WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN

It’s hard to believe but another year has run its course.

But before we leave 2018 behind, we’re taking a moment – as we like to do here at Maria Luisa – to reflect on the year.

And what a year it was, thanks in large part to you, our loyal customers.
First, we want to thank you for your ongoing support – not only for your dedication to shopping local but also your joining us at special events, helping to raise funds and awareness and quite simply, for your loyalty and friendship. It’s the most rewarding part of life here at Maria Luisa.

Our year got off to a healthy start with the #ML Faves For Good participating in Nyack’s annual Resolution Run, a through-the-streets walk/run designed to raise funds to combat hunger in our own community. We’ll be doing it again in the new year – with the 2019 event set for Jan. 5; please join us! --->SIGN UP-DONATE HERE---> NYACK RESOLUTION RUN/WALK

That on-the-road spirit continued throughout the year, with #ML Faves again gathering to participate in the 31st annual Women’s Distance Festival in July at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. Our team had another strong showing – helping raise funds for the Center for Safety and Change, an organization that we have long supported. (We’ll be there again in 2019; save the date of July 13 and plan to join us). Registration begins on Janyuary 11, 2019.

WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN  at MARIA LUISA

We also took to the streets… of South Broadway, participating in each and every Nyack street fair held throughout the year, from the SpringFest through the last event in October. Village events are a mainstay of the Maria Luisa calendar, as we often tie in special store activities and promotions to events going on in the community such as the annual Halloween Parade.

This year also saw us, for the first time, presenting two awards through our ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund. The program has been expanded – and thanks to your ongoing and generous support – we were able to recognize both Ruth Uriarte and Katherine Bacolas. As you know, the scholarship program is something we are especially proud of, this year expanding to recognize both a Nyack High School senior and a senior from anywhere in the county. We also now invite applications from any female graduating senior as well as those who identify as female – and look forward to our next presentation toward the end of the academic year. (Stay tuned for an announcement about the 2019 program and application details). DONATE --->HERE

Throughout the year, we have continued our commitment to artist- and artisan-made goods, sustainable production and Fair Trade principles, adding new merchandise that reflects our new discoveries. In addition, we’re continually impressed – and inspired – by how many customers support our “Say NO! to the Bag” initiative, bringing their own bags or purchasing the reusable Maria Luisa shopper. Village events are a mainstay of the Maria Luisa calendar, as we often tie in special store activities and promotions to events going on in the community such as the annual Halloween Parade. We celebrated the whole day of the parade in store, while also taking part in the main event itself. ML team members and friends once again wore eco-minded costumes to raise awareness of the power of recycling as we walked the village streets in this most-popular Nyack event.
We saw that often during the holiday season, which was especially rewarding – as was this year’s holiday party. Sure, it was a chance to kick back and have some fun while helping you with your own holiday shopping, but this year’s event was something really special.

The early December evening served as the official introduction of one of our most exciting efforts to date, the collaboration with Nyack-based artist and illustrator Johanna Goodman. The teaming up with this amazingly talented woman has been quite a creative endeavor, as we developed an exclusive collection of totes, pillows and shower curtains based on her signature “The Catalogue of Imaginary Beings” series. The designs have been a hit, as we knew they would be – and we look forward to expanding the line in the new year.

As you can see, 2018 was a great year at Maria Luisa, one filled with milestones and memories.

In that spirit of moving ever forward, we’re excited for 2019, and hope you are, as well.

Stay tuned to next week’s blog for details on some more of what’s planned for 2019 at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa.

And until we see you in the shops to say it in person, HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at Maria Luisa.

Maria Luisa

WITH MARIA LUISA’S VERY BEST WISHES

We hope your holiday season is turning out to be a happy one.

We will be closed Dec. 25, Christmas Day, to celebrate with our families and friends, re-opening Dec. 26 for “business as usual.”

Speaking of families, we wanted to take a moment to wish our own Lindsay the very best. If you’ve been in recently, you may have noticed that she’s expecting – she and her husband are soon to welcome their first child. We’ll certainly miss her during her impending maternity leave, but as I’m sure you do, wish her every happiness – and can’t wait to meet the little one.

As the end of the year is always a time for reflection, stay tuned for next week’s blog when we offer up our annual Maria Luisa “Year in Review” edition.

Until then, we thank you, as always, for your loyalty and friendship, especially your supporting us by shopping local this holiday season. We hope to see you soon – and wish you and your families the very best.

LAST-MINUTE FINDS at MARIA LUISA

Is it us or is this month zipping by way too quickly?
Seems we go through each day – focused on the tasks at hand – and suddenly, weeks have passed.
Sure, we all have to get by… but when it comes to holiday shopping, sometimes that can get away from us.

That’s why we want to remind you that we are here FOR YOU – every single day through Dec. 24 at both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, not to mention online 24-7 at both MariaLuisaBoutique.com and Shoptiques.com – for all your holiday-shopping needs.
No one wants to look like they picked up a gift at the last minute, right?

Stop by and we’ll help you pick out gifts that would never appear to be afterthoughts.

SHOP

SHOP

We have luxurious candles, rich body lotions and special ornaments, specialty cookbooks and distinctive home goods, bags and totes, scarves and sweaters, boots, jewelry (lots of jewelry) – and of course, items from our exclusive partnership with Nyack-based artist Johanna Goodman. Introduced at our Holiday Party earlier this month, these have been simply flying off the shelves. You’ll feel good giving something made by an artist or an artisan, often local, or a product created by a small business just like ours or one that follows Fair Trade practices.

It really adds another layer to your gift-gifting, no matter the season.
And if you’re still in need of that finishing touch or entire outfit, don’t forget our shops are filled with fashions or accessories for you, too!

SHOP

Whether it’s for your own holiday entertaining at home or any parties or special events (New Year’s Eve, anyone?) you’ll be attending, we’re jam-packed with stylish options, some with a bit of that holiday spirit – from lush velvets to a touch of sparkle – that we’d love to show you.
And remember, even if you don’t know what to get for someone on your list, the Maria Luisa gift certificate always fits – and thanks to you, also gives your recipients the fun of shopping for themselves.

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

Hope to see you soon.

WHY SHOPPING LOCAL MATTERS…Especially during the holiday season

We here at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa appreciate your business throughout the year. We hope you were able to join us this past Friday for our annual Holiday Party, a great event that included the unveiling of our exciting collaboration with Nyack-based artist Johanna Goodman – with her captivating collages translated to tote bags, pillows, shower curtains and, of course, beautiful prints. It was an evening that also showcased the work of jewelry designer Lisa Medoff, whose work we have long supported.

The spirits were high – and the sense of community strong. It was lovely for us to see so many loyal – and a few new – customers stop by and support what we do day in and day out.
And that is strive to bring you quality, comfortable, stylish – and thoughtful – fashions, accessories and more. We pride ourselves on seeking out goods created by artists, artisans, Fair Trade and small businesses, whether they’re around the corner or around the world.
And we thank you for “returning the favor” – deciding to spend your hard-earned dollars in our shops, supporting what we do as a woman-owned small business.

It’s not just happening here – but something consumers around the country are also supporting, especially during these challenging economic times.
WCIA, a TV station in Champaign, Illinois, for example, has a great piece on why shopping local matters, which mentions, in part, that local businesses often have better service overall since they are used to “taking time to know their customers and having passion for their products or services.”

That’s definitely true of us here at Maria Luisa.
You may recall that we put our philosophy out there in an op-ed piece a few years back on LoHud.com that said, in part, “Season after season, we all work hard to offer distinctive goods, confirming our unique identities. Most of us sell goods personally selected for our customers, not generic goods mandated by a faraway corporate office. We, because of our size, can quickly respond to customer requests and see what best connects with them. Our products are often a reflection of ourselves and our beliefs.”

It’s always been true – and will remain true.
So we look forward to seeing you often this holiday season, helping you buy something special for those you love – or even a treat for yourself – and sharing the good will of the season.

A MOST ARTFUL HOLIDAY

So, December is here.

We wish all of you who celebrate a very Happy Hanukkah – and remind you that we are now in our annual OPEN-EVERY-DAY mode. Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa are now open daily through Dec. 24 for all your shopping needs – and yes, that includes Mondays.

This is also a very big week for us for another reason – IT’S TIME TO PARTY!!!

We’ve been mentioning it for awhile – but it’s finally happening this week.

FB EVENT INVITE

Here are the details:

A MOST ARTFUL HOLIDAY EVENT

4 to 8 p.m. FRIDAY, Dec. 7

Maria Luisa invites you to stop by for a very special edition of our annual Holiday ‘Wish List’ Event.

The party – in addition to offering us the chance to raise a glass and have a few light bites in recognition of all of this season’s holidays – is designed to offer the chance to not only dive into your holiday shopping but also allow you to create a holiday wish list, which gently offers suggestions to those who will be coming in this month to shop for you! We’ll have special promotions, raffles and more throughout the evening, one of our favorite events of the year.

The evening’s centerpiece will be the unveiling of the collaboration between Maria Luisa Boutique and Nyack-based artist Johanna Goodman – and we couldn’t be more excited to formally announce this news.

Goodman, an award-winning illustrator whose work has graced the pages of The New York Times to Rolling Stone, from work for the MTA to decorative goods carried by West Elm, is noted for her striking “The Catalogue of Imaginary Beings” series. Her work is amazing – and we think you’ll love what is hitting the Maria Luisa shelves (think totes, pillows and shower curtains) … another way we’re proud to support local talent, creativity and initiative.

The evening will also showcase a number of other local artists and artisans whose work we support throughout the year including one of our newest brands, MacKenzie83, which recently hosted a trunk show of sustainable leather accessories; and jewelry from a perennial favorite, Lisa Medoff Designs.

As always, stay tuned to our social media for event updates throughout the week – but we hope we’ve given you enough of a glimpse that you’re already planning to join us. We can’t wait to show you all we have in store – and thank you in person for your continued support throughout the year.

•••

And, of course, we have another recipe from the Maria Luisa team to share – this week, something special from Cameron, our accountant. (See, everyone gets in on this sharing!).

GERMAN OVEN PANCAKE

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sifted flour

3 slightly beaten eggs

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

GERMAN OVEN PANCAKES

Directions:

• Gradually add flour to eggs, beating on medium speed.

• Stir in milk, butter, and salt.

• Thoroughly grease 9 to 10-inch oven-safe skillet (I use a Dutch oven).

• Pour batter into cold skillet.

• Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.

• Loosen pancake from skillet with a wide spatula. Cut into wedges with a sharp knife.

• Serve with powdered sugar, butter and maple syrup, or even some warmed cinnamon applesauce!

What I Like About This Recipe: This recipe is so easy to put together, and it’s fun to watch fluff up in the oven. My daughter and I love to make it on chilly weekends with the oven on to warm the house.

Sounds delicious – and don’t forget, please join us Friday for our PARTY when we’ll share a bit of wine, a lot of creativity and the warmth of the Maria Luisa community.

 

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