THE NEXT GENERATION…

This week marks a bit of a milestone in the Maria Luisa world.

It was some four years ago when Maria Luisa Whittingham was able to fulfill a longtime dream, creating a namesake scholarship program that would support and encourage the next generation of female leaders.

She launched the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship program, administered by the Rockland Community Foundation, back in 2014. 

And this week, she will – for the first time in the program’s young history – present not one but two scholarships to local graduating seniors.

These awards will be given during the 2018 ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Presentation reception, to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday (May 10) at Maria Luisa Boutique.

Family, educators, friends, community members and our ML community – you, our loyal customers – are invited to join us as we celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners.

Scholarships of $1,000 each will be presented to Ruth Uriarte of Nyack High School and Katherine Marie Bacolas of Clarkstown South High School.

These young women were selected as best exemplifying the award’s criteria: being Rockland County high school female seniors who, through their actions or beliefs, embrace the principles of ML by Maria Luisa that include civic and community involvement, as well as a commitment to social justice, social equality, and environment/eco-friendly lifestyles.

The awards are designed to assist with costs of attending a college of their choice. This year, the program was expanded in two important ways. A second scholarship was added to specifically recognize a student attending Nyack High School, in honor of the community that has long supported Maria Luisa and her business. The 2018 program was also expanded to include nominations from those who identify as female, as well.

It’s been quite the year for the program that continues to grow.

As Maria has said, “The empowerment of young women is high on my list of priorities.”

And in a nod to the way she herself benefited from a scholarship during her college years, one that allowed her to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, she has also noted, “The ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund is my way of paying it forward.” 

We hope you will join us from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday as Maria Luisa officially presents the 2018 awards – and recognize the accomplishments of these young women.

And we thank you, of course, for your ongoing support of our scholarship program.

***

For more, or to donate to the 2019 effort, visit marialuisaboutique.com/maria-luisa-scholarship-fund or rocklandgives.org.

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.

APPLY NOW

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.

*Applications can also be downloaded at marialuisaboutique.com or rocklandgives.org.

DONATE NOW

(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.

FOR THE (REAL) MAN IN YOUR LIFE

Have you heard about Duke Cannon Supply Co.?

For a clue as to its approach, just know that it bills itself as “America’s Most American Brand” and “The Choice of Champion Barbers.”

As its attitude-heavy homepage states, “Duke Cannon isn’t for everyone. And quite frankly, he prefers it that way.”

If you have — or know — a man of singular style, of old-fashioned values, one with a hint of rugged and an old-school swagger, then you will want to check out our new line of products seemingly designed just for him.

Among the Duke Cannon grooming products we are offering are the Superior Grade ShaveCream, which features aloe vera and shea butter; and the Tactical LipProtectant, created using premium, natural and organic ingredients and featuring SPF 15.

And one guaranteed to elicit a chuckle — the Big Ass Brick of Soap. Available in four scents, this is a full military-grade product modeled after the rough cut “brick” style soap used by GIs during the Korean War.

Wondering how well these no-fuss, no-frills products work? All Duke Cannon products are field tested by active duty U.S. soldiers, so you know they’ve made the grade.

And in appreciation for the men — and women — who have and continue to serve our country, Duke Cannon Supply Co. donates a portion of its proceeds to veterans’ causes.

Come in — or visit marialuisaboutique.com — to shop for “America’s Most American Brand".

Five Days of Super Deals are Here for You

FRIDAY, Nov. 27 Black Friday Doorbuster Sale

• Save 30% off your total purchase of $75 or more* when you shop between 9:30 a.m. and noon Friday, Nov. 27.

(*$75.00 is the re‐tax minimum; Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa purchases may not be combined). Offer is not valid on previous purchases or for gift card purchases. Offer Begins at 9:30am and ends at NOON on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. No cash value). Remember to BYOB (Bring your own bag) or purchase a bag at checkout. Discounts are calculated from the original prices. No gift wrapping. Valid at our brick‐and‐mortar locations, 75 and 77 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y.

SATURDAY, Nov. 28

Small Business Saturday Deals

• We’ll have in-store savings ranging up to 40% off in both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 28. These unadvertised deals will remain valid only while supplies last and will include footwear, clothing, accessories, home goods, baby goods and popular gift items.

Offer begins at 9:30 a.m. and expires at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. Please note:  Offer is not valid on previous purchases or for gift card purchases. (No cash value.) Please Remember to BYOB (Bring your own bag) or purchase a bag at checkout.  A limited number of American Express Small Business Saturday bags will be available. Discounts are calculated from the original prices. No gift wrapping. Valid at our brick-and-mortar locations, 75 and 77 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y.

MONDAY, Nov. 30

Cyber Monday Savings

• Save 25% on all online merchandise purchases of $50 or more on Nov. 30. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping at this incredible discount.

Offer valid during all hours of Nov. 30 (EST) only at marialuisaboutique.com. This offer EXCLUDES gift cards. To take advantage, enter code #CYBER25 at the payment screen to receive the discount.

TUESDAY, Dec. 1

Giving Tuesday – Join Us!

Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been designated as a global day dedicated to giving back.

On Dec. 1, we will be participating in several ways.

• We continue to collect new and slightly used coats, hats and gloves, as well as new socks, toiletries and boxed and canned goods, for the Nyack Homeless Project.

On Tuesday, if you stop in and make a donation to the Nyack Homeless Project, we will say thanks by giving you 10% off one item in either Maria Luisa Boutique or ML by Maria Luisa.

• Here at Maria Luisa, you well know our ML/GL (Maria Luisa/Global Local) initiative has just passed its first anniversary. We hope you will consider this among your options when it comes time to give back on this day. As always, all online orders will give you the chance to designate to which organization we will donate 10% of your purchase price – the Nyack Center, People to People, VCS Pride or the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund.

On Tuesday, stop by in person and make a monetary donation to the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund and we’ll thank you in very special way – by giving you 10% off your entire order in either shop up to the value of your donation. (For example, donate $10 and receive a maximum of $10 off a purchase of up to $100; donate $25 to receive a maximum of $25 off a purchase of up to $250).

As you can see, Maria Luisa Whittingham was right when she said, “It’s simple to be part of Giving Tuesday.”

                                                           

Once again, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Maria Luisa & Co.