Tag Archives: Pajama Fun

Fall Fun Ideas in Flannel Pajamas

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

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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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Bedtime Stories

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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!

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Summer Pajama Reading List

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 by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.

–Vera Nazarian

Happy Summer!  Tomorrow is the official first day! Whether you have plans this summer to lounge in your pjs, chill out by the pool, or maybe in the shady hammock under a tree, a good book is always a great companion.

Here are the books that have made my summer reading list…

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

This is a historically based fiction story about the Grimke sisters of Charleston, SC, who sparked the abolishionist movement.  Its an inspiring story, with each character struggling to break free, each in their own way.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Klein

Also a historical novel, this book is the story of  orphaned and abandoned children in the 1920’s in NY city who were sent out to the Midwest to find families.  Its heart-wrenching, but at the end you feel as though the main character has found her true family.

Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala

I have not read this one yet, but this was on the NY Times list of best book of 2013.  This is the memoir of Sonali Deraniyagala – her tale of surviving the 2004 Tsunami, but tragically losing her family.

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reich

This is the interesting and humorous life story of Ruth Reichl (former editor of Gourmet Magazine). She takes you through her quirky childhood which included her time in boarding school and her manic depressive mother who would have dinner parties serving  old, moldy food.  She also just released her first novel last month, Delicious.

Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

A dark, yet magical novel about a circus that only occurs during the night time hours.  Celia and Marco are two star-crossed lovers who must live out their destiny to become competitors.  I really didn’t expect to like this book as much as it did, but its a great read!

The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch

Another memoir, this is the charming story of a couple who decide to fulfill a life long dream of owning a bookstore, which they do in a small town in West Virginia.

What are you reading this summer?  Share with us below!

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Happy National Donut Day!

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by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Did you know that today is National Donut Day?

Apparently the Salvation Army created the special day back in 1938 to honor the “Doughnut Dollies”, which were the men and women volunteers who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.  You can read more about the history here.

When I was a kid my Dad would take my sister and I to Dunkin Donuts and I would always get the same thing every time: a chocolate creme-filled powdered donut. Yum!  By the time I was done eating it, I’d have powdered sugar all over the car and chocolate all over my face!

As an adult, I’ve graduated to my new favorite: the sour cream glazed donut…sooooo yummy and delicious with a cup of coffee.  If I had to rank my favorite things to do in pajamas, I would say munching on a sweet delicious donut with my coffee would be at the top of my list!

The cool thing is that several businesses that offer FREE donuts today!  To take advantage, here is a round up of places offering free donuts.

And, if you’re a donut lover like me, you must check out our fun confectionery PJs…

PJ Salvage’s 100% cotton capri-length pajama pants

And The Cat’s Pajamas adorable cotton poplin set…

We want to hear from you – what’s your favorite donut flavor?  Tell us in the comments below!

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6 Ways to Put a Smile on Your Face

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by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

You probably know by now, that at The Pajama Company, we believe in happiness!  And although in life you won’t feel happy 100% of the time, there are some simple things you can do right now to feel better.

Whether you’re having a bad day or just need an energy boost, here are some of our favorite ways to shift yourself to a better mindset and put a smile on your face!

1. Give Someone a Compliment

See someone with a cute dog or a cool pair of shoes? Did a co-worker just make an outstanding presentation?  Did the barista just make you the best latte you’ve ever tasted?  Well, tell them! Giving someone a meaningful compliment brightens their world and makes them feel seen and acknowledged.  And, the side effect is how good you’ll feel too!

2. Visit the Dog Park

Whether is the enthusiasm of a puppy or two dogs playing together and rolling in the mud – witnessing the carefree nature of dogs in the park is an awesome way to boost your mood.  If you can’t make it outside today, here’s a hilarious dog video to watch instead…even the first 10 seconds will crack you up!

3. Take a Dance Break

Drop everything, turn on a great song, and get your groove on!  There’s even proven research out there that dance helps to boost your mood and alleviate depression.

4. Tell Someone you Love Them

The first person who pops into your head – call them, send a text, or even go old-school and write a card and mail it.  It only takes a few minutes and I guarantee you and the recipient will feel wonderful.

5. Listen to the Pajama Song!

Have you ever heard our Pajama Song?  Well, its pretty much impossible to watch this video and not smile and sing along to the super fun and catchy tune!  Oh, and I have to mention that it was written and performed by none other than The Pajama Company’s own, Alex Badanes.

6. Play on the Swings

Remember how good it felt as a kid to hop on a swing, pump your legs with the wind in your hair, and swing to the sky?  As silly as it may feel at first, find a playground and get swinging!  Pure joy. There’s even a global campaign to install swings in cities around the world for the simple mission of infectious happiness.

Now its your turn!  We want to hear: what makes YOU smile?  Tell us in the comments below!

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Get Creative in Your PJs!

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by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Despite what many people think, it’s not just artists who possess the ability to be creative – the truth is that we are all naturally creative. Creativity expresses itself in many ways in our world – whether it’s the teacher designing an enriching learning experience for her students, an entrepreneur building a new business, or a writer penning his latest novel.

Creativity is a way to approach things.  And when it gets down to it, it’s all about each person expressing their own thoughts and originality.  Getting creative engages the right side of your brain rather than the analytical left side, which can be a real switch for a lot of people who are so used to valuing their thinking mind above all else.

So how can you consciously engage and capture your own creativity?

1. Allow Yourself the Freedom to be Comfortable

Doing things the same old way can stunt your creativity.  Sometimes what you really need is to break out of the norm.  We’ve talked about talked about doing your best work in your pajamas before.  Allowing yourself to relax is a great way to let ideas flow, and what better attire than in your comfy, cozy pajamas, right?  Whether you’re working on a legal brief, writing your dissertation, painting your first masterpiece, or cooking a gourmet meal,  lounging in your pajamas can help you to get into a totally different creative zone and may even insight you to look at your project in a whole new way.  All hail pajama time!

2. Keep a Notebook on Your Nightstand

Sometimes the best ideas come while you’re relaxed and asleep – whether its during a dream or in the time between sleep and wake. This is because we have access to our subconscious minds during sleep.  Famous creators Billy Joel, Stephen King, and Salvador Dali all reported that their dreams influenced their creative work in various ways.  The best way to capture this creativity is to write down your ideas as soon as you wake up.  So make a habit of keeping a notebook near your bed!

3. Journaling

We’ve mentioned the benefits of writing in a journal in a previous post, particularly in helping you to capture your goals and dreams. But, this activity can really help boost your creativity as well because it allows you to get new ideas out without your inner critic getting in the way.  Writing is a forum for free flow of thought, that might not otherwise take place without pen and paper!

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14 Ways to Turn Your Pajamas Into A Halloween Costume

Halloween Pumpkins

1. White footies and a gold crown makes you Max from Where The Wild Things Are.

Big Feet Jersey Footy $44

2. Put on your red “Bear Bottom” Flapjacks with a white or gray beard and an old hat and you’re Grandpa.

Bear Bottom FlapJacks $48

3.  Red and Blue plaid pajama pants with a red or blue  hoodie and a few Romney and Obama buttons makes you an Undecided Voter.boxer-redblueplaid

4. Tape googly eyes and a round orange nose to a red knit hat, pair with red footies and you’re Elmo.

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5. Pair our famous “Sushi” pajama with a chefs hat and you are a Sushi Chef.

The Pajama Company

6. Make a crown of paper petals, pair with green footies and you’re a Flower.

aquagirls

7. Combine our plaid flannel pajama pant with your favorite team hoodie plus sneakers or uggs and you’re a College Student.

8. Our Cupcake pajamas plus a tray of cupcakes and a crown makes you the Cupcake Queen.

thecats-cupcakes

9. Add a tail and ear to your leopard print footies and you’re a Leopard.pjsal-leopfootie

10. Tape a black jack o’lantern cut-out face on top of our orange top and bottom from Footzies and you’re a Pumpkin.

11. Put on flannel pajamas and glasses, carry a laptop and you’re a Blogger.

12. Put on our “Dog Person” nightshirt and carry some stuffed cuddly dogs with leashes and you’re a Dog Walker.

Dog Person Nightshirt

Dog Person Nightshirt

13. Pair our “Come to the Dark Side” pajama pant with red horns and you’re a Devil (who loves cookies).

14. For the truly lazy … put on this “Like “t-shirt and you’re a Facebook Profile

Happy Halloween!

Footie Fun

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Footed pajamas are often thought of as night wear for small kids, but both teens and adults are now wearing footies again!  Many older people like footie pajamas because they bring back memories of the fun they had in their childhood. Historians disagree on the history of the footed pajama. Some say they were brought from Persia in the 1800s, while others claim India was the place of origin and that they were brought to the West in 1880. The word “pajama” itself according to linguists originates from an Indian word meaning “leg clothes.”Pajamas rapidly grew in popularity in Europe where they helped people stay warm during the cold winter nights. By 1898, footed pajamas were advertised for sale in London, and their popularity continued to grow from that point.So why are footie pajamas so warm? Well, the fact that the pajamas are one-piece helps prevent heat from escaping too far from the body. With non-footie pajamas there are a lot of “vents” that allow the warmth generated by the human body to dissipate. The footie traps this warmth and allows it to circulate throughout the inside of the pajama area including around the feet. Since the feet are often the first thing to get cold, the footie pajama was really a blessing in helping people get to sleep in cold climates. Even in the modern age with our centrally heated homes, we can still use footed pajamas to help keep the heating bill lower while still sleeping comfortably.  In fact, saving electricity on heating also has the added benefit of reducing our impact on the environment.

While footed pajamas were originally popular with people of all ages, they eventually became worn mainly by children because of their sensitivity to the cold. However, teens and adults are again taking to these comfortable pajamas both for their warmth, and because they bring back cherished memories from their youth. Footed pajamas are just plain fun for all ages.  We think you will love our great selection of footies from Big Feet Pajama Company, Footzies and Snug as a Bug.