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

WDF… THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

This is it. Today is the final day to register online for the Women's Distance Festival taking place this coming Saturday, July 14. Online registration closes at 11:59 pm Eastern time.   

----> REGISTER HERE <----

-----> DONATE HERE  <-----
 We are $313.00 away from our fundraising goal.

Maria Luisa

As you likely know, this Saturday, July 14, a ML Faves for Good team will again be participating in the Women’s Distance Festival.
The 31st annual edition of this fun – and more important, fundraising – event will be held Saturday morning at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. The event raises both funds for and awareness of the important work of the Center for Safety & Change, the New City-headquartered organization formerly known as the Rockland Family Shelter.
We thank you for all your help in spreading the word about the event – and a special thanks to those who are already signed up to join us, as well as everyone who has donated to the effort.
We are so proud to say that we are not only one of the event’s sponsors but also the largest team registered for the event (so far).
Let’s add to those numbers… but hurry! Online registration, for those who’d still like to participate in the 5K Run, the 5K Walk or the Kids’ Fun Run can be completed through 11:59 p.m. July 9.
(After that, the registration fee increases for all categories to $40 and can be completed, by cash or check only, at the packet pick-up from noon to 8 p.m. July 12 at Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Palisades Center – or on site beginning at 6:30 a.m. on event day).
If you recall, the ML Faves for Good team made quite the splash last year:
• A team of us – some 80 women and girls of all ages – participated in recognition of both the event’s 30th anniversary and what also happened to be the 30th anniversary of Maria Luisa doing business in Nyack (not to mention the day of Maria’s birthday). And it was a fun day full of camaraderie, exercise and yes, even a bit of competition – all in the name of helping women throughout our county.
• More than 1,000 women registered for the 2017 event, with our ML Faves for Good team the second-largest group of participants – and one that raised more than $2,000. So far, we are over 70 participants for this weekend’s event – and are inching ever closer to our team’s fundraising goal of $2,500
• As you know, the way the ML team came together inspired us to formalize the ML Faves for Good initiative, through which we continue to come together to “do good.”
If you can’t make it to Rockland Lake Saturday – to participate or cheer us on – we ask you to still consider making a donation to our team effort and even ask your friends and family not able to participate to donate, as well, so we can reach our goal.
And as our thank you, those who:

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Again, many thanks for joining the effort – and see you Saturday!!
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To register, or donate, click here. https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/6020/Groups/438966

The road to success

It wouldn’t be a proper celebration without the thank-you note afterwards.

So we just wanted to take a moment to offer our SINCERE THANKS to all of you who supported the #mlfaves team at the 30^th Women’s Distance Festival, held July 8 at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers.

It was a special day for the Maria Luisa family – not only was it another way for all of us to offer our continued support for The Center for Safety and Change (accomplished through entry fees plus our own team donation, matched by Maria Luisa) – but it was also a great way to celebrate Maria Luisa Whittingham’s 60^th birthday.

That occasion was marked by the Center with a beautiful balloon bouquet, a birthday cake – and of course, a birthday serenade.

The #mlfaves team was some 80-strong – a showing that placed us second-largest in the event’s groups – and our members ran, jogged and strolled their way to completing the 5K-course in a morning filled with camaraderie and good will.

And it proved a memorable turnout – some 1,100 participants overall!! – for a most important cause.

Again, we thank you for your continued support of the causes we believe in!

• Maria Luisa Whittingham and the #mlfaves team. For more MLfaves at the 30th WDF CLICK HERE