This is the time of year that we’re rushing around before Christmas, overwhelmed with the stress of holiday commitments like office parties and shopping for the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, I was recently reminded that I need to make time to spend memorable moments with friends that I don’t get to see during the holidays because they may be away with family or on a far away vacation. The greatest gift sometimes, is simply quality time spent with our loved ones. Why not invite a friend or friends over for a fancy brunch or even just coffee and pastry BEFORE Dec. 24th? Last week, I attended a lovely brunch with Nespresso and many media friends. The theme was a Winter Wonderland and I hope to recreate something like this, albeit on a smaller scale, for a few friends at home. 
There were ballerinas en pointe at the event!
The table setting was gorgeous. I loved the gold accents and the amaryllis and evergreen bough centrepiece.
Brunch was gourmet toast with sautéed mushrooms and poached egg. I can master this! Although, maybe not as well as Montreal Sofitel’s Chef Olivier Perret.
The toast was followed by a mocha cake made by Sofitel’s pastry chef, Roland Del Monte. No need to try and master this at home! I would pick up pastry from a favourite pastry shop, or better yet, if you’re having a large group over – you can order Roland’s Yule log this year from the Sofitel’s Restaurant Renoir.
If you’d really like to impress your guests, but without the elaborate table setting and ballerinas, you can pick up some of Nespresso’s limited edition Variations coffee flavours. I recently tried the Apfelstrudel flavour with a girlfriend that I hadn’t seen in a few years. The night before, I had driven 40 minutes to St-Leonard to Dolce Vita Bakery to buy Apple Strudel to go with the coffee! It was a simple brunch, but the fact that we were sharing coffee and pastry on my mother’s fine china, made it that much more special.
How will you be spending your time leading up to the holidays? I hope this inspires you to host someone you love soon!
The limited edition Variations coffees are available at your favourite Nespresso boutique or online here.
Share your own Nespresso Moments with the hashtag: #NespressoMoments
Sponsored by NESPRESSO – opinions are my own. 
