Hey Bellas!
In years past, I’ve done big holiday gift guides, and let me tell you, they are kind of exhausting to research and write. So I figured this year I’d do something a little different and have a series of gift suggestions from the kind of companies and entrepreneurs a bella like me is down with.
I figured there was no better way to kick off the series than with the multitalented force of nature known as B. Smith.
In case you didn’t know, she’s a former fashion model turned television host, author, entrepreneur, entertainer, and restaurateur who has collaborated with Pillsbury to make delicious white and whole wheat frozen dinner rolls that I am totally obsessed with and buy practically on a weekly basis (check your grocery’s freezer section for her smiling face). And now she’s also designer of all kinds of awesome home items you can buy at Bed Bath and Beyond!
My question is, is there anything she can’t do?
B. Smith’s Bed Bath and Beyond line features serveware, home furnishings, and bedding, which I swear is my undoing. I am obsessed with bedding. I can spend happy and mindless hours online, fantasy shopping for duvet covers. (OMG, I love the DwellStudio for Target collection. This peaceful blue is just my style).
Back to B. Smith — her bedding looks luxe and comfortable and like the kind of thing a husband and wife can compromise on. Not too masculine, but funky and fun enough to please a bella like me.
Love her lush chocolate brown Gambela duvet cover. I think I need the Gambela quilt in my life. I love the bold, bright squares juxtaposed against that warm chocolate brown. $99.99, but wouldn’t ya know it, the queen size I need is out of stock.
Her candles would make lovely home accents and great gifts for say, your secret Santa at work. That musk-scented embossed Lodge candle looks like a far pricier candle, and it’s $12.99. The pear guava scent sounds divine, and the hammered copper rings on the pillar candles is a very pretty accent.
As an aspiring home entertainer whose idea of “home entertaining” involves a bag of Stacy’s Pita Chips and a tub o’ hummus, B. Smith’s book, Entertaining and Cooking for Friends might be a good place for me to start. Her ideas seem pretty easy to try — I’m totally going to make her garlic, cheese, and tomato bread bites the next time we have company. For healthy dinner suggestions, she’s got the Journey for Control section of her website with offerings like steak tostadas and diabetes friendly barbecue chicken.
At Bed Bath and Beyond, B. Smith sells serveware, and I absolutely LOVE her three piece oven-to-table covered casserole dish. White porcelain, so it’s very clean looking and modern, and it comes with a wooden serving spoon! $39.99, but unfortunately out of stock right now.
For a more affordable and available gifting option, check out the serving trio with wooden tray – three elegant porcelain bowls on a wooden tray that are just begging to be filled with colorful dipping sauces. $19.99! Not too shabby.
Are you a B. Smith fan? Have you ever purchased her products or been to her restaurant? Tell me!
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December 4th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Omg Bella!!! That quilt is exactly what I was looking for. When I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond they only had the coverlet. AND it was a twin no where near the queen I needed. B. Smith is just teasin’ us with that one. It would be a perfect match to the blocks of colors in my bedroom. Perfect I say! It has been years since I went to her DC restaurant location. I may have to put that on the dining out list.
Later Bella
sondaiexpress
December 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I had no idea that B Smith had a line of houseware at BBB. No I have a good reason to use that 20% off coupon that they send me every week.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I love that Gambela set. It’s so warming and inviting. As always, Bella, you have wonderful posts!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
And thank you for your great finds!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
She is definitely awell-rounded bella. I absolutely love that bedding ensemble. I too, can now use all of those 20% off coupons that I have been saving. I save them because an employee of BBB told me that they accept their expired coupons as well. Great! And why wouldn’t they because they are all the same anyway. Ha!
Thanks for the suggestions.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Hey Bella.
B Smith is one of my idols; she’s also so beautiful. She’s one of the few African Americans that are visually in front of the home and living well market place. I’m not crazy about her home accents; but I admire her tenacity and longevity in the hospitality business. I’ve been to her restaurant and her food is dalish.
And I love Dwell Studio. Chic, Simple, and Zen like…
December 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I’m a huge B. Smith fan and don’t know how I missed the Pillsbury whole wheat frozen rolls! I love the food at her restaurant in NYC – especially the bread pudding (yummm…) I also admire her beauty and her ability to be successful in a number of ventures. I’m definitely gonna check out the line at BB&B. Thanks for the picks!
December 4th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I have been a huge B. Smith fan since her first tv show. I’m going down to Bed Bath and Beyond ASAP!
December 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I love B. Smith. I have been to her restaurant here in New York several times. It’s an elegant place and the food is good. I always feel B. Smith never gets all the exposure she deserves. She should be as big as Martha.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Oh wow! I am loving her style!! Thanks for showcasing her!!
December 4th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I knew of B Smith long before I ever heard of Martha Stewart.I will be checkin for those rolls,and I want all new bedding for my husband and I when we move soon.Thanks Bella!
December 4th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
i LOVE B. Smith! I ate at her place in september and it was awesome. she came by our table and was gracious (and ridiculously pretty). i’m going to check out the bedding and spread the word.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Yes, B. Smith is great – such an inspiration. I’ve been to her restaurant here in D.C. several times. They have a fantastic brunch and a great private dining room.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
She is seriously my inspiration. I am not a huge fan of her home decor and accessories (a little to plain for me) but I love her restaurants and the specials she’s done for TV One with her husband.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I love B. Smith. I am a foodie and I am always looking for ways to display my beautiful food and I came across her serveware and fell in love…I also love her bedding…Havent been to her restaurant yet but its on my list of places to visit!!!
December 5th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Hey Bella!! Great post!
A co-worker had a chic dinner party and served apps on a chic tiered serving tray and lo & behold I found out it was B. Smith!! I will definitely check out her bedding as well.
BTW, I got one of the Dwell Studio duvet sets and they are worth it.
I love it and I say get it! : )
December 5th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
What a wonderful selection! Makes me want to live in the US for a little while to go shopping
December 5th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
My mom is a big fan of B. Smith. My parents home is covered in B. Smith decor. I really like the bedding. It’s very colorful and the dark brown is very rich and looks great against the colors.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Okay, this post is forcing me out of lurkerdom. Now, everybody knows my secret! I love B. Smith’s stuff at BBB and have been collecting it for the past couple of years. I absolutely adore the serveware and am patiently waiting for the casserole you featured to come off of backorder. BBB has free shipping right now, for those that don’t know. You can’t usually use your coupons online BUT if you take one into the store to place your online order, they will usually honor it.
December 6th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Love B. Smith! In 2007, my husband took me to her DC restaurant the day before he proposed. I also registered for a few of her serving items–love them. Plus, I just bought her bathroom furniture. I think she is so much better than Martha Stewart….I’ve been down with her for a while.