Live from the Plantation: Merry Christmas!

I can hardly wait...in fact, I couldn't wait on some of my gifts...I love the giving part. Ho, Ho, Ho!!! This year it is very sparkly around here. Now I feel sorry for all of the photographers out there shooting Christmas trees. They are the very hardest thing to shoot and make it look right. Our tree in the hall, is on a table that is 3 ft. and the tree is 6 ft, but in the picture it looks like a 3 ft. tree...go figure. I just wanted y'all to have a peek at a little of our sparkly, twinkly decorations. I do love this time of year.
This first shot is down the entry hall and this enormous old mirror (that is featured in the book) that is dripping with all kinds of shiny gobbly gook that I love.

So, y'all know that I am my mother's child, and she loves antiques as much as I do, so I bought her a fabulous silver tray at Urban Market for CHristmas. She walks into the warehouse and says..."what a pretty tray." I'm like...get away from that, this is your Christmas. Then just the other day we had our annual girl Christmas shopping outing with Portia, Gina, and Heidi. WE try to go to every antique shop known to man in the Dallas area. There, I could not resist a wonderful old French mirror with Borbola dripping from it, for another Christmas surprise for Mom. Could not wait...gave it to her already. Then we had a major Christmas bash for all of the Chatfield women, who are mostly all retired and do not "get" what I do. Spent all day cleaning and weeks decorating, and hardly anyone even stopped to notice the decorations. Some of these women put up a little 3 ft. tree and call it done. Here is to all of you that love to live in a sparkly, drippy, magical wonderland...even if it is only for a few weeks and we have to take it all down.
Here is a shot of the hall tree, although it looks way better in real life. It looks tiny and is really about 8 ft. with the concrete planter.


I love the natural look of all of this. The main tree of course is traditional red and green and will show shots of it on my next post. Also, want to show you all the outside. Nicholas and I went overboard and even have a 6 ft. "Grinch" hiding behind a tree.
















Here is a shot of the front of the hall. I hope that everyone makes a pinky swear to enjoy the Holidays this year. Put on some cozy P.J.'s and warm socks and settle in with some hot chocolate and read a book or look at our favorite magazines for the 100th time, for Pete's sake! Will post more pics, now that things have slowed down a little bit.
Love to all of y'all!

xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: At the Plantation

(Pictured here: Victoria and Jack)
Back home at the Plantation and all of you that know me, know how I always talk about our big, black lab, Jack. He was the protector of the house and all who live here. He kept the skunks, coyotes, and everything else away, and was always waiting at the end of the road to welcome me home. He would run beside my truck and lead the way into the drive with tail wagging and his big ol' tongue hanging out. We have had many dogs and still have three others, but none would take the place of Jack. Just before I left for NYC, as I had to walk down to the barn to get something, Jack ran before me, as he always did, to make sure that all was clear and to protect me.

He would stand in front of me and hold me back, many times, while he chased a cat out or a huge buzzard that was once nesting there. We noticed that he had been limping and the vet suggested arthritis. During the Halloween Weenie Roast and Hayride, I noticed he was having a hard time getting around. We took him for an x-ray and bad news...bone cancer. He did not last long and he passed this week and it was a very teary good-bye. He was one of our family.
He will be sorely missed and reminds us of how important it is to be thankful for the little things and enjoy every being that is in your life, as we never know when that can change. So, this Thanksgiving, I will be reminded once again, to count our blessings and to thank God for all of the creatures and blessings in our life. I appreciate every one of you that support me through the things that I am able to do.
Happy Thanksgiving to any and all who are reading this and my thanks to you!!!

xoxo Carolyn

Carolyn WEstbrook: More from the big apple

So, as promised...more pics from our latest whirlwind trip to NYC. Our hotel was in Times Square so we were sure not to miss anything. We perused all of the junky tourist shops on Times Square and I cannot help it....I love snow globes and they had the tiniest, cutest ones with the Statue of Liberty in pink...how adorable. We grabbed some authentic New York style pizza and headed back to the room to have a hot bath and put on our p.j's after walking all day because Victoria had to watch the Rangers...sorry they lost.
This amazing culinary store/bakery was at the Plaza...OOOH I absolutely love The Plaza. And guess what...
















My favorite store of all time...the Eloise store, all in pink. I absolutely LOOOOOVE Eloise since I was a kid. I had all of the books and read them to my girls when they were little, and they have been skibbling around ever since. We even had to buy Skipperdee and Weenie, back when they were small...they may be vintage now??? Here is Victoria in the Eloise store and she looooved it too. She had to have an Eloise coffee mug and we were upset that there were no Eloise t-shirts for adults. If you have not heard of Eloise, then you simply must look for her books.
This is another shot from another section in ABC Carpet and Home. Again, one word...amazing!
This city is a breath of inspiration.
Will keep posting more pics as we go.


I wanted to say thanks to our friends at French Laundry for the lovely blog post and giveaway on their website. If you have not seen it then check it out for a chance to win a copy of my new book: The French Inspired Home. It is a beautiful website.

We should be in the November issue of Where Women Create, so look for it on stands..thanks to Jo Packham.

Also, just heard from my friend and Editor n Chief, Jacqueline at Romantic Homes magazine, and we were chosen as one of the "Romantics" for their big February issue of Romantic Homes. I am honored to be a part and how she does all that she does with a new baby...incredible.

Don't forget...we will be signing books this Sunday at the Urban Market in Houston, Texas. I hope that you all can come out it is a wonderful show packed with great talent! For more info www.THEURBANMARKETHOUSTON.com

xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook LIve from NYC

This is what welcomed us when we stepped inside the ABC Carpet and Home Store in New York. The chandeliers were breathtaking, all clustered together everywhere. WE had just come from a major department store and I told Victoria that they needed to come over to ABC to see how it was done. STUNNING.

I recognized my friend Cody Foster's product, as I walked in. He designs the coolest stuff. Anyway, you can see for yourself, how great it is. It would be fantastic to be able to see NYC at Christmas time. I have always dreamed of that. I can definitely see why so much design takes place here...the air is charged with inspiration and creativity. Just walking down the street you can gain inspiration!
LOved this all white vignette. You know me and white, we are always in a romance.
















Here you can see more gorgeous chandeliers.
They were everywhere. I will continue to post more pics, so keep looking.

I have to go now as we are hosting our annual Weenie Roast and Haunted Hayride tonight! I have to go scare up some haunts around the plantation and make this place a spook house. We have a hay wagon pulled by horses stopping in to take all of the teens through a scary spook filled ride and I havent even started. Wish me luck and I'll keep an eye out for ya!(tee hee)

xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Live from NYC

That's right, NYC....can you believe it. Things have been a whirlwind lately. First, off to Atlanta to do the Country Living book signing at Stone Mountain and then hopped a plane back home to head to NYC with Victoria and Robert, my licensing agent. It was Victoria's 21st birthday and what better way to celebrate than Times Square?

I have so much to catch up on and will post pics of the Country Living show in Atlanta later. I met a lot of great people there, as usual.

We got to NYC and picked up in a limo (which Victoria loved) and off to the hotel...now that's something that doesn't happen everyday and we enjoyed every minute of it. I was there for some meetings, but we managed to get in some free time.
A long time friend of mine, who grew up in New York told me to go to a place for dinner...Frankie and Johnny's for steak. He said if it was not the best steak that I have ever eaten then he would buy. Well...I happen to think that Royer's has the best steak that I have ever eaten, and have a loyalty to the family. Well...they brought out a Porterhouse for two, sliced off the foot long bone, cooked to perfection...no doubt the best steak that I have ever had. We had to leave half of it there, we could not begin to eat it all. Then off to see Chicago, (the musical not the city) which was fantastic. The next morning there were meetings and after that, I told Victoria we had to head to ABC Carpet and Home. I will post pics of that in the next post. All I can tell you is that it lives up to the hype. It was fantastic. It was my mothership. Unbelievable!!!! For women and guys like us...you gotta go. You are going to be drooling. Here are a few shots that I took along the way of the city. Times Square has changed drastically and the Toys R Us with the 3 story ferris wheel was unbelievable.


As you can see...lots of police everywhere and we felt totally safe there. It was amazing and they are not kidding...the city that never sleeps. At midnight the stores are open and people are shopping like it is a Saturday afternoon.















Here is some shots of some of the musicals playing on Broadway.
Still have not been to the Polo store yet....maybe next time.
Iwish that we could have all been there together to see the ABC store...but I took a bunch of pics, so it is like you were there.
Will post more pics as soon as I can!!!!

xoxo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Back at the Plantation

It's so good to be home! I have missed all of you, but we did have quite the time at the big Warrenton/Roundtop show. For all of you that came out to see a new look and a new book, thanks so much. We sold out of books in a few days, so I apologize for not having enough on hand. We had no idea what to expect and were quite surprised at the turn out and the excitement, and I appreciate that like you will never know.

Here are some shots from the booth, sporting our latest collection of gray, white and magenta. I thought it turned out very dramatic and I love it when a plan comes together. We met many people and some very interesting characters. The blog party was much fun at Theresa Cano's venue and thanks to her for putting that together.
Rick at Marburger Farms was fantastic and made us feel right at home. Thanks to you for letting us sell some books and what a wonderful show.

Hope all that came had a good time...the weather was FANTASTIC! I found some new treasures and brought back presents for my sweet mom.

So, I went to Lowe's last night to buy Nick a utitlity trailer, as he is quite busy, mowing yards, etc. While I was waiting for the manager to go unlock a trailer, I saw a magazine on the rack with pics from the new book on the cover...how exciting. It was the new "Romantic Country" magazine. So, I grab up the only two copies and flipping through like a crazy woman, and then I see the book pages on several pages. Woo Hoo! So, the clerk says, What??? I tell her about my new book and the magazine coverage, and she is like..."ok lady, pay up and move on."
Honestly, I am going to do a little plug for Lowes...they were so good. We had three people outside getting the trailer on my Suburban, changing the ball on the hitch, putting a converter on the lights, etc, etc. and they were completely helpful and concerned...imagine that. So, I am on the Lowes band wagon.

I will be doing a book signing at the "Beaucoup" store in Richardson Texas from 11-2 on Saturday Oct.16th.

Then we head off to the big Country Living show at Stone Mountain in Atlanta, Georgia. I cannot wait to see everyone in Atlanta...it has been a while. I am doing a little presentation and a book signing, so we should have plenty of books for that.

I will keep you posted with more pics from Warrenton.

The book is in most stores now and on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders and others...Carolyn Westbrook: The French Inspired Home.
Hope you all will buy a copy...it is much appreciated and I hope that you enjoy!

xoxo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Live from Zapp Hall

Come One, Come All to the Greatest Show on Earth!

I am talking about the Roundtop Warrenton Antiques Week that only happens twice a year, my friends. I will be debuting my new book!!!!! and you can get an autographed copy, hot off the press. For those of you, who may not know, this is one of the best antique, junkin shows in the world. If you cannot find it here then you can't find it. The show lasts for 10 days beginning officially Friday Sept. 25 at Zapp Hall in Warrenton Texas, but I just came from there and people were already set up and selling. AMAZING. Marburger Farms opens Tuesday Sept. 28th and I will be doing a book signing and a presentation on how to shop French at Marburger Farms, which is absolutely fantastic and inspiring. I am always there for early shopping, racing to my favorite dealers as soon as the fence drops.

My official signing at Zapp Hall, will take place at my good friends Theresa Cano's booth, right outside the door at Zapp Hall, Sunday the 26th, at her fabulous blog party and I believe it starts at 6pm. Check out her website which is Garden Antiques Vintage. I will have books at the Carolyn Westbrook Home booth for signing.
The book made the Publishers Weekly list for fall. Woo Hoo!

We just had a wonderful book signing event at the Creative Connection in Minneapolis and it was super successful thanks to Kevin Haas with Ryland Peters & Small and of course Marny, who keeps me straight on where I am supposed to be and when. Jo Packham and Nancy Soriano put on one heck of an event, and it really was a fabulous gathering of creative women and very inspiring. If you get the chance to go, you should. Minneapolis was beautiful. I have never been and the weather was cool and what a welcome change. I saw pumpkin patches with huge pumpkins and geese all over the place. Thanks to our new pals, the Red Shed girls, Val and Michelle for carting us around to the Junk Bonanza and having dinner with us at the Creative Connection. These girls own a travel agency and an antique business, and they take tours to France. From what I have heard, the tours are fabulous and after being with them, I can assure you that it would be the trip of a lifetime. They are located in Grapevine Texas: The Red Shed.

O.K. I had better see each and every one of you this week at my space at Zapp Hall. I am working hard to make it inspirational and really want all of you to get a signed copy of the new Carolyn Westbrook: The French Inspired Home. We are debuting new bedding, pillows, and home accessories. Bring a truck for loading up, and do not miss this! Come see me and I will give you the best places to shop!!! Be Here:

Zapp Hall
Warrenton TX.
Opens: Friday Sept. 24th-Oct.2nd.

I will be looking for you!!! xoxo Carolyn