Chocolove bars come in two different sizes, the regular bar, which would be great for sharing with friends, and the mini bar. My favorite size was the Mini Bars, I think they would be perfect for hostess gifts, wedding favors, Valentine’s Day gifts, Easter baskets, or if you just need a smaller portion for self control (um, that might be me).

Chocolove bars are made in small batches, in a chocolate factory in Boulder Colorado, to help ensure they maintain the highest possible quality. They’re available in 26 flavors, from creamy milk chocolate, to decadent dark chocolate.

Since nothing says love like great chocolate, Chocolove bars are designed to look like love letters, complete with stamps, and sealed with a kiss. That’s not all they also include a romantic poem on the inside♥

Here are a couple of my favorite flavors:

Raspberries in Dark Chocolate was my absolute favorite. Nothing says I love you on Valentine’s Day like raspberries and chocolate.

This bar is melt in your mouth delicious. You can taste the raspberry infusion and it blends together beautifully with the rich flavor of the dark chocolate.

Another flavor I thought was really unique was the Chilies and Cherries in Dark Chocolate. I was a little hesitant to try this one. I really like everything in it separately, but I wasn’t sure how it would taste all combined together.

I’m not sure it was my favorite, but it was definitely interesting to taste all the flavors in one bite. It was sweet, but there was a little heat left in my mouth after the chocolate melted away. I think it’s a combination that could really grow on you.

I’m a dark chocolate fan, but another flavor that caught my attention was the Toffee and Almonds in Milk Chocolate.

I really like toffee and chocolate together, so this one was hard to resist. It was my son’s favorite, since he’s not a fan of the dark chocolates.

One thing I really liked about Chocolove was their big selection of flavors, and especially their Organic selection.

They have several organic chocolate bars available.

Right now Chocolove wants to know what your fantasy chocolate flavor is. You can fill out the survey at their website, and be registered to win a Chocolador full of your handmade dream bars. Hmmm, what yummy flavors can I dream up?

Let me know if you dream up a flavor and enter their contest.

You can find Chocolove nationally in Whole Foods markets, Target stores and a variety of specialty stores, gourmet grocers, bookstores and coffee shops across the U.S.♥

Images via Chocolove

Post from: She Knows Parties

Over the summer my family and I planned a retirement party for my mother. While planning the party the subject came up over whether or not to have favors. The truth is, we like favors but we were on a limited budget so we needed to find something not so outlandish. We solved this by taking marigold seeds harvested from my heirloom marigolds and planting them in decorative pots and tea cups – items we had in the house. We also had door prizes and giveaways of nice items we had in our own homes but would never use, for instance candles and vases.

I’m such a big fan of things you can make yourself, and wedding or party favors have so many possibilities. You can still give elegant favors without breaking the bank. Behold:

10 Party Favors You Can Make Yourself

1. Potted plants: I harvest marigold seeds every year, but you can buy any kinds of seeds any they aren’t expensive. Purchase small pots, tea cups or other receptacles from the party or dollar store and plant the seeds. Of course you’ll have to do this in advance, but it’s a cute gift. Spray paint the pots colors matching your theme or choose something decorative. This favor will last the whole summer as your guests can replant them.
2. Cookies - Make and decorate your own cookies. Look for cookie cutters matching your theme. For instance, if your planning a graduation party, look for a cookie cutter shaped like a mortarboard.
3. Kisses - Buy some tulle bags, decorative ribbon and bags of Hershey’s Kisses.  Put several Kisses in each bag. Your guests will love the sweet treat.
4. Pine cone ornaments  – If your party is during the winter try making pine cone ornaments. Collect as many pine cones as you need and put in a foil pan. Bake in a very low heated oven, about 200 degrees, to get the bugs out. When they’re ready, spray paint your parties colors, silver, gold, or spray snow. Tie a ribbon to the stem for hanging.
5. Lollipop bouquets – Give your guests lollipop bouquets tied with a decorative ribbon.
6. Gourmet coffee, tea or hot chocolate – Measure coffee, Tea or hot chocolate into decorative bags and tie with a ribbon.
7. CD’s - Burn a CD featuring your favorite music, or music being played at the party and give one to each guest.
8. Coasters – Buy some inexpensive ceramic tiles at the home improvement center and paints. Make a hand painted coaster for all your guests.
9. Potpourri Sachets – Fill decorative bags with potpourri.
10. Seeds - Give your guests decorative bags or envelopes filled with seeds.

As you can see, you’re only limited by your imagination. Craft stores, dollar stores and party stores will provide you with lots of inspiration

Image: Morguefile

Post from: She Knows Parties

Times have changed. Back in the day we had birthday parties at home and opened the presents towards the end of the party after eating cake. Nowadays this is rare. Many kids have parties outside the home and there’s no time for present opening. In fact, many parents feel it’s better manners to open them either on the child’s actual birthday or after all the kids leave. Personally, I just find it too stressful to deal with gifts at a kids’ party.

Hey – those aren’t your birthday presents!

When my son was two and three, we had his “kid” birthday party on the same day we had the grandparents over for a celebration. Each year the same two kids insisted on opening my son’s presents, which of course upset him. I asked them to stop but they didn’t. Their parents were around but doing other things. It was so stressful I decided I’m not doing it anymore.

Is it bad manners to open up birthday gifts in front of guests?

I don’t think it’s bad manners, it’s gone on for years. I do believe the party flows better when we don’t worry about gifts. After cake kids are hopped up on sugar. Rather than open presents it’s a better idea to send them outside to play a game or let them run around until it’s time to go. I also think the other kids get bored watching one child open a tower of presents – plus all the kids want to play with the new toys and chances are the birthday kids isn’t wanting to share just yet. My vote is for saving the present opening for another time.

The “family party”

The exception is the family party when grandparents and cousins come. We always have a barbecue for our son’s birthday since it’s in late spring. Grandparents and aunts and uncles like seeing kids open presents. We always save this until the very end just before everyone goes home.

When do you open birthday presents?

What do you do? Do you feel it’s impolite to open gifts in front of others or is it just a matter of preference? Take our sidebar poll (to the right) and add your thoughts in the comments.

Image: stock.xchnge

Post from: She Knows Parties

A High School Musical party theme is a big hit these days and with High School Musical 3 on the horizon, this party theme isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

I found this video about some ideas for party favors at your High School Musical theme party. She gives some good ideas for what to send your guests home with when the party is over.

I know that when my kids go to a birthday party, they are always very excited to see what they get in their gift bag when they leave. I do teach them not to expect one, but to be thankful when they do get one to take home. Some parents choose not to buy party favors and I understand, because they can add to the party expense quite a bit. But I always try to send the kids home with something since they came and brought a gift.

Post from: She Knows Parties

I have been making diaper cakes for baby showers for years. I received my first diaper cake at a baby shower my friends threw for me 10 years ago. I loved it and thought it was such a great idea. A diaper cake makes a great centerpiece for the table as well as a wonderful gift for the one being honored.

You can actually make a diaper cake look anyway you want. You can make it frilly or modern or set it to the baby shower theme. If you have never heard of a diaper cake or would like to learn how to make one, here’s a super video that gives you the basic diaper cake instructions. I love the look of the one she made in the video. Black and pink are great baby shower colors.

Post from: She Knows Parties