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.
Hazelnut Heaven, please!
How in the world could anyone just pick one??? They all sound like a small piece of heaven. I would be thrilled to try any one of them.
I would love to try them all but it especially the toffee and the hazelnut. I am about to have a “milestone” birthday and winning would be a great way to celebrate!
Your baskets are absolutely adorable and what a way to throw a chocolate party with friends. I would love to win one for myself. And the chocolate that I would love to try is all of them, but I will pick the Evening Dream. Thanks for the giveaway and I’m glad your party went well.
Twilight delight sounds good – who am I kidding – they all sound great!! Looks like a fun time!!
I would love to try that Toffee Interlude…sounds yummy!
What a great idea! Everyone needs a night like that:). I would like to try sea salt soiree. Mostly because I like the word soiree! Lol
I would LOVE to try Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. They sound delish!!
While I usually think “the darker the better” for chocolate, I think I’d like to try the Twighlight Delight!
I have 2 top choices – Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree
I would like an Evening Dream…it consists of dark chocolate, a quiet house, a glass of wine, and my husband!
I’d probably like to try the Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. Who am I trying to kid….it’s chocolate, I’d like to try them all!
Your baskets are so cute – Love the idea!! The hazelnut, the toffee and the sea salt all sound delicious!
I am a chocoholic, would love to try Toffee Interlude, Twilight Delight and Cabernet. Matinee. Thanks for a cool chocolate girls night.
Cabernet Matinee sounds yummy since my husband and I like a bar of chocolate with a good glass of red wine!
Definitely the Sea Salt Soiree!!!!!! My mouth is watering already!!
I’d like to try the Cabernet, sea salt,72 percent and the toffee flavors. Thanks!
Can I say all the above? If I had to narrow it down, I would go with Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude. Thanks!
oooh! the twilight delight, sea salt, and toffee one sound devine. Oh heck who am I kidding-took five minutes to decide on just three, chocolate is chocolate and choices should never have to be made! your girls night out gift baskets are adorable, what a good idea for hard working gals even if there isn’t an actual night out.
definitely the toffee
Weight Watchers can wait! I need a Toffee Interlude right now. Sounds kinda like the chocolate version of a Calgon Moment.
All sound yummy, but I’d love to try toffee interlude and hazelnut heaven!
Toffee interlude sounds divine!
Ooh, ooh, ooh!!! Hazelnut heaven or toffee interlude. I have long said that chocolate makes our gender more tolerable 😉
Chocolate? Any kind but plenty of it please!
I would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude….Mmmmm. Thanks!
I just want to say that I LOVE dark chocolate and that totally sounds like it was a fun girls night out! Of course I would love to try them all but toffee interlude and sea salt soiree both sound really good! Those gift boxes look soo cute! Where did you get the mugs?
Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude, definitely!. But, being a certified member of CA (Chocoholics Anonymous), I’ll try them all!
I would love to try Sea Salt Soiree. Yummy!
I love dark chocolate! I always enjoy a high quality chocolate too. But the sea salt and toffee bars both sound especially delicious! Yum!