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.
Toffee, toffee and more toffee.
The darker the better so I would love to try midnight reverie and also the sea salt soirée.
I would love to try the Sea Salt Soirée….I love sea salt!! The hazelnut sounds good, as does the toffee, as does….what the heck they all sound good 😉
Gotta try hazelnut.
All of them!! But that Evening Dream sounds amazing!
The sea salt soirée is calling my name!
The sea salt sounds intriguing. I love the twighlight delight though!
I would love to Midnight Reverie or Twilight Delight. They all sound fantastic!
wow. this is such a fun idea. i def think i am a sea salt girl. i love the idea of sweet mixed with salty. chocolate ladies night coming right up!
Twilight Delight.
Thanks!
Toffee Interlude sounds like it might change my life. Must have.
I would love to try all of them, but if I have to pick just one, the sea salt sounds yummy!
Midnight Reverie, Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude would be my first choices, but I’m sure I’d love them all!
The Sea Salt Soiree, I have to try because the name is so fun. I love toffee so I really think I need the Toffee Interlude. And I am intrigued by the Twilight Delight, and also the Hazelnut Heaven. I think I just need them all. Really its a need. I have three kids 5 and under, yes I NEED this chocolate!
I would love Hazelnut Dream and Toffee Interlude. Yummm!
I’d happily try any of the flavors – chocolate is always good! But especially the Midnight Reverie and Cabernet Matinee sound great.
I would love all of them: Midnight Reverie (86% cacao), Twilight Delight (72% cacao), Evening Dream (60% cacao), Cabernet Matinee, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. OMG I can taste them now!
Toffee Interlude. Sounds yummy
What a fun party! Evening dream, hazelnut, and toffee sound delicious!
That was supposed to say can’t imagine not loving the all…..
I would love to try sea salt soiree and midnight reverie, although I would not pass up any of the bars.
Mmmmm, I think that the toffee one sounds really great. Thanks!
I can’t I agonenotloving them all! The first I want to try is Midnight Reverie . Yum yum
So cute! I would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven & Sea Salt Soiree. Thanks!
I’d love to try the Midnight Reverie and the Sea Salt Soiree!
Cabarnet Matinee by far sounds the most intriguing… but ever since I found out that dark chocolate is better for you than milk chocolate… I’m all over the board tasting anything I can. The darker the better! I’ll have to give a similar party a try 🙂
Toffee sounds divine!
Toffee Interlude sounds amazing and girls nights are a must!
Sea salt soirée or toffee interlude yummmmm
Love dark chocolate! I’d love to try Toffee Interlude and Sea Salt Sorieee.