an organization called WORLD – Women Organized to Respond to Life threatening Diseases. She was an inspiration to the audience who applauded her every statement about the disease being preventable and that we need to focus on education and prevention. Comprehensive Sex Education!!! That’s the reason we were all there… the show was fun, but she brought the new, beautiful, heterosexual, FEMALE face to AIDS and HIV… all we need to do is listen, act, and teach.

This is an annual event and well worth the $85 - $2000 tickets… depending on the depths of your pockets! If you get a chance we hope to join you there next year…

As always, Love Well. Love Wisely.®

Bristol and Sarah Palin - Poster Family For Comprehensive Sex Education

Perhaps the latest revelation of Sarah Palin’s 17 year old daughter’s pregnancy is a gift -A wake up call to come out of our collective coma on this hugely important subject… abstinence only programs do not work. Neither program will be 100% effective but a sex-ed program should offer ALL the facts. We need a comprehensive education program.

And given the recent report from the CDC that 1 in 4 teens has an STD – and the rising number of AIDS cases among women in the US – It’s time.

It is our mission (mom and me) to offer women a way to stay protected, confident, and discreet when we started our business Just in Case, Inc.

We believe that women are innately modest when it comes to intimate matters – and JIC gives them a beautiful way to stay protected.

Give your children ALL the information they need and offer them the behavior you would like them to follow… the rest is up to them.

For more information about the compacts, go to www.JustInCaseInc.com

Use the code LOVEWELL for a 10% discount on your order.

Choose the YouthAIDS Red Compact and 10% of the sale goes directly to YouthAIDS – a group dedicated to the fight against AIDS/HIV through education and protection

www.YouthAIDS.org