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 or toffee would be my first choice, but I’m sure I’d be happy with any of Ghiradelli’s chocolates!
The darker the better! Although I love hazelnut, too!
I would love to try the twilight delight and the sea salt one…they sound delicious. Btw is that Rainee in one of your pictures? If so she is a high school friend…small world
YES! How funny! 🙂
i wanna try them all!! when it comes to chocolate, i can not pick a favorite. when i went to switzerland, i brought back about 30 pounds of chocolate, each bar a different flavor. such a great country!
Toffee Interlude and Sea Salt Soiree for me! They all sound sooooo good.
I would love to try Hazelnut Haven and Sea Salt Soiree!
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude! They look delicious!!
The toffee one and hazelnut I’ve both sound really good!
The last three sound delish..I love any chocolate that has hazelnuts or toffee in it!
This looks like so much fun! 🙂 And yummy too! I would love to try the Hazelnut Heaven and Sea Salt Soiree! I love those little mugs too!
I love toffee and hazelnut, so those two flavors are right up my alley!
Ooh Hazelnut Heaven 🙂 Sounds Delicious.
Sea Salt Soiree and Twilight Delight for me!!! Sounds like a fun party!
I think that Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude would be the first ones I’d try.
Toffee Interlude
I love chocolate! Hazelnut Heave and Sea Salt Soiree sound delicious
Um, I think I must try all of them!
Twilight Delight sounds good!
I’d love to the Cabernet Matinee and Sea Salt Soiree!
I am drooling over the sea salt soiree!!
Mmmmm, chocolate! I’d love to try them all, but first Midnight Reverie and Toffee Interlude!!
Mmm … Hazelnut Heaven or Toffee Interlude would be my first choices, I think. I’m sure they’re all wonderful, though!
I would love to try Toffee Interlude. I love all things toffee!!
Oh Yum! I’d love to try Evening Dream or Toffee Interlude. Or the hazelnut one. Oh man.
Midnight Reverie and Sea Salt Soiree please!
Love you website, love your cookbooks, love the inspiration and down to earth mom/cook/women stories!
Sherri
Sea Salt Soiree, hands down. I love anything with the word “Salt” in the name. Salt….Good. Chocolate….Good. Salty Chocolate….OMG Amazing.
Toffee Interlude!
I would love to try Toffee Interlude 🙂
Toffee Interlude sounds wonderful, but really, they all sound amazing!
Toffee interlude sounds divine! What a fun idea!