Maman // Elisa Marshall

ELISA MARSHALL, founding partner, event planner and creative director of NYC’s maman is as glowy comes. Her drive, passion and success in her business makes her a true inspiration for women in food, design, and beyond.

 In 2014, she combined her love for design and cafés and opened maman, which was built upon the idea of community and driven by thoughtful curation, creating the ultimate gathering place. It’s a place to go to feel special while still feeling at ease. Guests can find comfort in the form of design, style, food, drink, or simply in sharing the atmosphere and ambiance of the space. This is all thanks to Elisa’s impeccable dedication to make her vision come to life and creating something truly magical and unique. We are in LOVE with everything maman, especially their insanely delicious cookies!!

 In the last five years, she’s been the brains behind the thoughtful design for the highly instagrammed café and bakery and conceptualizes all of the events at all of their NYC locations – from weddings and bridal showers to corporate events, social gatherings, baby showers and brand launches. Her beautiful business has flourished with multiple locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Toronto and more (9 locations total). Whether she is planning a perfectly pretty party or handling business in the café, she is putting in 110%. Her attention to detail and creative abilities have allowed her to become a true jack of all trades! Additionally, she recently welcomed a baby boy proving that it’s possible to do it all. See how this mama GLOWS.

maman // www.mamannyc.com

how they glow
questionnaire

Elisa Marshall

NAME:

Elisa Marshall

NICKNAME:

E, Sugar Beets, Sugar or Beets (which is now our company name and the original name for maman!)

PROFESSION:

Founding partner, event planner and creative director of maman.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Unionville, Ontario (suburb of Toronto)

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Currently living in Montreal but planning to move back to NYC this year. 

WHEN YOU’RE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…

BREAKFAST: green smooth, usually banana, yogurt, kale, coconut water  & pineapple is my fav go to! 

LUNCH: When at home, a clean your fridge salad! We always have greens & fresh herbs on hand and live very close to a beautiful market in Montreal so love always having an abundance of fresh vegetables. We will typically make a large salad and add protein from the night prior or chickpeas, beans etc. as it is a pantry staple of ours. We are working on recipe testing for our cookbook right now, which is coming out may 2021, so we are having fun with many different salads, toasts and brunch items so cooking and creating these items are also work for us these days!  

DINNER: We both love cooking & chicken is one fav high protein, go to dinners along with a filling grain. We love making hearty quinoa dishes, wild rice, couscous along side chicken, either roasted ‘papa poule’ style, or pan fried in the oven with spices. 

SNACK: I am always munching on almonds, dates, dried fruits and my guilty pleasure pop corn throughout the day and in between meals!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE?

Grouping these two together….and maybe I am bias, but I must say maman!  It is an extension of my home, and many of the recipes are my family ones, so it not only reminds me of meals growing up, but like many ‘maman’s’ it’s all about balance! You can enjoy a hearty farrow salad, or Mediterranean breakfast plate one day and indulge on our nutty chocolate ship, or chai beignet another. Once you finish your broccoli, you are allowed to have a cookie! ;)  Other fav’s - HEALTHY - I love Brodo & Sweetgreen and INDULGE at any ice cream shop, specifically in NY il laboratorio del gelato

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

Ice Cream, Mexican food (though this can sometimes be healthy) & red wine! – If I’m home Haagen Daz Coffee is my go to. If I’m out in NYC my favorite ice cream is il laboratorio del gelato.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH?

Mexican…starting with loaded nachos, queso & guac (extra hot sauce) followed by mexican street corn and tacos…and finished with ice cream!  

WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?

My mom’s spanakopita (spinach & feta pie). My mom has Greek origins and this is a recipe we always made together with her and my grandma growing up. Not only is it delicious but it brings back wonderful memories of playing with phyllo and  pastry brushes! (happy to share the recipe as well for readers!)  

WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

We love shopping at local markets and supporting farmers, so when in NYC, the Tribeca market was where we would load up on fresh produce for the week every Wednesday & Sunday, and staples come from whatever is most convenient. We live a busy life, are always on the go, so it can range from Trader Joes, to Whole Foods or when in a pinch, sometimes the neighborhood bodega! Whatever is on our route home from work that day, which is always a different location.  I also LOVE shopping and it’s a fun outing for my day, I am not an online shopper, especially for food. I like to be there, see the freshness, compare the products & ingredients etc. 

TOP 3 ITEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN?

1. Fresh herbs - in the summer we are growing as many different herbs as we can and these are my fav go to for healthy cooking and adding so much flavor to any dish! 
2. Canned chickpeas, we use these for so many things, from making hummus, to putting in salads as protein for lunch, to roasting in stews at night! 
3. Red wine….because maman needs it ;) 

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do)

I am trying to get back into a routine with the new baby, which is difficult, but we love walking everywhere. We don’t have a car, so my only and best form of transport is my baby as my “weights” strapped onto me and walking everywhere. For more intense workouts, I do it at home mostly every other day. With a new baby, a puppy & owning your own business I don’t have the luxury to get to head out & go to the gym as much as I would love, so I have to create my own routine that works around my schedule. When I have the time, ill partake in classes as well. I love cardio driven classes and need to do fast paced things, yoga and Pilates put me to sleep! 

WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc)

I don't wear a lot of makeup, so for me, having beautiful skin is the most important. On a typical morning, I will cleanse, use a serum, and then eye cream and all-over moisturizer I let that absorb while I get dressed, feed the baby and have coffee (or 2). Before I leave for the day, my primping routine is simple: a good concealer around my eyes, a little bit of liner, mascara, and sometimes a little bronzer. During the evening, my skin doesn't react well to over-washing, so I use kloriane eye make up remover,  moisturizer again, and then a generous layer of eye cream to prevent wrinkles that are trying to sneak through.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MAKEUP/NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

My beauty routine is simple. I unfortunately don’t have time to spend in the morning or evenings, so I look for multi-purpose products with good ingredients. I use: Estée Lauder® Perfectly CleanTM Crème Cleanser as my everyday face wash. Klorane® Floral Eye Makeup Remover is a staple that I have been using for years. I use Agent Nateur® Holi(Rose)TM natural deodorant, as well as Eminence® Organics Rosehip Triple C&E Firming Oil. It’s an incredible line of skincare products from Vancouver that I am in love with! From By Terry®, I have Hydra Eclat Serum, CellularoseTM Lift Essence Daily Cream and Baume De RoseTM lip gloss. Finally, from Bastide®, I use Rose OlivierTM fragrance, as well as the Figue D’EteTM hand and body lotion.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Moisturizer, lip balm & sunscreen…assuming it would be hot & I would burn ;)

TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?

You are the best thing - Ray Lamontagne Sitting on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding  Never Grow Up - Taylor Swift

MOST-WATCHED MOVIE?

The Holiday 

FAVORITE SHOPS/BOUTIQUES? 

Paper Source - I am a big crafter, and have a paper obsession  Sezane - one of my favs for clothes  Anthropologie - for homegoods & a little bit of everything  And any flea market (does that count?) I am a huge vintage shopper and will look there for what I need first before looking at any store. 

COOLEST PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED?

Megeve in the alps, the scenery is breathtaking 

FAVORITE HOTELS?

Palihouse/Palihotel   

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

My engagement ring & my baby 

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE AND WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

The biggest learning experience I have had was also the best experience, becoming pregnant and having my beautiful baby boy Yves. I am so humbled by this experience and I think that there is so much pressure around 'getting your body back'. I still struggle with not being the same as I was before, not being happy with how I look and most importantly being so frustrated by not having the time or energy to do anything about it. I am learning to except all these things and what helped me the most was this great quote I read this on a friends facebook that really resonated with me, and I am sure many others.  “I strongly believe she was never lost. She was here, giving every moment and detail to these sweet babies. She was pushed and exhausted, stretched and stripped to make space for a new life. Please stand back and aside. For her sacrifice she will not be scrutinized. She will be loved, and thanked and bowed down to. She will be allowed her time to heal and be settled into. This body’s work will not be forgotten, hidden or erased. And if you feel it should, you understand nothing about the gift she has given. No, no Body don’t listen. Because I see you. I thank you deeply. You did so good." - @mia_carr_ @snuggle_me_organic

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY. 

My perfect day would start with a sleep in, no early morning baby cries, or my dog licking my face because he’s hungry, we would all peacefully wake up around 10am, refreshed and ready for the day. I love a ‘transition’ in bed with a cup of coffee…hand delivered by my wonderful fiancée Ben. We would spend some time cuddling, laughing and playing doing nothing before we start our day! It would be a crisp fall day, no need for a jacket, but a chunky sweater & scarf would do and I would gather up the family and we would all go for a walk to the market to plan a themed party of some sort for dinner that evening. I buy an abundance of flowers, fresh fruits & vegetables and enjoy a picnic style lunch. Back at home, I would spend the afternoon doing something creative. The creativity factor is huge in my vision of a perfect day as it’s one of my favorite feelings in the world & what I love to do most! I would hand make elements for the table, wrap gifts, redecorate things in the house and make tons of party décor - from balloon garlands to floral centerpieces. (In writing this, I would add on a few more extra hours in my perfect day as I seem to never have enough…) After that, I would head to the kitchen to start cooking alongside Ben. He looks after the savory, while I do the sweets & I also get to do all the plating and decorating! We would finish the day with friends and family over, enjoying a wonderful meal around a beautiful table and lots of red wine!  

WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE GLOW TIP/SECRET?

To stay positive. It is something I am always conscious of and strive to live a positive life and uplift others around me. To many people express so much negativity in all the see and do, and I try to void myself of these things and people. I try to say yes more, and ask how something can be done rather than saying it can’t. I find something good in every negative situation, I don’t make mountains out of molehills and I believe that everything happens for a reason!

FAVORITE QUOTE?

‘I am going to make everything around me beautiful, and that will be my life’ Elsie De Wolf 

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?

I am most grateful for my husband, business partner & best friend Ben. Not only has he given me the greatest gift of life with our beautiful baby boy Yves, but he is my constant support system in everything I do, from parenting to business. I am so grateful we work so  well together and balance each other out in our relationship and with work, and that we get to experience life and all the wonderful things it has to offer! 

WHAT MAKES YOU GLOW?

Doing something creative  Snuggling with my puppy Playing with my baby  Laughing with ben  Helping others  Baking  Singing really loud with no one listening 

TOP 5 ENTERTAINING TIPS ON “HOW TO HOST THE PERFECT DINNER PARTY” 

Create a theme for yourself for the event. Whether it is a Mexican fiesta or a seasonal soiree, having a theme helps brew, inspiration, creativity & fun wardrobes for your guests and a better turn out than ‘another boring dinner party.’  Select meals that are able to be pre made earlier in the week or earlier in the day that just require ‘finishing’ so you can enjoy your company. Remember, it’s important for the host to have fun too! Make a chill lounge playlist and many can be found on spotify. Background music makes things all the more festive – play with the seasons.  Get creative – there are no rules to table décor & settings. If you only have a place setting for 6 and 8 guests, don’t be scared to mix & match. Create different heights using items at home, repurpose vases, old jars and don’t be afraid to get creative.  Think DIY for the bar, not only will your guests enjoy this service style but it will make it easier on you as a host. As opposed to worrying about making drinks for your guests, set up a bar, with assorted bottles, mixers and garnish and allow your guests to help themselves - your guests will have fun playing bartender & they can make something according to their own preference, and it will take the stress off you making drinks all night.