I think one of the hardest things for me to do is to remember to take time for myself. It’s really easy to say, “I’m busy and stressed and my 8-year-old and 5-year-old have homework and school projects on a level that I seriously don’t remember having until I was 13 and my husband is working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and I haven’t slept more than 5 hours in a row in the last 8 1/2 months, so I’m going on an online shopping spree and hitting up the drive through between dance class and the second grade musical.” The problem is, no matter how fun it is to get a package in the mail or not clean up after dinner, I still kind of feel like I’m not actually doing anything for myself.
And since, in their own ways, pretty much all of my friends’ lives are as hectic as mine, I decided that we needed a grown-up time out. With grown-up food and drinks and grown-up chocolate.
Sara and I are huge fans of Ghirardelli, so we jumped at the chance to try their Intense Dark chocolate. And then I was so excited that I made my friends try it, too (trust me, if you’re ever having a hard time getting your group of friends together, mention the words “kid-free” and “chocolate party.” Everyone’s plans magically fall into place.)
To make the escape complete, I put together little gift baskets for everyone with some of my favorite things that make me happy.
I put in some cute reusable mugs, toe separators, nail polish, a mini candle, a pumice stone, bath salts, a mud mask, a headband to keep the mud mask out of their hair, lip balm, and a couple big bars of the Ghirardelli Intense Dark chocolate.
When they came over, I made our chocolate ganache by mixing 2 bars of the chocolate (I used the Midnight Reverie, which is super dark at 86% cacao, Twilight Delight, which is 72% cacao, and Cabernet Matinee, which is kind of fruity) with 6 ounces of heavy cream and heating it in the microwave for about a minute (in 20-30 second increments). I served the three pots of different chocolate with a big tray of fruit.
I think the general consensus was that Twilight Delight was the favorite for dipping.
I also had a cake stand loaded with bars of chocolate for us to try out.
Toffee Interlude was probably the favorite of the night, followed by Sea Salt Soiree.
No, this picture was not staged…they were genuinely staring at the square of Sea Salt Soiree in awe.
We had lots and lots of laughs.
and when my kids came home a few hours later, we were genuinely excited to see each other, which was a giant win for everyone.
Since we wish we could invite everyone to a chocolatey escape from reality, we’re doing the next best thing–we’re giving away 3 of the gift baskets from the party, loaded up with  big bars of Ghirardelli Intense Dark chocolate along with a whole bunch of our favorite things to make you feel special!
To enter, tell us what flavors you’d love to try–they are Midnight Reverie (86% cacao), Twilight Delight (72% cacao), Evening Dream (60% cacao), Cabernet Matinee, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. The giveaway will run now through April 2 and the 3 winners will be announced on April 3.
This post was sponsored by Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate. Create your escape here.
The giveaway is sponsored by Our Best Bites. As always, all opinions are completely our own.
Anything chocolate and salt is the way to go for me…of course I would just have to try the others too.
Oh yum! Without a doubt I’d love to try the Sea Salt Soiree!
I’d love to try the toffee one!
Sea salt soiree!!! Yum!
I think the Hazelnut or the Toffee would be my picks to try.
I’d love to try the Toffee Interlude and the Twilight delight.
Toffee Interlude!
But they all sound wonderful…..
Definitely Toffee Interlude!
I totally want to try twilight delight! Thanks for the giveaway.
Toffee or hazelnut! Yummmm.
I love the sound of all the flavors but the hazelnut really makes me drool just thinking about it 🙂
The toffee interlude sounds delicious!
i’d like to try them all : ) i have a serious love for all ghirardelli but especially their dark chocolates. oh yum.
Dark chocolate anything to me sounds spectacular! Since this house buys Nutella by the Sam’s Club/ Costco size I am thinking the hazelnut has got to be a good one (to start with), you ladies are amazing! THANK YOU!!!
I want to try the Twilight!
I would love to try them all! I love chocolate!!
I have to pick just one…impossible. Twilight Delight sounds wonderful, so does Sea Salt Soiree! I would also like to try Toffee Interlude. Ghirardelli chocolate is my favorite!
The sea salt soirée sounds intriguing.
Sea Salt Soiree would be my first choice of many.
Which flavor wouldn’t I love to try?!? They all sound heavenly! I would first try thrTwilight Delight, followed by the Hazlenut Heaven, then, the Toffee Interlude.
I love all things chocolate! I’d love to try Twilight Delight, Sea Salt Soirée and definitely the Toffee Interlude! Those reusable mugs are super cute too!
Definitely the Toffee Interlude. Sounds heavenly!!!
Toffee interlude sounds amazing! I’d love to try them all out and it’d be best for everyone if I had a party to do it, because otherwise I’d eat them all!
I can’t wait to try Twilight Delight and Toffee Interlude. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
The sea salt and toffee both sound delicious, but I am sure (being the chocoholic I am) of them are wonderful.
I really want to try Sea Salt Soiree! Sounds amazing!
toffee! a few years ago, one of my favorite toffee candy bars got discontinued, and i have been searching for a toffee replacement ever since.
What cute little gift baskets! I would love to try the Twilight Delight and the Toffee Interlude. Those sound really yummy! Thanks for the chance to win this fun prize!
I can guarantee I’m probably a toffee interlude girl! Sounds amazing!
I want to be your friend! I’d love to try Evening Dream and Toffee Interlude, I might even go for Twilight Delight!