The official blog of Nyack's favorite shopping experience! Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa Return to MariaLuisaBoutique.com website
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Our Summer Soiree: July 26
Who wants to go to school during the summer, right? Well, we're not exactly comparing our "Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way" series to school - but we think we are giving you the chance to learn a bit while having a nice night out. (In June, for example, we learned a lot about the spirit-body connection when Judith Rose introduced her Vital Movement method, which offers an approach to wellness that goes beyond simple exercises) Well, for summer - who's traveling, who's home? - we are going to combine our series and have one evening during July/August - and the focus will be FUN. Shopping, sale prices, snacks... nothing to think too hard about. So save the date, July 26. Expect an email blast closer to the event with full details - RSVP and be ready to party (and get ready to go "back to school" come September).
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way, Tuesday June 19
We are proud to announce the sixth edition of our now-signature series, Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way, will be held Tuesday, June 19.
The monthly series has really taken off, and we're always pleased to welcome you, our preferred customers, and your friends (who, as we see from past events, quickly become our friends and customers, too).
In May, we hosted a thought-provoking night with Gloria Rodriguez, author of "You Are More Than Good Enough." Rodriguez, founder and director of DeAlmas Women's Collective, had us thinking, laughing and sharing stories as she talked about women, female empowerment and more.
This month, Judith Rose will introduce us to an approach to health and wellness that touches on everything from increasing flexibility to managing stress. Here's how Rose describes her work:
"Vital Movement™ is a unique program for health and well being that integrates the teachings and principles of a variety of kinetic and artistic disciplines to provide intense, restorative, and therapeutic movement experiences for people of all ages and movement capacities. The benefits of regular Vital Movement™ work include increased flexibility, expanded range of motion, improved balance and coordination, spinal alignment, physical strengthening, stress management, and personal integration."
Rose is the founder and director of Nyack-based Vital Movement™. Her extensive movement background includes training in yoga, t'ai chi, modern and Afro-Caribbean dance, ballet, Alexander technique, and therapeutic breath work. She is also a certified practitioner of Otiyot Hayyot, a meditative form of letter movement, and an award-winning poet and educator. She has introduced the benefits of Vital Movement™ work to the lives of people of all ages through her classes, workshops, and sessions in private practice. She currently offers mentorship and training to new movement educators and is a frequent presenter at national and international movement conferences. Her work is deeply grounded in the belief that the arts provide a medium for personal and communal healing and transformation.
As always, we'll gather starting at 6:30 p.m. in the lower-level gallery space of ML Gifts & Accessories. There will be the chance to mingle, participate in the activities (wear comfortable clothes) and as always, have a few refreshments.
To help us track the number of guests - and ensure entry, as our events do tend to fill up quickly - please do RSVP via the link below.
RSVP Link
Hope to see you there. ML
Hope to see you there. ML
Monday, May 28, 2012
Wow, we are loving "Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way
Wow, we are loving how "Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way," has gained such support. This past month, nearly 20 women gathered to participate in a powerful evening devoted to female empowerment. Gloria Rodriguez, founder of DeAlmas Women's Collective and author of "You Are More Than Good Enough," had most of us laughing, a few of us moved to tears and all of us doing some pretty deep thinking.....
This month, Judith Rose will lead an evening devoted to "Vital Movements," an approach to health and wellness that touches on everything from increased flexibility to stress management. Wear comfortable clothes.
As always, we'll meet starting at 6:30 p.m. June 19 (a Tuesday this time) in the lower level gallery space of ML Gifts & Accessories.
Look out for an email blast with more details closer to the event.
And please keep in mind that space is limited for these events, so be sure to RSVP via the Facebook event invite you'll be receiving.
**Also note: With the summer coming and everyone away or otherwise involved, the Ladies' Night program will transition into summertime mode. For July and August, we're going to take a little break from the usual format. Instead of a "formal" program with a guest we're simply going to meet just once during July and August (most likely late July), and the evening will be festive in nature. Think shopping (yes, there will be sales and discounts), perhaps a bit of entertainment and of course, some refreshing beverages. Stay tuned for details on this mid-summer soiree. (And let us know if you or someone you know would like to be considered as the featured guest for when our themed evenings resume in September).
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
You are More than Good Enough
We are proud to announce the fifth edition of our now-signature series, Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way, will be held Thursday, May 17.
The monthly series has really taken off, and we're always pleased to welcome you, our preferred customers, and your friends (who, as we see from past events, quickly become our friends and customers, too).
Last month we had a "record" crowd - wow, was it nice to see the place so lively - as we hosted the opening reception for "In Plain Sight," a photography show by local artist Laurie Peek. (If you missed the event, click here for a few photographs from that evening - and stop by during this Ladies' Night or any day soon, as the exhibit continues in our gallery space through May 29).
OK, so this month, our evening will include a presentation from Gloria Rodriguez, author of "You Are More Than Good Enough." Rodriguez, founder and director of DeAlmas Women's Collective, will lead an interactive evening "celebrating the spirit of women in community." Click here to visit Rodriguez's site and get a feeling for what her female-empowerment work is all about. It's going to be a good night!
As always, we'll gather starting at 6:30 p.m. in the lower-level gallery space of ML Gifts & Accessories. There will be the chance to mingle, hear (and participate in) a very special presentation and of course, have a few refreshments.
(And don't forget the next Nyack Street Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20; we'll have plenty going on in - and in front of - both shops throughout the day).
To help us track the number of guests - and ensure entry, as our events do tend to fill up quickly - please do RSVP via the link below.
RSVP Link
Hope to see you there. ML
Maria Luisa Boutique, 77 S. Broadway, Nyack NY 845-353-4122.
ML Gifts & Accessories, 75 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. 845-358-1293. marialuisaboutique.com.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Ladies’ Night: The Maria Luisa Way
We feel our signature series, Ladies' Night: The Maria Luisa Way, is now quite established - this month marks our fourth edition. We're so pleased with not only the events we've organized but the way you, our preferred customers, have embraced them. These nights have become something to look forward to for us, and we hope you feel the same.
Last month we spotlighted the 'next generation' of powerful women, a group of local students vying for scholarships sponsored by the Nyack Center. It was inspiring to hear how the spirit of helping and 'giving back' to others is alive and well among these teens.
Our next gathering is set for April 19, and we'll get together starting at 6:30 p.m., as always in the lower-level gallery space of ML Gifts & Accessories. And gallery space it will truly be.
Local photographer Laurie Peek - many of you may have met her at a previous Ladies' Night - is going to be on hand as we host the opening reception for her latest exhibition.
Be among the first to see "In Plain Sight," which will continue into late May at the shop's gallery space.
As always, the evening will be a chance to mingle, have a few refreshments and this time, check out the works of a talented local artist.
To help us track the number of guests - and ensure entry, as our events do tend to fill up quickly - please do RSVP via the link.
Hope to see you there. ML
Last month we spotlighted the 'next generation' of powerful women, a group of local students vying for scholarships sponsored by the Nyack Center. It was inspiring to hear how the spirit of helping and 'giving back' to others is alive and well among these teens.
Our next gathering is set for April 19, and we'll get together starting at 6:30 p.m., as always in the lower-level gallery space of ML Gifts & Accessories. And gallery space it will truly be.
Local photographer Laurie Peek - many of you may have met her at a previous Ladies' Night - is going to be on hand as we host the opening reception for her latest exhibition.
Be among the first to see "In Plain Sight," which will continue into late May at the shop's gallery space.
As always, the evening will be a chance to mingle, have a few refreshments and this time, check out the works of a talented local artist.
To help us track the number of guests - and ensure entry, as our events do tend to fill up quickly - please do RSVP via the link.
Hope to see you there. ML
Monday, February 27, 2012
In honor of women
It’s amazing how much changes in the world – and how quickly.
I was thinking of that when recently watching the finale of “Downton Abbey.”
For those of us obsessed with the British production that’s become a mega-hit for PBS here in America, the recently concluded second season was even more tantalizing than the first. And sure, it’s perhaps nothing more than a highbrow soap opera – but it’s also a very entertaining way to explore how society can seemingly change overnight.
During this season, primarily devoted to World War I and its aftereffects, the narrative served as a reminder of how change can sweep through a society no matter the era. It also put a very pointed focus on the role of women during that time. From housemaids who were dreaming of a better life to the Lord’s daughters who suddenly see their days can be about more than pretty dresses and fancy dinner parties, the characters helped convey how things we take for granted were groundbreaking during another time.
This month, March, is designated as Women’s History Month, giving us the chance to again pause and think about women and their role in society – both now and in the past.
Here in Rockland, events such as the Women’s Celebration Brunch at the Nyack Center honor local women who continue to impact their surroundings.
Rockland County has no shortage of these women, from doctors to teachers, politicians to musicians, artists to environmentalists, entrepreneurs to athletes.
Each woman has her own story. Each woman lives her own life. But, as we well known, from family and friends, there are many common threads.
These are the things that make us laugh together, plan together and sometimes, cry together.
The connection is sometimes what helps you get through the day. It’s not about discounting the contributions or importance of men in the world (we wouldn’t want to be without them), but sometimes, all you need is a word with your mother, sister, daughter or best friend to get you through.
Our new series, “Ladies’ Night: The Maria Luisa Way,” is tapping into that very concept.
It was evident during our very first gathering that women whose lives take them to very different places (jobs, schools or at home raising children) all came together in the lower-level gallery of ML Gifts and easily bonded. There was thoughtful discussion, acquaintances made and yes, even though we had a few gentlemen guests in the room, there was a very strong sense of female accomplishment – who met at which awards ceremony, who worked on which committee together, whose business was helping another woman’s to grow, etc.
Here in Rockland, we can readily look to those who’ve made a name for themselves, some even steps away from the Maria Luisa shops themselves. Think of famed actress Helen Hayes, who long made her home on Broadway, to evocative author Carson McCullers, whose onetime home was also on Broadway though in the other direction. These are just two of hundreds, if not more.
Celebrating the accomplishments of women can only help spur more achievements.
Having spent some time on the Women’s History Month website (womenshistorymonth.gov), I learned that today, organizations including The Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have banded together to continue to offer programs, exhibits and more “paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.”
The site, which welcomes you with a charming photo of Amelia Earhart and tells you its mission is to foster “learning about women’s tenacity, courage and creativity through the centuries,” goes on to give a bit of background about the month.
It seems that before the 1970s, women’s history was not a topic given much attention. A Women’s History Week was introduced in 1978 in California, built around International Women’s Day (March 8). By 1981, Congress had officially recognized the week and in 1987, it was expanded to the monthlong celebration that continues to today.
That’s the summarized version; there’s the proverbial “wealth of information” found throughout the site and its links, so why not spend some time there yourself?
You might even be inspired by this year’s theme for Women’s History Month: “Our History is Our Strength.”
Perhaps you’ll take a moment to reflect on your own history as it relates not only to you but also to your family and those you know.
Maybe even think of a teacher who made an impact on you or a boss you had early on who gave you the chance to prove yourself, each imparting lessons that remained with you for decades.
Remember those feelings – and pass them on to another young woman this month to keep the history alive.
– Mary Shustack
Newsletter Editor
Maria Luisa Boutique / ML Gifts & Accessories
I was thinking of that when recently watching the finale of “Downton Abbey.”
For those of us obsessed with the British production that’s become a mega-hit for PBS here in America, the recently concluded second season was even more tantalizing than the first. And sure, it’s perhaps nothing more than a highbrow soap opera – but it’s also a very entertaining way to explore how society can seemingly change overnight.
During this season, primarily devoted to World War I and its aftereffects, the narrative served as a reminder of how change can sweep through a society no matter the era. It also put a very pointed focus on the role of women during that time. From housemaids who were dreaming of a better life to the Lord’s daughters who suddenly see their days can be about more than pretty dresses and fancy dinner parties, the characters helped convey how things we take for granted were groundbreaking during another time.
This month, March, is designated as Women’s History Month, giving us the chance to again pause and think about women and their role in society – both now and in the past.
Here in Rockland, events such as the Women’s Celebration Brunch at the Nyack Center honor local women who continue to impact their surroundings.
Rockland County has no shortage of these women, from doctors to teachers, politicians to musicians, artists to environmentalists, entrepreneurs to athletes.
Each woman has her own story. Each woman lives her own life. But, as we well known, from family and friends, there are many common threads.
These are the things that make us laugh together, plan together and sometimes, cry together.
The connection is sometimes what helps you get through the day. It’s not about discounting the contributions or importance of men in the world (we wouldn’t want to be without them), but sometimes, all you need is a word with your mother, sister, daughter or best friend to get you through.
Our new series, “Ladies’ Night: The Maria Luisa Way,” is tapping into that very concept.
It was evident during our very first gathering that women whose lives take them to very different places (jobs, schools or at home raising children) all came together in the lower-level gallery of ML Gifts and easily bonded. There was thoughtful discussion, acquaintances made and yes, even though we had a few gentlemen guests in the room, there was a very strong sense of female accomplishment – who met at which awards ceremony, who worked on which committee together, whose business was helping another woman’s to grow, etc.
Here in Rockland, we can readily look to those who’ve made a name for themselves, some even steps away from the Maria Luisa shops themselves. Think of famed actress Helen Hayes, who long made her home on Broadway, to evocative author Carson McCullers, whose onetime home was also on Broadway though in the other direction. These are just two of hundreds, if not more.
Celebrating the accomplishments of women can only help spur more achievements.
Having spent some time on the Women’s History Month website (womenshistorymonth.gov), I learned that today, organizations including The Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have banded together to continue to offer programs, exhibits and more “paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.”
The site, which welcomes you with a charming photo of Amelia Earhart and tells you its mission is to foster “learning about women’s tenacity, courage and creativity through the centuries,” goes on to give a bit of background about the month.
It seems that before the 1970s, women’s history was not a topic given much attention. A Women’s History Week was introduced in 1978 in California, built around International Women’s Day (March 8). By 1981, Congress had officially recognized the week and in 1987, it was expanded to the monthlong celebration that continues to today.
That’s the summarized version; there’s the proverbial “wealth of information” found throughout the site and its links, so why not spend some time there yourself?
You might even be inspired by this year’s theme for Women’s History Month: “Our History is Our Strength.”
Perhaps you’ll take a moment to reflect on your own history as it relates not only to you but also to your family and those you know.
Maybe even think of a teacher who made an impact on you or a boss you had early on who gave you the chance to prove yourself, each imparting lessons that remained with you for decades.
Remember those feelings – and pass them on to another young woman this month to keep the history alive.
– Mary Shustack
Newsletter Editor
Maria Luisa Boutique / ML Gifts & Accessories
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sale Continues
Did you make it to our Big Winter Sale?
If not yet, don’t worry, as the savings are continuing into February.
We simply have to make way for the new spring merchandise that will soon be filling our shelves and racks.
So that means big discounts throughout both shops will be extended a bit more.
Look for 20 to 50% off winter fashions and accessories,
10 to 50% off footwear, and
20 % off home goods and furniture.
If you’re not sure what’s on sale, simply ask – you’ll get the details along with a smile.
Happy shopping!
PS – If you bring your own bags to carry all your new unwrapped purchases, we’ll take another 3% off the entire purchase as our thanks to you for reducing your carbon footprint.
Maria Luisa Boutique, 77 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. 845-353-4122.
ML Gifts & Accessories, 75 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. 845-358-1293. marialuisaboutique.com.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN 2012
If not yet, don’t worry, as the savings are continuing into February.
We simply have to make way for the new spring merchandise that will soon be filling our shelves and racks.
So that means big discounts throughout both shops will be extended a bit more.
Look for 20 to 50% off winter fashions and accessories,
10 to 50% off footwear, and
20 % off home goods and furniture.
If you’re not sure what’s on sale, simply ask – you’ll get the details along with a smile.
Happy shopping!
PS – If you bring your own bags to carry all your new unwrapped purchases, we’ll take another 3% off the entire purchase as our thanks to you for reducing your carbon footprint.
Maria Luisa Boutique, 77 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. 845-353-4122.
ML Gifts & Accessories, 75 S. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. 845-358-1293. marialuisaboutique.com.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN 2012
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