Thursday, March 22, 2018

HOLIDAY FINERY…

Are you all ready for the first spring holidays?

As you likely know, both Passover and Easter will be observed in coming days.
Holiday outfits, gifts for the season, hostess gifts – we’ve got them all at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa.
Holiday outfits and gifts for the season

If you need an outfit for a special dinner, gathering or family reunion, we’ve got you covered, and don’t worry, even though the weather’s been a chilly-warm-rainy-snowy mess of late, we’ve got the stylish solutions with seasonally appropriate dresses, pants, tops – think layers – plus scarves and more.

For the younger set, we’ve even got some adorable spring outfits – as well as plenty of dolls, games and activities to keep them busy while the holiday meal is cooking.
A JellyCat Menagerie

If you yourself are feeling the stress of entertaining or making elaborate meals that seem out of your league, then we have both lovely cookbooks filled with ideas and on the other hand, pampering products, from soaps to candles to lotions and more to bring you that bit of serenity.

And perhaps you have someone far away that you’d like to remember this time of year?
If so, our team members are happy to help you with suggestions – or you can purchase a gift card through our site so they can shop away, 24-7, on marialuisaboutique.com or shoptiques.com.

SHOPTIQUES

After all, who wouldn’t like to find a Maria Luisa gift card in their Easter basket?
GIFT CARD

Happy spring
– and happy spring holidays to all.

ML FAVES for GOOD

ML by MARIA LUISA SCHOLARSHIP FUND




Sunday, March 18, 2018

LABEL-CONSCIOUS – THE MARIA LUISA WAY


We know our customers aren’t all about chasing designer labels and brands.
But we also know that labels and brands can tell a lot about a product.
At Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, we are proud of the labels and brands you’ll find throughout our shops – and we’re starting a new way to direct your attention to these.
As the spring progresses, you’ll notice signs dotted throughout our shops, as well as online.
We’ll be noting the products we carry that are created following Fair Trade practices and principles – and also those products that are “Maker Made” artisan creations.
LABEL-CONSCIOUS
As you know, we’re constantly on a search to bring you fashions, accessories, gift items and decorative goods that are pleasing to you and your gift recipients – but it’s so much more than the look or impression of something.
We strive to offer quality products that also have a “story,” whether it’s something made by hand with proceeds supporting a women’s collective in a developing nation – or a greeting card, candle or print handcrafted by a local company or artist.
To us, it’s all about supporting the heart of the creative process and the sharing of distinctive, quality goods that have a story behind them.
 
Watch Maria's Story

Feel free to ask our team members about anything you see in our shops or online (at marialuisaboutique.com or shoptiques.com).
And look for the signs that add another level of meaning to your Maria Luisa purchases.

Explore








Another Informative BLOG by Maria Luisa


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

DEADLINE GROWING CLOSER…


We recently reminded you that applications are available for the 2018 ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship – and now offer a gentle reminder that the deadline is March 16.
So once again, please help us spread the word – share this* with your daughters, nieces, sisters, neighbors, students and friends – anyone who might benefit from this program.
Again, here’s a quick rundown of the scholarship program that we’re so proud to have been offering since the 2014-2015 academic year.
In brief, the scholarship is designed to recognized Rockland County high school female seniors who have demonstrated a desire to learn and foster principals of civic and community involvement, an awareness of issues of social justice and equality and related interests supporting Fair Trade and eco-friendly principles.
Each scholarship is a $1,000.00 award given to a promising high school senior in need of financial aid, designed to assist with costs in attending a college of her choice.
The program is administered through a partnership with the Rockland Community Foundation – and this year, our program’s fourth, we will be marking its expansion in two important ways:
• Our program is being expanded to encourage both females and those who identify as female to participate; and
• We plan to present two scholarships, one to a graduating senior who resides in Rockland County with a second (and equal) scholarship specifically presented to a Nyack student. This additional award is designed to recognize the community that has embraced Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa since 1987.


To be considered for the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship applicants must attend a public, private or parochial school within Rockland County. Well-rounded high school seniors who demonstrate a significant commitment to volunteer service in our community are encouraged to apply.
Maria Luisa Whittingham herself benefitted from scholarship funds, monies that helped her continue her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. It had always been a dream to some day is able to “return the favor.”
Today, Maria stands proud to have this concrete way to continue her longtime efforts to support the next generation of female leaders. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions.


(Scroll down to the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund)

Thanks for helping us spread the word – and we hope you’ll join us this spring when we host our annual scholarship presentation evening. Stay tuned for details.



Monday, March 5, 2018

WON'T YOU JOIN US?

What are you doing July 14?

We’d like to make a suggestion for a fun – and meaningful way –
to start off that summer day.

We hope you’ll consider joining the ML Faves for Good team as we again 
participate in the  Women’s Distance Festival at Rockland Lake State Park 
in Congers.
ML Faves for GOOD

The event, which will mark its 31st annual edition this year, will again gather
women of all ages – from girls through seniors – to participate in the run/walk
at the park.

Last year, more than 1,000 registered for the event that celebrates womanhood
and camaraderie while raising funds for the Center for Safety & Change.

With the momentum of Maria Luisa’s own 30th anniversary of doing business
in Nyack, we assembled a team of some 80 women strong, making us the
second-largest team within the 2017 event. 

Whether our team members ran or walked, our effort was a bonding experience –
 filled with quite a few laughs – as the ML Faves raised more than $2,000.

Registration is now open for this year’s event, and we have set an ambitious goal –
to raise $2,500 or more.

Our participation in the festival was key one for us in another way, as well.

The teamwork sparked the creation of the ML Faves for Good initiative where
we formalized our “habit” of joining together to, yes, do good.

This year, ML Faves for Good kicked things off by participating in
Resolution Fun Run/Walk in Nyack. During this January event, our team
raised more than $2,600 to benefit the Nyack Hunger Coalition.

With such teamwork, we cannot fail – so we hope you’ll join us in another
successful effort by participating in the 31st annual Women’s Distance Festival.
 
REGISTER NOW and join the ML Faves for GOOD Movement.
 
And to add a little “incentive,” we’ll help you show off that ML Faves team spirit:

Returning participants who made a contribution last year and sign up as part 
of the ML Faves for Good team for this year’s event by April 15, may choose 
  
MariaLuisaBoutique.com    
a free ML team T-shirt or water bottle.

• Those new to the ML Faves team who sign up by April 15 and:

    Make a $25 WDF ML Faves for Good donation, will receive a free ML team T-shirt.

    Make a $75 WDF ML Faves for Good donation, will receive a free ML team T-shirt

    and a water bottle.
 

DONATE NOW

We really hope you’ll join us this July 14 – participating again or for the first time. 
It’s going to be a blast.

Please help our fundraising effort by recruiting your female friends and family 
members to also participate.

And please encourage anyone you know to join us “in spirit” by making a contribution 
on behalf of the ML Faves for Good team.

Here’s to another strong effort.

It will be fun – but it will also help raise funds for one of our vital community resources, 
the Center for Safety and Change.

Now that’s doing something Good!

REGISTER NOW and join the ML Faves for GOOD Movement.
 

DONATE NOW

Another Blog post my Maria Luisa