MARIA LUISA HITS THE STREETS

The street fair season in Nyack continues this Sunday, May 20, with the first 2018 edition of the Nyack Famous Street Fair. 

As always, vendors will be lining the downtown streets of Main and Broadway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, with more than 350 exhibitors expected. There will be the classic mix of arts and crafts plus traditional retail and collectibles, along with refreshments, live music and children’s events.

And of course, Maria Luisa will be a part of all the fun. We’ll be “taking it to the street,” as we do for every street fair, setting up in front of both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, extending our shops into the great outdoors.

Stop by throughout the day for our unadvertised special promotions and activities.

There are two more editions of the Nyack Famous Street Fair this season, July 8 and Oct. 7.

The May, July and October events are run by P.J.’s Promotions. April’s SpringFest and the Sept. 9 SeptemberFest fairs are sponsored by the Nyack Chamber of Commerce.

Admission to all is free.

If you forget, you can always consult the Community Calendar at marialuisaboutique.com, where we spotlight Maria Luisa events as well as community happenings we think you’d like to know about.

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.

MARIA LUISA EVENTS… AND MORE

You know that at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, we consider ourselves a very active part of our Nyack community.

To us, that means everything from supporting and participating in village events to grabbing a bite – or drink  – in town after work, getting our hair done nearby or stopping in one of our neighboring shops to pick up a gift.

We know that your visits to Nyack are sometimes prompted by a desire to stop in at Maria Luisa and shop – or to take part in some of our local events.

That’s why we offer our Community Calendar – a listing put together for you, our loyal customers, to help you keep up on not only on our own store events but also the famed Nyack events (such as street fairs, concerts and the blockbuster Halloween Parade). 

We also spotlight benefits and events hosted by our local nonprofits whose work we support, as well as showcase the wealth of local art exhibitions, educational programs, films and theatrical events that we think you’d like to know about. 

We hope you’ll use our curated calendar of events to plan your visits to Nyack, or simply to check in and see what’s going on in town the next time you plan to stop by Maria Luisa.

We look forward to seeing you – in our shops – or at some of these events we spotlight.

Work local. Shop local. Enjoy local!

Check out our community calendar at marialuisaboutique.com.

Join Us!

MAKE A WISH

Mother’s Day is just around the corner – May 13.

As we all know, it’s a chance to recognize our mothers – but it’s also a bit more than that.

It’s about recognizing those in your life who are “like a mother” to you – perhaps a sister, aunt, grandmother, best friend.

Wouldn’t it be nice to let those special ladies know how much they mean to you?

We love getting into the Mother’s Day spirit at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, especially as our shops are filled with fashions, accessories, home goods and plenty of ideas that make an ideal gift, whether it’s a beautiful little token or a really elaborate presentation.

FOR THE FASHIONISTA MAMAS

If you’re a mom and want to make it “easy” on those shopping for you – as we do during the holiday season – we’ll again be offering a “Mother’s Day Wish List,” and kicking it all off with a special party May 3.

Here’s a quick run-down of how it all works:

You come by our shops on May 3 – create a “wish list” of items that you’d love to receive (we’ll help you with suggestions and filling out the lists) – and then we’ll hold onto it. Your family and friends can then come in and shop for you from that list, knowing that they are purchasing you something that you’ll truly want – and love. It’s our spin on a gift registry.

As mentioned, we’ll begin our lists May 3, with a special party that evening. Stop by from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and have a snack, create your list – and simply enjoy the experience.
 

MARIA LUISA GIFT CARD

If you do some of your own shopping that night – you’ll receive 10% off your purchases up to $100 and 20% off your purchases of $100+.

And then, when those shopping for you return and shop off your list – from May 4 to May 10 – we’ll also offer then a 10% discount on those items.

Pretty much a win-win all the way around.

We hope to see you on May 3 – and Happy Mother’s Day in advance.

STEPPING IN STYLE AND COMFORT

FRAGRANCE OPTIONS THAT MOM WILL LOVE

EVEN MORE GIFT IDEAS

FOLLOW MARIA'S BLOG

EARTH DAY-MORE THAN JUST A DAY AT MARIA LUISA

You all know how much we at Maria Luisa care about our environment, so it’s no
surprise to hear that for us, Earth Day is more than just a single day.
That commitment to protecting our environment is at the core of our philosophy,
something perhaps best evidenced by our “Say NO! to the Bag” initiative. Our reusable
Maria Luisa market bags are a signature item for us, one that we hope you proudly use
(and if not, don’t worry as you’ll see by reading on).

Where do you take your ML tote?

• Also under way is our “Say No! to the Bag” initiative contest. This is another
interactive campaign, with entries to be sent via Instagram and Facebook. Simply snap a
photo to show “Where do you take your purple ML reusable tote?” Do you BYO-bag to
the grocery store or the gym or the park? Let us know. Tag @marialuisanyack and use
the hashtags “#saynotothebagpledge” in your posts.  

TAKE THE PLEDGE

(And help our
earth even further: If you’re merchant, employee or volunteer in a retail setting, pledge
to ask “Did you bring your own bag today?” If the reply is no, then ask if they need a
bag. (You’ll be surprised how many people will say “no” and tuck the purchase into
their tote or backpack). And finally, as a consumer, recommit to our initiative: “I pledge
to forgo a bag and bring my own bag when shopping.” Share the news and we can truly
create change!

As you can see, we really do care about you, our customers, and the Earth – our home!

And don’t forget, if you’re not already a subscriber to our blog – sign up to follow us by
Earth Day and you’ll be entered into our Earth Day Blog Contest – the winners will receive their choice of a Maria Luisa re-usable market bag or our signature upcycled ML
drinking glass.

Happy (everyday) Earth Day to all!

A MOST FASHIONABLE SPRING

Spring’s the time of renewal, of fresh starts and new perspectives.
In that spirit, we ask, “How’s your closet doing?”

If like most of us, your answer is along the lines of “meh” – then we have the fashionable solution.

At Maria Luisa Boutique, these days are all about freshening up – adding a few subtle changes – or for the really daring, an entirely new spin on your wardrobe.

When it comes to spring fashions, looks that will also carry you through the rest of the year with clever layering and savvy mixing-and-matching, we’ve got plenty of options.
We are filled with new arrivals from our tried-and-true brands – along with some lovely new additions.

More of our Favorite Things

As expected, we have tops and pants, dresses and jackets, scarves, bags, jewelry and footwear… don’t get us started on the footwear – one of our favorite categories that we know you also love.
So, haven’t these days of chill, wind – and snow that never (never!) seems to be done – put us through enough?
YES!!
Come on in and see what we have in store for your spring/summer looks – and beyond – and don’t forget, you can always shop, or preview our collections, online at marialuisaboutique or shoptiques.com.

But we do hope you’ll stop by for a look – and a chat.

After all, our team members like nothing more than showing off all the new fashions and accessories we have selected … with you in mind.

Shop MariaLuisaBoutique.com

Shop Maria Luisa at Shoptiques

Gift Card

Busy BLOGGING

ML Faves for GOOD

ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

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