The Dove Difference.....

As you can see, it's really all in the packaging- yes it's seductive and Im a total sucker for great wrappings. But the insides count too, and I am very impressed with Dove's line of "fancy" chocolates, and quite like their mix of flavors. I LOVE the Bananas Foster, a flavor not often available outside of gourmet restaurants, and actually their entire line of individually wrapped caramels is distinctive and very tasty- with a little Dove note wrapped inside each one. And the large choc bars have 3 seperate sections wrapped inside- for better freshness and portion control. Dove has done it right- they are different and stand out- not to mention really affordable and makes a great gift!

NEW- Nestle dark Chocolatier and milk bars...

These both popped out at me recently, and both happen to be Nestle. The gorgeous yellow bar is their new line of baking chocolate, a trend started by Ghiradelli and found in the grocery baking aisle. They also have a darker 72% bar and also chocolate chips in this line. Very nice quality but hard not to eat before you get to baking with 'em! The red bar is just new fun packaging on their standard milk choc BIG bar- quite good if plain milk choc is your thing...I personally need dark and/or some nuts and things mixed in.

Godiva & the final after-Val day sales tally...

So I made out like a bandit at the post-Val day choc sales- best score by far was GODIVA half-priced hearts- such a treat to open a box of gorgeous chocs that also taste amazing- their quality is far better than average choc (but still not at the level of superior fancy European choc houses like those in NYC & Paris- many of which I have been lucky enough to visit years ago). I will slowly savor my collection you see stacked together- yes thats 12 heart boxes, some Hershey Bliss, and Ferrero Rocher all at a deep discount! This should hold me over until the post-Easter choc sales....

Chocoholic's favorite day- After Valentine's Choc Sales!!

Every year I look forward to February, not for Valentine's day exactly, but for the major chocolate sales afterwards! Feb 15th is the Superbowl of choc sales- all the yummy assorted choc hearts go 50% off, and if you can wait a few more days they go 75% off! I have yet to hit Godiva (tomorrow) but here is my haul so far. No its not the world's best or fanciest choc, but I do love assorted varieties and Whitman's/ Russell Stover are quite good for inexpensive choc- they are truly American classics. My best score is the large box of ALL DARK- last one on the shelf! Who needs flowers & jewelry? Im all set, thank you....

NEW- Valentine's M&Ms collection!

Here comes Valentines' Day- one of chocolate's biggest celebrations! Of course M&Ms joins the party with their fancy colors and bags, so here I have all the M&M packaging from all the different stores going back a few years. For every big candy season M&Ms creates a variety of new packaging for different major stores- Walmart, Target, and all other grocery/pharmacies all have different designs (but the colors inside are all red, pink, & white). So as I have done since my blog started, I am sharing with you how they all look together, and you can see the differences are quite striking. So fun! I love it....

NEW- M&Ms mugs and sandals!

My awesome friends Linda & Adriana blessed me with these very fun & funky M&M gifts that I just love love love! The lady Green mug is just adorable and came with mini packs of M&Ms inside- it could also be used as a candy dish :) The sandals are a hoot! I cant wait to wear these out and see what kind of comments I get- the sparkly red just takes them to the next level of crazy funky cool- they must be the world's happiest shoes! I will put them on whenever I need a little cheering up- nothing makes me smile quicker than bright colorful M&MS (eating or otherwise):) Thanx SO much ladies- made my Christmas and M&M collection way better!

NEW- M&Ms 2009 Calendars!

Here they are - the new awesome beautiful M&M 2009 calendars- wall and purse sizes- inside are great "photos" of the M&Ms in various seasonal settings- love it! And got them at Michaels craft store for only 1.00 each! Can u beleive so cheap? There really is a Santa Clause....