The Cat's Pajamas: 31 Days in PJ's

First and foremost you all need the backstory to this lovely little challenge. It all started because I’m demanding. Being that I’m sweetly cursed with a birthday that falls on Valentine’s day, I have always forced my girlfriends to ditch their prospective and/or current boyfriends to honor the day of my birth rather than a day of cheap chocolates, and forced attention due to a hallmark-contrived holiday. 

So to anyone that knows me, it should come as no surprise that I wanted to celebrate my day of birth somewhere amazing and exotic… Only problem? All my girlfriends have big girl jobs and PTO is not only a sacred commodity, but is typically saved for one personal trip, and then long weekends here and there. Being completely oblivious to this common dilemma, I informed my best friends that this years destination would be Maderas Village in Nicaragua. 

My girlfriends didn’t miss a beat. Almost instantly, flights were being booked, deposits paid, and time was being requested off. You also have to realize the gravity of the situation… not only am I asking them all for a week of their precious PTO, but I’m also asking them to leave their respective fashion jobs right in the middle of New York Fashion Week… a cardinal sin. 

My best friend Cat was struggling to find ways to stretch her vacation days and decided to get creative. She is a Digital Copy Writer at a large lingerie and sleepwear manufacturing company called Komar and in a relentless effort to come on my birthday trip, struck up a bet that would change her life.

The Bet:  

She made a bet with her boss that she could pull off wearing pajamas (from Komar) everyday for the entire month of January. Not just to the office, but to industry events, happy hours, and dinner parties alike. She had to look business appropriate, fashion forward, and flawless everyday… in PAJAMAS!

The Stakes: 

If Cat can successfully pull off wearing pj’s for the entire month of January, she gets an EXTRA week of PTO… more valuable then gold in the corporate world (or so I’ve heard hehe). If she looks sloppy, not appropriate or gets called out for “noticeably wearing PJ’s” the bet is off. If she loses… it’s no extra paid time off AND she has to plan and host her bosses two year old's birthday party. A total drag for any busy 25 year old New Yorker.

Starting at midnight on New Years Eve, Cat has been SLAYING every single day. She’s been styling pajamas like a boss, from slips with turtlenecks, to silk pajama tops with skinny jeans… she is making this look not only effortless, but incredibly chic. 

To bring awareness and support to her #31daysinPJs challenge she cohosted a brunch (images above) at the incredible farm-to-table restaurant Dig Inn on the Upper East Side. Her best friends ranging from bloggers, tattoo artists, photographers, and models were invited on a snowy Saturday afternoon to sip, dine, chat, and cheer her on at her halfway point. The only catch? We all had to wear PJ’s! We donned corsets and furs, kimonos and bra tops, full length robes and nighties… all emulating the same style and confidence radiating from the creator herself. 

I am so beyond proud of my best friend for absolutely everything she has done and accomplished so far this year. Everyday I look forward to seeing just how she styles yet another chic-to-death pajama outfit for this challenge. Be sure to follow her journey as she comes one step closer to not only her prized PTO but also proving pj’s can actually be so much more then sleepwear. 

Lunch at Lake Bled

When I arrived into the town of Bled, after being in the car for over three hours... All I wanted was to see the bright blue lake, smell the wildly fresh air, and be fully submerged in nature. The beyond picturesque Lake Bled, is a glacial lake in the Julian Alps and was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been. 

I explored the medieval castle on the north shore, and watched as small boats, paddle boarders, and rowers cut across the cerulean wonder below. I watched as men dressed in renaissance outfits, created custom letters and certificates on their reconstructed Gutenberg printing machines. I bought a coin that was imprinted by hand, with a large metal hammer that had the outline of the castle. The coins were to commemorate the 1000 year anniversary of castle, which is beyond mind blowing to think about. It is said to be the oldest castle in Slovenia. 

After taking in all the incredible surroundings, I didn't want to leave. So I didn't, we grabbed a table with the best view atop the castle at Bled Castle restaurant and dined on classic Slovenien fare. From a local cheese and charcuterie plate, to the most delicious handmade ravioli stuffed with Carniolan sausage, which is a famous Slovenian staple.

There was nothing quite like taking in that gorgeous view, while dining on some of the best gourmet food in the country. Lake bled is an absolutely wonderful place to visit and should be on every avid travelers bucket list. 

Welcome to the Motel Mexicola

Meandering down a tiny side street speckled with glass windowed pockets of air conditioning to accompany the bohemian, surfer-chic outfittings... you'll come across an oasis. An eclectically bright paradise straight out of a south-of-the-border bond film (if there was such a thing). 

Where agave pours like nectar and the "comida mexicana" becomes as refreshing as the sea breeze itself. 

It's no wonder the Motel Mexicola in Seminyak is one of my favorite places to dine in Bali. 

The combination of rich red and baby blue hues against white washed wood with a splash of tropical greenery creates a rustic 1960's Acapulco vibe unassumingly near the beach, yet a bit off the beaten path within bustling Seminyak.

For drinks order one of their killer Margarita Verde's, made with fresh cucumber, red and green chili, a pinch of salt, and lime juice. Or opt for their fresh squeezed juices like their pineapple and coconut water, complete with a denim pocket coaster. 

Food is casual Mexican but extremely tasty from tacos, tosados, and rollos to hearty mains and classic desserts. Motel Mexicola is a wonderful place if your looking to escape the curries, tom yams, and nasi gorengs of Bali in hopes of a twist of flavor, with flare and spice in a charming setting.