#SleighTheHoliday with Bed Bath & Beyond

This post was created in partnership with Bed Bath & Beyond but all opinions are my own. I only partner with brands I truly love.

Hi there,

Can you believe that Christmas is one week today? Time flies and if you’re like me, you still have some last minute gifts to buy for the special people in your life or maybe you need a hostess gift or two. And you’re probably thinking about that brunch you said you would host and what you should cook. I have teamed up with Bed Bath & Beyond to share some of my favourite things and provide some ideas and inspiration.

Bed Bath & Beyond has everything needed to prepare for the holidays and is your “one stop shop” for finding gifts for everyone on your list. There is even a gift category on their website where you can browse curated items according to price or the person (or pet) you are shopping for. The in-store and online shopping experience will make it easy for you to #SleighTheHoliday. I have to say that I was super impressed with the folks that helped me out at my local store.

A Vitamix and a panini press have been on my wish list for awhile so this was the perfect opportunity to add those two small appliances to my kitchen. The panini press is actually a grill, griddle and panini press all in one – the Cuisinart Griddler. So besides making the perfect panini, it also can grill steaks and make bacon and eggs too. (PS Bed Bath & Beyond price matches so I was able to purchase this for much less than the stated price.)

I decided to go with the A2500 Vitamix in their new Ascent series and opted for a switch rather than a touchscreen. If you have never heard of a Vitamix, they are the luxury end of blenders and the brand most trusted by professional chefs. They are meant to be used every day not just once in awhile so they should be placed on your counter for easy access. They are built to last and have been engineered to perfection over the last 70 years.

I couldn’t wait to make my first healthy smoothie and share it on my Instagram story:

So about those brunch guests? Whipping up a soup in the Vitamix and a panini on the press is super easy and healthy. I made a sweet potato/butternut squash soup but you can add or use carrots, potatoes or parsnips. It’s as easy as boiling the vegetables (peeled and cut into large chunks) in vegetable or chicken broth with a quartered onion, blending in the Vitamix and seasoning to taste. Easy peasy and so good! I literally could eat soup every day in these cold winters of ours.

For the panini, you could use any sort of cheese, meat and/or vegetables. I used brie, ham and tomato. Grill it for a couple of minutes at most on each side and voila, a very tasty gourmet sandwich. The Vitamix and the Griddler will not only make you look like Martha while entertaining but they would also make the perfect gifts as well.

Everything in the image above is from Bed Bath & Beyond. I already had the plate and spoon. The white bowl and grey placemat are simple and go with anything.

Plate | Spoon | Bowl | Placemat

#ihavethisthingwithteatowels. I really do. So I could not resist these ones by Ellen Degeneres (ED) which come with the playful wood spoon. Adorable, right? Speaking of adorable, every photo looks much better with Ellie in it. I can always get her to pose in return for a treat. (PS I already had the tea towel above. See this Instagram post of another photo with the pup tea towel.)

In fact, I was a little bit obsessed with everything Ellen like this pillow. It adds just the right amount of festivity to my bedroom and since it doesn’t read Christmas, I can use it throughout the winter season.