Meet CMD Hand Project Model, Marilyn

Introducing Marilyn Schlossbach, serial entrepreneur, restaurateur, mover and shaker, longtime Asbury Park local and one of those people who seems to have her hands in a little bit of everything. When we photographed Marilyn for the Hand Project in 2022, her creative world included Langosta Lounge, Pops Garage, Asbury Park Yacht Club (my fave!), Salt Water Market, The Whitechapel Projects and Oshin Oil. She’s also mom to Rubi and Hari and married to incredibly talented artist and all-around cool dude Scott Szegeski.

I first met Marilyn on Dog Beach in Asbury Park and we instantly clicked. She’s warm and curious with this very zen energy about her, which becomes even more impressive once you realize just how much she has going on. Marilyn grew up in Belmar, just down the road from Asbury Park, and her adventures eventually took her to the Caribbean, where she lived on a sailboat. She opened her first restaurant at just 21, working hard through the summers so she could travel all winter and escape the cold.

What struck me then, and still feels so quintessentially Marilyn, is how deeply connected she is to this community. When we talked about her work with local kids, she told me, “I love being able to get involved with children. I love seeing young kids being inspired by music, food, surf, nature, learning.”

That commitment also showed up through her nonprofit, Food for Thought by the Sea, created to foster knowledge, confidence and optimism in underserved communities. Food, art, gardening, surfing and culinary education all became ways to help neighbors learn, connect and thrive. So much of Marilyn’s work has always been about more than running businesses. It’s about building community around them.

And then, of course, there’s the jewelry. When I asked Marilyn about CMD, she told me, “It’s very ‘me.’ I’ve never seen a brand of jewelry that was more fitting of my aesthetic. It’s very simply beautiful and it’s not complicated or flashy.” She loved the balance of feminine and masculine in the designs and especially gravitated toward the mixed-shape rings. “I’m not usually a square person, but I love the different tones and shapes and how they all go together.”

That was exactly what I loved about the Hand Project. Put the same jewelry on nine different people and suddenly it becomes nine different things. Marilyn made these pieces completely her own, which is what I hope happens every time a CMD piece leaves our hands and becomes part of someone else's life.

I’m so grateful the Hand Project gave me an excuse to photograph and celebrate people like Marilyn who make Asbury Park what it is. Marilyn, what an honor to have you as part of it. So much love for you and your family.

Much love,
Colleen

© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: August 25, 2022
Updated: August 21, 2026