DIY Cozy, Comfy PJs

The Perfect Pair to Snuggle up in This Season or For a Great DIY Gift!

Difficulty Level: EASY

What You'll Need:

• A Pair of Scissors
• A pair of PJ pants that fit you
• A sewing machine and your choice of thread
• Pins
• Elastic
• Large Safety Pin
• About 2 yards of flannel or polar fleece in your choice of colour
• lace or any other trimmings *Optional

Get Everything Ready

1. Lay out your fabric on a large surface and fold in half longwise (hotdog style)
2. Place your original PJs on top folding them directly on the seam, so you can only see one solid panel of fabric at a time
3. Leaving about an inch all the way around cut out the shape of the front, if your current PJs are elastic waist make sure to add additional space at the top otherwise these will be too small!
4. Do the exact same with the remaining fabric for the back pattern- you should now have four sides!
5. With the scraps of the fabric (still folded) cut around your hand to make a pocket, then use these pieces to cut out another exact pair.
6. Cut a long strip from the scrap fabric to make a mock bow drawstring- *this is optional

Start Sewing!

1. Stitch along the long strip of fabric for your drawstring, leaving either end open and cut with pinking shears along the edge or carefully close to edge with normal scissors. Turn inside out with a safety pin and tie little knots on either end, trimming any necessary threads
2. Stitch along the outside of your pockets (right sides together), if you have a surger, surge the edges after if not- just switch your sewing machine to a zig zag stitch and do the same. Do both sets of pockets
3. Sew the crotch together (right sides together) on the front pattern of your PJs, then surge/zig zag the edges. Repeat with the back pieces.
   
4. Open the stitched together legs and place right sides together so now you can see what your PJs will look like. Match them up at the seam on the crotch and sew downwards on the edge to the end of the leg, and then repeat for the other leg seam. Surge/zig zag the edges.
5. Figure out where you want your pockets to start (HINT: if you have low waist they will start a few inches from the top, if you have a longer waist it will be several inches down) Mark them with pins the length of your cut out pocket. Make sure to only mark from the seams of the pocket not the whole length
   
6. Sew the sides of your PJs together back stitching when you hit the start of your pocket, and picking up again where your pocket ends, back stitch, and all the way down to the bottom of the leg. Surge/ Zig zag the edges, being sure to skip over the pocket area. Repeat for other side. 
7. Turn your pockets inside out, doing the same to your now sewn PJs, Stick the pocket from the outside through the hole you left on the side of the leg. Match up the fabric (right sides together) and pin. Sew around the circle of the pocket from the inside and surge/zig zag after. Push your pocket to the inside of the pant and repeat on the other side.
   
8. Fold down the edge of the waist of your PJs and stitch all the way around, fold it over again making sure to leave enough room for your elastic to be threaded through (Style hint: Mens look better with wider elastic and small elastic is good for dainty Womens) and pin.
9. Sew carefully around the waist leaving about half an inch from the start open. When you're done sewing, thread the elastic through the small opening with a large safety pin (push the safety pin through the edge of your elastic and close the pin then use this as a guide to thread through your fabric).
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Once you've threaded the elastic all the way through make a cross box stitch stitching the two edges of the elastic together to ensure it holds.
11. Then stitch up the opening. If you chose to make a drawstring, tack down the center of the string on the front of your PJs. Then tie it into a decorative bow. 
12. Lastly fold the hems of your PJ pants down and sew around, fold up again at desired length and sew around once more. You may add any additional trimmings if desired. 
    

Viola! See, not so bad? You can have fun enchanting them in any way you want with top stitching, lace or actual drawstrings. Make a matching pair for you and your boo, or make several to gift out to your friends this season. Perfect for anyone!

Now Pour Yourself a Cup of Hot Chocolate 

and Put Those Comfy Suckers On!

30 Day Squat Challenge

The Lazy Girl's Guide to Fitness

I found a 30-day squat challenge on Pinterest (I have a serious Pinterest problem, you can check out my boards here) and decided to take it on. I liked it because it was only a 30 day commitment and it was easy to fit into my busy schedule so it left me out of excuses! Oh back in my day I was ridiculously in to being fit and in shape, I did gymnastics, track, volleyball and went running on a regular basis. I worked out 6-7 days a week, and what's more I loved it. Welp, it's like I don't even know who that girl is anymore! Between busy schedules and the little down time I do get I just end up wanting to hang out with the boy, leaves minimal negotiation for a strict or even somewhat consistent work out schedule. Bottom line when it comes to working out. I'm just lazy!

Someday I'll get back to a regular routine. . . someday.

In the meantime I'll keep challenging myself to small routines and giving them the old college try! This one actually did make a difference and trust me I did NOT do any other working out (except a few block dash to catch a train) and since it fell directly over Thanksgiving I ate a little more unhealthily than I normally do, so for not much effort I'd say pretty good results. If you incorporated it into a normal routine I know it would do wonders for your legs!

 These are horrible pictures for which I apologize and London making an appearance in bottom left corner of the befores, but you can tell I got a little shape and definition in my thighs in the after photos! I could tell my legs were stronger and I really even felt like my stomach was flatter, so hey an added bonus! 

Here's the 30 Day Squat Challenge:

1. 50 squats
2. 55 squats
3. 60 squats
4. Rest
5. 70 squats
6. 75 squats
7. 80 squats
8. Rest
9. 100 squats
10. 105 squats
11. 110 squats
12. Rest
13. 130 squats
14. 135 squats
15. 140 squats
16. Rest
17. 150 squats
18. 155 squats
19. 160 squats
20. Rest
21. 180 squats
22. 185 squats
23. 190 squats
24. Rest
25. 220 squats
26. 225 squats
27. 230 squats
28. Rest
29. 240 squats
30. 250 squats

It starts you off nice and easy so there is no excuse not to give it a try! I just did it everyday before a shower and there were a couple days I forgot so I just made up for them on the next 'rest' day. Easy enough! 

Here are a couple more lazy girl tips to fitness:

• Take the stairs every chance you get, those few extra steps eventually add up!
• Cut out bread, skip the bun on that burger or switch to a whole wheat wrap instead of a sandwich
• Stock up on vegetables and lean protein like farm-free salmon
• Eat smaller portions through out the day and not heavy meals to boost your metabolism
• Do squats or other simple stretches while you wait for your coffee to brew in the morning  
• Opt for a tart green apple for a treat instead of a chocolate bar, will taste just as sweet!
• Replace all beverages with good ol' fashion water
• If it's reasonable choose to walk instead of driving or catching the subway

Staying healthy doesn't have to mean turning into a gym rat, you can make small choices everyday that make a BIG difference in your life and that are easy to stick too!

Chloe + Isabel

Excited to Announce I'm a Merchandiser!

If you didn't catch it in my Black Friday post, I am excited to announce that I am now a merchandiser for Chloe + Isabel jewelry! It is a start up company, founded and based out of where else but, New York City! Everything is designed here in NYC and each piece is hand crafted,  can you believe that? All jewelry is hypo-allergenic (thank goodness because my skin is ridiculously sensitive) and nickel free and every item is backed by a life time guarantee to boot! Get it caught in you jacket and break that new necklace- send it in and they replace it wether you bought it a month ago, a year or five! Crazy, right?! 

They don't sell wholesale or in ANY retail outlet they sell directly through people like me, the merchandisers! I love that it leaves me flexibility with my schedule and that I can do things my way. That also means I can bring great giveaways and discounts to YOU! (Little heads up- I've got a great giveaway planned for the New Year so stay tuned!) Can't wait until then? Shop my boutique for all your stocking stuffer and gal pal needs now. 

Use the code: FRIEND for 25% off your entire purchase!

That means you can snag adorable deals like these for as low as $16! 

I'm crossing off all the girls on my list now- there is seriously something for everyone. Hurry, discount is only until the 11th! 

  

I wouldn't represent something I don't believe in and I find

Chloe + Isabel wonderful for so many different reasons:

• It's a start up - I love supporting other entrepreneurs and small businesses
• It's fashionable- love the style and so have Vogue, Style and Glamour magazines!
• It was founded by a woman- call me a feminist but I'll always support this
• They back up their products with a life time guarantee so you know you're getting your moneys worth
• It gives women like me the chance to work from home rather than selling out to massive stores
• They come up with incentives for people to host Chloe+Isabel parties every month

So excited to start this new endeavor and experience in my life!

If you want to be a host and earn free jewelry send me a message 

even if you're not in the New York area I can help you out!