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.
Oooh! Twilight Delight (after the great recommendation) and I would have to try the hazelnut!
Hazelnut Heaven…..mmmmm my kind of heaven! Definitely love me some toffee too…oh who am i kidding….anything with dark chocolate has me hooked!
I’ve saved recipes that use Sea Salt Soiree, and would LOVE to try that, but I am also a huge sucker for anything with the word toffee in it! Crossing my fingers I can be a winner!
Sea Salt Soiree looks like a winner – just by seeing the two women staring at it. 🙂
Midnight Reverie. The darker the better!!!
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude. YUM:)
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude. I can’t decide between the two 🙂
Hazelnut Heaven or Toffee Interlude! Though the sea salt one sounds interesting too.
This is such a fun idea for a girls night! I think the Hazelnut Haven sounds delicious.
All of them?!! Seriously, I think Hazelnut Heaven would be my first pick to try.
Twilight Delight and Hazelnut Heaven are right up my alley…YUM!!
I would LOVE to try the sea salt soiree!
Man I wish I was your friend! I could use a night out. I would like to try the Hazelnut Heaven.
Sea salt or toffee! Yummm!
I think I need a party like that….I would love to try them all!
I’ve been dyng to try the Cabernet Matinee
I’d swoon for seas salt soiree!
Sea Salt Soiree, baby! I’ve seen several of the others, but this one either isn’t carried by the stores I frequent, or is sold out before I get there.
Oh I want to try the Tofee Interlude – yum!
Hard to say, but the Sea Salt Soirée sounds the best.
Toffee Interlude. But the Sea Salt Soiree looks amazing, too! This tired mama would love any of it, though.
I’m sure I would love all of them, but I adore toffee, so I think I’d like to try that most!
Evening dream
Sea salt soiree sounds like it would be my fave but it’s all yummy chocolate!
Toffee interlude. For sure.
Its chocolate! “I can not just choose one!” Who could????
The favorites of the night sound the best to me, Tofee Interlude and Sea Salt Soirée. Yum! I have been slowly moving to dark chocolate. I used to be a die hard milk chocolate girl.
This is so AWESOME! I would LOVe te sea salt one- made. For. Me! Also the toffee and hazelnut ones. This is such a great idea!
HAZELNUT HEAVEN ALL THE WAY! =)
and then an Evening Dream to finish off =)
Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude.