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
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!
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
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
by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor
Here’s to enjoying something sweet this weekend!
Kate’s Sweet Dreams Pajama Party // Tom Kat Studio
Sweet & Sour // Be As You Are
Homemade Lemonade // No. 2 Pencil
Chocolate Boombox // Sugarfina
Simple Things // The Wheatfield
Happy Friday!
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
Playing with your kids
On top of the Eiffel Tower
Hanging out in your garden
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
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.
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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
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
Don’t you just love Saturday mornings? There’s nothing better than hanging out with family or friends on a Saturday morning and eating some delicious pancakes! In your pajamas, of course!
When I was a kid I loved weekends when we would lounge around and my Mom would make pancakes and bacon on the griddle or my Dad would fire up his waffle iron.
Traditions like this are really fun. They give you something to look forward to during the week and can help you feel more connected with your family. Its a nice feeling to know that no matter how busy your week is, if nothing else, you’re all going to gather around the table on Saturday morning and have a meal together.
If you’re single or an empty-nester and don’t necessarily have family in the house, you can totally still enjoy Pancake Saturday with people that to you love. Offer a standing invitation for friends, family, and neighbors to come over and join you for breakfast on Saturday mornings. Just tell them to stay in their pajamas, grab the mimosas, and head on over!
Here are some yummy pancake recipes to get you inspired to start your Saturday morning tradition!
We’ve shared it before, but here is a favorite Classic Buttermilk Pancake recipe again.
Red Velvet Pancakes with coconut syrup and blueberries. Yum!
Oooooh, Pumpkin Pancakes.
Oatmeal Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Oreo Cookie Pancakes. Oh my!
Milk Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes
Blueberry-Flax Pancakes. Less guilt? Maybe.
Pancake Lasagna. This is on my must-try list!
So tell us, do you have any special traditions with family or friends? Share with us in the comments below!
Photo Credit: elana’s pantry via Compfight cc
by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor
Have you ever wondered how pajamas came about?
According to Wikipedia, pajamas were first introduced back in the 17th century and were around for a brief time, and then went out of style. Around 1870 they were brought back into fashion by British colonials, and men began wearing them as sleeping attire.
From then on, pajamas stuck around and became the classic attire that they are today. Pajamas were worn for bed, lounging, daywear, and even at the beach. Pajamas come in a huge variety of styles today, and many vintage pajama styles were seen in old Hollywood movies from beautiful satin robes to classic two-piece pajama sets to silk nightgowns.
Here’s a look at some at the vintage old-Hollywood pajama style…
Sophia Loren in striped pajamas in the 1958 movie “The Key”. Image via
Doris Day on the set of “The Pajama Game”. Image via
Ginger Rogers circa 1935 in a tailored pajama ensemble. Image via
Joan Crawford from 1929 in beautiful embroidered pajamas. Image via
Pretty flapper style pajamas. Image via
Check out our full collection of vintage pajamas through the ages on our Pinterest page!
