Raise your hand if you need a long weekend! I don’t know about you guys, but we’re totally pooped out from that gym membership we’re sporadically using now that it’s February. President’s Day is right around in the corner just in time for a little R&R in your pajamas. Even better? Netflix just added a slew of movies to its collection, so we’re going to give you ten excuses to stay in bed this weekend.
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.
PJ Salvage Women’s Coffee Time Flannel Pajama Set in Dove
Not surprisingly, one of our favorite things to do in our cozy PJs, is to settle in under the blankets with plenty of snacks and watch a good show marathon. Here are some of our favorite binge-worthy shows:
1. Gilmore Girls
If you don’t know this show, you’ll love the wit and banter of Rory and Lorelei – mother and daughter and best friends living in the small town of Stars Hollow. Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaides, Tammy) also plays Lorelei’s friend and coworker in a more tame, but still funny role.
We love that these girls are the queens of movie nights that usually consist of classic old movies, candy, popcorn, and take-out of kinds. What’s more, they’re often seen wearing the fun prints of PJ Salvage. Oh, and there’s seven seasons of this show so be prepared for the long-haul!
2. The Fall
Gillian Anderson (Skully from the X Files) stars in this thriller as a detective in Belfast trying to catch a serial killer. It’s dark, serious, and a great story. Prepare to be creeped out! Fun fact: The killer is played by none other than Jamie Dornan, of the Christian Grey fame.
3. Last Tango in Halifax
After 60 years apart, two widowed high school sweet hearts finally get together – reunited through Facebook, of course. This may sound a little sleepy, but actually quite interesting and entertaining – particularly the troubled lives of their grown-up daughters. Try it, you’ll be hooked!
4. Parenthood
Parenthood is a family show that actually feels authentic and close to real life. It has an awesome cast including Lauren Graham from The Gilmore Girls and really great characters. It’s surprisingly good and it will leave you totally wanting to be a Braverman!
5. House of Cards
A dark and devious political drama with Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright as husband and wife. You definitely have to have an interest in politics to watch this, but the relationship between husband and wife is pretty intriguing as well. Bonus? Robin Wrights’s character Claire can be seen wearing some pretty fabulous silk pajamas!
6. Heart of Dixie
Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) is a NY doctor who ends up in the small southern town of Bluebell, Alabama. So this show can be a little silly at times, but it’s simply sweet and charming. If you need something light or more family friendly, this is your show.
7. Scandal
Olivia Pope plays a former White House staffer who opens her own crisis management firm. There are tons of twists and turns in this show and it’s admittedly a little Soap Opera-ish, but for some reason it hooks you. What we really love: Olivia Pope’s outfits, especially her fluffy robes and PJs and giant glasses of red wine!
Oh, and you SHOULD be forewarned of the dangers of binge-watching…here’s a cautionary tale from Portlandia:
“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.”
-Fyodor Dostoyevsky
One of the best things about the cooler months is having hot tea on a more regular basis. You can really drink hot tea anytime, but enjoying a cup of tea in your PJs can become a nightly ritual to look forward to in fall and winter.
Here are some fantastic teas to try!
Harney & Sons
African Autumn – Delicious flavor! This is an herbal tea made with Rooibos, a South African red bush, and flavored with orange and cranberry. Not only does it taste really good, it makes the whole room smell divine while your brewing it! A great choice for fall.
Love Life – Visit the Harney & Sons tasting room in Millerton, NY and you’ll be hooked. We can’t enough of this one. It’s a green tea with coconut, vanilla, and strawberry and it’s delicious!
Yogi – Honey Lavender Stress Relief – This is another Rooibos based tea. The lavender and chamomile make this one really soothing and relaxing. One you’ve had a cup, you’re ready for bed!
Good Earth – Sweet & Spicy – This tea has a really tasty cinnamon flavor and is equally good hot and cold. It doesn’t need any sugar so it’s a great one to drink if you’re watching your calories. Even if you’re not big on cinnamon, give it a whirl. It actually has a very similar flavor to the Chai Tea that Oprah recently released with Teavana.
Do you have a favorite tea or tea ritual? Tell us about it below!
P.S. – Did you know that George Orwell actually wrote an essay on crafting the perfect cup of tea called “A Nice Cup of Tea” back in 1946? Check it out…
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.
It’s really no secret, but around The Pajama Company we’re always looking for things to do in our pajamas! We believe in being cozy and feeling good, and part of feeling good is finding new ways to take care of ourselves and improve our lives. And, like I said, if we can be cozy in our pjs while we do it – it’s a win-win!
Journaling is a great pj-worthy activity. Many studies show that journaling helps people to reduce stress. Writing can help to process emotions that may otherwise just get stuffed down and eventually have a negative impact on the body. It provides a way to work through problems and to sort out thoughts. After all, it’s said that the average person has approximately 50,000 thoughts per day. At that rate, they could use some help!
Journal writing also helps to bring clarity around goals and dreams. The act of capturing what you desire on paper helps you to be more conscious of what you really want in your life. If you know what you actually want, you’re more likely to come up with a game plan to make it happen.
Incorporating a journaling practice into your day is a great way to spend a little quiet “me” time. This means setting aside time each day to spend writing. All you really need is a few minutes. You might choose to journal first thing in the morning over a cup of coffee. Or maybe you prefer to write just before you go to bed at night. If journaling everyday seems like a lot, commit to doing it once a week and see how that works for you.
Get Started!
Here’s an easy way to get started journaling: create a gratitude journal. Each day, focus on and write down three things that you are most grateful for. This practice of appreciation can work wonders!
Our beautiful blue hardbound Dream Every Day Journal is a great place to capture your thoughts, dreams, and appreciation. It even has great quotes sprinkled throughout for extra inspiration!
“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.”
