Tag Archives: weekend

10 reasons to love rainy days

Why Rainy Weekends are Actually The Best

Science has proven over and over again that the weather has the power to affect our mood. Shorter days in the winter can make us feel depressed. Cloudy skies can make us feel tired and the sun makes us feel energized. That’s all well and good, but what’s wrong with a little rain? We actually think rainy days are kind of the best, especially during the weekend. Here’s why.

cute bear cotton pajama set

Daisy Alexander ‘Beary Happy’ PJ Set

10 Reasons to Love Rainy Weekends

1. You don’t “have to” go outside.

The great outdoors are, well, great. But after a long, grinding week there’s nothing better than waking up to the pitter patter of rain against your window pane. A rainy day means you don’t have to “make the most” of the weather by getting outside. There’s no reason you have to dust off your bike, go for a jog, take the dog hiking, or meet your friends for a sunny afternoon brunch. You can be an indoor cat without regret.

2. You can catch up on that new series everyone is talking about.

“What do you mean you don’t watch…?” Instead of smiling and nodding when your coworkers dish about That New Show on That Streaming Service, actually participate in the conversation for once. Use your rainy day to pop some popcorn, curl up on the couch, and binge watch a hot new series.

3. It’s hot chocolate weather.

Just because the holidays are over, that doesn’t mean that you have to punish yourself with boring cups of coffee and tea on a rainy day. Make yourself a big mug of hot cocoa with all the trimmings: marshmallows and candy canes if you still have a few lying around the kitchen — they don’t expire, right? Wrap yourself up in a cozy bathrobe and sip while you listen to the gentle sounds of rain outside. Hot chocolate is the ultimate rainy day treat.

4. You can go to bed early.

Even people with the most active social lives need a break every now and again. You’ll notice that on a rainy Friday night, your cell phone will stay blissfully silent. Almost every social butterfly takes advantage of a rainy night to stay in and recharge. So ditch the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), go to bed early, and wake up refreshed!

5. Pajamas for the win!

The number one, absolute bestthing about a rainy weekend is that you can stay in your pajama pants for 48 straight hours. Blustery wet weather makes us want to curl up under a warm blanket in our favorite flannels, so why not indulge? Put on your slippers and keep them on until Monday.

6. You can do that thing you said you’d do.

How are the New Year’s Resolutions going? Did you make a promise to yourself to get back into painting, read a book a month, try yoga? If you’re not into lazing about on a rainy day, use your gray weekend to get back on track. Read that book, find a yoga video on YouTube, or bust out your watercolors. Even if none of these items ended up on your list of resolutions, using this time indoors to exercise your mind will help you feel more energized when you go back to work on Monday.

7. Takeout tastes better when it’s raining.

It’s a fact: food always tastes better when you don’t have to cook it. Second fact: a comforting container of takeout always tastes better when it’s cold and rainy outside. Take a day off from grocery shopping and order the pizza, pad thai, buffalo wings, or tofu and broccoli you’ve been dreaming about. Then plant yourself on the couch and savor every last bite.

8. You can practice self-care.

In this age of unparalleled connectivity, we really do have to practice self-care. Putting our health and wellness first isn’t an instinct for most modern adults. We have to learn to set time aside to take care of our ourselves. Take a bath, paint your nails, or take a nap. A rainy weekend is the perfect time practice a little self-care.

9. You can do chores without doing much.

Do you know it’s going to rain this weekend? Park your car in the driveway, soap it up, and walk away. Or put your indoor plants outside for a natural watering. Check “water the lawn” off your to-do list. These tiny life hacks can help you feel semi-productive while you spend the rest of the day binge-watching shows on Netflix in your PJs.

cute umbrella pattern pajamas

Ready for a PJ party in the Daisy Alexander ‘Rainy Day’ Classic Pajama Set

10. You can host a pajama party.

If you don’t feel like going out but want to be social, invite a few friends over for a “pajama party.” Encourage them to wear their PJs or their favorite sweatpants, order pizza, open a bottle of wine, and watch a movie together. Nothing makes your home feel cozy on a rainy night like friends and jammies.

We hope this fun little list helps you see the silver lining during your next rainy weekend! For more ideas for family fun, visit The Pajama Company Blog at thepajamacompany.com/blog. Don’t forget to check out our new private label, Daisy Alexander, for the perfect rainy day attire!

Best Rainy Day Pajamas daisy alexander

Light Brunch Ideas for the New Year

Lighten Up with These Post-Holiday Brunch Ideas

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s we stuffed ourselves with savory indulgences and sweet treats. January is a time when we like to “get back to basics” and offset the decadence of the holiday season with healthier options.

Healthier, lighter choices are challenging to make in the middle of winter. It’s easier to follow your self-imposed restrictions during the workweek, when you’re distracted and far from your refrigerator. However, the weekends don’t lend themselves to salads.

When it’s blistering cold outside and you’re cozy and warm in your flannel pajamas on a Saturday morning, you want nothing more than a steaming hot cup of coffee and a heavy, hearty brunch.

You don’t have to forgo your leisurely weekend meals in your jammies. Simply swap out your signature French toast casserole for one of these delicious options that are heavy on flavor and light on guilt.

10 Light Brunch Ideas for the New Year

1. Butternut Squash-Kale Hash from Health.com

This sweet and savory Butternut Squash-Kale Hash is ready to enjoy in just over thirty minutes. The mix of superfoods with the low-carb satisfaction of butternut squash is sure to warm you up in the morning. Finishing the dish with a crispy fried egg, with its gooey soft center, also satisfies our craving for a cheesy topping.

Get the recipe on health.com

2. Mixed Berry Vanilla Baked Oatmeal from Julie’s Eats & Treats

The French toast casserole we mentioned earlier? Swap it out for the sweet taste of fresh berries and fragrant vanilla in this Mixed Berry Vanilla Baked Oatmeal. This is a warm, comforting dish that you can feel good about, with your feet up on the couch in your favorite footie pajamas.

Get the recipe on julieseatsandtreats.com

3. Light & Spicy Turkey Sausage Breakfast Burrito from The Creative Bite

This is an absolute favorite! Not only is this Light & Spicy Turkey Sausage Breakfast Burrito a satisfying addition to a weekend brunch, this recipe can be made ahead and frozen for an on-the-go meal during the week. It’s easy to throw together and contains a fraction of the fat of pork sausage.

Get the recipe on thecreativebite.com

4. End-of-Summer Zucchini Mushroom Frittata from Life is But a Dish

Remind yourself of warmer days with this lightened up End-of-Summer Zucchini Mushroom Frittata. Ok… stay with us… we are well aware that we are far from the “end of summer,” but if we’re being honest, all of these veggies are available — and inexpensive! — in your grocery store throughout the year. Topped with salty, savory feta, this frittata will satisfy your deepest darkest brunch cravings.

Get the recipe on lifeisbutadish.com

5. Crustless Vegetable Quiche from Recipe Runner

Everyone loves a good quiche. If you are torn between “brunching out” or “brunching in” and sticking to your New Year’s resolution, this Crustless Vegetable Quiche is the recipe for you. You could easily swap out the spring veggies for vegetables that are more readily available. Regardless of what veggies you choose, ditching the crust means you save yourself countless calories. Calories that can be better spent enjoying a mimosa in your bathrobe

Get the recipe on reciperunner.com

6. Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Apple Hash from Worth Cooking

Sometimes you can’t skip the bacon. Subbing traditional russet potatoes for sweet potatoes means you are going to get more nutritional bang for your buck — which totally cancels out the bacon (we’re basically nutritionists… not). Incorporating apples and sweet potato in this Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Apple Hash definitely does take the edge of the guilt. In the end, isn’t that all that really matters?

Get the recipe on worthcooking.net

Light Egg Dish for the New Year

‘Italian Eggs’ from Cook the Story

7. Italian Eggs (aka ‘Eggs in Purgatory’) from Cook the Story

This recipe for Italian Eggs, better known traditionally as ‘Eggs in Purgatory,’ is light on calories but packed with the robust flavors we crave when we think of Italian cooking. The dish consists of eggs simmered to perfection in a hearty tomato sauce, then sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. The red pepper flakes give the dish a spicy kick that will warm you up on a cold January morning.

Get the recipe from cookthestory.com

8. Avocado Toast with Turkey and Egg from The Lemon Bowl

You can’t brunch without avocado toast, or so we’re told. This Avocado Toast with Turkey and Egg is a deeply satisfying healthy breakfast-lunch-or-dinner dish. Hearty multigrain toast, topped with creamy avocado and a decadent runny fried egg will keep your fatty breakfast cravings under control. Additionally, the extra-lean protein punch of sliced turkey will keep your hunger in check until your next meal.

Get the recipe from thelemonbowl.com

Fuzzy Duck Slippers from Aroma Home

Did someone say fuzzy slippers? ‘Duck Slippers’ by Aroma Home.

9. Bacon and Asparagus Frittata from The Roasted Root

Put on your warmest, fuzziest slippers because this Bacon and Asparagus Frittata is classic lightened-up comfort food. With only four ingredients (!!!) you can prep this dish in just ten minutes. Ideal for a lazy Saturday morning. This recipe calls for four slices of thick cut bacon, which infuse each of the frittata’s 6+ servings with the savory bacon goodness you’re craving. Top with avocado, because why not?

Get the recipe from theroastedroot.com

10. Whipped Yogurt with Spiced Berry Compote from The Worktop

We’ve rounded out this brunch list with a sweet finish in the form of a Whipped Yogurt with Spiced Berry Compote. A yogurt parfait is something that we think of during the summer months, but the cinnamon, anise, and vanilla of this spiced berry compote warm up this sweet dish with the flavors of winter.

Get the recipe from theworktop.com

For more ideas on how to live your best life in the New Year, visit The Pajama Company on our blog or check us out on Facebook.

Five for Friday: Easy Living

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

Pancake Saturdays

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