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.
YummiYummi! I’d love to try Twilight Delight (72% cacao), Evening Dream (60% cacao), Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude
I would love to try Cabernet Matinee and Toffee Interlude. Yummy!!
The toffee and sea salt ones both sound delicious!
I love those Mason jar mugs with matching straws. And I also love dark chocolate (especially with salted almonds). And I need a pedicure really bad. And a girls night out or in would be delightful, but anyway, I think i would like to try Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude.
I absolutely love dark chocolate, especially a good quality like Ghirardelli. I would love to try them all, but especially the Sea Salt Soiree and Cabernet Matinee. I already know I LOVE the Toffee Interlude.
Toffee interlude for me 🙂
Oooh-the toffee. Sounds delish.
They all sound amazing but first I’d like to try Evening Dream.
I would love to try the Midnight Reverie and the Sea Salt Soiree.
Mmmmmmm, chocolate. Sea salt and toffee both sound amazing.
I wish I lived near you! You do the greatest things. I would love to try Toffee Interlude (along with the hundreds of others who love your site)!!! Thanks for all you share.
I would say I’d like to try Sea Salt Soirée or Toffee Interlude. What a fun hostess you’d be! Thanks for the giveaway.
Toffee Interlude all the way! Followed by Hazelnut Heaven and Sea Salt Soiree. Yum!
Looks so fun! Twilight delight for me…I love dark chocolate, but not too dark 🙂
Toffee interlude sounds delightful!
Yum! If I had to choose one, it would be Evening Dream. There is no better treat than premium chocolate!
Oh how I love toffee!
Toffee all the way for me! What a wonderful friend you are. That’s a great idea for a get together, even if I don’t win, I may put together a little diddy like that, I bet it made your friends feel special.
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude. I do love a good interlude. 🙂
They all sound amazing, but if I had to choose only one, I think it would have to be the Toffee. Or maybe the hazelnut. Mmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about those ganaches you prepared for dipping!
Hazelnut sounds like heaven!!
I would love love LOVE to try sea salt soiree. I’ve never had sea salt with chocolate before; I’ve only heard some rumors about this magical substance… I really love chocolate (who doesn’t) and I’d love to try it out!!!
Are you kidding?! I crave them all, but I am guessing that my favs would be Toffee Interlude and Hazelnut Heaven. Mmmmm…..now you have me thinking about nothing else!
Toffee interlude! That sounds delicious.
Oh man, I love G. chocolate. I’d love to try Midnight, Twilight, and Hazelnut. Thank you!!
I am sure I would probably love all of them but if I had to choose just one…or maybe two…I would have to pick Toffee Interlude or Twilight Delight. Mmmmmm! Thanks for another fun give away!
I would so love to try Midnight Delight, the Sea Salt one, or the Toffee one. My oh my, chocolate IS my escape! (It’s also the way I reward myself everyday- I eat it when reading my scriptures, and also give myself a piece after my morning run.)
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude sound amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!
Dark chocolate is my absolute fave!! I would love to try the toffee and the twilight flavors. yummo!
I’d like to try the Sea Salt Soiree the 2 girls were ogling