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.
Hazelnut Heaven is my favorite, but I love all chocolate. With 3 daughters (11, 6 & 4) and crazy schedules, I need a little “me” time for sure.
Midnight reverie sounds so good!
I would love to try them all. I think the Midnight Reverie, the toffee and the sea salt would be my top choices.
I would love to try Twilight Delight, Hazlenut Heaven and Toffee Interlude.
Sea Salt Soiree. Anything with that name in it, has got to be awesome. Might just have to have my own girls night party
The darker the better! 86% Midnight Reverie
I think Toffee interlude and Hazelnut Heaven sound great!
Well, you knew there’d be a ton of comments on this. Chocolate and a night out with grownups & treats. Triple winner at least.
I’d try them all. If there’s a limit, here’s how I prioritize the choices
1- Hazelnut Heaven, my default flavor combo for chocolate treats or cocoa
2- Twilight Dream, mmmm dark chocolate
3- Midnight Reverie, darker chocolate aah!
4- Toffee Interlude always good together
5- Evening Dream, not quite as much bite as the darkest chocolate
6- Cabernet Matinee sounds interesting
7- Sea Salt Soiree, would probably love this, but extra salt is bad for me. I’d taste a nibble and pass it on.
yeah, I’ll take all of them. A year supply of each. The haselnut heaven one sounds particularly tasty. Yum! I’m thinking this would be the best way to get in the door for a visiting teaching visit :o)
They all sound great… but if I had to pick one it would be Toffee Interlude. Thanks for the chance to win!
Mmmmm Sea Salt Soiree sounds yummy!
Sounds like a fun time…I’d like to try Hazelnut Heaven.
toffee or sea salt sound amazing!
Yum. I’d like to try Sea Salt Soiree, Hazelnut Heaven, and Toffee Interlude.
Toffee Interlude.
I think I’ve tried all of them except Hazelnut. Cabernet was my least favorite and Sea Salt Soiree is the BEST!
Hazelnut Heaven sounds wonderful to me. I would love to win this!! Thank you!!
Toffee Interlude would be my 1st chioce but they all sound fabulous!
Kate – Did you make the re-usable mugs or buy them somewhere? They are darling!
I’ve tried the Twilight Delight before and loved it! The Hazelnut Heaven sounds, well, heavenly as I love Hazelnut…but I’d definitely have to try the Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude because they both sound delicious!
I would love the Twilight Delight and evening dream as I love dark chocolate, but not too dark of dark chocolate
I want try them all. well i guess i would pick Toffee interlude. Yum
I would love some Twilight and toffee. Yum! What a fun chocolate party. My daughter and I just had a chocolate chip tasting experiment yesterday. Fun time!!
Gotta be toffee interlude!!
Definitely would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee one. Okay okay….all of them. 😉
I would like to try the toffee kind. It sounds yummy.
If I had to choose one (and that would be hard!), I’d choose Toffee Interlude.
I love the super-dark chocolates! I’d try the Cabernet Matinee and the Sea Salt Soiree. Mmmmm. Chocolate and fruit flavors are great.
I’d love me some Midnight Reverie.
I’d love to try the Hazelnut…. sound like a fun way to spend an evening!