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

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

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!

Are you ‘SUPER’ SUNDAY ready?

Are you ready for Feb. 4? You know, when Super Bowl LII pits the Philadelphia Eagles against the reigning champions, the New England Patriots.

For a lot of people, Super Bowl Sunday means a big party, whether you actually watch the football game or not.

If you’re having friends over for another annual gathering – or are a guest (lucky you!) in search of a host gift – here at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa, we’ve got the goods to get you game-ready.

Our year-round selections include plenty of items ideal for home entertaining, use in the kitchen or for simply sprucing up the surroundings.

We’re talking cookbooks and oven mitts, dish towels and cheese boards, snack bowls, coasters and placemats, to name just a few. We also have pillows and chairs, floor mats and throws if you need to expand the viewing area. (Of course, we have plenty of casual-but-chic fashions and accessories for looking your best, as well).

And for those who have zero interest in the game, fear not – we’ve plenty for you, too, especially if you’re hosting or attending an “anti-Super Bowl” gathering.

If that’s the play you’re making, how about creating a quiet zone complete with Zen accents, atmospheric candles and even cozy socks?

As you can see, whether you’ll be in the heat of the action or savoring something completely different from the sidelines, we’ve got the makings for a memorable Super Bowl Sunday.

Score!

It's not Miller Time,It's 'Craft' beer time!

Woodsy Tones

Another newsletter by
Maria Luisa Whittingham

30 Years and Counting

Visit Nyack

A WARM GLOW

When was the last time you visited the lower level of ML by Maria Luisa?

If it’s been a little bit, then you’re in for a wonderful surprise.

We’ve now fully completed a bit of a style revamp in our lovely large space – creating a series of seating vignettes designed to inspire your home-décor dreams.

We have an array of chairs and couches, pillows, vases, throws, lighting and more, all fashioned in a way that really shows you how just a few new accents can really mix things up.

And don’t worry, if you’re inspired to have a seat and enjoy a bit of a breather when you’re shopping.

We’ll take that as a compliment.

After all, we wanted our re-worked space to be as inviting as your own home.

(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. 

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

Sock it to us!

You know when you need a gift that has to make a splash but can’t be serious?

Maybe it’s a pick-me-up for a friend who just got dumped.

Maybe it’s a little birthday extra for someone you simply want to make laugh.

Or perhaps you want to pop something in the mail to someone simply to show you’re thinking about them.

We have the answer: A pair of socks.

Yes, we know. You’re probably thinking, “Did they just say ‘a pair of socks’?”

Yes, we did – and if you have seen the selections from Blue Q, featured in ML by Maria Luisa, then you know we are right.

These fun – FUN! – socks are not only made well – but they will make you smile.

Stop in and take a peek at the options – we carry styles for both women and men – and we bet you’ll pick up a batch, for gifts now and later, maybe even one for yourself.

It’s fun to shake things up a bit!

BUT don’t think our socks are only about fun.

We have several new socks — have you seen just how many socks we carry in both our shops?  — that are also really connecting with our customers. 

Some of our new selections have a decidedly therapeutic angle, but it’s one that doesn’t forego fashion.

For example, check out the Sedona Ultra Light Micro Sock from Goodhew.

This sassy little number features spandex throughout sock, arch support, mesh breather panels, Y-heels and seamless toe closure.

And the Plantar Ease Sock from Sockwell works by firmly supporting to the Plantar Fascia and the Achilles Tendon and applying pressure that encourages blood flow upward to reduce swelling which ultimately minimizes pain and discomfort.

And finally  – in a classic example of ‘last but not least’ – we are featuring a selection of Conscious Step socks. These stylish creations, fashioned out of GOTS organic cotton and manufactured in a Fair Trade manner, not only feature comfort and durability — but really do good. Opt for the style (and cause) you feel strongest about, from hunger to education to water. The company behind these fun socks has teamed up with global nonprofits to make donations (food, books and clean water) for each pair purchased. Take a look – and you’ll likely be considering more than one pair.

So whichever sock catches your eye, there are some real winners here. Who knew socks could be such an easy way to look good, feel good — and do good.

Visit marialuisaboutique.com — or stop by our shops — to check it all out.

NOW SERVING…

This time of year, when we are so ready for spring to

arrive, we’re looking for things that feel fresh and new.

And you can add something quite fresh and new to your

kitchen with our newest arrival, a collection of white

porcelain dinnerware from Japan. The Miya Company’s Omakase collection — its name

(pronounced O-ma-ka-say) is translated as “It’s up to you”

— is the perfect phrase to sum up these versatile pieces.

Take one look, and you’ll agree that they serve as the ideal

blank canvas for your culinary creations either simple or

more elaborate.

Maria Luisa Whittingham was captivated by the line’s

strong, sleek design — and the undeniable fact that they

are, quite simply, “very nice looking.”

We think you’ll agree — and want to stock up on the

collection, which features pieces ranging from sauce

dishes to plates to mugs (and all priced from $4 to $14).

Whether you have a dinner party in the works — or

simply want to give your latest recipe a fitting

presentation, look to the Miya Company’s Omakase collection for that finishing touch.