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.
How creative and such a great idea for a girl’s night 🙂 I would like to try Evening Dream, Toffee Interlude or Sea Salt Soiree!
Sounds like a fun party.
Would love to try Twilight Delight or the Toffee Interlude. (Although I wouldn’t say no to any of them!)
I would love to try Midnight Reverie (86% cacao), Twilight Delight (72% cacao), Evening Dream (60% cacao) and Hazelnut Heaven I love dark Chocolate and Hazelnut in chocolate.
Either sea salt or toffee…yummy!!
I would love to try the toffee one.
Sea Salt Soiree sounds divine!!
I LOVE twilight delight so much that I have a square just about everyday but I would love to try the toffee interlude!
What an awesome idea! Sounds like so much fun. Cabernet Matinee sounds so appealing as does Sea Salt Soiree!!
You guys always have THE BEST giveaways!
I would love to try the Evening Dream and Toffee Interlude…yum!
I love toffee. So Toffee Interlude would be my choice. But with chocolate you really can’t go wrong!
How fun! I’d love to try the hazelnut heaven and toffee interlude! Thanks!
Toffee for sure totally!
I love dark chocolate, sweet, and salt tastes so my first choice would be the Sea Salt Soiree. Followed by Toffee Interlude, chocolate covered toffee bars were my mom’s favorite when I was a child, now that I am older and when I open my mouth I hear her come out, I realize I am turning into my mother, therefore I enjoy them today…
Sea Salt Soiree sounds like it has addictive potential =)
I’d love to try the toffee interlude. I love toffee and it rarely comes in dark chocolate–usually only in milk, which is such a waste of calories!
I think the sea salt and toffee sounds yummy!!
Oh goodness. I love dark chocolate and have got my kids hooked too. I would have to try the Toffee and Hazelnut. The Sea Salt sounds a little interesting and definitely worth a try.
I’d like to try Evening Dream and Toffee Interlude
Ok, first off, can we be friends? I mean BEST FRIENDS? Such a wonderful thought, theme & gift packs! I really want to try the Midnight Reverie & Twilight Delight because I really, really like dark chocolate. I actually have a “why bother” attitude with milk chocolate. I def. want to try the Sea Salt Soiree b/c I think it sounds amazing. 🙂
Oh I could definitely use a little chocolate to lift my spirits. I’d love to try Twilight Delight, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. I think I want to throw my own Chocolatey Escape party…..what a great idea:)
I would like the Toffee Interlude. Oh! My! Yes!
The sea salt Soiree is my go to chocolate … But I’ve never seen or tried the Hazelnut Heaven or Toffee Interlude so I’ll be on the hunt and would be do excited to try those out. Pretty much can’t pass up anything combining sea salt and dark chocolate.
Midnight Reverie definitely!
I would like to try them ALL. But seriously probably these four:Cabernet Matinee, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. A girls night with chocolate, HECK YES!!!!!
Is that a trick question??? Cuz, I’d like to try ALL of them! But if I have to narrow it down, it would be Toffee Reverie & Midnight Interlude!
I would love to try the sea salt chocolate!
I’d love to try Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. Definitely need to throw a party regardless.
The toffee interlude will for sure help me escape for a bit!
I want them all! But particularly the Cabernet Matinee (fruity sounds good), and the Toffee Interlude. Yum!
Mmmm… chocolate. I think the Evening Dream and the Hazelnut Heaven would be at the top of my list.