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.
Since I am a true chocoholic, I would love to try Midnight Reverie, Twilight Delight, Evening Dream,Cabernet Matinee, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. Recently I have particularly craved anything with sea salt! The Cabernet Matinee sounds great with a nice glass of cabernet!
Any and all chocolate is good for me. I would like to try the toffee one and the Sea salt one. Yumm. And what a good idea for a mom night. Time away to spend on myself makes me a better mom.
I would like to try the Toffee Interlude
Sea salt sounds delightful! I am such a chocolate lover!
Oh how I love chocolate! And being from the SF Bay Area, Ghirardelli holds a special place in my heart. I would love to try all the new flavors, but toffee sounds delightful! Thanks for a great giveaway!
I would love to try any of them! Can you come be my new neighbor and best friend? 🙂 I think Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude, would be my two favorites if I had to pick 🙂
The Cabernet Matinee sounds amazing, as well as the Sea Salt Soiree. I’m a sucker for hazelnut though so the Hazelnut Heaven would probably be my top choice! 🙂
They all look delicious but the hazelnut heaven is calling my name.
I love chocolate in general but the Hazelnut one sounds really good! I think I could get both of my kids to try it without any ewwwws or gross that’s nasty remarks lol.
I’d love to try Toffee Interlude. It sounds awesome! 🙂
Definitely interested in sampling the Sea Salt Soiree!! Yum!! And I just may have to steal your little idea of kicking the kids and hubby out to have a little indulgent party of my own! :0)
I love chocolate! What a fun get together with friends! I would like to try the Toffee.
Oh my! I am lusting after the Hazelnut Heaven and the Sea Salt Soiree. I love that just a bit of dark chocolate can have an amazing effect on your mood, whereas it takes several [bags of] M&Ms to do the same. 🙂
I love Ghirardelli! They are chocolate royalty! The Sea Salt Soiree is to die for, but I also love the Twilight Delight and Hazelnut Heaven. Any of these chocolate bars are guaranteed to make your day better… or at least taste better!
What a great idea! You have my wheels turning now! I would love to try the Evening Dream and the Sea Salt Soiree. Oh, my, I think I’m going to start drooling now! By the way, your Cinnamon Bun Caramel Corn is always in high demand. My friends all call it “Crack Corn.” We had a dessert auction recently where one batch went for $27, more than all but a few special desserts. Thanks for the best happiness recipe ever!
Oh, too many choices! If I have to choose, I would say the sea salt soiree or the toffee. But, let’s face it… chocolate is chocolate and I love it all!
Evening Dream,Toffee Interlude, Hazelnut Heaven all sound fabulous!
Midnight Reverie and Twilight Delight! Dark chocolate is the best!
What a cute gift basket! I was wondering where you got these colorful, fabulous mugs?
I would love to try the Toffee Interlude!
Toffee sounds absolutely delish!! The Midnight Interlude sounds good, also. Who am I kidding – they all sound wonderful!!
Toffee interlude! Yum
I’m obsessed with toffee, so Toffee Interlude for me!
Sea salt sorrier and hazelnut heaven sound like just the thing I need to cure these 7th month pregnant complaints. 🙂
Ooh! I’d love to try the Hazelnut, the Sea Salt, and the Toffee ones!
The Twilight Delight sounds good but I’m salivating over the Sea Salt Soiree one. Sounds like so much fun!
I love toffee so I would definitely choose that flavor of chocolate to try and how can you go wrong with hazelnut?!
What a fabulous idea…might have to get this going with some friends!! I’d love to try the twilight delight and the sea salt soiree.
Tofee interlude! Yum.
Midnight Reverie & Sea Salt Soiree
I think I would go for the Evening Dream, quickly followed by all the others!