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.
Would love to try the sea salt soiree or the toffee interlude. Both sound divine!
Oh yum!!! I ADORE Ghirardelli Chocolate!! I would love to try the Sea Salt Soiree and the Toffee Interlude. Those sound yummy!! But then again…they ALL sound wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!
I definitely want to try the sea salt one. The second would be the toffee one. 🙂 Yum.
Oh the hazelnut and toffee ones sound divine! Thanks for a fun giveaway!
mmmm right now i think i need a Toffee Interlude!
Toffee Interlude sounds really good to me 🙂 I need to have a chocolate party…how fun!
Toffee interlude sounds amazing!
How cute are those baskets?! I’m pregnant and have been craving toffee like NO OTHER, so I would definitely NEED to try the Toffee Interlude. I’d probably also love the Sea Salt Soiree- who doesn’t love salty and sweet?!
I would love to try Twilight Delight and the Toffee.
The Toffee Interlude sounds heavenly. What a fun night for you!!
All of the chocolate bars definitely have dreamy names! I am a huge fan of dark chocolate so I think I would like to try the Midnight Reverie and the Toffee Interlude.
Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude! We love Ghirardelli!=)
I would love to try Twilight Delight and Hazelnut Heaven. What a fun idea!
seasalt soiree!!
The Toffee Interlude sounds particularly heavenly to me. Yummy!
Yum! Toffee Interlude sounds delicious.
I would love to try the Twilight Delight and the Toffee Interlude and then have some of my friends over for a chocolate tasting girl’s night! Thanks for the great ideas!
I would love the sea salt soiree and toffee delight.
Yum! I’d love to try either Evening Dream or Hazelnut Heaven!
All of them!!!! I can’t decide!!!!
Toffee interlude!! 🙂
I would love to try any of those but I will have to go with either hazelnut or the midnight one.
I’d love to try the Sea Salt Soiree…what a great idea for a get together!!
I’d love to try the Sea Salt Soiree, sounds sooo good!
The sea salt soiree sounds awesome!!
Toffee Interlude! 🙂
Toffe Interlude! I love toffee and finding it with dark chocolate is rare!
I would love to try the Sea Salt Soirée and Toffee Interlude.
The sea salt soirée sounds divine. Of course, I ‘ll have to try all of the flavors. I can’t resist good chocolate.
Toffee Interlude…Definitely.