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From Sock Monkeys to the Oscars

By Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

I am sure the title of my post has everyone scratching their head. What do sock monkeys have to do with the Academy Awards you ask?

This weekend is the first weekend of March, and Saturday the 1st begins the Sock Monkey Madness Festival In Rockford Illinois.

The history of these cute little monkeys is not really known, it is said that they were made in the depression because toys were too expensive. Grandma would take and old pair of socks like these and make a stuffed monkey with them. The monkeys were stuffed with old nylons, newspaper and other items.

So, in honor of Sock Monkey Madness we have special pajamas to help you celebrate these cute little guys. For the kids we have Munki Munki Kids Sock Monkey Pajamas, dress your little monkey in the coziest monkey in town.

And for the ladies we have Munki Munki Flannel Pajamas or Nightshirt whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Now for the Academy Awards portion of this post. Every year I watch the Academy Awards snuggled up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa, some popcorn and in my coziest pajamas.

I am sure my favorite part of the Academy Awards is everyone else’s as well. Nothing better than seeing movie stars dressed up in gorgeous clothes making their way down the red carpet so glamorous. It is fun watching everyone’s taste in formal wear, somethings that make it to the red carpet are outrageous. But that is what makes the Academy Awards so much fun.

So, I thought I would share a yummy recipe for the big night:

Smores “Black Tie” Popcorn

10 cups of popped popcorn

4 tablespoosn of butter

2 cups of graham cereal

1- 10 ounce bag of mini marshmallows (divided)

3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips

salt to taste

melt butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. Add half the mini marshmallows and stir until melted. Add melted mini marshmallows to popcorn and graham cereal. Toss until evenly combined then all chocolate chips and the rest of the mini marshmallows. Salt to taste. Please let cool before eating.

I love this recipe it is easy to make and it satisfies the sweet and salty cravings in everyone.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and the Oscars!

Rainy Day Weekend

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by Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

I love the rain, the sound of it hitting the windows or roof and the distant sound of thunder. It’s wonderful sound makes for a nice sleepy weekend.

Not everyone in my house likes the rain. My kids rather be outside playing so when we have weekends like this I think about all the fun inside things they can do. I call it Palmer Family Fun Day!

I made a great list of Rainy Day Activities you can do and I also have a fun recipe that you can either make as a dessert or lunch depending on the ingredients you use.

1. Board Games – Nothing like pulling out board games and playing all your family favorites.

2. Scavenger Hunt – As mentioned in White Valentine’s Day & President’s Day Weekend you can use this scavenger hunt for days like these as well.

3. Sock Puppet Theater – Make your own puppets with socks you cannot find the mate to and then have a puppet show. There are so many different items you can glue on to a sock to make it look like any animal or character you choose. I also keep a kit of googly eyes, pipe cleaners and bits of yarn and fabric on hand for days like these.

4. Peanut Butter/Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Modeling Clay – Yes this is the modeling clay kids can eat. All you have to do is mix 1 cup of Peanut butter/chocolate hazelnut spread, 2 cups confectioners sugar, 1/2 cup of honey and you have edible modeling clay. Of course you can portion it and color it for even more fun.

5. Magazine Collage – This is a great fun way to recycle your old magazines. Give the kids a pair of scissors, a piece of construction paper, a little glue and a topic like (show me the things you like to do on a sunny day) and let the imagination go.

6. Blanket and Pillow Fort – Take blankets and pillows and use coffee tables and chairs to make an ultra cool fort. I love doing this one and then “camping out” in the living room while we watch a movie. This is a good one to get the little ones settled down to take a nap.

7. Dance Party – Play music and dance with your kids, this is fun to watch the little ones move to the music in their own special way.

8. Sock “Snowball” Fight – This one my mother started with us. Pair some socks (the kids can help) and then simply have a snowball fight with the socks.

9. Decorate Shower Curtain – Purchase a clear/white shower curtain and permanent markers and let the kids design thier own shower curtain.

10. Read & Draw – Read a story and then give the kids markers and paper and have them draw a unique ending to the story they just heard.

There you have it, 10 fun and interesting things to do so the kids won’t say the dreaded words “I’m bored”!

There is one more thing I am going to give you to do with your kids and that is cook. Nothing better than some comfort food on a rainy day. The best part this is a semi homemade recipe and depending on the ingredients you choose it can be sweet or savory…or you can do both and have real fun!

Pull Apart Pizza or Cinnamon Bread (You decide)

2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough

1 Jar Pizza Sauce

2 cups of Mozzarella Cheese

1 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 package of Pepperoni

1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray

Or…

2 cans of refrigerated Biscuit Dough

1/2 cup granulated Sugar

1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon

1 cup Brown Sugar

3/4 cup melted Butter

Oil Bundt pan with oil or cooking spray and layer ingredients well, cook in 325 degree oven for 47 -52 minutes or until golden brown and not doughy any longer.

I hope I have given you a good list of things to do with your children on a rainy pajama day. The best part is you can do this on days that aren’t rainy and make every day a….

Love is in the air!

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by Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

Yes this is the week everyone either loves or loves to hate! Ahh Valentine’s Day, the day that is filled with roses, cupids and candy.

Well I say skip the candy and flowers and give something I can use all year round! There is nothing more sweet to me than getting a pair of comfy pajamas that I can wear around the house! Yes I am a practical woman and a lot of my sentimental memories are in and around pajamas!

I know on Friday I will be wearing some cozy jammies. Who says you can’t have a romantic night wearing pajamas?

Yes I will be having a romantic night with my sweetie, I will just do it in comfort.

What do I do for my husband you ask? Well of course I cook his favorite meal and we relax at home watching a movie we enjoy with the kids. For dessert I usually do something fun like a chocolate fondue fountain and it ends up being a nice time together.

Want to do something different for your sweetheart this year? Well here at The Pajama Company we do Valentine’s Day differently:

We are bringing a popular family Valentine’s Day tradition of our founder to you: The Valentine’s Day Grab Bag. These specialty pillowcases are filled with a selection of small gifts to share the holiday of love with the whole family.

“Valentine’s Day isn’t just about treating that one special person,” says The Pajama Company founder and president Ellie Badanes. “At the Pajama Company we say you should share the holiday with all the people you love.”

The Grab Bags are modeled after Ellie’s family tradition and are designed to be shared through an activity for a family or group of friends.

“Each person takes a turn closing his or her eyes and picking something out of the grab bag,” says Ellie. But there’s a catch: the picker then has to decide who else in the group should get that gift. “It’s a great way to honor all the people you love and help everyone feel special this Valentine’s Day,” says Ellie.

Want to know more of our ideas for this day of love? Well we have a selection of Staff Favorites just in case you need some help choosing.

I know I will be snuggling up with my husband on Valetine’s Day sporting this lovely Kashwere Lightweight Robe humming a happy tune as I dip strawberries in chocolate and relax.

Now we would love to hear from you. Comment to this blog post and tell us how you plan to spend your Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone has a wonderfully romantic day and keep on wearing those pajamas!

My January Sleepover

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By Ellie Badanes, The Pajama Company Blog Team

With short days and long nights, January is the perfect month to host a sleepover. With the winter chill outside, snuggling up in pj’s and sleeping bags is the best way to celebrate winter with friends. Pajamas and sleepovers just go together, especially in January. At The Pajama Company, we have long loved sleepovers and celebrate friends new and old having fun together all night long in pj’s eating popcorn, watching movies, playing games and maybe just maybe catching a few zzzz’s. Here are a few of our favorite sleepover games for your winter party.

Nail Polish Birthday Spin Game-Place several colors of nail polish in the middle of a circle of girls. Have the first girl at the sleepover spin a bottle of nail polish. Whoever the cap is pointing to when it stops must paint one of her fingernails that color. Then that person spins the next color of nail polish…and so on. Pretty soon everyone has really crazy hands and toes!
Don’t Say It – This is a game that is actually pretty popular at adult parties too! Give out one beaded necklace to everyone that comes to the party.
Choose a word that relates to the party i.e. “night” and tell everyone they CAN’T say that word the whole party. If they say that word, whoever they say it to, gets their beads. The person with the most beads at the end of the party wins!
Foil Make Over Game-The object is to create the best outfit out of aluminum foil. This can be played individually or if you have lots of girls separate them into teams. Give each person or team 1 or 2 rolls of aluminum foil. You can add accessories like belts, sunglasses, jewelry, hats and more. Have the girls create tops, pants, dresses, skirts, bikinis or shorts.
Blind Make Over Game-The first person puts on a blindfold and does the makeup of the second person. Then when they are done the second person puts on the blindfold and does the makeup of the third person. Draw numbers to determine the order. Be sure to take pictures when you are done!
Sleepover Ball Game-Buy a large inflatable beach ball and in permanent marker write questions all over it. Place everyone in a circle and throw the ball to someone. The person who catches the ball must answer the question that their right thumb is touching. After answering the question they then throw the ball to another person. Here are some suggestions for questions: What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? What is your favorite color? What are three words that describe you? Who is your favorite band/singer? What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you? What do you say when you talk in your sleep? What is your biggest phobia? If you were invisible what would you do? If you were an animal what would you be? Who is your secret crush? What was your last dream about?
Haunting Tales – Have everyone sit in a circle, with just a few candles lit around the room. The person hosting the party should start a scary story with one sentence. Each person must add another sentence until an entire tale has been created. Include guests in the story to make the scare factor even higher.
Candy Hunt– Ask everyone to bring a flashlight to the party. Before everyone arrives at the party ask a parent or sibling to hide candy all over the house. When it gets dark, turn off the lights and have everyone take their flashlights and hunt for the candy.
Snuggle Bug-Designate one person at the party the “Snuggle Bug” by putting slips of paper into a bowl (all blank except for the one that has the SB on it). Whoever picks the “SB” is the “Snuggle Bug”. All the guests are in the same room (with the lights off throughout the house) at the beginning of the game. Then the “Snuggle Bug” gets to go and find a hiding place. People roam throughout the house and ask other players, “Are you the Snuggle Bug?” If the answer is no, then they keep searching. If the answer is yes, then the person has to join them in the hiding spot and snuggle up to the SB. As more guests find the SB and snuggle up, the hiding space becomes overcrowded and the game ends when the last person finds the SB. Maybe have a “booby” prize ready for the last person!
Kiss The Poster-get a nice poster of your favorite pop star, rock star or celebrity. Have each girl put on lipstick and take turns putting on the blindfold and kissing the poster. The person who kisses closest to the celebrity’s lips gets to take the poster home!
Tapper-With everyone in the room, one person is chosen to be the Tapper. The Tapper goes into another room where he/she can’t hear the other players. Meanwhile everyone hides in their sleeping bags or under pillows and blankets. You can also make decoys by putting pillows/stuffed animals under a blanket to make it look like a person. Then someone gets up, turns off the lights and goes back to their hiding spot. After everyone is settled, you yell to the Tapper to come in. The Tapper comes into the room, with the lights off, and taps on someone. If you get tapped you have to say “Yes?” in a weird voice (or say something else, it’s up to you). The Tapper has to figure out who was speaking. If the Tapper is right, the person tapped has to be the Tapper next and everyone gets a new hiding spot. If the Tapper is wrong, he/she has to tap another person. Or one by one the Tapper can guess each person until only one is left.
Blair Witch Hide and Seek-A new type of hide and seek to play using a cell phone and a house phone. Wait until it’s dark and turn out the lights. One person hides with a cell phone. In the pitch black, everyone goes looking for this one person. Every so often he must call the house phone and give clues to where he is hiding.
Two Truths and A Lie-Sit in a circle. Each person one by one must tell everyone two things that are true about himself/herself and one thing that isn’t. Mix up the two truths and a lie however you please. Everyone has to guess which is the lie.

Sleepover!

It’s Flannel Season

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By Ellie Badanes, The Pajama Company Blog Team

With temperatures plummeting and nights long, January is the month for hibernating. With festive celebrations behind us, now it’s our time to snuggle up in our favorite pj’s. We love “Flannel Season” and think our collection is not only super comfy but also warm and fun. Chances are we have a pajama to reflect your personality and just your style. So curl up with your favorite book, TV show, movie or better yet, your favorite sleep mask and embrace January. Here are some of our flannel favorites today.

PJ Salvage “Macaroons” $58

Big Feet Flannel Footie $44

PJ Salvage “Hootie” $58

PJ Salvage “Frontier” $58

The Cat’s Pajamas “Sushi” Pant for Men $56

New Years Eve PJ Party

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By Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

With the New Year only a few hours away I wanted to share what my family and I do every year. On New Years Eve we get dressed in our comfiest pajamas and ring in the new year cozy.

I think this is a great way to have a theme party for New Years Eve.

Hosting a pajama party is the best way to greet the new year. This way you get to see all the different types of comfy pajamas there are available. If you are in a particular cold area the best thing to wear are our Munki Munki Women’s “Sushi” Pajamas

It seems like these pajamas never go out of style, everyone loves sushi! Or to keep with the cool weather our Munki Munki Women’s “Skate” Pajamas.

For men you can go with our Hatley Nature Men’s “Hot Dog Skiing Dogs” Men’s Pajama Pant, they are cute and fabulous!

Nothing like having a party with comfort and style!

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2014!

I’ll Be Home For Christmas!

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By Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

Yes, I am home from a month long trip frolicking in Connecticut. Actually the trip was a sad one I went back home to celebrate the life of someone that will always remain near and dear in my heart.

After being home for a few days, I can feel the Holiday spirit fill me. My family hasn’t decorated for our holiday festivities because they waited for me to be home. Now that everything is back into some order we will be starting our holiday work.

The holiday season is a big time in my family as I am sure it is for many families. Nothing is better than being held up in the house because of cold weather baking, watching classic movies, and snuggling in your pajamas.

Christmas is the time where pajamas are very important. When I think Christmas I envision a small child making their way down a huge staircase in their pajamas usually with a stuffed animal in tow. Heading to the Christmas tree to see if Santa has come to visit them and leave gifts if they were good all year long. as a child I always wore footie pajamas like our “Winter Snowflake” Kids Fleece Footie Pajamas.

As children I always begged my mother to open one gift on Christmas Eve. That was usually pajamas for us to wear on Christmas Day for photos. This tradition has lived on in my house. I make sure every year to buy pajamas for the family and we wear them in the morning for the perfect photos. I know some families even wear matching pajamas for Christmas Morning photos, I am sure that is of interest. If it is then search no longer because The Pajama Company offers Matching Family Pajamas, it is the cutest idea for the biggest family related holiday of the season.

Before the big night it might be nice to do a fun family project dawning your pajamas. I always pick a project to do with the kids and pump up the traditional Christmas music that everyone eventually hums and sings along to (like Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, etc.) and we have a lot of fun and laughs being together as a family. I will give you a fun suggestion to get started with this tradition.

So there you have it fun family picture ops, projects and music. Yes here at The Pajama Company we know how to have fun.

Salt Dough Santa Ornament
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients and knead dough for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Roll dough out and cut around hand or cut circles out for making hand imprints.
3. Make a small hole for the hanger and prick to prevent air bubbles.
4. Bake at 300ºF about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. You may have to bake considerably longer depending on how thick the ornaments are. Please note that these ornaments will harden as they cool.
5. Paint and decorate as desired. Acrylic paints work best and use a varnish to make them shiny and to protect the painting.

Day After Thanksgiving My Holiday Summary, Relaxing & Online Shopping!

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by Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

I hope everyone had a great holiday (both Thanksgiving and Chanukah) .

I had a great day, nothing better than starting a few new traditions with great friends, food, and fun. This year was a great and unusual Thanksgiving for me. I actually didn’t have to cook, clean or do anything that I normally do for my family, it felt strange. I have been away from my family for the past 3 weeks with just my 1 year old daughter to remind me of home. I am getting a little homesick and will be happy to be flying back the first week of December, but it has given me a chance to meet new people and experience new traditions.

One of the new traditions that I have learned was hanging out and lounging around in our pajamas most of Thanksgiving morning, my daughter enjoyed this and there is nothing better than letting your child lounge in pajamas that you know will keep them warm like our Lazy One Kids Unisex Chocolate Brown Moose Caboose Flapjack Pajamas, pair them with our Aroma Home Knitted “Dog” Slipper Socks and you have a very warm and cute child on your hands.

While my little one was playing around the house I completed the one task I had for the whole day. Peeling potatoes and rutabaga, the friend I am staying with right now is Swedish and one of her family recipes is mashed potatoes with rutabaga, which is very delicious and easy to make. Simply peel, cut and boil potatoes and rutabaga. Then drain and mash with butter, salt and milk and you have a yummy side dish that is also wonderful because your sneaking in extra veggies that the kids don’t know about.

We got dressed, visited family and had a fabulous dinner with friends. After a fun evening I could see my little one was getting sleepy so I knew when we got home I wanted to snuggle her down into cozy pajamas and put her to bed. Nothing says cozy like our Kids Big Feet Pajamas, once your toddler is nestled into this warm fleece one piece pajama there will be some really good sound sleeping.

This morning we woke up to a beautiful cold but sunny day and have taken it easy lounging around in our pajamas. For those of you with a warmer soul like me, I suggest the very cute and comfy Hatley Nature “Ruff Night” Pajama Pants and they pair well with the Women’s “Ruff Night” Nightshirt.

Today is supposed to be the worst shopping day around, but you can still shop and be in your comfy pajamas here at The Pajama Company.

We have decided that being cozy and with family is important so to save you some hassle and time we have made today a sale day. We are offering to you 15% off our website. All you have to do is use the code word THANKS at the checkout. How awesome is that?!

I hope you had a great holiday and a even better weekend.

Chilled to the Bone?

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Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

Do you know the feeling of bone chilling cold? You know the cold that seeps into your bones and does not leave until the first warm spring morning?

This week it officially feels like old man winter is knocking on the door. I actually have been blessed to be in my home town of Hamden Connecticut for a few weeks and right now I am sitting in a toasty warm living room wearing a pair of Warm Whiskers Cozy Cat Slippers. These slippers are great for warm cozy toes, you actually warm the slippers in the microwave and then just slip them on and snuggle down.

As I sat and looked out the sliding glass door this morning I saw white slushy snow fall, which is the first time in almost 20 years. I knew that it was chilly outside so I decided to relax with a nice cup of Mexican Hot Chocolate and a fresh baked pumpkin muffin of course I was in my Kashwere Super Soft Shawl Collard Robe. I forgot how nice it is to snuggle in comfy pajamas while drinking a lovely warm Mexican hot chocolate to keep those chilly bones warm.

So what will you be doing tonight? Want to do the same as I am? O.K. then you get the robe and slippers and I will give you a great recipe for Mexican hot chocolate so you can enjoy the finer things in life.

Ingredients:

4 cups whole milk

1 1/3 cups (8 ounces) chocolate (any kind you like I prefer 72% dark) chopped to melt faster

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch salt

Directions:

In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients and 1 cup water over medium heat, whisking constantly, until hot but not boiling, about 8 minutes (the mixture should smooth). Pour into 4 large mugs.

I love how the sweetness of the chocolate mingles with the spicy of the chili powder on the palate, it’s wonderful and it warms you through and through.So the next time you see the snow get your favorite slippers, robe, blanket or pajamas and make a batch of this Mexican hot chocolate and ENJOY!

Falling Back Into Pajamas

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Amanda Palmer, The Pajama Company Editor

Did you remember to set your clocks back an hour? I actually remembered this year, but it really doesn’t matter because today is one of my official pajama days! Yes, it is a laid back Sunday for my family. We are sitting in our living room in our pajamas and watching movies on Netflix.

We all have our own favorite type of pajama set. My oldest daughter loves snuggling with our pets and truly has a love for animals so her favorite pajama day gear is our Moose Caboose Pink Pajama Flapjack Pajamas paired with Aroma Home’s Knitted “Cat” Slipper Socks.

My Middle daughter loves staying cozy in our “Bedtime Bears” Fleece Footie Pajamas. She snuggles up under a blanket with her favorite tea time friends and tells stories while staying snug as a cute little bug!

The tiniest part of my family toddles along with her PJ Salvage “Cupcakes” Waffle Blanket and her Hot Hugs Monkey in tow.

This post wouldn’t be complete without me mentioning the men in my life. My Husband and Nephew love to stay comfortable and warm in their Pajama Pants.

My Husband can never be “crabby” when he is wearing his Lazy One “Lobster” Pajama Pants

Then my Nephew brings life into any of our family pajama parties with his Hatley Nature Men’s “Moose on Plaid” Flannel Pants

I hope you have enjoyed my little slice of life and how my family makes the most of falling back and enjoying our crisp fall day in comfort. Maybe I also left you with some ideas on how to relax in style with your family as well!