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.
We do a girl’s night once a month, the first Thursday of each month. I would love to bring the twilight delight to our next GNO! Thanks 🙂
Sea Salt Soiree is the one for me!!
I like my chocolate dark! Midnight Reverie sounds delish!
Evening Dream first, then the twilight one! Thank you!
I’d like any of the flavors…especially the sea salt one! Thanks!
After a Toffee Interlude, I would go straight to Hazelnut Heaven!
It’s a hard choice but I’d pick the Toffee.
Hazelnut Heaven please!
Oh wow! Top picks would be Hazelnut Heaven and Sea Salt Soiree. These might end up on the grocery list this week! 🙂
Side note–I made the creamy chicken taquitos last night served with a side of refried beans and a salad. Holy cow! They were super easy and ridiculously delicious. Even the picky 6 year old thought they were good. Now that’s a glowing review! 🙂
I’d like to try the sea salt soiree 🙂
Toffee Interlude! Second choice would probably be the sea salt! Sound delicious!
I’d love to try the Toffee Interlude and probably the Sea Salt, I have never had salted chocolate.
Sea Salt Soiree and Toffee Interlude sound amazing. What a great idea for a girls party.
I’ve learned to really love dark chocolate. They all sound good, but I would love to try Evening Dream.
Oh definitely the the toffee interlude… but lets be honest…. anything with dark chocolate would be heavenly (loving the idea of the sea salt one too)
The Toffee Interlude sounds ahhhhmazing!!! I’ve had the Sea Salt Soiree and had to resist polishing off the whole bar instantly!
The Hazelnut sounds amazing!
Hazelnut Heaven sounds divine!!!
Yummm… they all sound good but the toffe interlude sounds extra good. 🙂
Twilight delight and the sea salt one
Aren’t girl’s nights the BEST?! this sounds like a fun party to try witb some of my best gal pals. Midnight Reverie would be my choice, though the toffee one looks yummy! Oh, so many choices! ;o)
Twilight Delight sounds amazing!!
Sea salt, toffee and hazelnut all sound incredible. What a fantastic giveaway!
Such a fun night! I would want to try the Midnight Reverie and then the hazelnut heaven, but ALL of them would be fabulous. I am a true lover of dark chocolate.
Wow, these all sound fabulous! I’m torn between the Sea Salt and the Toffee, but they both sound delicious!
i’d like to try hazelnut heaven to see if it’s anything like a deconstructed version of Nutella! thanks for the chance to win. i’ll be SO excited if i do! love me some Ghiradelli!
Hazelnut and sea salt!!!
Midnight Reverie. I love dark chocolate. I had a bar that was 86% in germany and it was chalky (but from a dollar store). I want to know if this will be better!
The Twilight Dark and the Sea Salt sound divine!
The Midnight Reverie sounds delightful!