Just a reminder: you can follow Knock Knock on Tumblr, which plays hub to our original content. And as always, sharing posts on Facebook or retweeting on Twitter is surely welcomed!

Can you believe it’s nearly the end of the month? We want to wrap up our Reality Rhymes posts (love-related posts, that is) with this ditty. (We know, we know. Valentine’s Day is over and done with, but why not continue to spread the love? Or get a head start on next year?)

Fourscore and nearly seven days ago, we began offering a free Knock Knock goodie bag, which included “mystery swag,” for all $30 orders and above. If that ambiguous incentive doesn’t entice you enough, we don’t know what will (or do we?!).

The freebie package is worth $20 and its contents are super-freaking cool. (If this is the first time you’ve heard of this special, sign up for our mailing list to get in the know! It’s on the bottom-left corner of our homepage.)

Today is the last day of this special, so take advantage of it and of us!

We’re number one fans of our fans. (We’re sure you know how much you contribute to our existence.) So we want to thank you all with a column dedicated to you: “FOKKer Fridays”! Once a month, we will be featuring a certain FOKKer and their Knock Knock stuff-related stories.

Earlier this month, we had an impromptu blog contest to celebrate the release of our Spring 2012 products. The very first entrant (and an unbeknownst winner) loved our Office Speak Pencil Case since it could help with his crafting, including organizing the supplies he uses to make these magazine envelopes. (It really is a rad idea, and we’re psyched to try it out ourselves!)

The winner, Martin, told us if he won, he would send us “before” and “after” pictures showing how he’d use our pencil case. Lo and behold, a few weeks later, we received his thank-you note that included not only pictures, but paper knickknacks that remind us exactly why we love our FOKKers.

So we’re dedicating February’s FOKKer Friday to him! Check out what he snail mailed us:

1. Thank-you letter. (Hey there, Knock Knock Lover Boy!)

2. “Before” and “after” pictures. Plus, they’re Polaroid-esque! The vintage nerd in us totally flipped out.

3. Slang Flashcard. (This an old-school flashcard, so this proves he’s been a longtime FOKKer.)

4. Magazine envelope. This illustration is oh-so Venice.

5. A handsome photo of himself.

As you can tell, we adore this! Thanks again, Martin!

We spotted these vintage book clocks neatly arranged in front of a boutique located a block away from Knock Knock headquarters:

These home décor finds are by Vintage Book Clocks (appropriately named). We appreciate how they marry the tangible book with the hands of an analog clock—two items continuing to inevitably drown in the digital world.

However, as we continue to slide pages of our e-books and fiddle with phones smarter than the majority of our graduating high school class, seeing this item is a refreshing reminder of “the good old days.” (You know, the days when we collected eclectic bookmarks and read the time without regard to VFD, LED, LCD, LSD, whatever.)

Our office is currently brimming with cardboard boxes filled with Clump-o-Lump samples.

This is a poor man’s panorama, but it’s just a little taste of the overbearingness. We look forward to sorting through it all tomorrow morning.

Our director of manufacturing, Elyse, and our operations associate, Paul, counting to make sure all is there. Or are they secretly painting on the cardboard?!

And here is the entrance to the cardboard box maze:

For our weekly “In It for the Money” feature, we’ll be introducing you to the kick-ass Knock Knockers who make everything go, from creative to sales to logistics to . . . everything! Note—everybody answers the first five questions. After that, they have about fifteen wild-card questions from which to choose.

Singing my current thoughts.

1. Name and title? Pilar Díaz, office manager and assistant to the CEO and CCO.

2. Originally from? Santiago de Chile—Sudamerica!

3. What the hell do you do all day? Mainly, I walk up and down the stairs, because I manage things on both sides of the Knock Knock world—creative and business, right brain and left brain, sides divided by stairs. I like the fact that I’m never in front of the computer for too long before someone needs my help. Oh, and I should also confess that as a writer of songs, I am constantly thinking up melodies and lyrics in my head all day. So, if I seem distracted at a meeting, it’s just cause I’m masterminding my next big hit! Watch out, Gaga!

4. Favorite thing about working at Knock Knock? 1. I’m happy that Knock Knock isn’t afraid to hire a musician—that takes guts! 2. Everyone has a great sense of humor and sense of camaraderie. I don’t feel like an outsider, yay! 3. I’m never bored. Every day is different. 4. I love that our head honcho brings her dogs to the office. I get to hang out with them and receive some unconditional love.

5. Favorite hobbies outside work? I just started fencing! My childhood dream of becoming Princess Leia is coming true. I also like taking pictures of vintage or weird and interesting neon signs. I like to go dancing anywhere; clubs, small dive bars, weddings, gyms, parks, backyards, my room. I knit in front of the TV, too. And reading—I love to read books. (If only I had more time.)

I'll always side with the Rebel Alliance. The Empire can't take away these shades.

6. Did your professional life exist before Knock Knock? As a musician/songwriter, I’ve had my share of day jobs to pay the bills when the music gigs are null. I’ve done everything—from teaching yoga to nannying to assisting film music composers and organizing their personal lives. All these experiences have made for quite a colorful palette of themes for songs to write about. Once I make it big, I hope to take all of Knock Knock on the road with me!

7. Favorite Knock Knock product? The whole Lines For All Occasions books, especially Insults and Comebacks for all Occasions. A nice girl like me needs this kind of help and encouragement to be a “bitch.” (I mean, more assertive.)

8. Favorite TV show? Of all time, it’s Three’s Company and Freaks and Geeks. Of now, it’s Mad Men. Also, thanks to my roomies for introducing me to the Fox Soccer channel on cable, I now have a huge crush on soccer player David Silva, who plays for Manchester City. So, my new favorite TV show is any soccer match that David Silva plays in.

9. Any hidden talents? Nah! It’s all up on pilardiazmusic.com.

10. Interesting factoid no one would know about you from first glance? I am a walking GPS. Not kidding, it’s true. Photographic memory is my friend, from my days of being a very independent kid, walking to and from school on my own, to the years of rock band touring I’ve done across the US and other countries. This all makes for a resourceful walking compass—me.

11. What’s in your music rotation right now? Due to my new commute from Silver Lake to Venice four times a week (thanks, Knock Knock), I have become a radio listener again. It’s been a while! Currently, I listen to KCRW-FM (89.9) Morning Becomes Eclectic with Jason Bentley and he’s really picking some great music for that show right now. I also love, love, love Recuerdos-FM (103.9), because it plays all the Latin American oldies and cumbia I grew up hearing in Chile and that my family would sing. When I’m feeling sappy, I like listening to KOST-FM (103.5), and when I want to dance to a few New Jack Swing hits, I turn up 102.3 KJLH and 93.5 KDAY.

12. Favorite place to sit back and relax? Griffith Park Observatory. It’s romantic, it’s nature, it’s Los Angeles. When I get married, I hope to have my wedding there! But first, let me get a boyfriend.

13. Hero in life you look up to? My father. He went through hell and back to immigrate to the US so I could have more opportunities. Hands down, he made one of the biggest sacrifices I’ve seen a person make. But at the same time, it was a bold and adventurous move to explore what else is out there in the world.

Here’s a pic of me channeling Matthew Wilder’s video, integrating myself with the audience. But I just couldn’t get the asymmetrical fashion thing down or ironic moustache.

14. What advice would you give your past self? Life’s too short. Do and say what you need and want now, not later or never.

15. Song you would pick as your theme song? It’s always tough to ask a musician/songwriter what their favorite music anything is. So, I’ll just go with the first thing that pops into my head, and that is “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder. As a songwriter, it’s everything I love about a perfect pop song: it’s catchy, has a chorus that you just can’t help sing-along to, it’s upbeat even though it’s about going through something tough in life, and all that in three minutes! The reason I love this song, from a personal perspective, is because it reminds me of being a kid in the ’80s in the San Fernando Valley, roller skating in our apartment complex’s parking lot with all my friends and not having a worry in the world . . . ah. The video for this song embraces many things I love: neon, asymmetrical fashion, bold colors, lip-sync, pop music, and a performer engaging with his or her audience in a party atmosphere. To me, it just oozes fun.

First things first, a universal tip: today would be a good day to utilize our Why I Must Have Sex With You Pad (or maybe our Paper Pickup Nifty Notes?).

Also, if you still owe a post-Valentine’s Day gift, check out our evergreen ideas here.

But for a quick freebie, send this along to your beau:

Follow Knock Knock on Tumblr for our original content. And as always, sharing posts on Facebook or retweeting on Twitter is surely welcomed!

With spring-cleaning season quickly approaching, nab some organizational tips in O, The Oprah Magazine’s March issue (on newsstands now)!

You’ll recognize a handy-dandy Takeout Menu Organizer neatly under “The O List.” (Like a boss.) You can bet there were murmurs of celebration ringing throughout Knock Knock headquarters when we received the news. (We cheered with each other via email, but still, we’re beyond psyched!)

Who's your valentine?

Who’s ready for cupcakes iced with heart-shaped sprinkles, catchy crooners on repeat, and pink and red-colored overkill? It’s almost February 14th and whether you love or loathe it, you can’t hide from it. Time’s a-ticking to find amusing gifts for the people you love in your life.

It’s exhausting. We know.

Thankfully we’ve laid out last-minute gift ideas so you can wipe that sweat off your brow. (Yes, you’ve almost got it—a little to the right—there.)

We’ve broken it down by category, so choose your love:

I. Anyone. Sure, you could send out foiled valentines, but our Love Notes Greeting Cards gives off just the right amount of “like” for platonic relationships everywhere. Plus, you can customize each card by checking off exactly how you feel.

Love Notes Greetings Cards for all.

II. Significant other(s). Give a sweet to your sweet with our Proof That I Love You Chocolate Bar or I Love You Very Very Much Chocolate Bar. Didn’t know Knock Knock made chocolate bars? We hope you were sitting down.

They'll see the proof.

Also, our Vouchers for Lovers is the coupon book that keeps giving—twenty times! If you’re strapped for cash, this booklet covers his or her future birthdays for a year or two. (Technically, our Why I Must Have Sex With You Pad is also a gift that keeps giving—sixty times!)

A look into our Vouchers for Lovers (for the romantics).

III. The kids. You would do anything for them, so why not cultivate their creativity? Our I’m An Artist Pad is for the budding Picasso (armed with crayons) and any child that loves to doodle. (PS It’s red, so it’s immediately Valentine’s Day-related.)

Hang their sheets on the fridge when they're finished!

IV. A crush. Isn’t there a common saying that the way to a person’s heart is making him or her slap their knee while laughing up unintended snorts? If so, giving them A Year of Fortunes (Without the Cookies) is a must. We can’t emphasize that enough. With each perforated fortune, they can tear, share, and perhaps write their number on it?

If you want your crush to crack a smile, give him or her this book.

V. Myself. Let’s be real. We knew from the get-go that Carly Simon was singing that song about us. She didn’t have to ask us twice. And we also know you can’t really love anyone until you love yourself (and that you can’t sidestep clichés when you talk about self-worth). So treat yourself with our Self-Help Smorgasbord. It’ll keep you back on track with self-supporting goals that you promised at the beginning of the year. (These were called resolutions, or something like that, right?)

Inside our Self-Help Smorgasbord. Treat yourself.

Vintage typewriter tins I found on a design board. Love!

My name is Alexis, and I’m an addict.

Every day I enter the Knock Knock office through the business side (because their door is always unlocked in the mornings), stroll through the kitchen where I drop off my lunch, then head upstairs to get settled. I log in, open my fonts folder, launch my browser, and type in Pinterest.com. And the daily obsession begins.

Anyone that’s used Pinterest knows it’s incredibly easy to get lost in looking at images your friends and complete strangers have pinned. I first started pinning out of curiosity, but I’ve been doing it for months now. In addition to finding heaps of crockpot recipes (ideal for a chick living in a studio apartment at the beach with only a kitchenette), I also find daily design inspiration.

I currently have several boards going, with themes such as “I like type” (exquisite type treatments I wish were my own), “For future reference” (miscellaneous images and color palettes for future projects), “Yum” (treats I’d like to make), “Pretty skin” (beautiful tattoos), and of course, “Things I’ve made” (products I’ve designed and other people have pinned. What can I say? I’m proud of what I’ve done at Knock Knock!).

More tins, only you can grow things in them. It would make a lovely vintage pot for sure!

Recently, I was working on a new product (which shall not be named) for Fall 2012, and our creative director Craig suggested I look at art from tins and pill containers along the lines of Sucrets. Those with a sane mind would probably begin a search on Google, but not this designer. Instead, I headed right to Pinterest, pulled a folder of images onto my desktop and immediately began sketches for my second round of covers.

I refined my designs and presented them at our weekly Work In Progress (WIP) meeting in front of the creative directors, sales and editorial teams, and of course, our head honcho. The result of WIP meetings can go many ways—from “back to the drawing board” to “not quite right, but almost there” to my favorite, which happened other day, silence. If you read our blog (and clearly you do), then you know that the Knock Knock team is rarely at a lack for words.

Loving these makeup tins I found as well.

I can honestly say I’ve only presented a handful of designs that have had such an effect on them. Everyone leaned in around the conference room table, examining the design. I looked from face to face, waiting for some kind of reaction—raised eyebrows, scowls or furrowed brows, chuckling, rolling eyes—anything! I’d take what I could get.

When the quietness finally broke, it was clear the silence was a very good thing. The team couldn’t decide which among the bunch they liked best! A win for this designer (wipes invisible dirt off shoulder). Thanks to Pinterest, finding inspiration for this project was a cinch. I think this product is going to be a beautiful addition to the Fall 2012 line. But you can be the judge.

All of you obsessed with Pinterest, much like Alexis, should check out Knock Knock’s boards! (Yup, we jumped on it.) Happy pinning!