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

Monday, February 26, 2018

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK…

MARIA LUISA TODAY

A NEW ML

Have you been into our shops lately? 
If so, you’ll realize we embraced the spirit of change for 2018.

Both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa are sporting new looks, which symbolize a bit of a new approach for us.
ANGELROX

As you know – of course, you do, since you helped us celebrate in style – 2017 marked our 30th year doing business in Nyack.

So… we figured it was time to shake things up a bit.

Fear not – we’re still filled with the fashions, accessories, gifts and more that you’ve come to know and love.

We are just streamlining our displays, fine-tuning our selections for a refreshing mix of best-loved and new brands – and tying it all up with a bit of a new look.

We’ll share more details in our next quarterly newsletter – the spring edition (yes, spring is indeed just a few weeks away) – and we’re planning to hold a special event to mark our embracing this “new year, new look, new launch.”

Stay tuned – we think you’re really going to like what you see.



ML Faves for GOOD

ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

Sunday, February 18, 2018

TIME TO SHINE…

ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

We’ve got some exciting news and are hoping you can help us spread the word:

Applications are now available for the 2018 ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship*.

As we hope you know by now, it was in the spring of 2015 that we were beyond pleased to award our first scholarship – and the program has grown ever since.

Thanks to your generous support, through donations, raffle tickets and more, we have awarded the scholarship to a young woman for three years running, with our academic year 2017-2018 program now under way.

In brief, the scholarship is designed to recognize 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.

Please help us spread the word – share this with your daughters, nieces, sisters, neighbors, students and friends – anyone who might benefit from this program.

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 be downloaded at marialuisaboutique.com or rocklandgives.org.
                                   
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.
Apply Now

Sunday, February 11, 2018

THE BEAUTY OF 24-7 SHOPPING


How many times have you wanted to run out to shop this winter but decided against it because of the snow, rain, ice or wind?

Maybe you got the urge to splurge at midnight – long after shop doors have closed.
SHOP 24/7 @ SHOPTIQUES and MARIA LUISA



Or perhaps you forgot – or didn’t have time – to run to your favorite shop to buy a gift for someone special. 


As we all know, online shopping takes away such “barriers” – and offers some really convenient solutions.

That is why – despite our joy in seeing you in our brick-and-mortar shops – we encourage you to shop with us online.
MariaLuisaBoutique.com


At MARIALUISABOUTIQUE.COM – and more recently, SHOPTIQUES.COM (more on that in a moment), you can find so much of what you love at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa with the simple click of the keyboard.

SHOPTIQUES

As you likely know, shopping online at MariaLuisaBoutique.com offers not only convenience but also another way to support us in our community efforts. For each purchase through our website, we have long pledged, through the ML/GL initiative, to donate 10% of each sale to the local community organization that you select upon checking out.
JULIA LACE DRESS

And in recent months, we have also joined SHOPTIQUES.COM, a platform that offers unique products from “the world’s best local boutiques” through one site. Adding to our exposure as a Hudson Valley destination, this opportunity raises our profile and offers more customers the chance to experience the “Maria Luisa look” you’ve come to know and love. 


With this efficient way to now ship around the world, we’ve been pleased to already receive orders from savvy shoppers in both England and Finland – here’s to the Maria Luisa name going international!


 Scroll through and see what you think of our edited selection of clothing, accessories and gift items.

Either way you do it – rest assured, you can indeed shop in your pajamas and no one will be the wiser!!


MARIA LUISA
 
BUSY WORKING ON OUR NEXT BLOG POST
Support the ML Scholarship

 Join the ML Faves for GOOD







Monday, February 5, 2018

VALENTINE’S FOR YOUR VALENTINE

Valentine’s Day, as we all know, is Feb. 14… and that’s coming up pretty quickly.
It’s a day devoted to love – all kinds of love.


Sure, the most traditional celebration is of romantic love – but in a wonderful way, the observance has expanded over the years. Valentine’s Day is now a time to recognize all those you love – romantic partners but also parents and children, siblings and friends.

A wander through both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa offers up quite a selection of gift ideas ideal for anyone you may be shopping for.

KIORI Oil
Available in Nyack, NY Shop
When it comes to pampering – what a nice way to show you care – we have soaps (think everything from lilac to lemongrass sage to stout beer), lotions, scents, bath goods, candles and more. And just for the guys, there’s a full range of Duke Cannon products, which you may know, are “premium grooming goods for hard-working gentlemen.”

If you’re setting a romantic scene for your Valentine with a nice meal, we have cookbooks, tabletop goods and some lovely candlesticks to help set the mood.
There’s always jewelry, a near-universal favorite that takes on added meaning when given for Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s sterling silver twisted into a one-of-a-kind ring, a graceful tassel necklace or truly unique selections created out of agave fibers, the options are plenty.

MANTRA BANDS
All ages will be dazzled by the bright Fair Trade totes. There’s a blush-hued jacket from KUT.  And we have charming terrariums. Scarves featuring reclaimed Sari fabrics and settle-into-them pillows are colorful choices. And shoes, did we mention shoes, for those who really want to make an impression? 

We even go literal – with heart-shaped stones boasting sayings such as “Love is Love,” while other stones and signs that offer encouragement (“What are you waiting for?”). 

Journals of many styles are at the ready for those who like to chronicle their life – perhaps this Valentine’s will be especially memorable – or simply want to keep their endless lists in beautiful bindings.

And, of course, we’ve got the fashions and accessories not only for others but to also dress you in style, wherever your Valentine’s celebration may take you.
We hope to see you all soon. Don’t forget, we’re always here to offer advice and suggestions – or if you can’t make it in, remember you can shop online any time.
Lastly, remember that a Maria Luisa gift card always “fits.” HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!


WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Shop NOW
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Sign the Pledge

ML Faves for GOOD

ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

Another Newsletter
 brought to you
by Maria Luisa