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 can’t decide between the Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude…both sound wonderful! I love chocolate so I would be happy with any of them 🙂
I would love to escape with Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude – I love anything with sea salt on it (you could put it on dirt and I’d probably eat it!!)….
Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude. Hands DOWN!
I would love to try sea salt soirée and midnight reverie! They sound delicious. Now if only I can find them in Canada.
What fun! This sounds like a “Favorite Things Party” in the making! My first choice would be Toffee Interlude; my second…Sea Salt Soiree. I suppose I’d try the Twilight Delight if this is supposed to be a showcase for dark chocolate. Thanks for the opportunity!
What do you mean by “pots” when you served the chocolate ganache?…like one of those mini crockpots?
Midnight Reverie (86% cacao), Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude.
Those all seem pretty awesome to me! That sounds like you had a great time.
Good for you for taking time for you mommies! :o)
Definitely Midnight Reverie. The darker the better!
I want to try everyone of them!!!! I LOVE dark chocolate. The toffee sounds like it could become my new favorite addiction.
Hmm such a tough decision since I LOVE chocolate. I think I would most like to try the Twilight Delight and Evening Dream.
I LOVE dark chocolate and toffee so I would love to try the Toffee Interlude. I would also love the Sea Salt Soiree Twilight Delight! Such a fun idea for friends and it wouldn’t be a party without the chocolate!
I would love to try the Sea Salt or Toffee. A girls night in sounds perfect – I need to try that!
Hazelnut Heaven sounds heavenly!
My question is, was the percentage of cocoa ever too high to enjoy? My vote would be to try the Twilight Delight and the deliciously salty sweet sounding, Sea Salt Soiree!
I would love to try the Twilight Delight, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude.
If only we could all be your friend! I’d go for the Twilight Delight and Toffee Interlude first but really, all of those look delightful! Love me some dark chocolate. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree or the Toffee Interlude. They both sound sooooo yummy! I really need this! 🙂
I SOO would have been at this party! How fun.
I’d love to try the Sea Salt Soiree!!
How about if I tell you which flavor I WON’T try: NONE! Much easier than listing all of them. When it comes to chocolate, I am not a picky woman!
Oh I would love to try them all! Chocolate is amazing!
I’d love to try the Midnight Reverie, Twilight Delight, and Evening Dream- although I’m pretty sure they all sound absolutely divine!! Thanks!
I need to take Toffee Interlude and Cabernet Matinee for a spin…
Wowm love, love, love chocolate! Love it so much that I would be happy tasting any of these!!!
Mmmm, toffee interlude!
Sea salt and toffee all the way…. Sound sooo fabulouse. I hope I win!
I would love to try the Toffee Interlude or the Cabernet.
Toffee Interlude!!
Well I’ve already tried the Sea Salt chocolate (divine! Curses to Weight Watchers!), but I’m most interested in trying Toffee Interlude! But let’s be honest, no one ever had to force feed me chocolate–I’d be happy to try them all!
I LOVE dark chocolate – all varieties! The Sea Salt and Toffee sound wonderful, as do all of the flavors…. I would love a chocolate time out!!!!
Please enter me in your contest.
Chocolate? Party? Friends? Three of my favorite things! Looks like a lot of fun.
I’d love to try the Midnight Reverie and the Cabernet Matinee (red wine and chocolate go VERY well together).
What a fun night! I would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree or the Cabernet Matinee.