J.Crew Striped Top (Old, but I recently purchased this, also available here, and #ohmygoodness. Saving it for the cooler weather!) / Burberry Jacket / Similar Pearl Necklace / J.Crew Jeans / Sole Society Pumps c/o (On major sale! Also available here) / Helen Ficalora Necklace c/o (Nearly identical here!) / Moon and Lola Bangle c/0 / Louis Vuitton Tote (Also available here, here and here) / Similar Sunglasses
As most of you know, Mitch and I were teachers in the South Bronx together for many years through the New York City Teaching Fellows. I decided leave the profession when we moved to Chicago, though. (I should probably revisit that topic soon, actually!) Mitch, on the other hand, kept on keepin’ on, and he’s now in his third year of teaching in the Chicago Public Schools system. He’s a seventh and eighth grade math teacher, and I’m so proud of him.
For reasons I’ll probably never fully understand, teachers often don’t get the kind of respect they deserve. The profession is difficult, no matter where you’re teaching, and it’s one that comes with a great deal of responsibility. (And stress, exhaustion and hard work.) At the risk of sounding cliché, teachers are the people who shape tomorrow! And while I suffered from the burnout factor after seven years in the trenches, I have the utmost respect for those who don’t throw in the towel. For those who continue to encourage, motivate and inspire the youth of our country, and for those who continue to go the extra mile.
Thank you.
Let me introduce you to merci®: an amazingly delicious assortment of European chocolate made from the highest quality ingredients, and the perfect way to express thoughtful gratitude, as the name translates to “thank you.” (Each box contains eight individually wrapped flavors: Milk Chocolate, Coffee and Cream, Hazelnut-Almond, Hazelnut-Creme, Marzipan, Dark Cream, Dark Mousse, and Praline-Creme. Marzipan is my fave!) And since one of the best forms of gratitude is that which is expressed through genuine, heartfelt moments during everyday instances, what better way to thank some of my favorite Chicago teachers–Mitch and his amazingcoworkers–with boxes of merci® on this Monday morning? (From my experience, Monday mornings are almost always the toughest, so the plan is for Mitch to surprise these two awesome ladies first thing in the AM!)
Update: They loved it! Have a great week, guys!
As this Thursday, September 15th is “National Thank You Day,” I encourage you to think about someone you’re grateful for–whether it’s a family member or simply someone with whom you come into contact and share everyday moments–and consider giving them a box of merci®. You can find the brand at Target, Walgreens and Walmart! (I know, without a doubt, that my next merci® boxes will go to Harold and Scott, my UPS and FedEx delivery men. They’re the absolute best, and always put a smile on my face. More on them to come!)
Also: If you live in the New York City area, merci® is celebrating “National Thank You Day” this Thursday by handing out chocolates to commuters and passersby who post thank you notes on the brand’s life-size “Thank You Wall” in Columbus Circle and/or share real-time social shoutouts through an onsite video and photo booth. If you don’t live in NYC, though, you can still thank those you appreciate! Simply use the hashtag #givemerci on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. (You’ll also have a chance to win some exclusive giveaways!)
Who would you like to thank? I’d love to hear!
Outfit details:
J.Crew Striped Top (Old, but I recently purchased this, also available here, and #ohmygoodness. Saving it for the cooler weather!) / Burberry Jacket / Similar Pearl Necklace / J.Crew Jeans / Sole Society Pumps c/o (On major sale! Also available here) / Helen Ficalora Necklace c/o (Nearly identical here!) / Moon and Lola Bangle c/0 / Louis Vuitton Tote (Also available here, here and here) / Similar Sunglasses
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by merci®, but all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!
