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 love chocolate!!! But what girl doesn’t right? I would love to try the sea salt, the toffee and the twilight dream but honestly they all sound good!
Toffee – Love it.
Midnight Reverie ~ the darker the better! Thank you for the opportunity. Eating chocolate will not help you sleep. 😉 I hope life slows down some…
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Midnight all the way.
Oh yum!!! I am a serious chocoholic, I would definitely love to try ALL the flavors…but if I had to choose only one, I’d probably go for the Sea Salt Soirée. I LOVE chocolate & sea salt together!!
Ooo, this sounds like too much fun. I’d love to try the toffee one. Toffee can get me out of any bad mood.
Toffee interlude for sure!
I would try three, not just one, Hazlenut, Sea Salt and Toffee . . . YUM.
How can I pick a favorite – can’t I say I want to try them all?! Hazelnut Heaven seems to be calling my name, but all of them seriously look delicious. Life is Good 🙂
Ooh yum! I would be most excited to try evening dream or sea salt soiree.
They all sound wonderful ! However, if I have to choose, I would choose the Toffee Interlude, Sea Salt Soiree , or the Hazelnut Heaven. Doesn’t sound like I’m choosing , does it ? It’s just so hard to choose one !
I haven’t tried any of them but these sound like something I would like – Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude.
the twilight delight sounds perfect for me!
What a fun giveaway! I think I’d like to try the Sea Salt Soirée, the Toffee Interlude, and the Hazelnut Heaven.
Toffee Interlude. Absolutely. Or maybe Hazelnut Heaven. I should probably try both, just to make sure.
They all sound so delicious! I think the ones I’d like to try the most are Hazelnut Heaven, Toffee Interlude and Twilight Delight.
Hazelnut Heaven come to mama!!
Hazelnut heaven and sea salt, fun fun fun!
Toffee Interlude all the way!!!
Super cute baskets! I must say that Evening Dream sounds simply wonderful! Exactly what a girl needs! 😀
The Sea Salt sounds amazing!!
Toffee Interlude sounds amazing!
I think I would like Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude the best. Thanks for the chance to win!
Toffee interlude and hazelnut heaven both sound delightful.
What a fun night! I’d like to try hazelnut heaven, sea salt soirée, and toffee interlude! Ghirardelli is the best!!
Midnight Reverie and Twilight Delight – oh how I love extra dark chocolate! However the Hazelnut Haven is a very close second (or third, however that sentence should be constructed).
And I love what you gave in the gift baskets. It gives me some great ideas for my next get together!
Twilight Delight, for sure. I am a dark chocolate kind of girl. And Toffee interlude sounds wonderful. I’d be interested in trying the Sea Salt Soiree, too. Actually, I don’t think you could go wrong with any of these flavors. I do love my chocolate!
Hazelnut Heaven sounds delightful!
They all sound fun to try, but the Twilight Delight would be my top choice (followed closely by Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude). What a fun giveaway–thanks!
I’m loving the sound of toffee interlude — sounds delicious!