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.
Toffee Interlude puh-lease!
Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude!
Toffee Interlude – it’s sort of a silly name, but I LOVE toffee anything.
I love anything toffee and the sea salt sounds fabulous too.
Thanks for inviting me , the hazelnut and toffee sound wonderful! Yummy!
Hazelnut and toffee sound wonderful! Yummy!
Sorry i accidentally did it twice.
I would love to try Toffee Interlude and the Hazelnut Heaven. Thank you
I would like to try Hazelnut Heaven and Toffee Interlude! A girls night is alway a great idea 🙂 what mom can not use one, seriously.
I’ve had the Sea Salt Soiree and the Toffee Interlude and thought they were delicious, and I’d love to try the hazelnut.
Evening Dream, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea salt soiree….but those are just my top 3…
Sea Salt, Toffee, and Hazelnut Heaven all sound heavenly!
Toffee Interlude is going on next week’s grocery list!
I would try Sea Salt Soiree, sea salt seems to be all the rage these days.
I would love to try the Evening Dream and Cabernet Matinee. I’ve tried the Toffee Interlude and it was good, I think I’ve also tried the Twilight Delight which was a little dark for my tastes. I’ve never seen the Cabernet Matinee around here so would love to try it, thanks for the opportunity!
I love toffee so I would love to try the Toffee Interlude chocolate the most. Also, now I really want chocolate fondue. 🙂
I love, love toffee, so I would love, love to try that one! Thanks!
Toffee! Sea salt! They all sound amazing 🙂 Love dark chocolate
What a “sweet” time together with good friends. When you eat chocolate in the company of good people it will always taste good. It would be an “evening dream” to win a prize and life gets so crazy I feel like I’m in “hazel nutty heaven” but I love it!! There is always time for a little break.
Sea Salt Soiree and Twilight Delight please! I haven’t had a girls’ night chocolate party in YEARS. What a great reminder, thanks. And thanks for the chance to win something!
Ooo Evening Dream, Hazelnut Heaven, Sea Salt Soiree, and Toffee Interlude all sound so yummy! This is such a neat giveaway!
So much fun! I would love to try Evening Dream, Hazelnut Heaven, and Sea Salt Soiree.
What a lovely ida for one of our traditional Spa Night Tea Parties! I would love to try Midnight Reverie (86% cacao), Evening Dream (60% cacao), and Sea Salt Soiree. Thank you, in advance.
That sounds like just the ticket. A girls night in. I need one of those! I think Toffee would be my preference, though, I make a habit of not turning down chocolate of any kind.
I’d love to try Hazelnut Heaven and Sea Salt Soiree.
I would love the first 3! I love dark chocolate!! Especially because I am 9 months pregnant!
I have been enjoying the 86% cocoa bar. i label it ‘health food’!
Midnight Reverie
WOW, what a great idea!! There’s not a single flavor I would NOT want try! But Cabernet Matinee sounds intriguing, and I love anything with chocolate and Sea Salt. You gals rock!
I love dark chocolate so I think I would like Midnight Reverie.
mmm i’d like to try the sea salt one!!