Author Archives: admin

Dorm Room Must Haves!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Can you believe its that time again already?  The summer is still here but its flying by and back to school is upon us!

Now there are many things you need to have for your dorm room like a refrigerator, cozy bedding, snacks, study supplies, toiletries, wall decorations, etc.  Real Simple put together a great Dorm Room Essentials Checklist to help remind you. We also love the Onion’s Dorm Room Essential List for a laugh!

But of course, we’ve got your run down on the pajama essentials.  The things you need to be cozy all semester long!

Let’s start with a comfy robe…perfect for a chilly dorm room and those hallway bathrooms!

PJ Salvage

Hearts

Fun pajama pants for late night studying…

Hatley Nature

Pajama Moose

And of course, you must have some warm and fuzzy slippers…

Aroma Home

Frog Slippers

Don’t forget to pack your favorite coffee mug…what college student can survive without caffeine?!?!

Lazy One

Ceramic Mug

Pajama Treats!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Whether you are having an official Pajama Day, or you’re enjoying an evening lounging in your PJs, the right food is a MUST.  Of course, pancakes, waffles, and eggs are a natural fit for the pajama inclined.  But this time we’re talking super yummy stuff – comfort food, favorite snacks, and delicious desserts!

What else goes with comfy pajamas, chilling out, and a great movie (or maybe even a binge of a your favorite show), right?!

Well, we’ve got your round up for the perfect PJ splurge foods below.  Spoiler alert: if you’re on a diet and you don’t want to be tempted to cheat, you will want to stop reading right about now!

Nachos – This is my personal favorite food ever. If I had to live in my PJs eating nachos for the rest of my life, it would be ok by me. Some of my favorite recipes are here, here, and here. And just in case you need some extra queso, here you go.  It’s a staple!

Popcorn – It’s really easy to make really great popcorn at home, and I say forgo the microwave for the best popcorn.  Just take some popcorn kernels and a medium pan with a lid and follow the directions on the popcorn bag.  The best part is that you can season it any way you like it -as much or as little butter and salt as you like.  Here are a few awesome popcorn topping ideas.

Snack Mix – To me snack mix is the perfect combo of salty and sweet.  This one – Ooey Gooey Cereal Crunch Mix – will knock your socks off!

Brownies – If you’re not a baker, of course you can always pick some brownies at the local store or sweet shop. But if you’re ready to make a homemade batch this is your must try recipe: Salted Caramel Brownies. THE BEST. Just a little warning, don’t make if you’re home all alone!

Sundaes – I love ice cream sundaes because you can make them any way you want.  Here are some great ideas: Ice Cream Sundaes 3 Ways.  Ummmmmm…

Milkshakes – So easy to make!  You can make a milkshake by simply blending milk and ice cream together in your blender, and then adding in other  flavors, chocolate syrup, strawberries, you name it.  If you want to get more creative, here are 12 milkshake recipes. Yum!

Smores – You don’t even need a campfire, you can actually make this gooey treat right in your kitchen! Check out this recipe for Indoor Smores.

Photo Credit: craig.letourneau.photography via Compfight cc

Five for Friday: Easy Living

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

We’re loving the simpler life today.  Its all about slowing down, making life easier, and appreciating the little things.

Happy weekend!

5 Ways to Make Anything Easier // Be More With Less

Dream Every Day Journal // The Pajama Company

It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful // The Nester

A Manifesto for a Simple Life // The Smile Collective

10 Ways to Have a Spa Day at Home // Raining Hot Coupons

Pajama Spotlight: PJ Salvage

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

At The Pajama Company, we think that pajamas are the perfect comfort clothes. We seek out brands that share this belief  and create comfortable and unique pajamas so that we can offer you the best of the best. After all, we want you to find your favorite PJ’s!

PJ Salvage is one of our favorite brands that we’re proud to offer. The company is known for its luxurious fabrics and fun and playful patterns from apples to owls to doughnuts to bicycles!

PJ Salvage pajamas have been seen all over Hollywood from shows like Glee to True Blood to 30 Rock and are loved by celebs like Gwen Stefani and Natalie Portman.  Rachel Ray even recently named PJ Salvage as her favorite designer!

We love the company’s motto: Fashion and comfort 24/7.

Here are some of our PJ Salvage favorites…

 

PJ Salvage

Elephants

PJ Salvage

Happy Hour

PJ Salvage

Multi Stripe Sock

PJ Salvage

Ikat

Oh, and don’t forget to check out our PJ Salvage styles on sale!

Bedtime Stories

Leave a reply

 

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Reading books before bed can be one of the best habits. It’s a great way to wind down from the day for kids and adults alike. Kids love to climb into their pajamas and snuggle in for a bedtime story!

Once you start the habit, they’ll look forward to it each night and it’ll become a great routine. Not only is it great bonding time but it’s also known to boost brain development in kids too.

Here are some of our favorite kid’s books:

It’s Too Soon by Nigel McMullen

It’s too soon for bedtime! After all, Anna hasn’t taken a bath, or brushed her teeth, or listened to a bedtime story. Good thing Anna knows just what she needs to do to get ready for bed.

Bear Snores On

Tuck kids of all ages into bed with this charming tale. Some animals stop by the bear cave to warm up, but even after tea is brewed and corn is popped, the bear snores on! What will Bear do when he wakes up to find his cave full of uninvited guests having a party without him? Karma Wilson’s lyrical text and Jane Chapman’s warm illustrations make Bear Snores On a perfect read-aloud to be enjoyed over and over again. (A children’s Book-of-the-month club featured selection.)

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams & William Nicholson

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs  by Judi & Ronald Barrett

What were your favorite bedtime stories? What do your kids love to read? Share with us below!

Photo Credit: The Real Estreya via Compfight cc

Suffering from the Mondays? Here are 15 Cures!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

“Monday is great if I can spend it in bed. I’m a man of simple pleasures, really.”

– Arthur Darvill

Mondays can be well, let’s face it…tough.

Especially in the height of the summer, when the sun is shining and all you want to do is play hooky! Monday might even make you might think of this scene from Office Space.

So just in case you’re suffering from a case of the Mondays, here are some little things you can to do to beat out those blues…

1. Wear your favorite outfit. The one you feel awesome in!

2. Bring in breakfast for you’re co-workers. Doing something nice for others will feel good!

3. Take a dance break!

4. Another meeting? Declare it a walking one and get outside.

5. Meet a friend at a fancy restaurant for lunch.

6. Work somewhere different. Escape the cubicle and head to the coffee shop!

7. Plan a Monday night Happy Hour. Why not?!

8. Wear your PJs to work! Add some heels and makeup and you’ll look fabulous.

9. Sleep in and go into the office late. You deserve it!

10. Take a lunch time yoga class.

11. Treat yourself to a colorful bouquet of flowers.

12. Take a Pajama Day!

13. Sneak out early and go to the movies.

14. Turn on some fun and uplifting music. Pick something you don’t normally listen to.

15. Take a break and treat yourself to something sweet! A decadent truffle? Gourmet cupcake?

Do at least one of these things and we’re betting your day will turn around. Oh, and you should know that you’re not alone on this Monday thing. Here are 18 Dogs Who Have a Case of the Mondays!

Photo Credit: ucumari via Compfight cc

Where is your happy place?

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

– Dalai Lama XIV

Where is your happy place?  For some people it’s a relaxing and peaceful place. For others it may be when they’re feeling creative or connected to other people. And yet, doing something exhilarating and thrilling brings on the happy for someone else.  The possibilities are endless!

Maybe it’s…

Petting your dog

On a roller coaster

Hiking a mountain

Lounging in your PJs

Playing with your kids

On top of the Eiffel Tower

Lying on a beach

Hanging out in your garden

Taking a nap

On a sailboat

Up in a tree house

Soaking in a hot lavender filled bath

Everyday stuff can get to us, stress us out, and make us wish we were “anywhere but here”. Know the feeling?!  The cool thing is that you can connect with your happy place anytime you want to.

Connecting with your happy place

When you’re in a less than happy frame of mind, channeling that joyful time can be just the medicine you need.  You probably have several happy places, I know I do.  The key is to focus in on one, close your eyes and think about it.  Conjure the feelings and senses of being there: the beach breeze blowing your hair, the softness of your pajamas, or the smell of lavender.  Hold the thought for several minutes, exploring your happy place in your mind.

I’m willing to bet you’ll return to “real life” feeling refreshed.

Be in your happy place regularly

As the Dalai Lama says, you have to create your happiness. So while its awesome to channel your happy place when you need to, you also have to actually go there in real life too!

Whatever it is that brings you joy – make the time and go do it!  Go bungee jumping.  Stop and pet the cat. Plan a sailing vacation or a Paris trip. Call in a Pajama Day!

 

Photo Credit: Ängsbacka Kursgård via Compfight cc

Cheers to Friday!

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Happy Friday!

There’s something about Fridays during the summer…they’re just a little sweeter. The weather is warm and sitting back with a nice cool cocktail is the perfect way to cap off the week!

Whip up a round of this delicious summer cocktail, add some Island music and great company, and head outdoors!

Watermelon Vodka Cooler

3 pounds watermelon, rind and seeds discarded and the flesh cut into pieces, plus thin slices of watermelon for garnish
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup Triple Sec
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

In a blender purée the watermelon pieces and strain the purée through a very fine sieve set over a pitcher, discarding the solids. (There should be about 2-1/3 cups juice). Stir in the vodka, the Triple Sec, and the lime juice, pour the cooler into long-stemmed glasses filled with ice cubes, and garnish each drink with a watermelon slice.

*******

Oh, and we have some really fun Happy Hour inspired pajamas that we think are just the cutest! We can’t help but share our picks!

The Cat’s Pajamas “Happy Hour”

Be As You Are “Martini Girl”

Be As You Are “Peace, Love & Happy Hour”

Photo Credit: sweetbeetandgreenbean via Compfight cc

Recipe Credit: Epicurious

How to Create a Cozy Bedroom Retreat

Leave a reply

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

I like to think of my bedroom as a mini sanctuary. It’s the one place I can go to be cozy and at ease, and forget about the stress of the day.

Your bedroom should feel luxurious and comfortable, and be your very own haven to unwind and recharge.

Here are some things to consider in creating a bedroom retreat you’ll love to relax in:

Decorate with Intention

Be thoughtful about your space. Choose calming and soothing colors over bold bright ones. It’s okay to have some colorful accents, but going for over all neutral colors will create a much more peaceful atmosphere.

Decorate with artwork and other objects that you find inspiring. Add a scented candle. If you have wood or tile floors, consider putting a rug beside or under your bed as a soft place for your feet to land.

Cozy Bedding

Buy the best bedding and pillows that you can. Choose sheets and blankets that are super soft and will wash well. It’s always a good idea to have an extra blanket or two around, just in case you get chilled during the night. A nap blanket at the end of the bed is my personal must-have!

Ditch the Technology

Reserve your bedroom as the place to settle down and chill out. As tempting as it is to bring them along, leave the laptop, cell phone, and TV for the other rooms of the house. Instead, keep stacks of your favorite books and magazines to read while you wind down for the night. If you insist on having a TV, find a place for it where it can be tucked aside so that its not the centerpiece of the room.

Keep the Chaos at Bay

Are you the type of person who ends up with half of your closet strewn about your bedroom by the end of the week? Or maybe you have baskets of clean clothes that just sit there for days, waiting for someone to put them away.

If you’re not in the habit of putting things away regularly, make a promise to yourself to spend just five minutes picking up each day. It will go a long way in keeping your bedroom clutter-free and feeling like a peaceful and relaxing space you intended it to be.

Pajamas

A cozy bedroom calls for some equally cozy PJs, of course!  Having just the right pajamas, a soft robe, and some comfy slippers will add just the perfect finishing touch!

Relax…unwind…and enjoy…

What’s your secret to a cozy bedroom space?

Photo Credit: The Little Greene Paint Company via Compfight cc