1.26.2010

party in my pants--the giveaway!

what are you thinking right about now?


well, thankfully (for you and me both), "party in my pants" is a cute little company making top-of-the-line, reusuable menstrual pads. nothing x-rated coming from your loyal blogger, people. let's keep it that way.


i've posted some about cloth pads before, but to catch everyone up, here's a bit of a timeline:


  • 1993-2009: i hold firm in the belief that i am not a "pad girl."
  • april, 2008: lucy is born. no tampons allowed. i buy box after box of disposables in great dismay at the entire situation. hate sticking something to my underwear. hate the leaks. grossed out by the full trash can.
  • summer, 2008: first postpartum period returns. invest in the diva cup. find it okay, but with a significant learning curve. buy boxes of disposable pantyliners to catch occasional leaks. eventually decide to ditch the diva on most occasions and purchase (expensive) chorine-free tampons.
  • summer, 2009: pregnant. my great friend molly convinces me that we will use cloth pads after the birth of our second babies. not only that, we're going to sew our own. i wince and go along with her plan.
  • fall, 2009: birth of hudson drawing closer with each day. worry that my home-sewn pads are going to suck. order a couple of PIMP pads to have on hand, just in case.
  • november 6, 2009: hudson is born. i use the phone book-sized pads provided at the hospital. upon arriving home, i switch to cloth.
  • november 7: i'm sold.



i highly doubt that i will ever buy a box of disposable pads again. there is simply no need--cloth pads are more comfortable, more effective, and not nearly as gross as you might imagine. much like cloth diapers--you don't want your baby sitting in what amounts to plastic and chemical-treated fibers, right? well, then you shouldn't want the same for yourself.


many users of cloth pads will attest to the fact that their periods are lighter, shorter and less painful than they were while using disposables. can this be? can the moisture-absorbing chemicals in cloth pads actually make periods worse? there aren't many studies done to provide scientific findings on the matter--beyond the obvious fact that the bleaching agents used to make pads bright white result in the production of dioxins. dioxins are a known toxin--part of the reason we've personally replaced bleach in most of its applications around the valleygirl home. dioxins: not something you want pressed against your sensitive parts.

other than that, all i've got to go on is personal testimony. i have a friend who was often bedridden during her monthly cycle--it was something she'd been dealing with for years. simply switching to a chemical-free disposable changed this. i've nagged her to take the next step and switch to cloth, but she's not quite there yet. we'll see.

as for me, i'm a believer. less waste, better function, a better feel against the skin. washing is a breeze--i simply keep them in a wetbag under the sink and wash every few days. stains are pretty much a non-issue.

party in my pants pads are great. so, so thin and yet surprisingly absorbent. the makers use nylon instead of PUL as the waterproof layer, which is pretty unique to the marketplace, at least in my findings. snaps are nickel-free. besides the 100% functionality of these pads, you've got to love the cuteness. all sorts of fabrics to choose from--even some organic varieties. with 10 different sizes/absorbencies available, picking out a stash will be the only tricky thing about switching to cloth!

have i mentioned that the gals at PIMP are super generous?

everyone is invited to try a PIMP pantyliner for free--just pay postage. click here to read about and participate in their "cloth curious" program. i happen to have one of these myself--it's the "go-to" liner in my stash.

good at coming up with original, witty descriptions? click here to "name that PIMP" and win a free pad.

the PIMP gals have also graciously donated a $25 gift certificate to one lucky blog reader. to enter, simply leave a comment here on the blog. giveaway ends saturday, 1/30 at 8 am PST. winner will be chosen by random number generator and announced shortly thereafter. good luck!



35 comments:

CandiceM said...

I am due in march and ordered a few from a hyena cart seller. Looking for other ones to try. PIMP has some really cute fabric!

Unknown said...

i am willing to try something new :)

Anonymous said...

I want to be a believer too! I already made the switch over a year ago from Always to "organic" Whole Foods pads. Since the switch I've experienced lighter periods and cramps with far less intensity. I think I'm ready for the next move to cloth.

Thanks for this super informative post. I'm going to pass on the gospel.

lar1203 said...

sweet giveaway! i love cloth pads and i also have a PIMP liner:)

Robin said...

I am due this summer with my second child. I hated the whole postpartum stuff the first time around, especially using those big bulky pads! I could never figure out how you could sleep with one of those on....so uncomfortable. Your post is beginning to convince me to go cloth. Thanks for the info!

Navigating the Mothership said...

I have to say, I'm intrigued. Especially after getting some bad side effects from Always pads after childbirth back in May.

Becky said...

I've been wanting to try cloth for a while, but never taken the leap. I'll definitely be trying out their "curious cloth" and hopefully will win more!

luvlieK - Kelly said...

nice giveaway. thanks!

Cate said...

I am totally cloth curious! Like Laura I have been using the Whole Foods pads which have helped, but I still am not thrilled about the disposables..... I look forward to giving PIMP a try (I guess as much as a girl could possibly look forward to something like trying a new pad!) :)

daisies916 said...

Yay! I bought my Diva and am preparing for my first cycle using it. I'd love cloth during my learning curve! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Jacqie said...

Thinking maybe I should try these! =)

Molly said...

You've definitely got me curious now! I have an IUD so there are days where I could use a "comfy" liner...

Leslie said...

I'm intrigued. Count me in!

Jackie said...

I'd be interested to try these....I've been thinking about it.

Elisabeth said...

I've been really curious about cloth pads for a while now - for the same reasons you mentioned. Why would I CD my daughter and not use cloth pads myself? I'm excited to try out the free for shipping liner I ordered!

Kim said...

i'd try em!

mega d. said...

I'd love to try cloth!

Brandy said...

I looove cloth pads!

Shauna said...

I know that my post partum period is lurking around the corner. It's time for me to make the cloth pad plunge!

Kayla said...

Awesome giveaway. Like others, I've been wanting to try cloth, but just haven't switched over yet. In preparation for that first postpartum period, its about time I look into completely transitioning!

Megan said...

I just ordered three cloth pads last month, I'm looking forward to using them after baby #2 is born!

Jane said...

I have been thinking about making a switch! Thanks!

Maria said...

I've got several on order from another vendor but strongly believe that, just like with CDing, a varied stash is key to success. I'd love the chance to get some of these, since I've heard such great things about them!

Elayne said...

Okay, I'm sold! I swear I am down to 2 tampons because I refuse to buy any more. I have looked and looked on etsy for cloth and then I read this. I'm buying some "party in my pants" pads/liners whether I win or not.

MicaeB said...

Love the name! I've been wanting to try cloth for awhile now.

Lisa said...

Hey, this post is timely! I've just been spending the last few days researching different sellers for liners. I'll have to check out PIMP!

Julia C said...

I love my PIMP pads - and am definitely in need of some more!

Melissa said...

I want to try cloth pads! I'd love to win!

Courtney said...

I could give it a try!

Meghan said...

i would love to try some PIMP pads. i am very new to cloth and am in need of some postpartum coverage. thanks for offering the giveaway!

Shanea said...

First the diva cup and now cloth... whoa! wanist

Megan said...

I am very interested in trying these. I have been searching for eco friendly blogs as I am trying to make a huge overhaul of our lifestyles, and I found yours. I am totally digging it, and have thought about cloth pads. Thanks for all your helpful advice!

Nicole said...

i've got a few cloth pads that i am not overly thrilled with. i have been meaning to try PIMPs.

Danielle said...

I just got my 1st postpartum period and would love to try out cloth for the next one. I have been interested for a long time, but haven't gotten to order any yet. This would motivate me. =)

Karis said...

I think I *just* made the deadline :) I only have a PIMP liner so far, but am really wanting to make the full switch...