Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Today's Modern Femme: Malonda

My dears - it's been a while since I've posted on the "Today's Modern Femme" series, but yay, we're back!  The only thing fiercer than the wind on my walk to drop Bebe off at daycare this morning was the fabulous Malonda.  As I gritted my teeth against the freezing cold, I saw her statuesque figure and fantastic hair, and knew that nothing short of frostbite and hypothermia would keep me from interviewing her for y'all. 

Malonda isn't just striking on the outside - she's a creative and entrepreneurial force! Here's what the author, host, spokesperson and model had to say about her winter beauty routine, anticipated spring fashion, and the perfect menu to serve during the Oscars....


MF:  Hi Malonda!  What are you wearing?

Malonda: Hi Libbet, I am wearing Gucci shades,  Bamboolze Ear Spears, Boden leather boots, CJ by Cookie Johnson velvet pants, a Francesco Biasia leather purse and a wool Ben Sherman coat.
  
MF:  I don't know about you, but this winter weather is brutal on my skin.  Do you have any products or routines that are a must for your winter beauty regimen?

Malonda: Winter is brutal and is important to moisturize, moisturize and moisturize some more. It is also important to drink lots of good water (alkaline if possible), drink fresh juice, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get as much rest as possible. In terms of my actual skin care regimen I produce an all natural and organic body product line called Ellie Oliver (www.ellieoliver.com) which I named after my Great-Grandparents Ellie and Oliver Richard. I use all of my own products because they are created with premium ingredients and work so well.

Recently I started to cleanse my face with a new product that I recently developed - Aunt Gladys Get Pretty Skin Oil which is so amazing! Sometimes I use the oil alone with water or I mix it with my Aunt Gladys Get Pretty Skin Cleansing Grains for an added benefit because the grains act as a gentle exfoliant. Next I follow up with a little of the Get Pretty Skin Oil or my Get Pretty Skin Butter. This cleansing routine along with a weekly Get Pretty Skin Facial Steam helps to give me the glow that I need to feel fabulous. I also drink my Get Pretty Skin Tea because it takes care of my skin from the inside. I will be 41 years old on March 21st of this year and it is important for me to take better care of my skin so that I can age gracefully. I have clients of all ages and all of them rave about the instant glow that they get all year round from using my Aunt Gladys Get Pretty Skin products which can be found online at
www.ellieoliver.com. My Get Pretty Skin Oil is not available online yet but it will be soon. If anyone is interested they can contact me via malondarichardsia@gmail.com.

MF:   A beauty and an entreprenuer, you are an amazing Modern Femme!  Now tell me, spring is approaching - what are you most looking forward to, sartorially-speaking?

Malonda: I am looking forward to finding contemporary African graphic prints to mix with rare vintage finds. One of my favorite things about spring is being able to wear bright handbags and bold accessories to communicate my bold approach to fashion.

 MF:  I'm having an Oscar party.  What should I feed my fabulous guests - finger food or a sit-down meal?  Any recipe recommendations?

Malonda:  You should feed your guests some fabulous vegan /vegetarian finger foods coupled with vegan desserts that will have them asking for the recipes. You can choose your favorite films from the nominations and name the dishes after them or you could create a unique dish and name them after your top picks.

Visit
pinterest.com for delicious /fabulous recipe ideas. Here are a few that I would recommend.

Strawberry Love Juice

2 pints of fresh strawberries (save enough to use on top of glass)
3-4 lemons (peeled if not organic)
1/4 cup of agave nectar
1 medium piece of ginger (size of your pinkie finger)
40 oz of spring water
star shaped ice (use a silicon mold and fill with spring water - for added style you can add pieces of lemon rind and or strawberries for extra flare)

Juice the strawberries and lemons in a juicer and pour the mixture into pitcher of cold spring water and ice. Serve chilled with star ice cubes with a slice of strawberry in fancy tall glasses.

Or buy store bought lemonade, crush strawberries and pour the mixture together
and serve chilled  with star cubes with a slice of strawberry in fancy tall glasses.

Stuffed Mini Mushrooms with Shredded Beets

1 pint of Bella mushrooms
Amino Acids
Beets
Store bought Hummus
dried Basil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Rinse the bella mushrooms and  put them onto a parchment paper on a cookie sheet pan. Fill mushrooms with amino acids and bake until dark brown (usually 20-25 min). While the mushrooms are baking shred the beets with a julienne peeler and place in a small bowl.

Once the mushrooms have cooled put them on a large white dish or any fancy dish you have and fill them with a teaspoon of hummus, top with basil and the shredded beets.

Sweet and Salty Vegetables
Fresh or Frozen vegetables
Coconut Oil
Pink Himalayan Salt

Steam vegetable medley in a steamer or on a stovetop steamer. Once cooked put the medley into a large ceramic bowl and top with 2-3 tbsps of coconut oil.
Sprinkle some pink himalayan salt over top of the vegetables.  Put vegetables in small / medium sized white ceramic containers

Crunchy Caramel Popcorn:
Popcorn
Pink himalyan salt
1/4 cup of coconut sugar
1/4 cup of agave nectar

Pour 4 tbsps of popcorn in a pot and cover the popcorn with coconut oil. After pop corn is popped set the pot to the side.

Heat agave nectar on low heat. Mix in brown sugar and stir until it is a syrup. Pour over popcorn and gently mix until all of the popcorn is covered.

Set up popcorn station with additional toppings in small white ceramic containers.

topping #1: vegan chocolate
topping #2: salted peanuts
topping #3: vegan marshmallows

Lemon Love:
Serve lemon sorbet in mini glasses topped with fresh raspberries

Many thanks to the amazing Malonda for all her recommendations and links!  If you covet Malonda's look, check out these pieces:

Today's Modern Femme: Malonda
I hope you all have a fantastic day, and I will be eager to hear if any of you give Malonda's skincare line or recipes a try!

xoxox,
MF

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the feature Libbet. I love it with all of my heart. Have a fierce day. Love, Malonda

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing your awesome self with us Malonda! Rock on girl. xoxo MF

    ReplyDelete

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