luce loft.

Last night we got to do something special for Luce Loft. We were really happy with how it turned out and we can't wait for next Thursday. The Tree Ring will be playing that night and let me tell you, it's going to be a great show. We were fortunate enough to be working at the loft the same that time they were rehearsing. It was amazing. You can see a clip of their rehearsal here and get info about Thursday here.

loft inspiration // living room

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Here's a little inspiration round up for our living room. I'm noticing a trend in our decorating ideas: grays, white, and black with touches of metallic. I want that scheme in every corner of the house. I'll make sure to add a little more color here and there so that we don't get sick of too fast. We are both so excited to move and start setting up our house, but I need to actually get the house packed up before that happens.

I'm hoping to have a really productive packing/ cleaning day today! Later tonight, we're seeing The Howls at The Casbah. It's their CD release show, so it should be fun! We also have an engagement shoot this weekend and a birthday gathering. Needless to say, it's going to be pretty busy around here. What are your plans this weekend?

new song // take me down to rest

Jake (my brother) and I have been singing more frequently lately. Since a few weeks ago, Philip and Natalie (my sister-in-law) have joined us. We have been writing songs, hanging out and even recording a little to get ready for a show we're having this Friday. It has been lots of fun and the four of us make a great little team. (We have yet to come up with a name for our little family band, so we're still just 'Jake and Chels'.)

We finished a new Christmas song the other night. So far, this one is my favorite:

Hark the Herald

Jake and I recorded a new song last week. One of the best parts: our spouses joined us this time (and it's a Christmas song)! The four of us got together to write harmonies, arrange lyrics, and record this little something. It was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again this week! We have a little performance in December and have lots of practicing to do. This one is free, so enjoy!

we have a winner!

Yay! Sam, you are the winner of my giveaway! Please email me at chansen.213@gmail.com with your mailing address. Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway! It was so great to have so many sweet comments and to here from so many followers. Made me feel loved ♥

I'm cleaning muh house today. LOTS of cleaning! You know what's helping? Bon Iver's new album. It's SOOOOO good! You can hear it on NPR [I think it comes out sometime this month if you want to buy it].

Enjoy the rest of your day. I hope it's a warm one (it's a gorgeous San Diego day today). Oh- and hooray it's Friday!

a song preview.

Ok, I know I said I'd be back tomorrow and it's still today, but here I am. My brother turned my writings into a lovely song and we recorded it today [in my living room]. Hope you like it.

the living room.

Our living room is the place to be today. Here's whats going on:

Making some quick tags for a wholesale order I'm shipping out [and watching 30 Rock].

Recording some music with this guy. That's my brother and his handsom face. [I'm trying to learn what WAV and AIFF mean and how to use Bandcamp so that you can have a listen.]

I'm making To Do lists and devouring lunch.

We don't have a dining room table, so we eat at our couch. Patrick knows he's not allowed on the couch when we're eating. So he stares at me with this face.

Got my hair cut last weekend. You like? The lovely Cami did it. You could visit her here.

I'll be back tomorrow with a DIY :)

pro procrastinator? yep, that's me.

I'm getting ready for my sister-in-law's baby shower. It's tomorrow morning and I'm still prepping. I'm a professional procrastinator. I thought I'd take a little blogging break. I have a few lines written on the new banner. I wanted to share where they came from.

Before I opened my shop I wrote a little story. My brother [who is quite the musician & writer] wrote a happy melody, switched some words around and turned it into a lovely song. The lines in the banner are some of the song lyrics. If we ever record it, I promise to share it here. [We're hoping to do that soon]

Sometimes we sing together. At random events, church, the living room, and even at Starbucks [once]. We always have so much fun. He writes the cutest songs about his wife and we do some of our favorite covers too. I'd like to sing and write more. That was one of my goals for this year. The only problem is that I'm pretty shy about singing. I want to get over that, but it's pretty hard to not be shy about something. I'm very comfortable singing with my brother, but that's about it. Philip hadn't really heard me sing until Jake and I performed at some event [and I think we had been dating a couple years at that point]. I'm finding that the more Jake and I sing together, the less intimidated I feel.

Here is the story I wrote.

welcome. new to these parts? well, let me tell you the story of the dainty woods. this is where music wrote her lyrics. she said it was easy- the trees were humming her a melody. that is the place where dreams were born- you can thank slumber and his colorful imagination. this is the spot where you fell in love and rested in her arms. here, she painted you a memory that you can have forever. and it was this place that you took your pretty ponderings and turned them into something lovely. now we can share them with the world. so stay awhile. you're always welcome. we're here if you gather any questions while exploring the dainty woods.

Well, I should get back to prepping. Hope you are sleeping right now. That's what I wish I was doing. ♥

i wish.

What if part of your job was traveling to Paris with your spouse to follow around an amazing band like The Civil Wars [spontaneous performance on a bridge included]? Well, that's exactly what Tec and Chelsea Petaja did. I LOVE The Civil Wars and am hoping to see them this June at Anthology. Here's a cute 8mm video that they made on their trip. You can see more pictures here.

Don't Look Back

I LOVE She & Him's new music video! The styling is great and come on, how could you not like She & Him?

She & Him - Don't Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.

I sent out this little topper yesterday for Malorie. I love how it turned out ♥

update: There's been question of what the banner says. It's the couple's last name ;)

busy little bee

Sorry I've been so quiet lately. I have been trying to stay productive at home this week. Our home has needed some attention AND I've been decorating for Christmas! Yep :) I am SOOOOO exited!!! Im basically creating a window display in our empty built-in entertainment center. I'm still waiting for a couple of pieces but I am SO HAPPY with how it's turning out so far!

Today, I'm working on hair pieces and things for the shop. While I'm working, I'm listening to some music but I CAN'T STOP listening to Lissie! I just love her live recordings! (I think they're better than her studio recordings for sure) I would love to see her live one day. You should take a listen...check out her bass player. He's singing, playing bass guitar, a hight-hat, and a bass drum. dang.