Carolyn Westrook: Urban Market

Hi Everyone! I wanted to invite everyone to our upcoming show at the Urban Market in Houston, Texas.

One day Only!
February 7th
9am-4 pm
The Knights of Columbus in the Heights (Houston)
607 E whitney Dr.
Houston, TX. 77022


THis is a great show and hope that you all will try and attend. For more info go to www.theurbanmarkethouston.com

XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Here's whats going on....

I know that it has been a while, but busy, busy, busy with the new book. I have been up to my ears in decorating, styling, and photography for the new book. We have been working through weekends and all hours to meet deadlines, but how rewarding it has been. I am the most fortunate person to be able to work with one of the best photographers out there, Keith Scott Morton, and his team...thanks to Sarah and Eric, as well. Flying in from NYC and working these kinds of hours is rough, but they are pleasant through it all. For those of you who enjoyed the last book, then hoping that you will love this one. We have photographed some fabulous locations, and the photography has been absolutely stunning. Thanks to all involved who helped make this happen, it has all come together for a fabulous result. We are all still working hard and is due to release Sept. 2010...cannot wait for everyone to see it.

Wanted to remind everyone that the Winter Roundtop show is this weekend in Roundtop Texas, Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of January. Check the Original Roundtop Antiques Show website for more details, or for those of you who know where the "Big Red Barn" is in R0undtop then just come on down. We will be there and have loads of beautiful linens and some wondeful modern style curved slipcovered sofas, so hope to see everyone there! XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn WEstbrook: Happy Holidays

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Holiday Season.
Here's to hoping that we remember the important things in life come from
the heart and not from the department store.

Remember my friends, it is our ability to get creative and give heart felt gifts
that have true meaning, and these do not have to be expensive. A photo album,
a handmade scrap book, a handwritten letter telling those we love, how much
we care, perhaps some homeade cookies or other sweet treats that we have baked
ourselves. These are the real treats in life.
Let's remember, most importantly the Reason for the Season: A Celebration of the
Birth of Jesus, and to share that love this Holiday Season.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Holiday Season to remember!

XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Tis the Season

Can you believe it my friends??? Christmas has snuck up on me this year. I am so far behind and running to catch up. It is Christmas here at The Oaks, and trying hard to get everything ready for the Season. It is a tradition around here that before the turkey is even taken from the table that we all have to gather outside and wrap the massive columns on the porch with garlands. Good thing that I have brothers, and one that is still agile enough to scurry up the 40 ft. ladder. It makes me worried just to look at the ladder, it is so incredibly tall. Of course, when my smarty pants brother starts cutting up, I have to give the ladder a gentle shake and tell him that I hope he doesn't fall. Truly, he is a sweetheart. All brothers, Mom, Dad, Papa, Nana, cousins, sons and daughters have to pitch in, as it is a HUGE undertaking. There are five trees all with vintage ornaments and this year trees are wrapped with lights, as my son Nicholas is feeling even more festive and he is the king of Christmas decorating. He has been busy after school wrapping trees with lights and garlands around the long fence across the front of the property.

This is a great time of year and I cannot believe, SNOW???? This is a shot from last year as it snowed and Victoria and Alex were trailing off into the woods. I love this photo. Meanwhile, perhaps a chance of snow tomorrow, in Texas...seems that Jack Frost is here early
.
Just an update about the book. We did some shooting already and looks like it will be a fantastic book. I am so fortunate to be working with reknowned photographer, Keith Scott Morton, and he has done a magnificent job with the photography and is a joy to work with.

I wanted to let you know also, that I have two matching twin sized red velvet spreads that were made specifially for the book shoot. I now will offer them for sale and they are stunning. They are made to layer over a white dust ruffle and there are pillows to match in the white box pillow and red velvet Euro and some smaller pillows. It is absolutley stunning and thinking that it would be even more so with a white Jr. Box in the front monogrammed in red. Contact us, if you are interested in matching twin and they will be discounted below wholesale.
Meanwhile, hoping that all of you are decorating for the Season and in the Spirit of the Holiday! Hoping that all of your dreams come true for the Holiday Season!
XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving Day! This is one of my favorite holidays because it makes us really look and see how richly we are blessed. Gathering with family and friends is what it is all about and to be thankful for all of the blessings that we have.

For us, it means getting together and cooking up some delicious Southern food. We will have family, and with my little Victoria around, all of her friends that have no family to go to, who will now become part of our family for the holiday.
To me, that is the real blessing. The house is full, as I write with wonderful smells wafting up the stairs. It really is the things that money cannot buy that makes for the spirit of the holiday season. It will not be long until we all sit down and feast on turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, layered salad, mac n cheese, fresh cranberry relish, and all of the yummy desserts. I love this cranberry relish. I will leave a recipe in case anyone wants to make it...it is delicious.

I would like to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season. Hopefully, we will all be reminded to slow down long enough to enjoy the real riches in life...our family, our home and our friends that fill it. Love to all and bon appetite!

Cranberry Relish:

Put this in the food processor:
1 bag fresh cranberries
1 small orange peeled and sliced (slice all of the white part off of the orange)
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Chop and serve

Refrigerate and it is better the longer it sits.

XOXO CAROLYN

Carolyn Westbrook: Thank You

Dear Decorating Friends,

Thanks for all of your support and well wishes about the new book. I have been so enthralled with trying to put together the most fabulous French inspired that one has ever seen that I have forgotten to write. What a great assignment! I love anything French, so loving it. From the crusty French shell art boxes to the crystal chandeliers, hoping that everyone out there will gain inspiration from the new release. My goal is to make it very diverse. That way we will have a little something for everyone. This is going to keep me busy for a while and I am frazzled as I write this on decorating overload, but what better place to be.
I have met a new friend and inspiration along my travels, that I am sure most of you have already heard of...Charyl Coleman. She has been in many magazines, but most memorable for me was the Victoria issue where she did the decor for the revamp of the Havana in San Antonio. When she said that, the memories of that issue came flooding back, not to mention Joe and I went there for our anniversary several years ago...my response was, "You had me at Havana." Charyl does incredible work and just love her ease of style.

Love meeting a fellow sister that loves great design as much as I.

I have to run now and looks like an entire week of 24/7 decorating. Hope everyone is well and let me hear from you! Love reading your comments, it keeps me going!

XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Big Annoucement

Dear Friends,

This is to all who have been asking for some time now, when is the next book coming out. I am very, very excited to announce that I have an answer for that question. That's right friends, the ink is barely dry on the contract, the new book contract that is. I am fortunate enough to be working with Cico/Ryland, Peters & Small on the next book entitled, Carolyn Westbrook: The French Inspired Home, due to release Sept. 2010. We will be doing various signings and hope that all of you will get a copy. I cannot wait to sign a copy for each and every one of you and know that I will work very hard to make sure it is a book that you will cherish as much as the first. Love to all of you and thanks so much for your support. I love hearing from you, so keep those comments coming.
XOXO Carolyn