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Creating a Cozy and Comfortable Home Away from Home Dorm Room

As summer days blend into the vibrant hues of fall, it’s time to gear up for an exciting new academic year. College life awaits, and along with it comes the adventure of settling into your very own dorm room. We know leaving the comforts of home can be a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’re here to help you create a cozy oasis right on campus!

Picture this: a dorm room that feels like a warm hug, a familiar nook where you can relax, study, and make unforgettable memories with your new buddies. Yes, we’re talking about turning your dorm into a true home away from home! To get you all set for a successful college experience, we’ve put together a fantastic checklist that focuses on bringing comfort and a sense of belonging to your dorm room. Trust us, you’ll have a blast!

The Ultimate Study Space: Designate a comfortable study area with a plush, ergonomic chair for hours of focused learning. Essential supplies like a desk organizer, post-it notes, pens, and a soft desk lamp create a productive yet cozy environment. A pair of noise-canceling headphones ensures uninterrupted concentration on studies.

Sleep and Relaxation: Let’s turn your dorm room into a cocoon of comfort where shut-eye and comfort are essential for being active and alert in your busy student life. Pajamas will be an important part of your wardrobe (Link to dorm room category if there is one otherwise I think just to the home page) so make sure you have a wide variety of options to choose from because let’s face it…laundry might not always be at the top of your to-do list. So, whether it’s catching up on your favorite shows, hanging out with friends, or simply enjoying some “me time,” PJs will be your go-to companions, and when you pair them with cozy socks, a plush robe and soft slippers you’ll be at the top of your comfort and style game.

Cooking and Dining: Turn your dorm into a culinary haven with essential cooking appliances like a microwave, instant pot (if permitted), small fridge, and coffee maker. These must-haves allow you to whip up simple and comforting meals when dining options are limited. With the right tools, you can recreate your favorite recipes from home, indulging in familiar flavors even while away at college.

Staying Active and Energized: Embrace a healthy lifestyle by bringing along fitness tools that keep you active and energized. Resistance bands, hand weights, a yoga mat, and a medicine ball are perfect for quick and effective workouts in the comfort of your dorm room. For a dose of fresh air, don’t forget to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes to take relaxing strolls around campus and explore the beautiful surroundings.

Personalizing Space: Infuse your dorm room with your unique personality and style by adding decorative pillows, posters, and wall decor that inspire positivity and creativity. Surround yourself with motivational quotes, artistic prints, and images of loved ones to create a space that feels like your own little sanctuary. Introducing plants and greenery into your living space not only adds a touch of natural beauty but also promotes a sense of tranquility and well-being, making your dorm room a calming oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of college life.

Creating a warm and inviting dorm room ensures you have a sanctuary to relax, recharge, and build lasting memories during your college experience. Embrace the exciting journey of campus living and have a great year!

Specialty care packages for your college student

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Sending a child off to college for the first time is a period filled with emotion. Exciting, sad, stressful, and worried are all a part of the experience. You want them to get their education, become independent, and follow their dreams, but you still want to take care of them the best you can.

For the kids, when they are away from home, it may take a while until they realize that they no longer have the comforts of home at their fingertips. Don’t fret – we’ve got some specialized college care package ideas that you can get together and send off that will allow you to take care of them from afar and help them adjust to their new living arrangements.

The stay warm care package. In many parts of the country, cool fall temperatures are settling in. Make sure that your student stays warm and toasty on those blustery fall days with things like:

Flannel pajamas
A new mug and hot chocolate or coffee
A mug warmer (if the dorm allows it)
Instant soup mix and instant oatmeal
A cuddly blanket
Slippers and socks
Scarves and hats

Home-away-from-home package. One of the hardest things about being away at college is making a dorm room feel like home. Help them make it more than just a place they sleep and study with the care package that includes items they can use to decorate based on their style. Consider items such as:

Cute signs with favorite quotes
Decorations from their own bedroom at home
Seasonal decor
A small chalkboard or dry erase board so that roommates or friends can leave notes on for one another
Scented candles
Homemade cookies

Self-care package. As we all know, toiletries and personal care items can be very expensive and this type of package is always appreciated. Fill it with:

Shampoo & Conditioner
Razors
Deodorant
Loofahs
Toothpaste and tooth brush
Scented lotions
Plastic flip-flops for the showers

A first-aid package. One of the things young adults send it to forget about once they leave the convenience at home is making sure they have first-aid products on hand in case of a minor incident. Get them set up with a box filled with:

Band-Aids
Vitamin C and multi-vitamins
Facial tissues
Anti-biotic ointment
Hand sanitizer
Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
General cold medicines like Dayquil or cough drops

Keep clean package. Whether they have to clean their dorm room or get some laundry done, a package full of these types of products will definitely help take care of some of their needs:

A handheld vacuum
Paper towels
Anti-bacterial wipes
Air freshener
Laundry pods (which are easy for them to transport)
A mesh bag for washing delicates
A roll of quarters for doing the laundry

The stress-relief package. Being away from everything they have always known can be a very stressful time for students – especially those leaving for the first time. Send them a package of stress-relieving items that will help them relax and work their way into their new living surroundings:

Aromatherapy diffuser
Back or foot massager
A bonsai tree or Chia Pet (that they can nurture and take care of)
A soothing eye mask that they can heat up
A relaxing music copulation
Herbal tea

Taking care of your kids is your number one priority but now it’s time for them to spread their wings and become young adults. These little boxes of goodies will show them how much you love them and help them make the transition to the next phase of their life. You got this… and they got this too!

Back to the Dorms: Your 2020 College Checklist

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It’s time to start sending your college students back to school. Whereas in most cases students will be returning to campus to restart their education, the college experience overall will be anything but normal. Despite uncertainties about campus life, one thing is sure; everything from classes to social events will be different and your student will have to make the necessary adjustments.

Their living space will be more important than ever before and you want to make it not only comfortable but also practical. To help you plan ahead, we’ve compiled a sort of “go-to checklist” of essentials you should be sending your student back to school with so they can be successful, and adjust to a hybrid academic year.

Workspace and Supplies: Virtual classes are almost certain to be at least a portion of student learning this year. If the dorm room or apartment your child is living in doesn’t have a desk, you’ll want to make sure that bring one along. And because they will be spending more time than usual at this workspace, a comfortable and ergo-friendly chair will be necessary too. In addition to the furniture, supplies like a desk organizer, post-it notes, pens, a desk lamp, a power strip, and extra batteries are essential to a productive works space. Don’t forget a pair of noise-canceling headphones so they can focus on their studies without interruption.

Kitchen and Cooking: Dining halls and local eating establishments will have capacity limits and can get crowded during mealtime, so your student will likely be making their own meals much more often. Although you will want to find out what the school allows, most will permit a microwave, a small fridge, a coffee maker, and even a single burner cooktop. Believe it or not, you can do a lot with just a microwave! Make sure they have the right cooking components (utensils, microwave-safe plates/bowls, and pots and pans) to create their culinary delights with as well.

Sleep and Study Space: As we all know, dorm rooms are far from spacious. With libraries either closed or limiting occupancy, the bed in the room may now also double as a study space. A nice bedding set including a plush mattress topper with a throw blanket will cover the comfort part, but also consider a lap desk, an overhead light, and backrest pillow to make study time most productive.

Pajamas and Comfy clothes: Spending additional time in the dorm room means there will be more time for casual attire. Pajama sets, lounge pants, PJ pants, and short sets all fit the bill quite nicely. Make sure you have different styles for seasonal temperature changes and variety for at least 2 weeks because doing laundry is typically not a college student’s priority.

Exercise Essentials: You won’t be able to bring a full gym to school, but a few small pieces of fitness equipment are something every college student should have this year. Because they won’t be walking to class as much and the public work-out areas will be capacity limited- or maybe even closed – students will likely not be as active as they should be. Encourage your student to stay active and provide them with tools to do so. Resistance bands, hand weights, yoga mats, and medicine balls are small and can be stored in a small space. You could also look up some online work-out videos or buy your student a subscription to a website that offers a variety of live online classes. Comfortable walking shoes should also be on the list so during downtimes, they can take a walk, get some fresh air and exercise.

Room Décor: There’s no place like home never meant more than it does today. Your college student will likely be a bit more homesick this year due to less socializing and get-togethers. Make sure their living space at school is as warm and inviting as possible. A Himalayan salt lamp for example, gives off a warm glow and is also said to have stress-relieving properties and provide a better night’s sleep. Wall décor, fun accessories, and even plants can really help make a dorm room feel like a second home. As a side note, a vacuum cleaner may be a good idea as well. 

Whether your child is just starting their college career, finishing up, or somewhere in the middle, preparing in advance for the current situation is very important to your student’s success. We wish all students the best of luck in 2020!

Back to College: Late-Night Treats You Can Make in a Microwave

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School is back in session. By now you’ve moved into the dorm, unpacked, and are getting settled into your class schedule. Balancing school, your social life, and maybe even your job is a lot to take on. This often leads to evening study sessions, night shifts, or late-night hang outs with friends. Whatever you’re up to in the wee hours, you’re bound to get a craving for a late night snack every now and again.

Don’t let minor details like “not having a kitchen” stop you from cooking up something delicious. Crawl into your favorite pajama pants and give one of these inventive microwave-only recipes a try. We guarantee that you will be equally amazed and satisfied!

Get cozy with a snack and these Unisex Flannel Pajama Pants from Boxercraft.

15 Late-night snacks you can make in a microwave.

1. Chocolate Pudding Cake. Brown sugar in the batter of this classic fudgy cake makes it extra rich and gooey. Swing by your local convenience store and grab your favorite vanilla ice cream to top it with. The longer the cake cools, the more the pudding is absorbed into the mixture. Get the recipe from Food Network here.

2. Blueberry Muffin. Fresh “baked” blueberry muffin, cooked in a mug in your microwave! While summer is over, you might still be able to find some reasonably priced blueberries. What we like about this recipe is that it’s actually low-sugar, low-carb, so it’s a lighter choice as well. Get the recipe from The Gingham Apron here.

3. Caramel Popcorn. You read that correctly: perfect caramel popcorn. Hot from the microwave. Each piece of popcorn is guaranteed to be coated with just enough salty sugary sweetness. Best part? Its light and crispy texture. Get the recipe from This Week for Dinner here.

4. Chili Cheese Dip. This is just a friendly reminder that the go-to “microwave classics” are still just as delicious. Whip up a quick 3-ingredient chili cheese dip in a mere 5 minutes. Crack open a bag of tortilla chips and enjoy. Get the recipe from All Recipes here.

5. Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup. That’s right a freshly baked… errr, zapped… ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie, on demand, using nothing but your microwave. The perfect snack to go with a pair of warm footy pajamas and a big glass of milk. Get the recipe from No. 2 Pencil here.

6. Oatmeal Bars. Great for a late-night snack or a sweet accompaniment to stale coffee, these chocolate-slathered oatmeal bars can be whipped up in just moments. With so few ingredients, it’s pretty easy to keep everything you need on hand. Get the recipe from Taste of Home here.

7. Best Ever Bacon. What about those Saturday or Sunday mornings when you’re craving a hot breakfast but feeling a little… shall we say, under the weather? If you’re not one to make it to the dining hall for breakfast, master this easy how-to for perfectly crispy microwaved bacon. Get the instructions from The Creek Line House here.

Unfortunately, you can’t make sushi in the microwave. Satisfy your late-night craving with these sushi flannel pajama pants from The Cat’s Pajamas.

8. Cheesy Vegetable Quiche. Looking for a follow-up dish to go with that perfectly crispy bacon? Why stay in your pajamas and whip up some brunch? These quiche delivers time after time, regardless of the ingredients you choose. Get the recipe from Fresh April Flours here.

9. Enchiladas. Late night cravings for salty, cheesy, spicy Mexican food can be satisfied with this quick and easy recipe for microwave enchiladas. Ready in just 10 minutes! Get the recipe from Flippin Delicious here.

10. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake. This super decadent cake tastes just like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and just like the candy, it’s virtually impossible to share. The entire cake is made inside — you guessed it — a coffee mug. Get the recipe from Yammie’s Noshery here.

11. French Toast. Okay, we understand that this one might be hard to wrap your head around but it is possible to recreate French Toast in a microwave… in just 2-minutes! Top with maple syrup and you have a tasty fall treat for any time of the day. Get the recipe from Pretty Prudent here.

12. Peanut Brittle. We agree that at first glance, microwave peanut brittle does sound like it would be a total disaster. However, this recipe turns out beautifully to everyone’s surprise. Just like grandma used to make, but without all the fuss. Get the recipe from Plain Chicken here.

13. Hasty Chocolate Pudding. Have you ever had fresh, hot pudding? It is absolute perfection, especially on a chilly fall night. Pull on your coziest flannel pajamas and curl up with a bowl of this delicious microwave alternative to stove top pudding. Get the recipe from All Recipes here.

14. Scrambled Eggs. Another great side to go with that microwave bacon, scrambled eggs in the microwave is done in as little as three steps and 3 minutes depending on how many eggs you make. Throw in some cheese and green onion if you want to get crazy. Get the recipe from She Pins here.

15. Mac n’ Cheese. This list wouldn’t be complete without the addition of the ultimate late-night craving, mac n’ cheese. This is an awesome recipe for homemade single-serving mac that you can whip up in a coffee mug in the microwave. It’s creamy and delicious and actually better for you than the store-bought microwave variety. Get the easy recipe from Ella Claire Inspired here.

We hope this collection of fun microwave recipes come to your rescue this semester! For more recipes and ideas for fall fun, visit The Pajama Company blog at thepajamacompany.com/blog.

8 Classic Pajama Looks for Anywhere on Campus

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Long after you graduate from college, you will feel nostalgic excitement when you spot a soon-to-be college freshman roaming the aisles of a department store, cart packed full of storage bins, towels, and twin sheets. When you leave the comforts of home, your dorm room becomes a cave of comfort.

After a few months, the dorm itself becomes more like home: packed with friends and familiar faces, sharing takeout in the lounge, watching a favorite movie with a roommate, late night study sessions. Students develop different routines and schedules and the dorm becomes a buzzing hub of activity, just as a house is for families.

A person’s idea of home revolves around one key element: comfort. One of the classic comforts of home is your ability to wear pajamas anywhere you go. Check out our PJ “Look Book” below for ideas on how to stay cozy, calm, and comfortable anywhere on campus.

The Back-to-College Pajama Look Book

Women's Pajama Pants for Back-to-College

Boxercraft Black Stripe Lux Jogger

1. The “I’m Running Late for Class” Look. The line for the shower was six people deep and you finally got your turn — there was even hot water this time! Now you’re sprinting back to your dorm room in your bathrobe pick out a stylish outfit and do your hair with the 10 minutes you have left to get to class… or pull on the pajamas that are already on your bed, throw on a hoodie, and head out the door? No brainer.

Big Feet Pajamas Adult Navy Plush Hooded One Piece Footy

2. The “It’s Too Cold for Jeans” Look. It’s a winter wonderland! And by winter wonderland we mean sleet and freezing rain sloshing around in a frosty snow globe. Your class is across campus and life is good underneath your fluffy, warm down comforter. The thought of pulling on a pair of cold, stiff jeans isn’t the motivation you need to leave your cocoon. Taking a hot shower and zipping yourself into a pair of flannel one-piece footie PJs that feel more like a sleeping bag than actual clothes? That’ll do the trick.

Boxercraft Red and Black Plaid Flannel Pajama Pant

3. The “But It’s Raining” Look. Wet, cold, foggy: gross. You’re already going to have to navigate puddles and maneuver an umbrella when it’s raining sideways. Throw a jacket over these cozy flannel pants, slip on some dry rain boots, and you’re ready to swim to Organic Chemistry.

Boxercraft Fushia Dot Flannel Bitty Boxer

4. The “We Don’t Have A/C in Our Dorm and It’s 96 Degrees Outside” Look. If you’re sharing a hot tin can with 300 other co-ed sardines it can get a little stale and stuffy by springtime. After you’ve spent the night sweating next to your desk fan, it might be time to cool off in some breezy boxers in the fresh morning air.

Comfy Slippers for Dorm Life, Back to College

Fuzzy Friends “Tiger” Slippers from Aroma Home

5. Finals Footwear. What day is it? Is it still nighttime? Where are the coffee filters? All questions you find yourself asking during dreaded finals week. This is not the week for real clothes. Or showering. Or sleeping. Or socializing. No finals week zombie walk is complete without a pair of comforting, fuzzy slippers. Slip these on, grab a slice of cold pizza, and knock out that test.

PJ Salvage “Stars” Women’s Plush Robe in Aqua

6. The “That Party Was Epic But I Need 10 More Hours of Sleep” Look. The party is over and you’re feeling less than peppy in the AM. You don’t want to leave bed, but the cafeteria stops serving bacon at 11. Compromise: a bathrobe is essentially a comforter you can wear. Win, win.

Back-to-College Extra Wide Leg Pajama Pants

Boxercraft Women’s Navy Stripe Margo Loungepant

7. The “We Can’t Afford to Go Out Tonight” Look. When your budget looks like it’s about to be blown, it’s time to rally the troops for a binge-worthy Netflix marathon. Order a pizza and get comfortable in a pair of super soft, extra wide-leg pajama pants. It’ll feel like you’re watching TV in bed, even though you’re surrounded by ten of your closest, brokest friends.

Unisex Sushi Pajama Pants for Back to College

The Cat’s Pajamas Women’s “Sushi” Cotton Pajama Pant in White

8. The “It’s Been a Rough Week” Look. Pajamas, above all, are a security blanket. Whether it’s a breakup, roommate drama, or stress from balancing school and life with your new internship, sometimes we just need to hibernate on the weekend. Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate (or noodles), turn on a Law and Order marathon, and shut off your phone. Put on a pair of PJs in the most fun, outrageous pattern you can find. You’ll be feeling like yourself again by Monday.

Embrace every pajama-filled, pizza-laden, coffee-saturated, sleep-deprived moment of your college experience — and good luck to the class of 2021! For the latest in dorm fashion, visit us at dorm ready.

5 Essentials to Make Your Dorm Room Extra Cozy

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Let’s face it, the basic dorm room can be a bit dreary and really not so cozy. So before you head off to college, we want to make sure you have the essentials for a comfy-cozy dorm room!

Here are 5 essentials to make your dorm room extra cozy:

1. Bedding

Comfortable sheets, blankets, and a comforter are essential, of course! Be sure to pick cotton sheets that are soft and not stiff. You’ll thank yourself during those late night study sessions.

And here’s a tip: check with your school to see if what size bed will be in your room. Many college dorms have extra-long twin beds.

We love this cheery bedding, this beautiful quilt, and this cozy blanket.

2. Slippers

Warm slippers are a must have to keep your toes toasty all year! We looooove these frog slippers you can microwave for even more heat, and these owl slipper socks.

3. An Extra Throw Blanket

You never know if you’ll have a drafty room sonAn extra blanket will always come in handy for warmth or just a quick nap. We’re loving this fleece striped one!

4. Robe

Whether you have your own bathroom or you have to use a shared one, you will want a great robe. You’ll stay super toasty in this robe, or this fluffy one!

5. Pajamas

Of course, several sets of pajamas are a must have for college, because let’s be honest, you won’t be doing laundry that often! Pick a few pajama sets or pair PJ pants or boxers with your favorite t-shirts and sweat shirts.

Here are our picks: these cute PJ pants, this cupcake pajama set, and these adorable boxers!

Image: BohemianDolls via Flickr

Dorm Room Must Haves!

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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

Dorm Room Essentials

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By Ellie Badanes, The Pajama Company Editor

With move-in day just around the corner, we have a few ideas for college life. We know books, laptops, desk lamps, microwaves and toiletries are important but we think pajamas also rank as a dorm room “Essential.” Pajamas are truly the study uniform of choice on campus and we have some pretty perfect flannels to get the semester started. Paired with that new college sweatshirt or tee, our pj pants are ready to go the distance be it pulling that “all nighter” or lounging with dorm mates. When it’s time for that power nap, our collection of social media pillows not only livens up the bed but provides a soft place to land.

Here’s to a great semester with happy pajama times to come on campus!

Boxercraft Flannel $24

Hatley Nature Flannel $40

Boxercraft Flannel $24

facebook pillow $28

gmail pillow $28

Meet the New Pajama Company Intern: Steffi Badanes

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By Steffi Badanes, Social Media Intern

Editor’s Note: Steffi Badanes is our newest Pajama Company intern. You will see her around this blog, Facebook, Twitter, Polyvore, Tumblr, Instagram, and Pinterest. As always, we asked Steffi to introduce herself to you by answering some very important Pajama Company questions.

1. Describe your favorite pajamas.

They’re a pair of blue and green argyle pajama pants that say “nerds rule” on the butt! I love David & Goliath. They always make the cutest PJs!

2. What would your perfect day look like?

I love spring/summer weather, so it would have to be at least 75 degrees out. I love wearing shorts and tank tops, so hitting the town in a cute outfit with some close buds is perfect!

3. What was the last book you read?

I’m a college student. The last book I read was a memoir about eating disorders for my writing class called Wasted by Marya Hornacher. It was tough to read at points but a really honest look at the human mind of someone with an eating disorder.

4. What song is currently stuck in your head

Love Today by Mika. It’s just such a happy and positive tune!

5. What youtube video are you watching over and over?

Space Oddity: A music video in space by Commander Chris Hadfield! I’ve always wondered what astronauts do for fun while they’re hanging out in space.

6. Winter or Summer?

Summer. Without question. I love expressing myself through my clothes. You have to cover up your cute outfits with giant puffy coats in the winter!

7. Stripes or plaid?

I’m such a stripes girl. I wear some form of stripes everyday. I own five different black and white striped shirts!

Perfect Pillowcases

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The Pajama Company, a leading online sleepwear retailer, is pleased to announce it is now selling pillowcases from Snooze City Designs. The colorful graphic pillowcase sets feature creative designs, photographed images, and fun phrases when the two cases are placed together.

Ellie Badanes, founder and owner of The Pajama Company, said the brand perfectly fits with the goal of her company: making lounging fun.

“At the Pajama Company we believe no part of your life should ever be dull, your bedroom included! These pillowcases jazz up the most important room in your house, making it fun, unique and a little silly,” says Ellie.

Snooze City’s Michael Azria and Derek Mosher launched their line of “the world’s hippest pillowcases,” as they describe them, in 2007 “to take plain existing products, and to add a fun and modern element to them,” they said. Since then, the pillowcases have been featured in Teen Vogue, People Magazine, Life & Style and Nylon.

“They make the perfect gift,” says Ellie. “The aviator sunglass design would be a great fit for a fashionista, the rocker will love the ‘plugged in’ set of a guitar and amp, and the ‘pass out here’ cases would be a hit in any college dorm room.”

The Pajama Company is selling 15 designs for $28 per set. Each set includes two standard size pillowcases made of a super-soft cotton and nylon blend, 210 thread count.

In addition to pillowcases, The Pajama Company offers a wide selection of sleepwear for men, women, and children. All pajamas and accessories are available for sale at www.thepajamacompany.com.

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15 Late-night snacks you can make in a microwave.

The Back-to-College Pajama Look Book

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