Knock Knock's Blog, page 2

Bored? Find Our Sticky Notes in These Random Stock Photos

In an effort to avoid tackling more important tasks on our to-do list, we hid a few sticky notes in stock images.

How many can you find?

1. Can you spot the Oy Vey Sticky Note in this parrot make-out session?

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2. How about the Shit List Sticky Note, hidden among what looks to be a European vampire boarding school YA novel cover?

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3. Our Nag Note Sticky Note’s tucked away in this photo of Kris Kringle on skis. (We’re curious—and maybe a little afraid—to find out what this pic is intended for.)

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4. Can you spot our Just Sayin’ Sticky Note in this sea of sunflowers with people who love taking photos in seas of sunflowers?

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5. No words for this gem. OMG Sticky Note, where are you?

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6. Still with us? This is the toughest one yet. Our Complaint Sticky Note’s somewhere in this line of bras that could potentially be the world’s largest load of delicates.

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7. And finally: Where is our WTF Sticky Note?

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How many did you find? Tell us in a comment.

Q&A with Artist and Gummy Bear Savant Dan Golden

In terms of wit, humor, and creativity, Knock Knock has met its match in Dan Golden—artist, designer, and wearer of knitted fisherman beanies. Dan’s vast repertoire of work is a nifty combo of contemporary, polished sophistication and quirky commentary. His design sensibility stays true no matter the medium or scale of the project, as evidenced by his line of clever tabletop ware and home decor for CB2, imaginative wall decals and clocks for BLIK, sleek museum seating model, and uniquely illustrated Apology Postcards—just to name a few. It’s no wonder press like The New York Times and Apartment Therapy have taken notice of his stuff.

Raised in Southern California, Dan trekked to San Francisco for college, then became a New Yorker for 15 years. “New York is amazing,” he points out. “I’m probably the first person to describe it that way.” He recently moved back to Los Angeles, where he’s learned to channel his candy addiction into creative expression. A sugar rush actually sparked one of his latest cheeky creations (and our new book release): “I’d left a bag of gummy bears by the window in my studio one day, and they all kind of melted together in the sun,” he says. “It looked like a gummy bear orgy, which struck me as funny, so I snapped a photo. It got me thinking of other gummy bear scenarios I could explore.”

He compiled these scenes into The Gummy Bear Book, an amusing photographic collection of gummies captured in their natural habitat. Since the publication of The Gummy Bear Book and Sorry I Farted and 24 Other Apology Postcards, Dan has become Knock Knock’s creative director. We’re convinced it’s our communal buckets of candy and chocolate that lured him in.

The Gummy Bear Book by Dan Golden

1. When did you realize you had a gummy addiction? Well, I’ve always had a candy addiction, but when it comes to gummy candy, in particular, I’d have to say within the last couple years. It started innocently enough–I would pick up small packs of gummy bears whenever I saw them in the supermarket. But pretty soon I moved on to one-pound bags—that’s when I knew I had a problem. (Unfortunately, there’s no gummy-candy support group.)

2. How did you come up with the different gummy bear scenarios featured in the book? Most of the ideas came from me just playing around with (and eating) gummy bears. Other ideas came from my wife, Jen. And still more from my editor, Erin.

One of the early Gummy Bear Book art directions. Dan tried out writing on the photos. Also, one of the original title options was “The Gummy Bear Disaster.”

How long did it take photographing all these different gummy bear scenarios? It actually took a couple months to get all the shots. Partly because I was in the middle of moving from New York to Los Angeles while working on the book.

What was the most challenging part in creating this book? The biggest challenge was not eating all of the props before I took the shots! Seriously though, one of the biggest challenges was trying to balance and stack rows of gummy bears on top of each other for the pep squad shot. I could only get two rows, but Knock Knock wanted at least four. It got a little tense, but we worked it out.

Inside Dan’s studio at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. His space was part-design studio and part-art studio, and fitted with a design library. Spot Dan’s “Very Late Guston” on the back wall, his play on Philip Guston’s late work.

3. If a gummy bear were to run for president, what would be their major platform? Is this a trick question? I don’t think gummy bears are eligible to run for president.*

4. How did you get into design and illustration? Did you always know that was what you wanted to pursue? I drew a lot as a kid and studied painting in college, so it was kind of a natural progression. I still enjoy making art, but there’s something about coming up with design ideas/solutions, and just using pen and paper that feels right to me.**

Artwork by Dan entitled “Le Retour de la Panthère Rose.” For this piece, he used spray paint on a vintage “Pink Panther” poster.

5. Your designs, concepts, and illustrations span various products and mediums. What advice can you give fellow creatives who would like to follow a similar path? My path has been a bit meandering, so I wouldn’t necessarily suggest following my lead. But, for any creatives who are interested in pursuing a similar path, I would say explore everything that interests you. You may not get to your destination quickly, but you’ll have gained a wider perspective, which will benefit you in the long run.

Develop and acknowledge your own unique voice and approach. Do things your way, and keep doing them better. Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to others. Most importantly, be clear and specific when answering questions rather than giving vague, general responses.

Dan’s in-the-works series exploring the relations between robots and humans and where we’ll be in the next 20 years—perhaps eaten by robots? (Avoid sharing this series with your laptops and/or Siri. Wouldn’t want them to get any ideas.)

6. Where do you typically get inspiration from? So many places! I check out sites like It’s Nice That and Design Milk, or look at Instagram and Pinterest. I love the look of those old French New Wave films and the worlds created by auteur filmmakers. Also, old movie posters and vintage stuff. I also like things that have a patina to them. Music is also a great inspiration for setting the mood or tone. Fashion is another place—I love looking at W Magazine for visual and mood inspiration.

One of Dan’s cleverly-designed wall graphics for BLIK.

Meet Shiddy—a self-deprecating and lovable cartoon character by Dan.

6. Hobbies outside of design? Watching movies, going to art exhibitions, napping.

7. What are 3 things on your bucket list right now?

There are places I’ve always wanted to visit, like Japan and Denmark. Maybe even the moon one day…
Learn to surf. Why not?
Skateboarding. I hear the cool kids do it!

A sketch of 2010 Dan Golden flying to the moon, drawn by late-‘90s Dan Golden.

For updates on Dan’s projects, check out dangolden.com . You can also follow Dan and his illustrated cartoon  Shiddy  (seen above) at @dangoldenstudio on Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Dan Golden and Knock Knock.

*That’s what you think, Dan!

**If you’re an art buff, check out Curator, an online art and design magazine celebrating creatives and founded by—you guessed it—Dan.

Is That Taco Ancestral? (AKA How to Sound Smug and Eat Trendy)

The Knock Knock office resides off Venice’s prestigious Abbot Kinney Boulevard (if you haven’t heard, it’s apparently “America’s coolest street”). Our nearby grocer is an organic foods market exclusive to Los Angeles that’s fit with a tonic and juice bar, $55 jars of honey, and a seriously comprehensive selection of organic bone broths—all ridiculous, to say the least. However, we naturally try to keep up with the new foodie phrases heard randomly in our neighborhood and broke down a handful below so you can, too.

Remember these nutritional-ish terms the next time you fill out your What to Eat Pad or find yourself on a mountain with a naturopathic doctor and need a conversation-starter.

1. Ancestral eating

noun | an·ces·tral eat·ing | \ an-‘ses-trəl – e-ting\

Definition: A diet consisting of eating what your ancestors ate. Ancestral eaters eat natural, organic, unrefined, unprocessed, and non-GMO whole foods solely dependent on one’s genetic and cultural history.

Used in a sentence: “I don’t care that it’s your birthday dinner—I’m on a strict ancestral eating regime this week and will only eat buffalo from my backyard.”

2. Nutrient-dense

adjective | nu·tri·ent | \ ˈnü-tre-ənt-ˈden(t)s \

Definition: An adjective to describe food high in nutrients but relatively low in calories. Nutrient-dense foods contain vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats.

Used in a sentence: “Stashed with vitamins B12, B6, folate, copper, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, I’m excited to dig into my nutrient dense multi-liver sauté—yum!”

3. Ketogenic (diet)

adjective | ke·to·gen·ic | \ ke-to-ˈje-nik \

Definition: A high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet that involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake so the body starts breaking down its own fat stores for energy—a process called ketosis. The ketogenic diet is primarily used to treat epilepsy in children.

Used in a sentence: “You’ll have to excuse me again—I just downed two jugs of whole-fat milk per my ketogenic diet and have to measure my ketone bodies every fifteen minutes. (My friends also now nicknamed me ‘Milky.’)”

4. Bulletproof (coffee)

adjective | bul·let·proof | \ ˈbu̇-lət-ˌprüf  \

Definition: Brewed coffee blended with unsalted, grass-fed butter, and medium-chain triglyceride oil. Bulletproof coffee can supplement breakfast as part of a ketogenic diet.

Used in a sentence: “I replaced my breakfast with Bulletproof coffee and my loneliness with cats.”

5. Biodynamic (agriculture)

adjective | bio·dy·nam·ic | \ ˈbi-o-di-ˈna-mik \

Definition: An organic farming method dependent on holistic and self-sustainable principles. Biodynamic agriculture is non-GMO, prohibits chemical pesticides, is self-contained, and minimally dependent on imported materials. Biodynamic farming focuses on biodiversity and its calendars depend on the position of the stars and the moon.

Used in a sentence: “When you take a whiff of my biodynamic chicken fingers, you can almost smell the live worms the biodynamic farmers fed them from their own compost!”

6. Certified Transitional

adjective | cer·ti·fied tran·si·tion·al | \ sər-tə-fīd-ˈtran(t)-ˈsish-nəl \

Definition: Describes a program in which a third-party certification company will monitor and approve farms transitioning from conventional to organic—a process typically lasting three years. “Certified Transitional” farms cannot sell product as organic. Kellogg-owned brand Kashi helped develop the protocol for “Certified Transitional.”

Used in a sentence: “Okay, so this flax granola isn’t organic, per se, but it’s getting there. It’s ‘Certified Transitional.’”

7. Prebiotic

noun | pre·bi·ot·ic | \ pre-bi-ˈä-tik \

Definition: A non-digestible food ingredient that supports healthy probiotic bacteria in the body, mainly in the intestines.

Used in a sentence: “Thank you for always supporting me, like prebiotic chicory roots to my gut flora.”

8. Probiotic:

noun |  pro·bi·ot·ic | \ pro-bi-ˈä-tik \

Definition: A bacteria in food or supplements that when consumed improves beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract and overall digestive health.

Used in a sentence: “Thank you for always supporting me, like probiotic yogurt to my digestive tract.”

9. Alkaline (water)

noun | al·ka·line | \ ˈal-kə-lən \

Definition: Water with a higher pH level than regular drinking water (which has a pH of 7). Alkaline water is believed to help neutralize acid in the body, boost metabolism, and help absorb nutrients. (According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no scientific evidence fully verifying these claims.)

Used in a sentence: “So, you’re saying alkaline water compares to tap water as Nobel Prizes compare to the Teen Choice Awards?”

10. Phytonutrients:

noun | phy·to·nu·tri·ent | \ fi-to-ˈnü-tre-ənt \

Definition: Natural chemicals in plants associated with positive health effects.

Used in a sentence: “Go ahead and make fun of my garlic breath. While I’m benefiting from garlic’s phytonutrients, you’ll be swimming in heart disease.”

What food phrases make you scratch your head? Tell us in a comment.

Here’s How to Get Out of Your Current Funk Right Now

When you lose your lover, your job, your lease or even just feel stuck in a rut, it can be hard to see the positive side and get your groove back. Rather than talking, talking and talking some more, the best way to scoot your blues to the curb is to take action. After all, action quiets the mind and kick-starts a new, uplifting chain of events. So shake off that funk by taking on small but mighty challenges. It’ll help turn your adversity into awesomeness.

Here are some ways to bounce back to spectacular (based on challenges from The Bounce Back Stack ). Or, use the Bounce-Back Generator below for more tips!

1. Banish All Traces

Put your current dilemma out of sight and out of mind. If it’s an ex you’re trying to forget, de-friend them on social media, trash old photos, and hide or sell past love mementos. If it’s a job, burn your business cards and toss that team-building t-shirt! The items you choose to keep around reflect your reality; so don’t let the past creep into your future.

Photo by Christopher Flynn on Unsplash

2. Start A New Hobby

Pick something you’ve always wanted to try—and do it! No excuses. It could be glass blowing, dumpling-making, or even extreme ironing (yes, it’s a thing!)—indulge your passion and curiosity. Not only will you lose yourself in your new obsession, you’ll form new patterns of association, ones that have nothing to do with your ex-lover, ex-boss or ex-friend. And you’ll meet new people. Bonus!

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

3. Show Yourself Some Love

During any time of grief, your self-confidence takes a hit. Make time to reverse the damage and shower yourself with love. Follow the “self-care isn’t selfish” mantra and do what that makes you feel good. Pamper yourself with a manicure, binge a show, or splurge on a concert. Think of it as your ultimate date from sun up until sundown. And remember, red lipstick and capes always do wonders.

Photo by Kris Atomic on Unsplash

4. Scare Yourself

When you take on overwhelming, nerve-racking challenges, you awaken an inner fire that has laid dormant for far too long. Boost your confidence and do something daring, like take a trapeze class, try stand-up, or enter a strenuous marathon. The point is to push yourself to where you’re forced to drum up your inner pizzazz.

Photo by Simon Schoepf on Unsplash

5. Fall In Love With Your Friends

While your efforts should be focused on creating new adventures, now’s also the perfect time to reconnect with old friends—perhaps those you may have lost touch with. Host a party with a twist; dress-up in 1950s garb, taste-test different wines, start a tabletop game night—whatever it is, commit to it with gusto and flair and make some serious memories!

Photo by Dave Lastovskiy on Unsplash

Need more tips? Take the Bounce Back Generator for a spin:

Annabel Acton is the author of The Bounce Back Stack: A Deck of 30 Challenges to Get You Back to Spectacular and founder of   Never Liked It Anyway —the eBay for breakups. She has appeared in the NY Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Glamor and more. She also writes about innovation for Inc, Forbes, and Huffington Post.

9 Cool Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Gummy Bears

Calling all gummy-bear lovers: If your enthusiasm with this candy staple even slightly compares to The Gummy Bear Book author and photographer Dan Golden’s obsession, we’re glad you’ve stumbled onto this list. Tap into gummy bears’ crafty, tipsy, and even scholarly potential.

1. Make Homemade Lip Balm

This easy-to-make balm looks delicious enough to eat and would be a perfect gift for the sweet-tooth addicts in your life. You’ll need a lip-balm case, Vaseline, a gummy bear, and a passion for gummies.

 

2. Use Them as a Productivity Tool

Bribe Reward yourself with gummy bears. If you’re having a hard time getting through your to-do list, put a gummy next to each task. Or, if you need to get through a boring read, place a gummy on each paragraph and eat them as you go.

Success can be more easily attained when sugar’s involved.

3. Create An Edible Fidget Spinner

Distract yourself and impress friends simultaneously with a fidget spinner made of gummies. This confectionery gummy bear DIY will keep your sugar rush going, while also helping you de-stress.

 

4. Get Gummy-Bear Drunk

You may or may not have already discovered this trick in college, but there are plenty of recipes for “drunk” gummy bears. You can soak gummy bears with vodka, rum, beer, wine, champagne, or even turn them into shots.

Gummy bears soaked in alcohol is a recipe for intoxication.

5. Blow Them Up

Turn your gummy bears into an explosively-cool science experiment. Gummy bears combined with potassium chlorate, plus fire, results in an awesome spectacle. Gummy volcano, anyone?

 

7. Commission A Portrait

Etsy artist Melissa Rachel Black will custom-make a portrait completely out of gummy bears. Using a fresh Impressionistic approach, these works of art are both delicious and dignified.

Via Etsy

6. Make a Kitschy Lamp

Glue gummies to a lampshade and you’ve got yourself bright, retro home décor. Spoiler alert: this project is not for the impatient. Also, if this lamp is way too bold for your taste, try gummy-bear coasters instead.

 

8. Explain Various Forms of Government

Reenact different forms of government—democracy, dictatorship, or anarchy—using the bears as examples. This offbeat yet useful government lesson will be one the kids will remember.

Via The Gummy Bear Book

9. Gussy Up with Gummy Jewelry

Start a new fad with quirky gummy-bear baubles—bracelets, earrings, and rings. These candied accessories make great gifts for the eccentric friend in your group who wears all the colors of the rainbow.

Have a gummy-bear idea to add? Tell us in a comment.

11 Times Teachers Made Us Laugh Our Asses Off

Class is back in session! While most students get their back-to-school groove on, let’s not forget the awesome, badass educators who inspire us and demand your respect—especially these teachers. All have A+ senses of humor and deserve a Why You’re the Best Teacher Ever gift book.

1. “Wazamata,” Kids?

Elementary school teacher Joe Dombrowski went viral when he decided to celebrate April Fools a few days early with a pseudo spelling-test that left his students endearingly baffled.

 

2. Never Gonna Give (The Actual Answers)

Imagine cramming for an exam and having the correct answers right at your fingertips. This sly professor “Rick Rolled” students while testing their honesty.

Via Reddit

3. Homework Doodles

This teacher transformed mindless student drawings on worksheets into irreverent masterpieces. Kudos to this Michaelangelo of classroom trolling.

Via Reddit

4. Grammar Is Everything

If you’re planning on writing a scathing letter to your English teacher, make sure your spelling and grammar are on point. Otherwise, reap what you sow, students.

Via Reddit

5. A Substitute Story

One way to keep your classroom in line is to take a page out of Key and Peele’s book. This teacher did, and it seemed to work wonders.

Via Reddit

6. Math Class Tricks

Biola University math professor Matthew Weathers’s impressive classroom prank videos put him on the YouTube map. We could learn a thing or two from his awesome Adobe Premiere wizardry.

 

7. Artistic Infamy

We’ll give this art teacher top marks for putting this student on blast while still judging his or her work fairly. But seriously, out of all the characters you could draw, why Jar Jar Binks?

Via Reddit

8. Trash-Can Truths

This is someone who does not take shit from anyone, especially students with excuses. Tardy assignments belong in the garbage.

Via Reddit

9. Can You Hear Me Now?

There’s a sage saying for teachers regarding students who text during class. It’s something like: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, and I’ll hammer your fucking phone to the wall.”

Via Reddit

10. Homeroom Hilarity

We applaud this teacher’s clever way of incorporating hot dance moves into lesson plans. We would expect her to also work “The Dab” into future assignments.

Via Twitter

11. How to Make a Profit

Why not add a little bribery to outweigh the open-house nerves? This opportunistic teacher certainly gives students affordable deals.

Via Reddit

Have a funny classroom story starring an awesome teacher? Share with us in a comment.

7 Ways to Help You Stay Productive AF This Fall

Get ready to break out the boots, blankets, and pumpkin lattés—fall’s almost here. But don’t go into post-summer hibernation mode just yet. These picks and tricks are worth investing in to beat sluggishness and boost productivity.

1. Choose the Right Baggage

Size-down your closet and only store two to three bags that serve your busy lifestyle. For campus and work off-sites, use a comfy backpack. But lean on a sizeable weekender for last-minute weekend trips out of town. LeSportsac carries a standout collection of lightweight nylon backpacks, weekenders, and roomy cosmetic bags that will last you through forever and a day.

Via LeSportsac

2. List It Up

Refresh your desk and workspace with handy lists and notepads that will keep your to-dos in check throughout all facets of your day. Have checklists planned for weekly meal prep, project managing, and personal errands—and actually use them! Knock Knock’s Bookmark Pads also help keep notes on track for each of your autumn reads.

Via Knock Knock

3. Adopt a “Do Not Disturb” Routine

Enable Do Not Disturb settings on your phone (here are how-tos for iPhones and Androids). This will cut distraction time spent on random group texts and going down social-media black holes. Also, if you’re oh-so bold, set up an indicator light on your desk, and to reduce office interruptions. (You are a serious badass if you do the latter.)

Via Mia Baker on Unsplash

4. Choose Your Caffeine Wisely

Drinking caffeine (along with having a healthy diet) can help boost your memory and thinking skills. Make it a priority to sip on good-quality coffee or tea. One of our favorites brands is Groundwork Coffee Co., who offers monthly coffee subscriptions while to ensure your pantry stays stocked with the tasty stuff. Caffeine addicts should accessorize with a leak-proof travel mug, like this one.

Via Groundwork Coffee Co.

5. Get a Library Card (and Actually Use It)

According to The Atlantic, two-thirds of Americans have library cards—do you? Take advantage of your library’s digital resources (especially if you’re lazy): rent eBooks, magazines, music, and stream shows and movies on your smartphone or tablet. Also, if you need access to a printer or scanner, grab your loose change and head to the library to print stuff. For the library lovers out there, you’ll want to shop Out Of Print’s Library collection, because duh. (You’ll also want to check out our Personal Library Kit.)

Library Card and Stamp Enamel Pin Set Via Out of Print

6. Listen to the Right Music

Music can instantly improve your mood, concentration, and creative chops. When working on a project, avoid music with lyrics (which can easily distract) and stick to lyricless music and instrumental playlists. Also, why not try video-game soundtracks? Whatever non-intrusive melodies you choose, make sure to use a pair of trusty headphones. Water-resistant wireless earbuds like Skybuds easily syncs up to your devices and can do wonders for your workload.

Via Skybuds

7. Start “Deskercising”*

It’s a no-brainer that exercise boosts your energy and efficiency, and sitting at a desk all day remains counterproductive. Stability balls help improve your posture and alleviate back pain, but we also suggest keeping your legs moving with a pedal exerciser like the DeskCycle. (It looks questionable, but its reviews don’t lie.) Also, try these desk workouts the next time you’re burning the midnight oil.

Via Knock Knock

*This mash-up term made us roll our eyes too.

Any go-to items that keep you on track? Tell us in a comment.

Want to win over $1,000 in fall accessories?

Whether you’re getting back to your classroom routine or going into procrastination-prevention mode for a big work project, we want to help. Enter our Fresh for Fall Giveaway for a chance at a whole lot of Knock Knock desk goodies, plus a handful of awesome accessories mentioned above.

ENTER HERE. The giveaway ends Thursday, August 17.

These Illustrations Reimagine Apologies for Infamous Moments in History

Our new Sorry I Farted and 24 Other Apology Postcards, by writer and illustrator Dan Golden, help express your apologies for everyday screwups. But what if massive mistakes could be remedied with an apology postcard? To imagine this, Dan gave a few notorious disasters the Sorry I Farted treatment.

Note: These illustrations are not in the actual postcard collection. Enjoy!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

DID YOU KNOW . . . 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa took:

177 years to build
5 years to start tilting
12 minutes before the first tourist posted a “struggling-to-hold-up-the-tower” pic on Instagram

Bernie Madoff Scandal

Bernie out-Ponzi’ed Charles Ponzi when he stole $20 billion from investors. Sentenced to 150 years in prison, Mr. Madoff has a long time to think about the value of a dollar.

The Black Death

The bubonic plague blew through European cities like a group of backpacking twenty-somethings trying to become travel bloggers. Also, hypochondriacs: be grateful you didn’t live in the 14th century.

Hopefully, you won’t ever have to apologize for anything too outrageous. But make sure to get your own stash of Sorry I Farted Postcards for the next time you do indeed blow it.

7 Easy Ways to Keep in Touch with Long-Distance Friends

Whoever said “absence makes the heart grow fonder” really meant “absence makes you ugly cry while watching The Crown because your bestie’s Royal-family obsessed—and does she even miss you?”

Learning how to keep in touch with friends lives in the annals of adulthood. It’s maybe not as pivotal as deciding to quit your job but takes priority over trying to crack your mom’s HBO GO® password. These tips should help keep your best-friend status intact.

1. Spike Your Skype Dates

Add adult beverages to your Skype catch-ups or Google Hangouts. Iced-coffee, LaCroix, red wine, or an old-fashioned or two—drink the refreshment you both frequent when together and whatever suits the vibe. For the party hearty, host an online “Power Hour” for a tipsy night-in with your crew.

2. Send Some Unexpected Love

Let ’em know you miss their face by snail mailing a sweet (but not saccharine) little something when they least expect it. A simple postcard should do the trick—we can recommend a few witty ones. Or, go straight-up thoughtful with a “personalized” parcel from Greetabl.

3. Go (Book) Clubbin’

Join an online book club with your bestie. Goodreads has a colossal collection of book groups to choose from—including Oprah’s Book Club and Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf feminist reading club. Or, the two of you can start your own catered to your interests (a book-to-movie club, anyone?). For a fun membership perk, send your friend a pack of our Bookmark Pads and keep one for yourself.

But really, does it?

4. Create the Ultimate Playlist

Remember all the times the two of you belted one-hit wonders in the car? Share audio mementos with a collaborative Spotify playlist. While relishing classics, you can also add new tracks and artists to boost your moods. It’ll feel like an everlasting mix CD you won’t scratch up.

5. Get Matching (Temporary) Tattoos

Create your own customized temporary tattoo for a bolder take on the friendship bracelet. Momentary Ink lets you design a tat for less than $20 and Tattly has a vast assortment of artsy sets to choose from. Be sure to snap and share a “newly inked” selfie with your BFF.

6. Binge Shows Together

Who better to binge-watch Broad City with than your bestie? Use sites like Rabbit to share your streaming screen with each other and chat simultaneously. Cinephiles could also establish virtual movie nights.

Bestie who binge together, stay together.

7. Countdown to Your Next Adventure

Nothing beats face-to-face time with your best pal. Always set a date for when you’ll see each other next. Then, use a live timer to see how many days, minutes, and seconds you have left until you’re reunited. It will feel so good.

How to do you keep in touch with your besties living around the world? Share with us in a comment.

6 Insta-worthy Moments from Mimosas in the Crafternoon

We had a blast at our Mimosas in the Crafternoon with Robert Mahar brunch bash on June 22 in downtown Los Angeles. Knock Knock broke out the champagne (and orange juice) to celebrate our artsy collaboration with crafty jack-of-all-trades Robert Mahar. The collection includes Paint-by-Number Postcard Kits, Personal Award Ribbons, and new Gift Stamp and Tag Kits. We loved hanging out with local DIY mavens and fellow craft lovers, painting up a paint-by-numbers storm while enjoying tasty treats and savory eats. Here are highlights that will serve up some serious FOMO.

1. The Sweet Penthouse Suite Life

We chose a venue in the heart of downtown LA, a few blocks away from Robert’s studio. It just so happened to be a chic penthouse 14 floors up, with sleek, mid-century décor fit for a true SoCal fête.

Homey Oh My’s Amy Kim captured it perfectly:

A post shared by Amy Kim | Homey Oh My (@homeyohmy) on Jun 22, 2017 at 7:09pm PDT

Crafternoon views of downtown Los Angeles from the 14th floor. Up close: Robert’s Gift Stamp and Tag Kits from our new Fall 2017 season and Personal Award Ribbons.

2. That Damn Décor

Robert designed each mail-inspired centerpiece using items from the collection. Twine, old-school envelopes, and painted postcards were a crafty touch!

Mingling with mimosas is always a good idea.

Robert created these centerpieces with his Paint-by-Number Postcards in mind. Remember the days when your only inbox was a mailbox?

3. Painting Paint-by-Number Postcards

After lunch, we broke out the paint pots and brushes as Robert guided our guests through painting their own vintage-inspired Sweet Treats Paint-by-Number postcards. The table was full of cakes, pies, and popsicles coming to life. We loved seeing each guest add her own artistic flair to her mini masterpiece, not necessarily following the kit’s painting key.

Robert was on-hand to answer any crafty questions.

From left to right: Painting away are fellow crafters and DIYers Sarah Hearts, Karen Kavett, and Amber Petty.

Check out the depth and extra plate detail on this painted postcard. Did Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching paint this or Van Gogh?

A post shared by SUBLIME STITCHING (@sublimestitching) on Jun 24, 2017 at 6:19pm PDT

HGTV YouTuber Karen Kavett shared sweet moments from the afternoon:

A post shared by Karen Kavett (@karenkavett) on Jun 22, 2017 at 2:40pm PDT

Our head honcho, Jen Bilik, introduced Robert. Fun fact: Robert was the art director for Jen’s wedding in May.

A post shared by Jen Bilik (@jenbilik) on Jun 22, 2017 at 2:11pm PDT

4. That Dessert Table

In a nod to Robert’s doughnut connoisseur status, our dessert table was decked out with treats from a few of his favorite local bakeries, Astro Doughnuts and Lark Cake Shop. It was equally gorgeous as it was delicious. Yum!

Sarah of DIY site Sarah Hearts shared the wonderment that was the Crafternoon Dessert Table:

A post shared by Sarah Hearts