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.
I would most love to try Cabernet Matinee, but I’m sure I’ll try them all eventually.
Yum! Toffee, sea salt and hazelnut are all calling my name….
I’ve always been a huge toffee fan. I would try the Toffee Interlude. I would even chop it up and add it to some vanilla ice cream!
Did you say chocolate? I am in. I would like to try the toffee … and the hazlenut … sea salt … oh come on. Who are kidding? I’ll just have a little taste of each 😉
Evening dream and toffee interlude sound amazing! Yay for chocolate girl’s night ouy!
Evening Dream and Sea Salt Soiree sound divine! I’m also a pretty big hazelnut fan and what women wouldn’t want to win some free chocolate (to hide from her kiddo and hubby and enjoy in sanctity???).
Sign me up for some sea salt soiree and the evening dream, and the cabaret matinee and …. well, you get the point, right?
I bet the toffee interlude is awesome! Can’t wait to try!
Sea salt and toffee sound amazing, but I am a chocolate fiend and would eat them ALL!!!
I was going to say sea salt soiree, then I switched to the hazelnut, but then the toffee sounded good. Better try them all!
The toffee interlude sounds amazing!!!
Toffee Interlude sounds amazing, but Sea Salt Soiree has to be a close second!
I have actually tried them all. I love all three flavors. I am a sucker for dark chocolate.
I would love to try the Twilight Delight and the Midnight Reverie 🙂
Twilight delight and evening dream. Love dark chocolate!
What a delightful way to pamper yourself and your friends. Friends + Chocolate=winning combination! The options are pretty tempting but I think my favorites &/or the ones I’d like to try are Evening Dream (60% cacao), Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. Maybe this is an idea for throwing myself a birthday party…hmmmm…while it’s a bit unconventional, it might be ok if I am bringing out the chocolate to share. 🙂
Mmmmmm! I love Gharardelli’s stuff, too. I’d want to try their Toffee Interlude and Hazlenut!!
Yum! They all sound delicious. I’d especially like to try the sea salt soirée!
Midnight reverie!
Midnight Reverie $ Evening dream both sound good. Although any of the flavors are probably fantastic.
Sea salt and toffee are my favorites….
Yum..Toffee!!! What lucky friends you have!
Can I just try them all? Chocolate party sounds so fun.
I LOVE Ghirardelli chocolate. There is a Ghirardelli ice cream place in downtown Disney, we would drive there just for they yummy ice cream and chocolate (hour plus drive, crazy). I would love to try the Midnight Reverie, and or the Twilight Delight! Love your blog, got to see you at Time out For Women in Orlando last yr. it was so fun!!!
It is chocolate, I’d like to try them all.
But, if I must choose one, the Toffee Interlude sounds delicious!
I can’t pick just one! Midnight Reverie and Sea Salt Soiree would be tops on my list at this moment;) Thanks!!
The toffee interlude sounds the best, followed closely by hazelnut heaven. I love Ghirardelli chocolate. My Valentine’s day present was a bag of their caramel filled squares.
I LOVE dark chocolate, so I would love to try any of the dark ones. So yummy!
I want to try the midnight reverie. Awesome giveaway. 🙂
Would love to be your friend! I would try the sea salt or hazelnut heaven and would probably enjoy every little morsel!!