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.
My father would be in Heaven with this. He has easily taken me over to the “dark side.” I am becoming more and more a dark chocolate fan. They all sound delicious but I would love to try Toffee Interlude or Evening Dream.
My first choice would be the Toffee Interlude but then again I don’t think I have ever refused chocolate. 😉
Must I choose?! They all sound delightful but I guess I would go for Midnight Reverie and toffee interlude!
I’d love to try the sea salt soiree, but all the flavors sound delish
I would love to try the Toffee Interlude
Toffee intelude 🙂 or hazelnut one too
Midnight Reverie and Hazelnut Heaven! Thanks!!!
Stephanie
It matters not what flavor!….it is CHOCOLATE…is it not!!!
All of them sounds enticing. I love dark chocolate. If I had to pick just one I would say Sea Salt Soiree.
Oh, I could use a girls night especially one involving chocolate! I’d love to try the Sea Salt or the Toffee Interlude, although they all sound so good.
What a fun idea! Both the sea salt and toffee sound super yummy!
Evening Dream & Toffee Interlude sound yummy!
The hazelnut or the sea salt! But then again anything that’s not cheap Easter candy would be great!
Sea Salt Soiree for sure! I have loved Ghirardelli chocolate since I was little. One of my favorite memories is baking Ghirardelli brownies with my dad and getting to lick off the spoon:)
Really you expect me to choose which I would like to try the most???? Yes, all of them. But if I have to choose it would be midnighttwilighteveningcabernethhazelnutseasalttoffee.
How many can I choose? I’d love Cabernet Matinee, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. But I think I only get two… so maybe Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude? and if I can add a third, I’d go Cabernet Matinee.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOVE DARK CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!! I’d like Midnight Reverie, please! 🙂
I would love to try Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree & Toffee Interlude but I bet all of them are amazing!
Definitely hazelnut heaven and toffee! I LOVE anything with chocolate!
I would love to try Toffee Interlude.
I love Ghirardelli chocolate…I would especially love to try the toffee flavor.
My wife would love the toffee
Oh, without a doubt I’d want the sea salt one. I love salted chocolate with a passion that my family just doesn’t understand! My second choice would probably be toffee because that’s another love!
I would love to try the toffee and the sea salt one. What a great idea for a girl’s night in! 🙂
I think I’d like to try the sea salt, toffee, and hazelnut! They all sound really good!
Sea Salt Soiree sounds wonderful 🙂
They all sound divine but I would go with the Hazelnut heaven, or toffee interlude.
I would most likely go for the hazelnut, seasalt or toffee. But if “forced” any would be yummy.
Toffee Interlude sounds heavenly!
Which flavor to try? Ummmmmmm, how ’bout ALL of them. We are talking about chocolate here, right? Okay, so if I HAD to pick one, I would go with the Sea Salt Soiree. Sounds delish.