Category Archives: Uncategorized

In Wacky News: Bed Races

By Emily Friedman, The Pajama Company Summer Intern

As we all know, beds are traditionally used for sleeping purposes. However, a group of people (perhaps aliens?) have been using beds in entirely different ways. Unbeknownst to us here at The Pajama Company, “bed races” have been going on since the 1950’s.

In bed races, 4 or 5 people push a bed on wheels, while one individual sits atop the (usually ridiculously decorated) bed. In the celebrated Great Grove Bed Race, this push occurs over a distance of 1/8 mile. Eventually, the judges narrow down the competitors to 8 finalists who race to the finish. Bed races are typically judged based on theme, decor, and speed.

True to bed form, every participant in the bed race dons a classy set of pajamas, depending on the theme of their individual bed. Pirate pajamas, Hawaiian pajamas, and princess pajamas all make appearances at the bed races.

For aerodynamic purposes, we love these footie pants.

But for style, you have to go with the biking set.

They’re totally transportation themed!

Celebrating by Supporting: Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!  Today, Americans celebrate 236 years of independence. While most of us show our patriotism by throwing a barbecue, attending a town parade, or spending a day out on the water, we believe that there is more to celebrating the American spirit than hot dogs and fireworks. Especially with the American economy in a slump, there is no better day to support our American manufacturers.

Fourth of July on our summer pinboard via Real Simple.

Recently, ABC has created an initiative to make Americans more conscious of the origin of the products they consume. In a news segment called “Made in America,” ABC asked United States citizens including business owners, schoolteachers, and homemakers to evaluate the products in their homes and places of work, finding that the majority of the items were foreign made. This project illustrates the importance of making an effort to support our local and national economies by buying American-made goods.

As we discussed in an earlier post, The Pajama Company can help you to take part in this project by including a large selection of products that are made in America. Our “Made in America” section includes products from The Cat’s Pajamas, a company that makes pajama sets and pants in fun prints like sushi, cupcakes, and whales. Be As You Are brand includes a wide range of pajamas for men and women, including printed pajama pants, quirky tees, and boxers.  FGA makes a unique line of gift pillows with fun and personal sayings. Finally, Bed Head Pajamas take a preppy approach to men’s and women’s pajama sets, and has been worn most recently by the famous fashion designer, Rachel Roy.

Bedhead Men’s Home Run Egyptian Cotton Pajama

So come celebrate your red, white and blue spirit with The Pajama Company, and enjoy your Fourth of July festivities!

BYOP: Bring Your Own Pillow

By Emily Friedman, The Pajama Company Summer Intern

Many of us look back on childhood sleepovers fondly: baking cookies, movies, and the inevitable pillow fight. It begins innocently enough, an unexpected bonk on the head by a rogue down pillow. Before long, it dissolves into a full-fledged war, feathers flying in every direction. At the end, one victor emerges, proudly hoisting his or her victorious pillow.

Every year, in the Big Apple, you can relive these memories at the Pillow Fight NYC. This year, it was held on April 7th at Washington Square Park. Alliances form, blows are thrown, and laughter can be heard in droves. However, NYC isn’t the only place to enjoy an old-fashioned pillow fight. Cities and towns around the world celebrate International Pillow Fight Day, meaning you’ll have no trouble finding a place to practice your childhood skills. By the end of the day, you’ll be an expert at whacking people across the head with a pillow. Not to mention that by the time you finally get home to set your head on your actual pillow, you’ll be exhausted enough to fall right asleep.

Now, this pillow fight presents a good question, what do you wear? One could go with a breathable pair of shorts or a sassy pair of footies to distinguish yourself from the hustling and bustling crowd. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself amongst old friends, new friends, and pillow fight enemies.

Meet Another Pajama Company Intern: Emily Friedman

By Emily Friedman, The Pajama Company Summer Intern

Hello everyone! I’m Emily and I’ll be hopping onboard with the Pajama Company as a second summer intern!

1. Describe your favorite pajamas.

My favorite pajamas are a pair of footies I got at a thrift store up in Vermont. They’re striped, rainbow, snowflaked and I’ve worn them absolutely everywhere (including a McDonald’s on the way home from practice for ski team!).

2. What would your perfect day look like?

My perfect day would involve brunch out (bacon and pancakes a must), a trip to the beach, and a good book.

3. What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was actually a collection of poems. The Continual Condition by Charles Bukowski. I highly recommend it as long as you have a strong stomach.

4. What song is currently stuck in your head 

Birdy’s cover of Young Blood by The Naked and Famous. It’s become my summer anthem!

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

Simon’s Cat in the Box. I don’t think animation gets much cuter than this!

6. Winter or Summer?

That’s a tough choice. I’d probably go with summer just because of the sunny days.

7. Stripes or plaid? 

Plaid, plaid, plaid! It’s classic!

Meet Cat Fish the New Pajama Company Director of Outreach

By Cat Fish, The Pajama Company Director of Outreach

Hi Pajama Company Community!

My name is Cat and I am the newest addition at The Pajama Company. I am thrilled to be joining The Pajama Company because I share their philosophy that people should do (and wear) what makes them happy. What makes people happier than pajamas?

Editor’s Note: To help us get to know Cat, we asked her to answer a few very important questions.

1. Describe your favorite pajamas.

My favorite pajamas are the red and green plaid flannel pair I wear every Christmas. They are soft and cozy and remind me of eggnog and presents and being with family for holiday celebrations. Sometimes I wear them other times of year just to feel festive!

2. What would your perfect day look like?

I would sleep in, drink a big cup of coffee (or two) and eat brunch with friends all wearing our pajamas. We would venture out and discover a new place (right now I’m exploring different neighborhoods of New York City). Later on, I would take a nap with my cat and watch an episode of my favorite new show, Girls. At night, my friends would try an ethnic restaurant, see some live music, and end the night hanging out on a rooftop overlooking the city. I would, of course, finish the day back in my cozy pajamas reading a good book as I drift off to sleep. Sounds like a good day to me!

3. What was the last book you read?

I’m currently reading Do Something That Matters by TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie (borrowed from fellow Pajama Company employee, Jilly Badanes). Blake writes about his journey founding and building TOMS, and gives advice and inspiration for people who want to change the world. That’s why I’m so proud that The Pajama Company has partnered with Every Mother Counts, an advocacy and mobilization campaign to increase education and support for maternal and child health.

4. What song is currently stuck in your head?

“Dancing On My Own” by Robyn has been in my head all week. It’s on the playlist I’ve been listening to on the subway to work every morning, and it seems to sticks with me all day. Luckily, I love Robyn–so it’s actually a good thing.

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

Nothing makes me smile like a silly kitten video. This one is always on heavy rotation.

 6. Winter or Summer?

Oh that’s tough, but I think I’m a winter gal. I love the holidays, skiing in fresh snow, and drinking hot chocolate by the fire. Pajamas always play a bigger role in winter too, which is just icing on the cake.

7. Stripes or plaid?

Both. At the same time 🙂

8. Where is your favorite place to wear pajamas, outside of your house?

I like to walk to my local coffee shop wearing my pajamas on weekend mornings. If pajamas are cute enough, you can wear them anywhere!

London Calling: Olympic Game Festivities

By Makenzie Lynch, The Pajama Company summer intern

In honor of “Olympic Day” on June 23, we decided that a London-dedicated post was more than appropriate. Whether you are interested in the rich history of the royals, the elegance of the British accent, the fashion, or even the rock and roll, there is something very alluring about Great Britain.

Although the American fascination with Great Britain is far from a new phenomenon, there is no denying that our friends across the pond have been in the spotlight more than ever this past year. Between Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton, which drew 22.8 million viewers from the U.S alone, to the spectacle surrounding the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Britain has everyone talking. Nothing though, has generated more chatter than the 2012 London Olympic Games.

This summer, the London Olympics will give everyone a chance to enjoy their favorite British customs while patriotically rooting for the top U.S athletes. We’re already getting excited about the festivities here at The Pajama Company. We believe there is no better way to get in the Olympic spirit than to literally sleep, eat, and breath London cheer.

Our fun and super-soft “Brit Flag” pillowcases from Snooze City (pictured above) are sure to cover the “sleep” aspect of your celebration in a truly cheeky British fashion. As for the “breathing and eating,” we have a few suggestions for that too…

1.) Host a tea party to watch the games! Complete with cucumber sandwiches and miniature delicacies, this idea works for either young girls or ladies luncheon. For a Pajama Company twist, take your party past “high tea time,” throw in some pajamas, and turn it into a slumber party.

2.) Host your own Olympic games! Add some competition to your standard backyard barbeque and choose your own prizes.

3.) Change up your usual workout for some Olympic-style exercises. Play some tennis with a friend, shoot hoops with your kids, or time yourself swimming laps in the pool. These new activities are sure to recharge any monotonous workout routine.

4.) Check out what is happening around the Olympics in your neighborhood at the official Olympic website. https://olympics.com/ioc/olympic-day

The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic games starts July 27. Enjoy the festivities!

Pajamas in Public Can Be Chic

By Makenzie Lynch, The Pajama Company Summer Intern

As of recently, wearing pajamas in public has become not only acceptable, but trendy and fashion forward (if worn correctly, of course.) This season, style icons — from top fashion bloggers, to designers, to celebrities — have opted to take a comfier approach to fashion and wear their pjs in public. This is one fashion trend we can’t get enough of here at The Pajama Company. However, not everyone agrees with us.


 

As we discussed earlier this year, a few officials have tried to ban people from strutting around in their pajamas. Louisiana commissioner Michael William attempted to prevent residents in his district from appearing in public places wearing “garments sold in the sleepwear section of department stores.” A school in Vermont banned students from wearing pajamas to classes. A school in the U.K went so far as to forbid parents from wearing pajamas when picking up/dropping off their children.

Most of the reasoning behind these campaigns comes from the idea that pajamas are unprofessional and unkempt. However, this season we have seen that pajamas can be anything but sloppy. Model Miranda Kerr paired her blue ikat print pajamas with an oversized blazer, nude pumps and big sunglasses for an anything-but-messy airport look (shown above), while Rihanna went for a sleek oriental inspired look on the red carpet.  But one of our all-time favorite looks has to be Rachel Roy’s classic red carpet look in our Bed-Head blue and white stripe pajamas (shown below.)

We would be devastated if these bans kept our style icons, and most importantly the members of our Pajama Company community from trying out these ultra-chic pajama looks. So, in order to keep the pajama critics from talking, we have a few tips for putting your look together:

1.) Make sure your pajamas are crisp, clean, and wrinkle free.

2.) Keep hair and makeup simple and neat. (See Miranda’s sleek ponytail.)

3.) Accessorize! Add a structured blazer, great pair of shoes, a pretty necklace, or big glasses.

5.) Own it! Confidence always makes an outfit, so be proud of your original look and you will get the attention you deserve.

For more inspiration on how to put together a fabulous pajama outfit, take a look out our “Stepping Out” board on Pinterest!

Get Your Body Beach-Ready in Pajamas

By Makenzie Lynch, The Pajama Company Summer Intern

With all the talk about Father’s Day this weekend, we are reminded that summer is fast approaching. The remainder of June, July and August are sure to bring the heat.That means BBQ’s, beach vacations and, of course, bathing suits. It is around this time when many people are desperate to get in shape. But sometimes on those rainy days or weekend mornings, going straight to the gym can seem like the last thing you want to do.

Thankfully, there are many exercises that you can do in your pajamas. You can enjoy your free time nestled on the couch with a good book one day, and reading pool-side the next. One personal trainer shows viewers a few quick steps to staying fit in the comfort of your loungewear.

No need to change into exercise clothes like the trainer in the video. Simply pair this workout with a light-weight cotton pajama, like these summery apricot pants from PJ Salvage and you’re good to go.