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 think the toffee one sounds delish!
Definately Sea Salt Soire!!!
Toffee Interlude! Your gift baskets are beautiful, what a fun night.
Midnight Reverie and Twilight Delight–dark chocolate is so good!
I can’t decide!!! Maybe the Toffee or the Sea Salt Soiree. You choose. Those baskets are so cute. I can see that everyone had a great time at the party.
I have tried the Sea Salt Soiree and LOVE it!! I would love to try the Twilight Delight and the Toffee Interlude! Love Ghiradelli chocolate! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Definitely the Toffee Interlude!
Twilight Delight
Sea Salt Soiree sounds amazing!!! Thanks for the opportunity! : )
oooh, which would i NOT love to try?? 🙂 i think Hazelnut Heaven and Sea Salt Soiree both sound wonderful…what a fun girls night!
I bet I would LOVE the Twlight Delight!! Of course me + any chocolate = awesome 🙂
Twilight Delight, Hazlenut Heaven and Toffee Interlude!! Thanks for the chance! And isn’t it great that 2 oz. of dark chocolate is recommended everyday! Best thing ever!!
They all sound great, but I love toffee. So I pick toffee interlude.
Midnight Reverie sounds yummy. Of course, I love dark chocolate!
This looks like so much fun! I would love to try Hazelnut Heaven ( I lived in London for a while and loved that everything had hazelnuts in it) or Sea Salt Sioree (who doesn’t love a little sweet and salty?:)
I want to try toffee & sea salt! The reverie on in fab!
MMM, sea salt soiree, but do I really have to choose?!
I love all things hazelnut, so I would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven! And then since sweet & savory is so popular, the Sea Salt Soiree sounds fun to try. But really, I would be thrilled if anyone were to bring ANY chocolate at all!!! ;D
I would love the toffee interlude. Sounds SO yummy!
You had me at Sea Salt Soirée. What a great idea!
🙂 I would LOVE to try Toffee Interlude or Hazelnut Heaven! MMmmm!
I would like to try the sea salt and toffee.
Ooh-yeah! Toffee interlude would be my choice!!
Ooh-yeah, toffee interlude would be my choice!!
I would love to try the toffee interlude!
Hazelnut Heaven made me salavate at the mere mention of it! That would be my pick. So glad you guys had a fun ‘girls’ night!
I would love to try them all… but toffee interlude sounds interesting!!!
I’m thinking the toffee interlude sounds good!
Twilight Delight sounds delicious (as do all the other kinds).
I love chocolate! I want to try them all. But if I had to pick just one I’d probably pick the toffee interlude or evening dream.