HOT New Finds at Maria Luisa

Unless you enjoy the winter chill, we hope your winter hasn’t been too chilly.
No matter the outdoor temperature, it’s been getting pretty HOT here at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa.
We’ve recently been to market, and the new merchandise we’ve selected for you is now arriving in both shops. It’s a lovely mix, we think, of new designs from our tried-and-true favorites along with exciting new options.

Just In

That means more of the boldly colorful and incredibly stylish selections from Desigual, along with new footwear options from an all-time fave brand, Pikolinos.

Spring Arrivals from Hobo

We also have new styles from some of the other brands we know you love – Comfy USA and Cut Loose, quality pieces that never go out of style – along with plenty of exciting new finds that you just have to come in and try on.

Breathe in... Breath out.

In addition, we have replenished and expanded some of our most popular candles and home fragrances, ideal selections to bring a bit of wintertime serenity.
And don’t forget our Winter Sale continues, with offerings now priced at the best deals.
We like to think this all adds up to something definitely worth the trip, especially as we’d love nothing more than seeing you and hearing how your winter has been going. If you’ve not been in recently, we promise you’ll find a “new and improved” Maria Luisa is now fully in place.
Always moving forward, we ask you to also keep in mind that there’s still plenty to come. Stay tuned for details of our first 2019 Doorbuster sale, set for next Saturday, March 2.

And we’re going to be announcing a new ML venture in May… don’t you just love the suspense? We thought so!!

2019 Scholaship applications are now available

We look forward to seeing you in the shops – or online at marialuisaboutique.com or shoptiques.com.

SWEET – AND SASSY…

                                          
                                               VALENTINE’S GIFTS AT MARIA LUISA

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – really!
Yes, Feb. 14 is this coming Thursday…
Did you just gasp? Well, that’s why we are offering this gentle reminder.

Since we’re all so busy these days, last-minute shopping has become the norm.
But if you shop at Maria Luisa Boutique or ML by Maria Luisa, you don’t have to worry about your last-minute purchase looking like an afterthought.

Shop

Both our shops are filled with options ideal for anyone on your list – and designed to fit most any budget.

We have the little treats – and we have the oh-you-shouldn’t-have (but so glad you did) splurges.
There are candles and earrings, scarves and necklaces, journals and fragrances, bags and belts.
And of course, we have plenty of tops, pants, skirts, footwear and more – to give or to buy and wear on your special Valentine’s Day celebration.

There are items of red and items with a touch of lace, items for a night out or an evening in – and lots of quirky little finds (socks with playful sayings, zippered pouches with phrases designed to make someone laugh) to sweet little gifts for the younger set.

If you’re buying for your spouse or sister, best friend or daughter, grandchildren or favorite teacher – anyone you want to remember on this special day – we have the choices.

Gift Card

We’re happy to help you pick out something that will make your gift one that’s definitely appreciated.
After all, don’t you want to show those you love how special they are to you? We thought so!
And remember, when in doubt the Maria Luisa Gift Card always fits – and gives the recipient the fun of shopping for themselves.

We hope to see you soon – and remember, all of us here at Maria Luisa wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Read about the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

 

WINTER SALE + MARIA LUISA = NOW!

Did you hear about the Winter Sale at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa? If you’re a Maria Luisa regular, you probably know that we start our Winter Sale during the winter. Unlike many places that wait til their goods are “past the season” – sure, you still save but usually end up buying for the following year – our Winter Sale takes place during winter when you can still wear, give and enjoy your great (and thrifty) finds. If you’ve been following us on social media – and we hope you do – you’ve gotten a few glimpses at the great deals to be had during our Winter Sale, which is under way NOW.  Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll find: Selected jewelry offered at savings up to 25%. Selected accessories and fragrances at savings of 20% to 40%. Winter clothing and footwear at savings of 25% to 50%+, and Furniture and home goods at savings of 25% to 60% off. So, those are the details of our Winter Sale – impressive, no? We hope we’ve tempted to you to come in and save. Think sweaters and wallets, boots and candles, earrings and journals, reading glasses and pants, baby gifts and cookbooks… we’re filled with options. Remember, this is the ideal time to spruce up your tired winter wardrobe, buy birthday gifts in advance, choose something special to wear on Valentine’s Day – or simply get a little something to make you smile. You deserve it! And after your smart shopping during the Winter Sale, perhaps you’ll also consider “rounding up” your purchase – it’s a super-easy way to make a donation to the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund by rounding up your total to the next dollar (or more). Look for complete details at our registers or simply ask us for the scoop. Visit us in both shops or online 24-7 at both marialuisaboutique.com or shoptiques.com. Thanks, as always, for reading – and we look forward to welcoming you to our Winter Sale. (And yes, we put Winter Sale in bold an awful lot of times, so now you can’t say you hadn’t heard about our… Winter Sale!!)

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

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.

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.

 

 Support the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

VISIT NYACK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Maria Luisa Whittingham

845-664-8492

845-353-4122

LONGTIME NYACK MERCHANT ANNOUNCES ARTISTIC COLLABORATION

Maria Luisa Boutique teams with award-winning illustrator Johanna Goodman

Maria Luisa Whittingham, who has owned and operated Maria Luisa Boutique in Nyack for more than 30 years, announces a new venture – an artistic collaboration with award-winning, Nyack-based artist and illustrator Johanna Goodman.

The effort, another example of Whittingham’s ongoing commitment to supporting local arts and artisans, has yielded an exclusive collection of accessories and home goods designed in close collaboration with Goodman,

The collection will be formally unveiled during the South Broadway boutique’s annual Holiday Party, an open-to-the-public event set for 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7.

The initial offerings will feature designs from Goodman’s distinctive “The Catalogue of Imaginary Beings,” an ongoing series that Goodman launched in 2015 and is based on more than 20 years of portraiture and collage work. Products in the debut collection for Maria Luisa Boutique will include pillows, shower curtains and tote bags.

Of the collaboration, Whittingham says it “brings ‘Imaginary Beings’ into a lifestyle setting, which is really what Maria Luisa is all about, bringing creativity into our homes.”

Whittingham particularly sees the tote bags, featuring strong women characters, as ideal holiday gifts for all ages, offering “great, positive imagery for young people.”

BIOS/BACKGROUND

• Johanna Goodman studied at Boston University’s School of Fine Art and Parsons School of Design in Manhattan, where she graduated with a bachelor’s of fine arts in illustration in 1992. Since then, she has worked as a freelance illustrator for clients ranging from The Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, West Elm to Habitat Skateboards and for publications including Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Her work has been honored by organizations including The Society of Publication Design, American Illustration and Communication Arts. In 2017, Goodman was awarded a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship grant for Printingmaking/Drawing/Book Arts for her work on “The Catalogue of Imaginary Beings.”

• Maria Luisa Whittingham, who opened her eponymous Nyack boutique in 1987 and today is also the owner of sister store ML by Maria Luisa, is noted for her small-business success as she helms two brick-and-mortar boutiques while maintaining a thriving web-based business on both her own site, marialuisaboutique.com and through Shoptiques.com.

Having also lived in Rockland County for more than 30 years, Whittingham is both rooted in the local community and its issues – and willing to lend a hand to causes she believes in. Past and continuing efforts support causes ranging from the arts to racial equality, women’s issues to economic development, education to gender issues. Whittingham has been recognized over the years, having being named the “Woman of the Year” by the Rockland Business Women’s Network and the “Latina Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Business Development Center and RCC College Foundation and has also been honored by Friends of the Nyacks with its “Distinguished Citizen Award.”

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Maria Luisa Whittingham
75-77 SOUTH BROADWAY, NYACK NY

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM MARIA LUISA
Another Recipe… and SALE DETAILS

We want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving – and simply say that we are grateful for each one of you – for your friendship, loyalty and support since we first opened in 1987.
With the wintery weather having arrived a bit early, we’d like to remind you that we are again collecting winter coats and accessories to be donated to the Nyack Homeless Project. In addition to our food drive for People to People, this coat drive will also help those less fortunate in our community – so we hope you’ll drop by and add a gently used (or new) item to our collection bin.
And of course, we wish you all a relaxing holiday – one that you’ll share with family and friends. As we’ve been doing, the blog will end with another recipe from a member of the Maria Luisa team – and this time, it’s from Maria herself.
But… of course, Thanksgiving naturally leads to Black Friday – and a weekend full of holiday shopping. If you’re like us, you love shopping for distinct gifts with meaning, supporting artists, artisans and small businesses (like ours!), so read on for a few details that we think you’ll really love.                                                                  

                                                 
HOLIDAY WEEKEND SAVINGS
                                                                                 
Join us after Thanksgiving – we’ll be closed Thursday, so our team members can celebrate – but after that – let the shopping begin on Friday morning and continue til…

Throughout the weekend, we will be offering a few deals you won’t want to miss.
In both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, shop Friday through Sunday and – no coupons required! – enjoy:
•  25% off outerwear (coats and jackets) as well as our perennial favorite, footwear.
• Stock up on gifts and save more: save 20% when you purchase 10 or more candles; and save 20% when you purchase four or more scarves.

And if you can’t make it in, our CYBERSALE will be running throughout the weekend at MariaLuisaBoutique.com – Use code blackfriday to receive $50 off a $175 purchase.

We hope to see you in store – or online – and are happy to get your holiday shopping (or a splurge for yourself) under way. Remember, we’re always here to offer suggestions, as well.
                                                                                   
And that recipe, one of Maria Luisa’s own favorites, ideal for any day of the holiday season –

Meringues
Ingredients
4 egg whites
1 pinch salt
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 and 1/3 cups sugar
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

Directions
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a large clean glass or metal bowl, whip the egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until they can hold a soft peak. Gradually sprinkle in the sugar while continuing to whip to stiff peaks. Fold in the lemon zest. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven or until they peel off of the sheet without resistance. • Cool on wire racks, then store in an airtight container at room temperature.

What I love about this recipe – Meringues take me back to baking with my mom in my childhood home of Puerto Rico. 

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving to you!


Just in case that you missed these recipes, here you go.

Susan's Smashed Potatoes  

Lindsay's Pumpkin Bread

A SPECIAL – THOUGHTFUL – NIGHT AT MARIA LUISA

Our longtime customers know that at Maria Luisa, we put a lot of thought into what we do and what we choose to sell.

As we have been sharing with you, we have a special event planned for Nov. 8 that will bring these elements together in a thought-provoking way… along with a little wine and other light refreshments.
That evening, from 5 to 8 p.m., we will be hosting a special event to formally introduce one of our newest brands, MacKenzie83.

MARIA'S FAVORITE GO TO BAG IS A MACKENZIE83

The company is New-York based and designs eco-friendly, responsibly sourced, made-in-America accessories featuring organic, free-range and vegetable-tanned leathers, organic cottons and recycled metals.

The SMacK 83 Double Wrap Cuff

ORGANIC COTTON PEACE TOTE

The evening will serve to showcase these designs we have fallen in love with – and we know they’ll not only catch your eye but also appeal to the way you like to shop, purchasing goods with meaning and stories behind them.

 

GO TO EVENT INVITE

During the evening, when we showcase these handcrafted selections, we’ll also be having a “sip and chat,” an informal conversation about Fair Trade and ethical shopping, focusing on why we decided to carry MacKenzie83 goods. We hope to be able to not only answer your questions but also hear what you have to say about the way you shop and discuss how we all can get more involved, from questions to ask when we consider buying something to seeking out brands that reflect our personal values… important stuff!

The evening will also encompass another element, serving to raise funds for the Center for Safety and Change, whose work we have long supported, with 20 percent of all product sales to be donated to the organization.

And a bonus? You’ll also save 10% that evening on MacKenzie83 purchases above $200.
 
We think it’s going to be a stylish, thoughtful – and memorable – night at Maria Luisa, from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8.

C4SC

We hope you’ll plan to stop by; please sign up through our Facebook events page.
And thank you, as always, for your continued support of what we do here at Maria Luisa.

MLFAVES for GOOD

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