Music Spotlight - Ashley Brooke Toussant

i've got a super-duper, special surprise in store for you this evening!
a few weeks ago, a lovely lady by the name of Ashley Brooke Toussant (side note: adorable name, right?!)
contacted me about featuring her music on my blog.
after ONE listen, i knew i HAD to share her beautiful tunes.

so take some time to check out these lovely photos & listen to some amazing new music.
because, i don't know about you, but i'm always up for hearing new tunes. especially when they sound like this ;)







images via here's looking at me kid

have a listen!



Head on over to Ashley Brooke Toussant's Bandcamp for some sweet deals that Ashley has been kind enough to share with you guys!

Here are the discount codes:
For a 20% discount, type in "heartsclub"
For a free download of the title track 'sweetheart', type in "twohappyhearts"

AAAANNNDDD....last but not least...she has decided to do a giveaway of her new CD!!
all you have to do is comment below, and a winner will be randomly selected on Saturday, September 24th!

can't wait to declare a winner to a lucky reader!
i hope these lovely tunes have brightened your evening as much as they have brightened mine.

oh, and don't forget to share the love on your own blog!
this girl is sweet as can be and her music deserves to be heard by the world ;)

xo,
cj

Music Spotlight - Natalia Lafourcade

hello darling friends! i'm enjoying a day off today.
most of my morning has been spent sitting at the coffee shop my sister works at.
does anyone else tend to get cabin fever if you're home all day?
i thought it would be nice to get out of the house and blog from the cafe today.

today i've got a little music spotlight for you...
natalia lafourcade is an adorable singer/songwriter from mexico.
i discovered her music when my friend wendy showed me her take away show from la blogotheque.
they have videos called take away shows. they film artists at interesting locations all around the world.
some of my favorites (besides natalia) include: Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird, and First Aid Kit.
if you've got some spare time, you could lose yourself in these amazing videos.

anyway! back to the oh so adorable Natalia.
not, this whole video is perfection....but i particularly love the first song, Ella Es Bonita (translates to She is Beautiful.)
i mean, how adorable is she?! running while playing guitar, laughing as she loses her breath when she first starts singing, hopping around on those little yellow things...CUTE!


ps. her boots are wonderful.

i always appreciate musician when they have pretty photoshoots
i love these of natalia:









i hope you all enjoyed this little snippet of musical beauty!
it sure brightened my day a bit.

have a lovely Thursday, friends!

romping around in a little red romper

happy saturday!
i hope you all had a lovely day.

we rode our bikes around town this afternoon.
we stopped to take these photos by the railroad tracks,
then we visited my sister at the coffee shop she works at.

i wore this fun romper.
i just bought it the other day,
so this was my first adventure in it.
i'm kinda in love.

oh, and i heard this cover of "Let My Love Open the Door" by M. Ward today at work.
it's such an amazing song, and i adore M. Ward's voice.
so....it's perfect ;)
have a listen while you browse:






























(a fun little snapshot. you can sorta see tim's bike behind me. isn't it the cutest?!)


(found this neat trailer along the way...)




(romper: thrifted, hat: charlotte russe, kitty ring: romwe, necklaces: thrifted and found, socks & sunglasses: delias, wedges: aldo)

have a super fun evening, everyone.
timothy and i are having a quiet night in.
we had friends staying with us for the past couple weeks.
they just left this morning, so we're trying to figure out what to do without them!
we got so used to having game nights every night.

oh well. i think we'll cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie.
sounds good, right?

love you(s),
christen

music spotlight - the secret sisters

my sister just introduced me to this super amazing band today.
the secret sisters from nashville, tennessee.

here's a little quote about them...

"Listening to the Secret Sisters sing, you hear in their voices a sound that is timeless and of the moment."

i think they mostly due old-time country & bluegrass covers, which i love!
they have beautiful harmonies and quite adorable style!





this is a cute song called "Tennessee Me"



so cute, right?!
have a listen & have some fun!

my sister and i cruised around town, listening to the whole record.
that is definitely my absolute favorite way to listen to a record for the first time!


xo,
christen

Music Spotlight - First Aid Kit

today's music spotlight features a band i've been listening to NONSTOP lately.
on the flight from houston to chicago last night, i had their record on repeat.
it's so beautiful.

they're two sisters, hailing from sweden, making wonderful music together.







this song, ghost town, is my favorite.
it'll make you fall in love with them.



this one is also one of my favorites - i met up with the king.



yep. i've officially found my favorite "driving around town" record.
it's so amazing!

their debut album is called "the big black, and the blue"

hope you enjoy!
have a fantastic day.
i hope it's warm wherever you are. because it is way too cold here in indiana.

xo,
christen

Music Spotlight - Tegan & Sara

today's music spotlight is fun. just plain fun.
i know a lot of people who LOVE tegan & sara...and some people who don't.

but it's hard to argue the fact that this is THE perfect song to drive around town,
blasting with the windows down. preferably with your best friends.



my twin showed me this video after she saw them live.
she said they were amazing!
and a little secret... my sister was not a fan before she saw them live.



so, whether you love them or hate them...
it's hard to deny that this song is FUN!

Music Spotlight - The Honey Trees

today's music spotlight is The Honey Trees.
they are a wonderful band from california.

such an adorable couple making lovely music!
just look at the photos & watch the video.

you'll fall in love too





an incredibly beautiful video...



what a fun music spotlight this week, right?!
i kinda love them and wanted to share with all of you :)

ALSO... i, unfortunately, did NOT win the Free People gift card :/
but i appreciate all the support & votes from everyone!
better luck next time i suppose.
i'll win something amazing someday!

OH! some exciting news!
i've been sewing little owl christmas ornaments!!
oh my goodness, they are so cute!
our internet has been sketchy lately, so i'll be posting photos once we get things sorted out.
buuuuut....they're kind of incredible and they would make a beautiful addition to any christmas tree.

happy monday everyone!

Music Spotlight - Langhorne Slim

woah, sorry it's such a late post today!
it's been a crazy-busy day today.

but this week's music spotlight is: Langhorne Slim





i've been listening to Langhorne Slim for a couple years now, and his music never ceases to impress me.
i love his unique tone, beautiful instrumentation, and his postive & happy lyrics keep me coming back for more.

his music is perfect for fall days with the windows down and the leaves changing.
i suggest getting his record, and going on a long drive somewhere...just to listen to the entire record straight-through.



Create a playlist at MixPod.com

“Yeah well, whether you feel like dancing and singing or not dancing and singing, just not worrying about what other people are thinking is cool, being true to yourself.” -Langhorne Slim

on that note, goodnight my friends.

Music Spotlight - Maria Taylor

happy sunday everybody!
i adore sundays.
my husband and i get to spend the entire day together!

today's music spotlight is actually happening on sunday :)

and today i'm featuring one of my long-loved favorites: Maria Taylor.





her voice is just incredible. period.
i always said that if i could sing like anyone, it would be her.
her tone is beautiful and pure.

a few of my favorites by her:

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

there you have it!
a lovely playlist for your sunday afternoon, if i do say so myself.
have a wonderful sunday. i hope yours will be as wonderful as mine <3