Sunday, February 17, 2008

I luvs me some flannel

Yesterday was quite simply a happy day. For the first time in months, the sun shone in Toronto AND the temperature was relatively mild. For the first time in months, I actually felt a spontaneous urge to leave my home and go exploring outside.

I had a mission in mind. This week, my favourite pink, flannel nightgown disintegrated. First the buttons began popping off, and then, when I rolled over in the middle of the night, there was a dramatic ripping sound,

PPPPPRRRRAAAAATTTTTTCCCCCHHHHHH!!!!

and the fabric at the right shoulder gave out completely.

I'm sorry to say goodbye to this nightgown. It's so old that I can't remember where or when I got it. The print is of cartoon sheep jumping over fences. In between lines of leaping sheep, it says "Count the sheep, Go to sleep, 1,2,3,4..." Isn't that sweet? I may shed a tear or two as I slice it up for rags.

(I'll pause here for a moment to let the less sentimental among my readers recover. I should have warned you that I might be triggering your gag reflex.)

Ken and I bundled up in our parkas and set off for The Great Downtown to shop for a replacement. Our destination was The Bay, currently the biggest and oldest department store in Canada. On our way down there we strolled along Yonge St. (Toronto's central thoroughfare, lined with interesting retail and always excellent for people-watching).

As we walked, I was struck by how many beautiful people were out on the streets. Everyone seemed energetic, healthy, and colourful. Eventually it struck me: it was the effect of seeing people lit by direct sunlight for the first time since October 2007. Yes, it's been that gloomy here and I've been indoors that much. S-U-N, you say? No, I'm afraid I don't remember... How do you pronounce it again?

We made our way to The Bay, and Ken, ever the good sport, came up to the Ladies Lingerie department and held both our coats while I browsed endless racks of sleepwear. In the end I got a great deal: I picked up two pairs of cotton, flannel P.J.'s, each with a bonus pair of matching fuzzy socks, for $11.99 each. Sweet! And they're cute, too:



Oooooh, look at the details....



Sorry guys, just one more and then the shopping torture will be complete:



As we we left the store, I gloated euphorically over the bargains I had found. I said to Ken:

See! That's why it's best to shop at the end of the season. They always have amazing sales.

Ken: What season? The sleeping season? People sleep all year round!

Well, I guess he has a point. Considering he sleeps in his boxer shorts, it doesn't make a lot of sense to him that I have winter pyjamas and summer pyjamas. Such is the simplified life of men.

17 comments:

Emma Gorst said...

...I love the flannel pjs I got on Boxing Day :-) And yes--shopping at end of season is a *great* idea. Mmmm, flannel!

Jameil said...

not a fan of flannel. tho i do have a FABULOUS grey flannel suit with a long pencil skirt. TOO gorgeous. "it was the effect of seeing people lit by direct sunlight for the first time since October" lmao!!! so dramatic and fab! you were right on pj season tho. clearly designers know you're not rockin the flannel pjs in july even in toronto!

Anonymous said...

So cute! I should send you my size so you can pick up a pair for me and send them to the states! : )

Jan said...

I'm a new visitor stopping by your site. Your PJs are so adorable! I don't sleep in flannel...nor do I sleep in pjs but they sure were cute! I'm from the South so the less worn, the better. =)
Have a Great Weekend!

R.E.H. said...

Amen to the simplified lives of men ;)

No PJ's for me!

Maxie said...

adorable! I actually can't sleep in long pajamas cause i get hot...but they're still so cute.

Pixie said...

Hi there thanks for stopping by =)

I can't wear PJbottoms I feel like my legs are suffocating. But yours are really cute. I like the red one alot =)

Jenski said...

Those should definitely suffice as replacements. They even come with matching fuzzy socks?! Hmmm...Makes me want to go shopping for new PJs too.

Warped Mind of Ron said...

PJ's?! Everthing is so complicated with women...

Stewie said...

I love busting out my flannel sheets in the winter because flannel sheets are the epitome of manliness.

I also have a pair of flannel Chucks floating around here somewhere. I need to dig them up, as I haven't worn them in ages.

And they keep my feet 1% warmer than my regular Chucks, so they were worth that extra money.

Sparkling Red said...

Aurora: Now you have to post photos of your PJ's too. ;-)

Jameil: Your suit sounds lovely. I have always thought of flannel as an "around the house" fabric, for sleepwear and bedsheets, but obviously I have not fully explored its possibilities.

Binky Ink: I'm sorry to report that those were the last two Smalls on the rack in those prints. However, you could still choose from purple polka dot or blue paisley. :-)

Tookie Tail: Thanks for visiting!

R.E.H.: Sometimes I'm jealous of men and all the things they don't have to deal with. But I wouldn't want to give up my PJ's.

Sparkling Red said...

Maxie: I'm almost always cold at night. I keep extra blankets on my side of the bed. I don't know how anyone sleeps naked - I can't even handle it in the summertime.

Pixievonazia: I can sort of relate. Once I bought a set of PJ's with leggings instead of loose pants, and I couldn't stand them.

Jenski: Yes, the fuzzy socks are awesome! I cannot tell you how enthused I am about the fuzzy socks.

Warped Mind of Ron: It's true. I have nothing to say in my own defense. We bring it on ourselves!

Stewie: I had to look up "Chucks" to figure out what you were referring to. Live and learn. :-)

Pixie said...

Well after you prayer for any meal ideas comes true throw some my way =) So I can cook them in my pj's =)

kate said...

Both of your new pairs of pyjamas are great ... I love the feel of worn flannel. I'm envious of the fuzzy socks.

Karen said...

I have flannel sheets so I cannot do the flannel pjs. I think I would start a fire with the friction if I tried to roll over.

Those sets are just too cute though. Good bargain hunting!

Tink said...

I LURVE me some comfy PJs. I just bought two pairs of fuzzy pants from Walmart. The dogs love them so much they just rub across my legs all night. :)

Sparkling Red said...

Kate: I'm looking forward to "breaking them in". They will get better with age.

Karen: I like to live dangerously. If I ever disappear from Blogland, you can bet that a flannel-on-flannel-ignited blaze was what did me in. ;-)

Tink: Aw! I bet if I still had cats it'd be the same story.