NEW YEAR, NEW MARIA LUISA…

So, how’s your new year shaping up so far?

We have to say that we are pretty excited about the possibilities of 2019 – a year that all of us at Maria Luisa are embracing as one of positive change.

We’re firmly powered up by the spirit of fresh starts.

“It’s going to be a year when I personally will be exploring more”

WELCOMING 2019-ML TEAM

Already, the ML Faves for Good team gathered to participate in the Jan. 5 “Resolution Run” to raise funds for the Nyack Hunger Coalition.  

And, registration has already begun for our favorite summer event, the team’s participation in the Women’s Distance Festival at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. This year’s event, the 32^nd, will be held July 13; we hope you’ll participate in the 5K walk/run, cheer us on – or simply make a donation to our team effort to once again support the Center for Safety and Change.

---> REGISTER <-->  DONATE <---

LEARN MORE-DONATE

In addition, we look forward to the fifth annual presentation of the ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship this spring, as well as all the community events we will be participating in throughout the year, from street fairs to sidewalk sales, the Halloween parade to the holiday season’s special events. (Check out our frequently updated community calendar for the lineup).

You’ll also notice the fresh start playing out in our shops, as we’ve embraced the new year as a chance to “freshen things up” overall, from new merchandise to new displays. We think you’ll like it; feel free to share your thoughts.

One of last year’s good (very good) things was the introduction of the results of our new collaboration with Nyack-based artist Johanna Goodman. We unveiled the award-winning illustrator’s latest work, an exclusive collection of totes, pillows and shower curtains for Maria Luisa, during our December holiday party and we can share that there’s plenty more, including a special Edward Hopper-inspired bag, pillows and shower curtains so stay tuned.

                                            Plate No.185: Edward Hopper

Also in the shops, we look forward to another year – our own 32^nd – of continued growth and reinvention.

As Maria says, “It’s going to be a year when I personally will be exploring more” – and that’s translating to sourcing new merchandise for the shops from local artists and artisans to taking that search international, literally, as she explores the world in search of fresh finds.

It’s all about inspiration, whether you find it gazing out over the Hudson – or in an artisan’s workshop or a street market halfway across the world.

We can’t wait to see how it all plays out but know it will all be good.

As Maria puts it – in no uncertain terms – “It will be a positive year.”

Who are we to argue?

– Mary Shustack, Maria Luisa newsletter editor.

SIGN THE PLEDGE

VISIT NYACK

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:

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

COME RUN – OR WALK – WITH US… AGAIN!!!

It was a few months ago when we first announced our plans to again participate in the Women’s Distance Festival.
 
The 31st annual edition of this fun – and more important, fundraising – event will be held July 14 at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers.

To register,  click HERE.  To donate, click  HERE

And we’re appealing to you again in hopes you’ll spread the word and hopefully join us as we join hundreds of women raising funds for the important work of the Center for Safety & Change, the New City-headquartered organization formerly known as the Rockland Family Shelter.
 
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).

To register,  click HERE. 
To donate, click  HERE

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.
This year, we hope you will join us as we again commit to running, jogging or walking the approximately 3-mile paved path/course around the beautiful lake.

Last year, more than 1,000 women registered for the event, with our ML Faves for Good team the second-largest group of participants – and one that raised more than $2,000.
With registration now open for next month’s event, we are looking forward to another great morning at the lake – and have set an ambitious goal of raising at least $2,500.  Donate HERE

As you know, the festival last year – and the way the ML team came together – also inspired us to formalize the ML Faves for Good initiative in which we continue to come together to “do good.”
For those who have already registered, we thank you – and can’t wait to see you on July 14.

For those who haven’t yet, we hope you’ll consider joining our team – and also help us spread the word. It makes for a great way to bond with family members, friends you don’t see as often as you’d like to – or even co-workers.

If you can’t make it on the day, we ask you to consider making a donation to our team effort and even ask your friends and family not able to participate to donate, as well.

To register,  click HERE. 
To donate, click  HERE

To register,  click HERE. 
To donate, click  HERE

And as our thank you, those who:
• Make a $31 WDF ML Faves for Good donation, will receive a free ML T-shirt.
• Make a $75 WDF ML Faves for Good donation, will receive a free Cutting Board, a made-in-Vermont product ideal for smaller cutting chores and sporting the Maria Luisa logo.

We thank you in advance for considering.
Hope to see you all July 14!!
**
To register,  click HERE.  To donate, click  HERE

Shop Now

To register,  click HERE.  To donate, click  HERE

ART + WALK: The Return of an annual Favorite

Art Walk is back – and this year’s 13^th annual edition will take over Nyack’s downtown this weekend, June 15 to 17.

ARTWALK 2018

Artists and their work will once again be filling the shops, restaurants and businesses of the village, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to see new work, add to – or start – your own collection or simply offer another way to explore our downtown, its merchants and their offerings.

More than 25 artists – photographers, painters, sculptors and those working in mixed media – will be on hand to set up “mini galleries” in dozens of businesses throughout town.

We will be hosting an artist again, in ML by Maria Luisa.

This year’s Art Walk theme is “A Penny for Your Thoughts,” and jumping off that, each artist was asked to incorporate an image of a penny into their work – see how many you can spot.

In addition, this year’s event is including a theatrical element with costumed actors strolling the streets offering interpretations of characters from Hudson Valley’s rich history.

SHOP MARIA LUISA BOUTIQUE

Maps of participating artists and locations will be available for free throughout the village, including both our shops, so we hope to see you at the event, scheduled for Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday.

And remember, when you’re in town for Art Walk, also check out all we have in for those graduates, teacher gifts – and yes, even for Father’s Day, which is also Sunday, June 17.

Come to think of it, why not bring Dad to Nyack for an artful celebration of Father’s Day?

See you soon.

BLOGS

Maria Luisa and the MLFavesf or GOOD are Running/Walking to benefit Rockland's own Centerforsafetyand Change. >---Please suppurt our fundraising efforts.---<   Together, we will make a possitive difference.

WON'T YOU JOIN US?

What are you doing July 14?

We’d like to make a suggestion for a fun – and meaningful way –
to start off that summer day.

We hope you’ll consider joining the ML Faves for Good team as we again 
participate in the  Women’s Distance Festival at Rockland Lake State Park 
in Congers.

ML Faves for GOOD

The event, which will mark its 31st annual edition this year, will again gather
women of all ages – from girls through seniors – to participate in the run/walk
at the park.

Last year, more than 1,000 registered for the event that celebrates womanhood
and camaraderie while raising funds for the Center for Safety & Change.

With the momentum of Maria Luisa’s own 30th anniversary of doing business
in Nyack, we assembled a team of some 80 women strong, making us the
second-largest team within the 2017 event. 

Whether our team members ran or walked, our effort was a bonding experience –
 filled with quite a few laughs – as the ML Faves raised more than $2,000.

Registration is now open for this year’s event, and we have set an ambitious goal –
to raise $2,500 or more.

Our participation in the festival was key one for us in another way, as well.

The teamwork sparked the creation of the ML Faves for Good initiative where
we formalized our “habit” of joining together to, yes, do good.

This year, ML Faves for Good kicked things off by participating in
Resolution Fun Run/Walk in Nyack. During this January event, our team
raised more than $2,600 to benefit the Nyack Hunger Coalition.

With such teamwork, we cannot fail – so we hope you’ll join us in another
successful effort by participating in the 31st annual Women’s Distance Festival.
 
REGISTER NOW and join the ML Faves for GOOD Movement.
 
And to add a little “incentive,” we’ll help you show off that ML Faves team spirit:

• Returning participants who made a contribution last year and sign up as part 
of the ML Faves for Good team for this year’s event by April 15, may choose 

 

 

MariaLuisaBoutique.com

 

 

 

 

a free ML team T-shirt or water bottle.

• Those new to the ML Faves team who sign up by April 15 and:

    Make a $25 WDF ML Faves for Good donation, will receive a free ML team T-shirt.

    Make a $75 WDF ML Faves for Good donation, will receive a free ML team T-shirt
    and a water bottle.
 

DONATE NOW

We really hope you’ll join us this July 14 – participating again or for the first time. 
It’s going to be a blast.

Please help our fundraising effort by recruiting your female friends and family 
members to also participate.

And please encourage anyone you know to join us “in spirit” by making a contribution 
on behalf of the ML Faves for Good team.

Here’s to another strong effort.

It will be fun – but it will also help raise funds for one of our vital community resources, 
the Center for Safety and Change.

Now that’s doing something Good!

REGISTER NOW and join the ML Faves for GOOD Movement.
 

DONATE NOW

Another Blog post my Maria Luisa

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