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.
Oh yum, I’d love to try the toffee!
Hazelnut and Toffee are ones I’m sure i’d like…but i’m intrigued most by the sea salt flavor:)
Ooh! I want to try the Sea Salt Soiree or the Toffee Interlude! Yum!
Hazelnut Heaven sounds delightful!! I would love to try them all!
toffee interlude – thanks!
What a great evening activity!! The Toffee Interlude sounds heavenly but then all dark chocolate makes me swoon.
Midnight Reverie — I LOVE dark chocolate …. and the darker the better 🙂
I am going to have to say the toffee interlude. I don’t branch out much when it comes to treats. I like what I like and I don’t waver.
I’d love to try the Sea Salt Soirée! I love salt and chocolate! The next one I’d try would be the Toffee one. Mmm…..now I want some chocolate!
This is such a fun idea! I really want to do this with my girlfriends now. Sea Salt and Toffee sound riiiiiight up my alley 🙂
Wow!! What a great idea!! I’d go for Toffee Interlude and Twilight Delight!
perfect party!
Twilight Delight, Evening Dream, and the Toffee Interlude sound heavenly. I’d love to test taste every single one!
Umm…all of them!!!
Ooh sea salt!
Sea Salt Soiree please, just love that little unexpected touch of salt with chocolate. What a lot of fun, friends and chocolate. Thanks.
They all sound so yummy! The Twilight Delight sounds very best to me though.
I’m a salty/sweet kind of girl, so the sea salt would definitely top my list. But the toffee and hazelnut sound awesome too!
Hmm, if I had to pick one it would be Sea Salt Soiree. I love the mix of sweet and salty! I love dark chocolate in general so any of those would be fine too! 🙂
I can guarantee that I would thoroughly enjoy each of those flavors….but toffee sounds divine….or hazelnut…or sea salt. YUM!
That Hazlenut Heaven and Twilight Delight look scrumdidlyumptious. I *love* dark chocolate 🙂 What a fun evening!
I would love to try Sea Salt Soiree ( salt and chocolate go so well together!) and Toffee Interlude.
I would love to try all of them–especially Midnight Reverie.
Oh, I’d go for the Sea Salt Soiree or Toffee Interlude!
As my family prefers dark, but not too dark, probably twilight delight. Sounds like a fun party!
I am addicted to Sea Salt and Chocolate, but I’ll EAT ANYTHING with the words “dark chocolate” in it.
I’d love to try Toffee Interlude or Sea Salt Soirée!!
I would love to try ANY of the flavors…but I think the sea salt soiree sounds really interesting, so I’d pick that one.
Hazelnut Heaven sounds heavenly!
I loved the bskets! I’m always looking for fun things to give as Thank you gifts. I would have to try the soriee sea salt. Thanks for all the great ideas!
I LOVE dark chocolate. I would love to try the Toffee Interlude.