’TIS THE SEASON AT MARIA LUISA

Sure, we may be a tad early – but when it comes to being ready for the holidays, too much prep can never be enough.

This year, we in the Maria Luisa family are committed to approaching the holidays with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, a true focus on finding the real meaning of the holiday season – and truly being grateful for what we have and sharing it with others.

Whether that means setting a place at your holiday table for a friend going through a rough time – or taking a very active role in a community effort, such as a food or coat drive, the holidays offer the chance to show our “best selves.”

Take some time now to create a holiday timeline – list the things you need to do, to buy, to donate, to share, to join.

Above all, remember to include those you love in the preparations – it’s inspiring to help someone, and even more inspiring to do it with a family member or friend.

Here at Maria Luisa, we’ll be offering you the chance to join in, once again participating in a food drive for those served by People to People (http://www.peopletopeopleinc.org) and collecting new or gently used coats and warm clothing for those served by Nyack Homeless Project (https://www.nyackhp.org)

As Maria Luisa Whittingham says, these opportunities to share your abundance do more than just provide the literal gifts of soup, pasta or peanut butter or a warm coat, socks or boots.

“We also want to enhance a person’s life and well-being with pride.”

The holidays offer an ideal time, too, to participate in volunteer work. Opportunities abound in our communities, so it’s easy to get involved. Lend a hand to an organization whose mission reflects your own interests – or stretch yourself with something new. There are countless organizations whose work is supplemented by volunteer efforts, organizations we know you join us in supporting.

So this season, why not volunteer to:

• Work with the young people served by The Nyack Center http://www.nyackcenter.org/volunteering.html 

• Help feed those in need at a local soup kitchen.  
Soup Angels http://www.nyackreformed.org/soup-angels.html 
Grace's Kitchen http://www.gracechurchnyack.org/ 

• Help protect the environment with Keep Rockland Beautiful http://keeprocklandbeautiful.org

• Offer hope to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault with Center for Safety and Change

http://www.centerforsafetyandchange.org/get-involved/volunteer.html

• Get involved with the multifaceted programs offered by the Rockland County Pride Center

http://rocklandpridecenter.org/services/volunteer/

Sure, it may still be late October – but how nice would it be when 2019 rolls around to be able to say, “Wow, I really embraced this holiday season not only by gift giving, or with friends and family – but making the holidays as warm and enjoyable as possible for those around me including those in my community.”

Follow our social media platforms where we’ll continue to offer details on holiday happenings and opportunities for you to show your gratitude.

And let us just say that here at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, we are grateful for YOU!

More about Maria Luisa and our community.

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ML Faves for GOOD

RUN (OR WALK) with MARIA LUISA

Here at Maria Luisa, we hope your 2018 is off to a good start.

If you’ve resolved to do more this year – for your health, for the community – then you’re in luck.

We have the perfect event that combines both – and will be plenty of fun to boot.

And there’s still plenty of time to join the effort.

As we’ve been mentioning on our social media the past few weeks, we’ve formed a team (ML Faves for GOOD) to participate in the Jan. 6 – that’s this Saturday morning – Resolution Run Nyack 4-Mile Fun Run/Walk to End Hunger.    

                                           

We are about to kick off our #MLFavesForGood 2018 efforts with a team participation in the Resolution Run Nyack.

The Nyack Hunger Coalition event will take participants through the streets of Nyack in an event designed as a "fun run/walk" to raise funds to help end the hunger crisis in our own Nyack community.

We'd love if you can participate, running or walking, on event day, Jan. 6, but we'd also be happy to simply have you out there cheering us along - or making a monetary donation in support of the effort. Register in advance to save $5 on the entry; or donate any time.

Maria Luisa Whittingham is striving to raise $1,000 and if the goal is met, will donate an additional $100 to the cause.

We're looking forward to starting off the new year on such a positive note - and thank you in advance for anything you are able to do to help the effort.

Sign up - or donate-> at Resolution Run Nyack.

Here’s a bit of the background:

It was back last summer when we gathered a team some 80 women strong to participate in the 30th annual Women's Distance Festival 5K Walk/Run. The July 8 event at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, a benefit for the Center for Safety & Change, marked not only our 30th anniversary but also the event's 30th anniversary and Maria's own 60th birthday.

The sense of camaraderie, the importance of the cause and the funds raised by the team sparked yet another chapter in the Maria Luisa story - the formation of the  #MLFavesForGood initiative.

 Envisioned as a way to capitalize on the spirit of that special day, the initiative is a concrete way to continue efforts to help the local nonprofit community.

GOOD GIFTS … THAT DO GOOD

If you’re looking for a holiday gift with an extra layer of meaning, we have a couple of options.

These are gifts that are not only good in and of themselves – but they also help do good.

The first is a musical option, a CD called “Season of Love: A Musical Tribute to the Nyack Center.” 

All proceeds of the $15 release – an effort organized by a 10-year-old named Josie, recorded at the Center’s new recording studio and featuring performances by children throughout the Nyacks – go to the Nyack Center, an organization whose works we have long supported.

And as you well know, we also not only support but often also team up with Keep Rockland Beautiful.

This year, KRB is selling a 2018 “Beautiful Rockland” wall calendar in honor of its 20^th anniversary. Billed as an ideal gift for friends, family, employees and customers, the calendar is a tax-deductible purchase ($19.95) that showcases the work of local photographers. The quality product, created thanks to a grant from Rockland County Tourism and Harrington Press, is a great way to celebrate the works of Keep Rockland Beautiful throughout the new year.

Both the CD and the calendar, all proceeds go to each organization, are on sale at Maria Luisa Boutique, so we hope you’ll consider them as part of your holiday shopping.

(Not Your) Basic Black

Maxi

Mesh Jacket

For so many of us, black is a wardrobe staple. 

But even the most dedicated among us realize that head-to-toe back, with nothing “of interest,” can simply look dire.

That’s why the options at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa are ideal.

Our styles, from sweaters to pants, jackets to bags, always have that little something extra.

Two Tone Bag

It might be an embroidered accent, a unique cut or wrap to a top, a collar that grabs attention…

Kathy Top

It’s all about fit, about quality – and plenty of flair. 

In Nyack we are open every day through Dec. 24. and 24/7 at MariaLuisaBoutique.com. 

Fall’s splendor

Bryn Sweater          

Turquoise Splendor

We’ve been telling you about autumn fashions and accessories, how we’re embracing the styles and shades of the season.
Well, we’ve taken a few moments to really
take a look at our offerings – and think you’ll agree with us that we’ve got quite a treasure trove of textures and colors filling our shops.
We’re loving the peacock blues in cozy sweaters and the lacy beige of a funky tunic.
There are cutouts and faux fur, bold designs and prints that resonate with life.
We’re loving them – and hope you are, too.  #MLfaves

Just for kids

Dress Up

Educational Fun

Cuddle up

Don’t think that autumn wardrobes and accessories are just for Well… usually it’s the moms and aunts, dads and grandmothers buying things for the little ones (though they’re certainly welcome, too).
And we’ve got plenty of choices, from warm sweaters and cute skirts to little bags, plenty of books and toys (ideal for those holiday trips) and of course, a fairy princess costume, cause as we know, there’s always time for a game of dress-up. adults.Here at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, we care about customers of all ages.
#MLfaves

SAY ‘YES’ TO THESE BAGS

Autumn days have an earnest feel to them.

SHOP NOW

SHOP NOW

That nip in the air has us determined to get errands done, projects finished and yes, add plenty of fun activities to our calendars. And it seems like we’re always carrying so much on our travels.

While you know how we advocate re-usable bags here at Maria Luisa – thanks for your ongoing support of our “Say NO to the Bag” efforts – we have a batch of great new autumn-ready bags in our shops that we hope you will embrace.

SHOP NOW

We’re talking leather bags and woven totes, celebrations of embroidered hues and canvas versions far from routine.

The choices are many; come in and see which ones suit your needs – and taste. ML

HOME, SWEET HOME

Kitchen Towel

Cookbooks

Fall gatherings are about to kick into high gear.

The Best Hostess Gifts

Sometimes you’re the host, sometimes you’re the guest.

Our furniture, home décor and home-themed gifts are at the ready if you need to feather your nest a bit – or pick up some ideal gifts.

We’ve got kitchen tools and tabletop items, cookbooks and linens – and plenty of furniture from chairs to lamps to pillows to round it all out.

Stop by. Take a look.

You may settle into one of our couches or chairs – and that’s fine.

But you know you’ll eventually have to get up! ML

ON YOUR FEET

We love shoes and boots.

You love shoes and boots.

It’s nice how that works out…

We’re so excited to show off our latest styles, a mix representing our longtime favorite brands with a few new collections mixed in for good measure.

Heel heights vary. Materials are mixed.

You might find a workaday tie shoe that’s anything but standard – or your new favorite bootie.

Stop by and check it out.

Try on one, try on many.

We like to do the exact same thing!

New Arrivals

Fun socks

SHOP FOR A MOST WORTHY CAUSE Sept. 23-25

 As you know, we here at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa are all about fashion – but we’re also about community.

And for nearly 30 years – since our launch in 1987 – we have supported our neighboring nonprofit organizations and their efforts, programs and outreach.

This coming weekend, we again join forces with our fellow merchants in a special shopping event designed to benefit THE NYACK CENTER, an important community resource that has been doing good for some 25 years. (As you likely know, the Center is a recipient of our ongoing support through the ML/GL initiative).

And this coming weekend, Sept. 23-25, we invite you to join us for the “Shops of South Nyack Fundraiser” for The Nyack Center.

Along with many of our fellow shops along South Broadway, we will remain open late Friday, Sept. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. (enjoy specialty cocktails by Kris Burns of Festoon on Hudson) to kick off the event, which will continue during our regular business hours Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25.

Present your voucher at participating stores including ours and 20% of the amount of your in-store purchases over $50 will be donated to The Nyack Center.  Vouchers are available at NyackCenter.org or through Facebook.com/NyackCenter.

We hope to see you – and thank you for your loyalty – and your participation in this fun event that we know will raise much-appreciated (and needed) funds for The Nyack Center.

We’re showcasing our new fall fashions and accessories, furniture and home accessories, gifts and more, so hope you’ll find plenty to catch your eye.

Listing of participants to date are:

ML, Maria Luisa, Archive Home, Festoon on Hudson at Archive Home, Gene Reed, Christine Cordey, Sanctuary and Brooklyn Bread.