1. Prepare a New Recipe

Open a random page of a cookbook and prepare that recipe. Cooking is a fun way to slow down, reflect, or bond with others—plus, you get to enjoy a new dish.

2. Host a Listening Party

Purchase a new album and listen to it the entire way through. Or, invite friends to bring their favorite records and take turns playing them from beginning to end.

3. Write a Love Song

Do you play an instrument? Spend part of the day writing a love song for a real or imaginary lover. Bonus points for crafting your lyrics using a Blackwing pencil.

4. Dine Out (Without Your Phones)

If you don’t feel like cooking this year, grab a table at your favorite restaurant and leave your phones at home. Enjoy your food, enjoy the conversation, and don’t worry about your notifications. If you drove, leaving phones in the car works too.

5. Do Arts and Crafts

You could paint, draw, or make Valentine’s Day cards over a bottle of wine. Hang your creations on the refrigerator for the rest of February (or until spring).

6. Go Outside

Weather permitting, get some fresh air. A hike, a jog, or a walk in the park are great ways to slow down while moving your body. Consider striking up a conversation about the nature of love along the way.

7. Stargaze

When was the last time you spent an evening looking at the stars? It’s a beautiful and romantic way to appreciate our universe. Of course, February can be chilly in some parts, so bundle up and bring hot chocolate for added warmth.

8. Read a Book… Out Loud

Take turns reading a story or a collection of poems out loud with your partner or friend group. This is a relaxing way to stimulate the imagination—and perhaps more enjoyable around a fire. Flying solo? Reading aloud can still be an effective way to slow your mind and body. Savor every word.

9. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery

Take a trip to a local museum or art gallery and immerse yourselves in culture and history. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, keep an eye out for works that appear to explore the theme of love. Then, grab desserts afterward and discuss your favorite pieces.

10. Try Out the New Blackwing Essentials Gift Sets

Finally, purchase one of our new gift sets for someone special in your life—or for you! Featuring several of our most popular products, they’re an elegant way to experience of Blackwing.

The post Slowing Down Together: 10 Creative Ways to Reconnect This Valentine’s Day appeared first on Blackwing.

Dork Tower

A recent Twitter conversation led me to discover that John Kovalic, illustrator of the popular card games Apples to Apples and Munchkin, is a Blackwing user. Not only that, he uses Blackwings on all of his Munchkin work.

@Blackwing SERIOUSLY? I use Blacking for all my Munchkin work!

— John Kovalic (@muskrat_john) January 29, 2015

This led me to John’s other ventures, including his Dork Tower comic strip. I’m a big webcomic fan, and John’s jokes, references and musings are right up my alley. If you consider yourself a “dork” in any way, I suggest you check it out.

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Mahlon

Zanadu Comics

In January, I had the opportunity to spend a few work days in Seattle. When I’m on the road, my first order of personal business is to find the local comic shops. I like visiting comic shops because there aren’t exactly any nationwide chains, so each shop you visit has a unique look and feel to it. I found Zanadu Comics and decided to check them out. This place was RAD. They have a section dedicated to works by popular authors, they also have a section of books broken up by genre rather than publisher which I thought was a neat twist. The staff were super helpful and even offered up a quick tour of the store. If you’ve got some spare time and are in the Seattle area be sure to check them out!

John

Janet Jackson – Control (1986)

Control is a wild album.  Produced by the duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it’s full of wild synthesizers, Russell Simmons–style drums, synth basses and even the odd 80’s guitar solo.  It’s Janet’s first album after she broke ties with her father Joe’s management, and she appropriately sings about finding herself as an independent woman and artist.  The real treasures on this album come towards its ending: “Let’s Wait Awhile” and “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)” are the album’s final two tracks and they’re the only slow-jams on the record.  The latter closes the album out with Janet speaking some sultry French as she reunites with a departed lover. 

The post Weekly Discoveries 01.29.2015 – Dork Tower, Zanadu Comics and Control appeared first on Blackwing.