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.
What an awesome night that must have been! I LOVE it! I’d love to try the Hazelnut and the Toffee! 🙂
Love the baskets! I’d like to try Toffee Interlude.
wow! you’ve inspired me! i sooo need a girls night! (and so do at least 5 other ladies i know!) I’am in the same sleep/husband always away boat.. we really do need time for ourselves once in a while.. i want to try Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude and cabernet matinee 🙂 and PS, you ladies are AMAZING! Ghiradelli is truly the best chocolate ive ever had… it really beats them all!
Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude! What a fun night!!
I would love the toffee or sea salt.. yum. Sounds like a good night
I’ll bet you were one popular lady! YUM!!! I’m all about the last three, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. Of course, how can you go wrong with any! 3 cheers for Ghirardelli!
Ummm….all of them….;) Duh! But if I could choose only one I would pick Midnight Reverie. I don’t think you can have chocolate that’s too dark!
I’d love anything with sea salt and/or/yes dark chocolate! 😉 Pretty much anything with chocolate is my friend!
Toffee sounds amazing! So does the sea salt, I love the salty-sweet combo.
I would LOVE to try the Sea Salt Soiree and the Toffee Interlude. Ugh, they both sound so good I sort of hate them.
They all sound delicious! mmmmmmmm. But I guess if I had to narrow it down I would really like to try the Twilight Delight, Sea Salt Soirée and the Toffee Interlude! Yum!
Yum! I want to try Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude! I love your blog!
Already a fan of the Twilight Delight! Yum!! Can’t wait to check out the rest!
Oh my goodness! They all sound so good! But the one I am most anxious to try would be Toffee Interlude! That sounds divine!!
Toffee interlude for me! Yum! If I win, I promise to share with my dark-chocolate-lovin’ friend Lindsay, who’s about to join the ranks of the sleep deprived and certainly deserves a bit of chocolate therapy.
What a great idea for a party! I love the little gift baskets Im not a dark chocolate eater but my husband can tear up a dark chocolate candy bar!!
toffee interlude please!
hazelnut heaven!
I LOVE sea salt caramel, but I can’t wait to try the cabernet one! God bless Ghirardelli and chocolate.
Sea Salt Soiree…seriously!? That sounds AMAZING.
I would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree, and the The Midnight Reverie!! What a great giveaway!! I would defintely have to hide this from my sweet children(8 of them), and risk having no sleep the next morning to stay up late and enjoy each bite!!! Thanks so much!!
I’d love to try them all! but Hazelnut heaven or sea salt would probably be my first choices.
I would start with toffee interlude and then go down the line!
Hazelnut Heaven please 🙂
I think that the flavors Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude sound amazing! My baby is due April 7th, so I think a chocolate party for myself would be a good reward for the last 9 months 🙂
Would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven or the Toffee Interlude! Yummy!
I would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven, Toffee Interlude and the Evening Dream!
My kids are 6, 5, 2, and 2 months……. I need some chocolate!!! The Sea Salt sounds amazing 🙂
I would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree. Sounds fantastic!
I would start with the Toffee Interlude. But they all sound amazing!