For some, taking time to relax is daunting.  For some, life is such a whirl that stepping away even for a moment is stress inducing.  Funny how it’s possible for lounging to be stressful.  For some, it truly is.   For the type A, overstressed we say start the process of relaxing a little slower.  Start by coming home and just doing a quick change from work clothes to pj’s or boxers.  Something so simple can work very well to melt away a few tense muscles. It’s you saying, “I’m home.”  You’ve officially left the office, the playground, the sports field, the “Mom” taxi.  You may still have tons to do but putting on pj’s means you are home.  Many tell us that they do their best work in pajamas and we believe it.

We love to talk about lounging and love lounging in pj’s.  We know grabbing a little quiet time is so healthy and rejuvenating.  Find your “Happy Place” and go there, even for just a moment.  You will thank yourself.

Summer is the time to smile a little more, laugh a little more and simply do what you love a little more.

"Fairgrounds" from Munki Munki $94

"Meow" from PJ Salvage $52

"Peace Love & Happy Hour" PJ Pant from Be As You Are

"Cupcakes" from The Cat's Pajamas $86

"Sailing Dogs" from Hatley Nature $34

"Carolina Paisley" from Bedhead $142

"Tennis" from Munki Munki $94

"Book Lover" from Frankie & Johnny $64

"Whales" from Munki Munki $94

We think pajamas are just for you and are a fun way to show what you love.

Celebrate Spring with Pajamas!

Life is good Snuggle Sock in Riveria Blue

Life is good Hibiscus Snuggle Sock in Pink Sorbet

Life is good Daisy Snuggle Sock in Spring Green

Life is good Pink Hearts Snuggle Sock

Life is good Rivera Blue Snuggle Sock

Life is good Rouge Snuggle Sock

Life is good Striped Snuggle Sock in Pink Sorbet

Life is good Striped Snuggle Sock in Sky Blue

Life is good Sunny Yellow Snuggle Sock

Which Snuggle Sock is your favorite today?

So it is with “Goodnight, Moon,” one of the most beautiful bedtime stories ever written. With spare, elegant prose, and lush illustrations that invite you to linger in the pages of the book long after you have fallen asleep, “Goodnight, Moon” is the story of a bunny rabbit who wishes every item in the house a good night’s rest. Simple, yet affecting, this book was originally published in 1947, and remains a staple of nighttime storytelling.

While still on a bunny rabbit theme, the adventures of “Bunnicula” are excellent bedtime fare for the slightly older child. The amusing stories of a vampire bunny, as told by the family’s dog Harold, will encourage kids to develop not only their imaginations, but their sense of humor and adventure.

Picture-based books, especially those that feature glossy, full color photographs or renderings of fantastic ancient cultures, will enrich a child’s dreams, and invigorate the desire to explore. “See Inside an Egyptian Town” features detailed cross-sections of ancient Egyptian dwellings, palaces, and pyramids. Nothing is more exciting than the sensation of being able to peer into the past, especially when that past involves such magnificent monuments and artifacts as ancient Egypt.

Despite the fact that the “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” was deemed to be suitable bedtime reading for the characters of the grandfather and grandchild in the television series “Mad Men,” analytical historical texts should not necessarily be employed as a way to put children to sleep. However, more complex fictional fare, such as Madeline L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” can make for quite exciting bedtime reading for exceptionally advanced children. A child will never forget the experience of reading an entire novel, night by night.

No matter the specific book, bedtime stories instill in us a feeling of being loved. To read, and be read to, is an experience that stays with us long after the lights have been turned off.

Here are a few of our featured bedtime stories just for kids:

Bear Snores On is a sweet story about a bear who just loves to sleep $16

It’s Too Soon is about a little bunny who isn’t quite ready for bed $14.95

Little Quack’s Bedtime is about bedtime for Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, Puddle and Little Quack  $14.95

The Life of Pajamas is about how one very special pair of pajamas spends the day $11

But then, finally, the kids are in bed. You pull your pajamas from the drawer and slip them on, savoring their soft, comfy feel. You finish the ensemble with a pair of fuzzy socks and then drop, exhausted, into the recliner in the living room. You curl up under a blanket to your favorite book or television show and feel the stresses of the day melting away.

Is there anything more blissful than slipping into your favorite pair of pajamas at the end of a trying day? Whatever your personal preferences – cool cotton, cozy flannels, pj pant with tee, footies or lounger sets; gentle, subdued tones or bright, vivid colors – there is just something about pajamas that makes you happy.

Perhaps it’s the feel of the pajamas, the fabric rubbing against your skin, cool in the summer and warm in the winter, arousing your senses. Maybe it’s the ritual: the predictable, routine winding down for bed at the end of the night counteracts the chaos of the day. Or it could be purely psychological – the very act of shedding the clothing of your hectic days and donning the attire of rejuvenating sleep puts your mind at ease, getting you ready for a gentle repose. More than likely, it’s a combination of all three.

Whatever the reasons, climbing into pajamas does indeed relax the tired muscles in your body and the slow competing thoughts racing through your brain. Pajamas wash away the realities of the day and replace them with your most favorite dreams, your stargazing fantasies.

In fact, when the pressures of life become overwhelming, have you ever spent an entire Saturday in your favorite pair of pajamas? It’s the ultimate defiance against the rest of the world, against everyone telling you what to do and how to do it. You decide how to live your life. You decide to enjoy an entire day curled up on the couch in the most comfortable fabric you can fathom. The stresses of the world fade away, and the day is yours to enjoy in your calming, happy pajamas!

Hear more music from Love Via Dance Machine at http://www.myspace.com/loveviadancemachine.

The Pajama Company, a leading online sleepwear retailer, is pleased to announce it is now selling pillowcases from Snooze City Designs.  The colorful graphic pillowcase sets feature creative designs, photographed images, and fun phrases when the two cases are placed together.

Ellie Badanes, founder and owner of The Pajama Company, said the brand perfectly fits with the goal of her company: making lounging fun.

“At the Pajama Company we believe no part of your life should ever be dull, your bedroom included!  These pillowcases jazz up the most important room in your house, making it fun, unique and a little silly,” says Ellie.

Snooze City’s Michael Azria and Derek Mosher launched their line of “the world’s hippest pillowcases,” as they describe them, in 2007 “to take plain existing products, and to add a fun and modern element to them,” they said.  Since then, the pillowcases have been featured in Teen Vogue, People Magazine, Life & Style and Nylon.

“They make the perfect gift,” says Ellie.  “The aviator sunglass design would be a great fit for a fashionista, the rocker will love the ‘plugged in’ set of a guitar and amp, and the ‘pass out here’ cases would be a hit in any college dorm room.”

The Pajama Company is selling 15 designs for $28 per set.  Each set includes two standard size pillowcases made of a super-soft cotton and nylon blend, 210 thread count.

In addition to pillowcases, The Pajama Company offers a wide selection of sleepwear for men, women, and children.  All pajamas and accessories are available for sale at www.thepajamacompany.com.