Artisan Chocolate Bars + @SucreNewOrleans Giveaway!

When I was a teenager, I had a poster on my bedroom wall with the title "Life's Lessons".  It had phrases listed on it like:  Always buy lemonade from a child's lemonade stand and Never refuse homemade brownies.   Okay, it was one of those taller, thinner-style, thick-papered posters with a ton of the same type of sayings all over it.  And for some reason, those are the only two that I can still remember.  And, of course, they both concern food.  Go figure.

Basically, the poster just reinforced the lesson of being a good person.  Being Kind.  Live like you were dying.  Dance like no one's watching.  That sort of thing.  And yes, I also had a Mean People Suck sticker on my dorm-fridge.  I'm that girl.  I believe in doing unto others, and karma and sh*t.

Now, while I don't think that the phrase Never refuse an offering of Artisan Chocolates was on that poster - it totally belonged there.  Because I am a firm believer in that notion.  If somebody offers you seven beautiful bars of chocolate, ranging from creamy white to smooth milk to crispy bittersweet?  Welcome it into your life with open arms.  Accepting that gift will make you a happier person.  And I know this from experience.

Yes, when the fine people at Sucré asked me if I'd be interested in trying their Seven Artisan Chocolate Bar collection, I did accept.  And I tasted each and every single bar.  It's hard to choose a favorite.  If forced, I'd probably go with the Nibs & Brittle or the Sicilian Pistachio & Rose Petal.  But each and every one was ridiculous.  Fortunately, there was more than enough chocolate for me to share - which should definitely be another one of life's lessons, by the way:  Always share your chocolate with others.

So, just as Sucré is sharing their chocolate (they also shared their Macarons, if you remember) with me - they are also sharing it with one of YOU!  That's right, they've offered to send a pack of Seven Artisan Chocolate Bars to one of my readers, as well.

Giveaway

This giveaway is open to residents of the US only.  Submissions are due by 11:59 pm (ET) on Sunday, September 1, 2013.  The winner will be contacted within 48 hours of the close of this contest, and given 24 hours to respond.  If they have not responded within that time frame, a new winner will be chosen.

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment on this blog post letting me know which variety of these Artisan Chocolate Bars from Sucré that you are most excited to try.  Once you've left a comment, be sure to click the appropriate box on the Rafflecopter widget within this post (below).

Extra (optional) Entries can be earned after you've completed this first entry.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received one Seven Chocolate Bar Collection at no cost from Sucré; Sucré is providing the same thing for one giveaway winner.  I received no compensation for this post, and all opinions stated within are 100% my own.

Macarons from @SucreNewOrleans {win a box!}

The universe works in mysterious ways, wouldn't you agree?  Case in point: my macaron-making "trials".  How perfect is it that in midst of my first few attempts at making that elusive French cookie, after only trying one in my lifetime mind you, that I am offered the chance to receive a beautiful box filled with a variety of dainty little macarons from Sucré New Orleans?

I was meant to take a step back and try some mouthwatering flavor combinations such as Chocolate, Hazelnut, Almond, Pistachio, Bananas Foster, Strawberry, Pecan, and Salted Caramel.  The Bananas Foster and the strawberry are filled with airy creams (banana cream & rum and strawberry, respectively).  The others have these amazing mousseline fillings (sicilian pistachio, almond, semisweet chocolate, southern pecan, and caramel mousseline & fleu-de-sel, for example).

Since I am on a mission to make a batch of beautiful macarons with my own two hands, this box was like a little fairy tale to me.  I was finally able to see the delicate shells with their delicate feet and varying colors up close.  Tasting different flavor combinations and the almost-naked adornments that hint at that flavor hiding in each cookie.

And while I am newly inspired to head back into the kitchen and try making another batch, I'm not gonna lie, I'd be perfectly happy just receiving a box of these beauties every couple of months.  No frustration required on my part.

How 'bout you?  Would you like to receive a box like this one?  A box filled with a rainbow of macarons in luscious flavors?  Maybe you'd like to give it as a gift?  Well, if so, I've got a chance for you to do just that.

GIVEAWAY (this giveaway has ended)

This giveaway is open to those in the Continental US only.  You must follow the directions below for your entry to count.  Please be sure to enter a valid email address when commenting so that I am able to contact you if your name is drawn.  Winner will be chosen via random draw and given 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  All submissions are due by May 8, 2013 at 11:59 pm (ET).

Required:

• Leave a comment on this post that has something to do with macarons. It could be a failure or a success story.  It could be your favorite flavor or a flavor you'd love to try.  It could be a link to a macaron recipe or helpful hint post. If you've never tried a macaron, tell me that and perhaps a flavor of macaron from Sucre that you'd love to try.

Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each one you do):

• follow Sucré on Twitter
• like Sucré on Facebook
• follow/like girlichef on any social network (links in sidebar - leave your username/handle in the comment)
• tweet about this giveaway (tag @girlichef and @SucreNewOrleans) and leave a link to that tweet in a comment (easily done by using the tweet button at the bottom of this post).
• share this giveaway on any other social network (also links at bottom of post, try to tag me, I'm @girlichef pretty much everywhere).

update 5/9/13: Congratulations to the winner, Jen at Juanita's Cocina!  I just shot you an email, enjoy the macarons!

Sucré provided me a box of macarons at no charge, and they are also supplying the macarons for this giveaway.  All opinions stated in this post are 100% my own.