Category Archives: Fall

How to Recreate the Comforts of Home in a Dorm Room

How to Recreate the Comforts of Home in Your Dorm Room

Your first college dorm room is often the first time many you experience the discomforts of adulthood in your young life. You’re crammed into a tiny box with white washed cement walls with a complete stranger. This shared space is a far cry from the comfortable and familiar home you came from.

Many college freshmen end up sending half a carload of stuff back home, overestimating the amount of space they’ll be granted. While it’s important to pack light, and seasonally, there are a handful of items that will make your brief stay in this little cell far more enjoyable.

Unisex Back-to-College Pajama Pants

Boxercraft Red and Black Plaid Flannel Pajama Pant

10 Tips to Make Your College Dorm Feel Like Home

1. Maximize Closet Space

One thing you have at home that you definitely will not have in college is space. Going home for Thanksgiving? Bring your summer wear and forgo packing every little layer you own. When you head home for Turkey Day, plan to check your bag and swap your light clothing for sweaters, jackets, and scarves. Another simple, inexpensive closet solution are vertical hangers — small hanging strips of hooks that allow to hang up to 8 articles of clothing vertically, utilizing all your closet space.

2. Soft Lighting

Rather than make use of the harsh, fluorescent overhead ceiling lights, it’s worth it to make a little room for a nice desk lamp with a “warm” bulb — one that diffuses a warm yellow glow instead of a harsh, bright white glare.

Fuzzy Friends 'Unicorn' Slippers from Aroma Home

Fuzzy Friends ‘Unicorn’ Slippers from Aroma Home

3. Slippers or Slipper Socks

What’s that weird stain on the carpet? Why is the linoleum floor perpetually sandy no matter how much you Swiffer? No need to care if your feet never touch the floor. Even if you weren’t into slippers at home, now is the time. College dorm rooms are notoriously disgusting, collecting decades of grunge that no amount of elbow grease will lift. A comfortable pair of slippers or a few pairs of slipper socks will go a long way.

4. Mattress Pad

No matter what you decide to bring, definitely opt for a high-quality mattress pad — one that will last you the full four years. The mattress you will sleep on is absolutely older than you. Serta makes extra fancy mattress pads that will provide you with a layer of its signature memory foam for a plush sleeping experience. A good night’s sleep is critical to performing at your peak, so don’t pass on this advice!

5. Oversized Coffee Mug

Think about items that could serve multiple purposes. A bowl-like coffee cup will get a lot of use over four years, for way more than coffee. It could also be a ramen bowl, a cereal bowl, hot chocolate mug, a Chex Mix holder, or heck eat a slice of pizza out of it — whatever. One of those and a spoon, fork, and knife are all you’ll need in a limited space.

'Malibu Plaid' Unisex Flannel Pajama Pants from Boxercraft

‘Malibu Plaid’ Unisex Flannel Pajama Pants from Boxercraft

6. Pajama Pants

Pajama pants are not just for sleeping! Keep in mind that you’ll likely be rolling out of bed and sprinting to class in these, so you’ll want to have pajama pants with some style. Check out our back-to-college style guide for inspiration.

7. Induction Cooktop

Many college campuses have banned hot plates, so if you’re craving a hot meal — especially during cold winter months — and the cafeteria isn’t an option, you’re out of luck. Induction cooktops don’t actually get hot. They heat the cookware on top of the cooktop. Now you can enjoy a bowl of ramen without burning the dorm down.

8. Tapestry

Posters are the classic way to cover those unsightly white concrete walls. For a softer homey look opt for a tapestry instead. They come in so many colors and styles that guys and girls with varying tastes can find something that suits them. Tapestries are large expanses of patterned fabric that will immediately soften the look of your dorm room cell, and diffuse that harsh fluorescent lighting.

9. Room Dividing Curtain

Thanks to Amazon, you can easily find 1000 dorm room privacy solutions, including an awkward but efficient twin-sized over-bed tent to zip yourself into. A great solution if you or your parents are handy, is a neutral-colored room-dividing curtain. They come with a heavy-duty tension rod (like a shower rod on steroids) and a heavy fabric that will provide floor-to-ceiling privacy as long as you can hang it between two walls. There are also hospital style room dividers that involve screwing a track into the ceiling. You will want to get approval from both your roommate and your RA before implementing.

'Fluffy Black Sheep' Fleece Robe by Munki Munki

‘Fluffy Black Sheep’ Fleece Robe by Munki Munki

10. Plush Bathrobe

You have no control over the fact that you have to share three grimey shower stalls with 40 other college freshman, but you can control how you feel while you’re walking there! Invest in a plush bathrobe that makes you feel warm, cozy, and comfortable. And shower sandals. Definitely don’t forget the shower sandals…

Embrace every pajama-filled, pizza-laden, coffee-saturated, sleep-deprived moment of your college experience and good luck to the class of 2022! For the latest back-to-college tips, visit us at thepajamacompany.com/blog.

Just Pajama Pants for Back-to-College

New Family Holiday Traditions, Matching Pajamas

New Ideas for Fun Family Traditions

As the days get shorter and the colors of fall give way to frost, our lives become wrapped in tradition. It begins with Halloween: trick-or-treating, neighborhood Halloween parties, themed family costumes, or just stealing all the peanut butter cups out of your kid’s candy stash… no matter how big or how small, the shift from fall to winter signals a shift into a season filled with traditions and memories that will last a lifetime.

There are popular traditions that you share with others, such as the turkey you might be cutting into in the coming days, and then there are ones that are unique to you and your family. Young families have the special and unique opportunity to start traditions with their families and choose what their children will remember from their childhood about this special season — and might pass on to their own.

Here are a few ideas for new traditions you might like to start with your family this holiday season.

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Pajama Halloween Costume Ideas

6 Pajama-Themed Halloween Costume Ideas

When it comes to Halloween, there are those people who meticulously plan their costume a year in advance — finding the perfect props and carefully sewing, stitching, or gluing their masterpiece together — and then there are the rest of us. Halloween is less than a week away and we’re willing to bet you don’t have a costume either.

Rather than be the party pooper who shows up to the Halloween bash as themselves, look no further than your pajama drawer. By utilizing your pajamas in these six simple costume ideas, you will be warm, comfortable, and at least a hundred dollars richer for not having ordered a last-minute costume online.

Unlike an inflatable T-Rex or a garden gnome, you can wear your pajamas again and again. Here are costume ideas for the rest of us.

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Fall Reading List, Best Autumn Novels to Read in Your Pajamas

Fall Reading List: Curl Up in your PJs with These Wistful Novels

The crisp fall weather inspires us to put on our warmest pajamas, curl up on the couch, and snuggle up with a soft blanket and a good book. Here we have listed our favorite fall reads across all genres. But what exactly constitutes a ‘fall read’?

When autumn sets in, the days get shorter and colder, making many people miss the carefree sun-filled days of summer. ‘Wistful’ is a word that is often used to describe books that give us a feeling of slight melancholy, usually brought on by nostalgia. Fall reminds us of childhood, school years, and signals that the holidays are just around the corner. Not all novels that remind us of fall take place in autumn. ‘Fall,’ in a feeling, is a mood that defines each of these moody classics.

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Fall Sleepover Ideas

How to Throw a ‘Pumpkin Spice’ Themed Slumber Party

Three words: pumpkin spice everything. After an absolutely gorgeous summer, fall has finally arrived on the East Coast and temperatures are slowly starting to drop. With school back in session it’s the perfect time for a cozy slumber party, whether you’re in middle school or you’re in college. What better way to celebrate the season than in your favorite pajamas surrounded by all things pumpkin spice?

Not only is pumpkin spice the caffeinated beverage of choice for many this time of year, it creeps into our soaps, candles, and pastries too. The scent makes you feel like you’re hovering over a warm apple pie. To capture this feeling of warmth and comfort we’ve assembled a list of our coziest slumber party must-haves for the perfect fall pajama gathering.

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Fall Fun Ideas in Flannel Pajamas

Fall is More Fun in Flannel! Some Things Are Just Better in PJs

Summer has officially come to a close. It won’t be long before pajama season is in full swing. Crisp fall air, brisk mornings, chilly nights, crunchy leaves, and cozy blankets slowly steer us indoors before winter. Fall is a season that is based largely on the sense of smell and soft, warm textures. Just the thought of freshly baked goodies, ‘pumpkin spice’ scented everything, wool sweaters, cashmere scarves, and pillowy down comforters are enough to make you want to crawl back in bed for a long nap.

With our internal clock set to hibernate, it’s no wonder we don’t want to get out of our pajamas until April. Here is a list of our favorite fall activities that are far better when enjoyed in the comfort of our favorite flannel jammies.

Ideas for Fall Family Fun

PJ Salvage Women’s Coffee Time Flannel Pajama Set in Dove

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7 Reasons to embrace cooler weather

1. Hot Chocolate – When the temps get chilly, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a decadent cup of hot chocolate.

2. Scarves! – Cooler weather means wrapping up in your favorite scarf before you head out.  We think stripes and plaids rule!

3. Reading by the fire – It’s that season again: Light a fire and get snuggly under the blankets with a good book and a latte.

4. Soups & Chili – Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup?  Hearty beef chili?  Nothing goes better with a cool day and PJs…

5. Be a couch potato – We love cooler weather because it’s even more of an excuse to relax on the couch in our jammies. Movie marathon? Pizza delivery? Netflix binge-watch? Mac and cheese and popcorn? Bring it on!

6. Cozy Sweaters – Time to break out our coziest sweaters.  And what the heck, shop for a few new ones. Need we say more?

7. Fall Hikes – Fall weather is perfect for getting bundled up, taking the family out, and exploring the trails. Then come back home and warm up with a hot toddy. #perfectday

Image via Padurariu Alexandru

 

5 Pajama Styles to Bring You into Fall

As the nights get a bit cooler, a pair of cotton or jersey PJs or pajama pants are a great way to transition into the new season.  We love cotton pajama sets because they can be easily mixed and matched: wear the pajama set on cooler nights, and change the long sleeve top out for a t-shirt or tank top when its warmer.

Cotton PJ pants can be worn the same way.  Wear with a t-shirt in summer and then when it gets colder, add a long sleeve t-shirt or your favorite cozy sweatshirt. Very versatile!

Looking for some new transitional PJs?  We’ve got you covered with the best of the best below!

FOR MEN

Bedhead Men’s “Diamonds Are Forever” Classic Cotton Pajama Set

$140

The Cat’s Pajamas Men’s “Mustache” Cotton Pajama Pant in White

$62

Click here for all of our men’s cotton pajamas.

FOR WOMEN

PJ Salvage Women’s Sweet Sets “Navy Dot” Lightweight Cotton Pajama Set

$63

Bedhead Women’s “Tropical Blooms” Classic Stretch Pajama Set

$140

Love + Grace “Bubbles” Women’s Pajama Set in Charcoal

$98

Fall Pajama Reading List

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”

-Groucho Marx

I don’t know about you, but falling leaves, golden light, and cooler temps just make me want to curl up with a cup of tea and get lost in a great book!  Here are the books making the top of our fall reading list…

First, here’s a book recommendation, from Ellie, our very own President and Founder:

Phantom Instinct by Meg Gardiner

There is nothing better than starting a book you simply cannot put down. My favorite writer extraordinaire of thrillers is my friend Meg Gardiner. Her latest book, out this past summer, “Phantom Instinct” appeared on the “Best Books of Summer” for O Magazine. The Associated Press said this about “Phantom Instinct”:

“’Phantom Instinct’ is simply a fantastic story, told at breakneck speed. Gardiner is one of the best thriller writers around, and this is arguably her best work yet. ‘Phantom Instinct’ is full of action and surprises and a few new twists… Gardiner’s latest stand-alone is one of this summer’s best reads.” Associated Press

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Initially I was intimidated by the 775 page count and somewhat mixed reviews, by I really loved this book.  I was pulled in by Theo the main character and found the plot very intriguing, from the tragic death of his mother through an unusual journey of relationships, trauma, guilt, and crime – all with the Goldfinch interwoven.

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

When her pregnant sister Tess goes missing and eventually found dead, Bee does everything she can to get to the bottom of what really happened to her sister.  A page-turning thriller!

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Set in Australia, this was a great story about three women who’s lives intersect in an unexpected way – with a secret that changes them all. This is a puzzle of a story and I found it interesting and suspenseful. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah

This is a  heartwarming and surprising tale of a young, feral girl who is found abandoned in a tree in the town of Rain Valley, in the Pacific Northwest, and the psychiatrist to cares for her.  A good story!

What’s on your reading list this fall?  Tell us in the comments below…

Photo Credit: cindiann via Compfightcc