packaging crush: vosges chocolate

A few weeks ago I received an extraordinary surprise: a four-tiered box of Vosges chocolate caramels from a friend. The treats could not have come at a more opportune time ... I was in the thick of a stressful warehouse move, re-organization of our studio, national stationery show prep, garage sale prep, client deadline stress, and general malaise. My family and I (and my dear friend/lucky house guest) had a wonderful evening tasting, oohing, aahing, sharing, and arguing over which flavor was the best. My favorite, hands down, was the rose-peppercorn (made with roses and pink peppercorns). Mmmm. We were all (including my 6yo son) impressed with the fabulous packaging ... more arguing ensued over who gets to keep the box. I won out and got to keep it (now in my studio, the box is filled with "boring" things like paper clips and rubber bands). Although I didn't technically buy these goodies myself, it is totally something I would buy first for the packaging, then fall in love with due to the contents.

I just discovered this gluten free page on the Vosges site and am trying to decide which to try first when I visit their chocolate shop in NYC next week. About 8 years ago my doctor told me that I have an allergy to gluten, but only recently have I started to take her advice to lay off it (and yes, I'm feeling much much better). It makes me happy to know that on days I have to pass up a warm baguette I can console myself with a truffle.