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.
Fun times! I have had the Twilight Delight and love it. I am a dark chocolate kind of girl! Toffee interlude and the Sea Salt would be fun to try though! This is such a fun giveaway!
I would love to try the midnight, sea salt and toffee!
hazelnut heaven and toffee interlude sound wonderful.
I LOVE dark chocolate, so I’d try them all! The toffee sounds delicious also.
What an awesome party idea! I am torn between Hazelnut Heaven and the Toffee Interlude!
This looks like an awesome party and I love the little gift boxes! I would love to try the Cabernet Matinee & Hazelnut Heaven.
I would like to try the Sea Salt Soiree
Hazelnut heaven – all the chocolate bars on my mission in Ukraine had hazelnuts in them so I’m a big fan now.
I’m going to have to go with the Toffee one. Everything tastes great with toffee!
I love chocolate!! Hazelnut Heaven and the Toffee Interlude sound amazing!
I love dark chocolate. I would love to try the Toffee.
All of them! But toffee interlude sounds the best.
Oooh yum! Sea salt and the toffee sound delicious!
DARK CHOCOLATE!!!!! It’s the only candy I buy and actually get to eat before my kids snarf it up.
Sea Salt Soiree! Love sweet/salty combinations
As an expecting mother in her third trimester chocolate is one thing I’m still able to enjoy so this is right up my alley. 🙂 I would love to try the Twilight Delight and the Hazelnut Heaven.
Ooooh, the Toffee Interlude sounds great! Would love to win this–no kids here, but no shortage of stress either!
Sea Salt and toffee alwasd have a special place in my heart… and mouth!
Toffee Interlude sounds divine. Love dark chocolate!
Sea Salt Soiree for me please!
Hello Chocolate! Toffee Interlude for me, please. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it.
The Toffee and Sea Salt ones sound yummy. It would just be fun to win something! I really need that break!
I’d love to try them all! If I had to choose two, I’d probably go with the Twilight Delight and the Toffee.
I would love to try Toffee interlude and Evening Dream! I’m always up for chocolate!
I love dark chocolate. I’d like to try Sea Salt Soiree.
I’d love to try them all, I am a big fan of dark chocolate… of course that Toffee Interlude looks irresistible!
Great idea for a get together. The Sea Salt Soiree is calling my name.
Chocolate? any and all is good! I would love to try the toffee and the twilight the most, I think. There’s nothing quite like the combination of toffee and chocolate (unless it’s the combo of mint and chocolate or peanut butter and chocolate 🙂
This sounds so fun and I am all about girl’s nights and chocolate! I would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven and the Toffee Interlude
I’d love to try Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude