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.
Toffee sounds great . . . And toffee. And more toffee. And I love me some dark chocolate, too.
yummmmmm hazelnut heaven. I have just come around to dark chocolate and now I see what all the fuss is about. I’d love to try any of them.
I’d like to try them all but esp the Midnight and Sea Salt kinds 🙂
Sea salt soiree sounds amazing! I LOVE sweet and salty…yummmmm!
Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude sound incredible!! Love you girls – your recipes inspire tired old cooks like me… lol!!
They all sound so yummy, but I think I would probably pick Toffee Interlude and Sea Salt Soiree. How fun!
I feel like if it’s not dark then it’s not worth it! Sea salt all the way baby… and Toffee because everything is more delicious with toffee.
I could go for some toffee interlude!
The Toffee Interlude sounds divine! Thanks for a great giveaway!
I would like to try the Hazelnut Heaven.
Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude both sound amazing!
I LOVE dark chocolate, especially Ghiradelli! I would enjoy any of these varieties, but especially the Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and I KNOW I would love the Toffee Interlude. What a fun evening you put together!!
Toffee! Yum!
My two choices would be Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude. Spun wonderful. I need a girls night out.
When it comes to chocolate, I don’t discriminate. I’ll have them all, please.
Hazelnut Heaven sounds heavenly!
oooh! sounds divine! I would love to try the midnight reverie, toffe and hazlenut.
I just know I would love the Hazelnut Heaven. I’d also love to try Midnight Reverie. I love love LOVE dark chocolate!
Toffee Interlude sounds heavenly!!
Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude would have to be the ones I tried!! My girls and I were just thinking of ideas for a girls night, and I think you may have helped us figure it out!
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude.
I LOVE dark chocolate! Sea Salt sounds the best to me.
Cabernet Matinee, Hazelnut Heaven or Sea Salt Soiree
maybe with all these goodies My girlfriends will stay a while. Toffee and The Chili Pepper are my favorite.
Man they all sound so good!! The toffee one sounds so good as does the hazelnut one!!
I LOVE dark chocolate! I think that I would like to the try the hazelnut, the toffee, and the sea salt! I hope I win!
I’m 8 months pregnant with my 3rd boy and my oldest just turned 3. I need chocolate 🙂 Toffee and the Salt Soiree sound amazing.
Oooh, I LOVE toffee! That one is a must for sure. I’d also love to try the Cabernet, Hazelnut, and the Sea Salt. Yum!
I am pretty sure Hazelnut Heaven is where I wish to dwell… or any really ☺
Ooh I definatly need some chocolate in my house. I’ve been eating dark chocolate chips in place of a chocolate bar. I would totally want the Evening Dream and the Toffe Interlude. 🙂