I've slept on couches, on carpeted floors, and in the back seat of cars.on bathroom floors, on a towel at the beach in the sand, and in movie theater chairs.
Believe me, none of those places is comfortable compared to a bed. Many years ago, I realized that buying the best quality bed linens I could possibly afford made sleep (and lolliy-gagging)in bed much more enjoyable. I love very soft cotton for my linens. Sheets and pillowcases should feel like they have been washed a hundred times even when they are brand new.
Years ago, I stayed at a hotel that claimed to have "the heavenly bed" and it was very attractive. There were pillows of all shapes and sizes and it looked very inviting. Unfortunately, the comfort level was just nowhere near "heavenly". The bed was okay, but I really wanted "heavenly" (having nothing to do with religion, if you get my drift).
One thing that I have been very remiss about for years is pillows. It's damned hard to find the "perfect" pillow. They are either too hard to too soft. And, to my surprise, even the higher priced pillows are not always any more comfortable than the cheaper pillows. When I found pillows that were at least tolerable, I tended to keep them for a long time.
When I was changing our sheets I noticed that the pillows I had were old, worn and even stained. Now that is disgusting! I decided I would go on a mission to find some "great" new pillows. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and found a couple of strangely shaped pillows for side sleepers. They were expensive, but I thought it was worth a shot.
I brought home two pillows and neither my husband nor I could stand them. They were hard and there was no way one could sleep on them. (The sales person had told me they were wonderful, but you had to use them the right way. She didn't explain what the right way was, unfortunately.) They only way these pillows could be used is as a place for our pet canaries to perch and we don't have canaries.
Yesterday, I found the perfect pillow. It was $49 (expensive), but oh so worth it. The pillow is filled with white duck down. Now what difference white duck down makes, I have no idea. I wonder if brown duck down would be as perfect but somehow I doubt it. This pillow makes my head, neck and shoulders feel like I"m floating on a cloud. I hate to even get out of bed and leave this magical and marvelous pillow. I let my husband sample it for an hour this morning and he agreed. Alex thought a $20 pillow would be just fine, so that's what he got. After sampling my pillow, he had to get a "white duck down" filled, $49 dolla,r pillow for himself too so we went back to the store.
My advice to you is to go get some white ducks and gather their down for a while, or just go spring for the expensive pillows. You will thank me.
My pillows were made with feathers from "Crazy Cousin Tilly's" geese. She gathered them and gave them to my grandma to make into pillows for all of us as wedding gifts. My grandma wouldn't give me mine until I got married, so that was obviously my reason for getting married! (Yes, the pillows have lasted longer than the marriage... no way was my ex getting "his" in the divorce!) Even though the ticking has gotten a little stained, they're still the best pillows, EVER!
ReplyDeletePaula, finding a comfortable pillow is like a holy quest with me. I've tried so damn many that just didn't work! I don't care what it's made of, or how much I paid for it, the "right one" had eluded me for many many years! I'm so glad you found yours, and I finally found mine!!!
ReplyDeleteI really thought that I was the only one who couldn't find a comfortable pillow! Thank you, it's nice to know I'm not alone. Or, wasn't alone. I guess I am now that you've found a comfy pillow. What was the name of the store? Maybe they have a distributor here in Canada or maybe they sell online...
ReplyDeleteNicky, I got these at Bed Bath and Beyond. They are called "Real Simple" and they are the bomb. They are fluffy and puffy, but also feel like you are putting your head on a soft cloud. Pillows have always been very hard for me. When I was in Europe, I never slept well because of the hard and lumpy pillows. These are white duck down. I think you'd like them!
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with pillows, too. I like the thinnest pillow possible. I finally found one at IKEA that's pretty good, but I'm in the habit of turning it over every day so that my head rests either on one side or the opposite side. I was dismayed to discover that one side is higher than the other, but it'll do. I can't use the down-filled pillows because I can't stand the pillow coming up the sides of my head. I'm happy you found one you like, though.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to find the perfectly comfortable pillow. And I've tried many. Next time I'll look for the white duck down pillow. Now if we could only find a pillow that automatically cools without us constantly flipping it over.
ReplyDeleteDown pillows are amazing, tho "feather" ones (which leave the stalk on to stick in your head) are not. Glad you found a goodie =) x
ReplyDeleteI 've spent a long time in my 'quest' for perfection. Finally! These are great!
ReplyDeleteDufus, somehow this pillow has not been "hot" so far. We'll see as we get further into summer.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I really hate "hard" pillows. They kink my neck!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I have a pillow I can't do without. I GET the pillow. My mom gave me a foam pillow that is kind of a curve shape. So your neck has support while your head fits inside the middle. It is hard to describe. It is so comfortable I can't sleep without it! Of course the dog has since chewed on a bit... so I just put that on the inside of the pillow case. My mom bought my daughter one that was bigger and I can't use that at all. Sadly, you can't find the small one anymore. Maybe I will have to find a duck!
ReplyDeleteI sleep on a Tempura pillow, which is hard but good for the back. However, it IS lovely to sink into big, soft pillows.
ReplyDeleteI like a fluffy soft pillow. I know the harder ones give better support, but they hurt my neck!
ReplyDeleteI think you may like the ones I can't use!
ReplyDeleteI got two cheap pillows at Costco because my good down ones were 20 years old. I have to use them both together and they still kind of suck. I'll remember this when I'm flush with cash next time. BB&B "Real Simple." Got it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I love soft sheets and fluffy pillows! I learned a long time ago about the importance of thread count.
ReplyDeleteI too began many years ago to appreciate fine linens, Linda. They do make a big difference!
ReplyDeleteJayne, these really are fantastic! It's more than we are used to paying, but worth every dime!
ReplyDeleteI must know the brand of this miracle pillow. I've been on the perfect pillow quest for almost as long as I've been on the perfect purse quest.
ReplyDeleteI have been on a quest for the perfect pillow...currently an epic fail. I've spent close to a hundred dollars a pillow several times throughout the years. (I should own the bedding dept at Bed, Bath, Beyond by now!) The pillow will feel great for a couple of months and then either something happens with my body or the pillow because the neck and shoulder pain comes back. The closest I've come were some cheap (like thirty-five dollars) pillows from Sears, even so I still have to sleep with my arm beneath the pillow for the most comfort.
ReplyDeleteNow, I don't feel like raising and ducks, so where did you buy those pillows? This woman is desperate for a comfortable night's sleep!
Suzicate, I got them at Bed Bath and Beyond. They are called: Real Simple. They were a bit expensive, but they (so far) have been worth every cent!
ReplyDeleteThey are at Bed Bath and Beyond. (Brand name: Real Simple".) I really am loving this pillow! Bags are hard for me too. I want a shoulder strap, not too big or too small. Leather. I need an outside the purse "pocket" for my cell and keys. And it has to be "gorgeous". Hard to please? Naw!
ReplyDeleteYou're not hard to please. You just have exquisite taste! I'm going to have to look for those pillows. Thank you for the tip!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!! don't get me started on pillows!!!! I have had Pillow Angst for decades. I was in Vienna about 10 years ago, and OMG they had the most heavenly pillows, and I was in desperate need of a good pillow. I wanted that pillow so bad, I looked all over Vienna and couldn't find one, and so then I offered to buy it from the hotel. They just looked at me as if I were daft - OBVIOUSLY they slept on bricks for pillows and did not understand my desperate need. So, I stole it. It lasted me about 8 years, and I searched and searched for a comparable one. couldn't find it. Finally I slept on some pretty good pillows at my brother's house; his wife couldn't remember where she bought them, so she gave them to me, bless her soul! I still have the 2 of them, but I worry about what happens when THEY wear out! Pillow Angst gets worse as you get older - AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ReplyDeleteMerri! You are a woman after my own heart! I adore that you simply stole a pillow from a hotel in Vienna! That is so not you! But I love that it is you! I laughed out loud when I read that! In most of Europe, I found the pillows to be absolutely dreadful. (The exception was the George V in Paris, but they could certainly afford to give us decent pillows at the nightly rate they were charging!) When you come to visit me, I may let you sleep on one of my heavenly pillows, but I'm attaching one of those alarms so it will go off if you try and steal it. (Naw! If you love it, I'll just go buy you one.) Seeing as I am old as dirt, you are so right that it gets worse!
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