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.
Ooh, ooh, ooh!!! Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude. I have long said that chocolate makes our gender more tolerable 🙂
sounds like fun I would like the twilight and hazelnut or sea salt
I like Ghirardelli chocolate very much! I would like to try Hazelnut Heaven, and Toffee Interlude; they all sound wonderful!
Wow, how do you choose between so many yummy sounding chocolate options? But, the Sea Salt Soiree sounds very interesting!
What a great idea for a get together. I had a hard time getting enough women together for a book discussion so I think chocolate might help next time. I would love to try the Twilight Delight, Sea Salt Soiree and the Toffee Interlude chocolates.
Girls night and dark chocolate- sounds like a giveaway made just for me!! The flavors all sound amazing, if I had to choose I would want to try Twilight Delight, Evening Dream, and Toffee Interlude. But really who I am I kidding, I would take them all!!
Twilight Delight is one I would love to try. They all sound so heavenly!
I am so intense about dark chocolate and a lavender bath. That’s where I hide when I indulging!
I’d love to try te midnight one’ I’m a dark dark chocolate lover! How nice you did a girls night!!!
the Hazelnut, Sea Salt and Toffee all sound delish!!
Hazelnut Heaven sounds awesome.
I would love to try all of them. It’s really hard to choose one. If I had to choose one it would be the sea salt soirree. Yummy!
Bring on the chocolate! I swear I eat more chocolate now than I did before I had a baby…If I can’t choose “D – all the above” I would pick the Sea Salt Soiree, Toffee Interlude and Midnight Reverie for that truly intense flavor. Now I have to dig into my M&M stash, thanks. = )
All of them I love dark chocolate it’s my fave. I am a huge hazelnut fan too!
Hazelnut Heaven,
It’s a tie between sea salt and toffee 🙂
I would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree!!!
I absolutely love dark chocolate so definitely the Midnight Reverie or Twilight delight! Can’t wait!!
Love love love love love Sea Salt Soiree….. absolute favorite chocolate ever
Hazelnut heaven
I’d love to try the Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude.
I would love to try them all, but I definitely want to try the toffee interlude. What a great party idea!!
Looks like a fun time by all! I’d love to try the Sea Salt Soirée, thanks for the chance to win!
What a nice idea! Toffee or Sea Salt would be my first picks 🙂
The Midnight Reverie sounds A-mazing!! Would love to try it!
I need Hazelnut Heaven!!! And a side of Toffee Interlude.
Dark Chocolate is my ABSOLUTE favorite thing in the whole world. I do not even touch milk or white because it is too sweet. This giveaway was made for me!! 🙂 I would love to try Midnight Reverie, Hazelnut Heaven, and Sea Salt Soiree. Or any that are left! Thank you!!
I like my chocolate dark, so I would have to say midnight reverie.
Yum, dark chocolate is my love language. 🙂
I’d love to try the Midnight Reverie, Sea Salt & Toffee, although I’m wondering if I would like Twilight more than Midnight….hmmm….
Toffee Interlude sounds heavenly!!!!!
How fun! I love dark chocolate! Definitely go for some Twilight Delight! Also some Sea Salt Soiree and Hazelnut Heaven! 🙂