In french , singerie (san-jer-ee) is the fancy feminine way of saying monkey business. My husband calls me "Munkeh". He's British and that's what monkey sounds like with his accent. I'm a designer and a studio consultant. I love fashion, food, my crazy turtle and of course my husband. He thinks I'm crackers but finds it endearing , I hope you all do too. :)
Thank god sweatpants are considered chic right now because I live in them lately. lol I've been so busy that I just need something easy to throw on. I just got a pair of faux leather jogging pants and these have been my savior.
Back to the sweatshop.....Have a great weekend!
xoxo,
Munkeh
Faux leather jogging pants- Forever 21
Cropped sweatshirt- L'Agence
Necklace- Zara
Shoes- CC Republic
Faux leather jogging pants- Forever 21
T-shirt- H & M
Blazer- Theory
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace- Zara
Leopard Sweats- Forever 21
Cami- Elizabeth and James
Feather blazer- Madison Marcus
Booties- Shoedazzle
Necklace- Francesca's
Sweats- Phillip Lim for Target
Cami- Elizabeth and James
Blazer- Theory
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell
Necklaces- Forever 21
I love ballerina skirts. And I love pairing mine with casual tops or sweaters. The other day someone told me I looked like I was channeling Carrie Bradshaw. I was actually going for The Devil Wears Prada. lol
"Give me a full ballerina skirt and a hint of saloon and I'm on board"
- The Devil Wears Prada
xoxo,
Munkeh
I made the skirt
Shirt- Rails
Shoes- Forever 21
Necklaces- Francesca's
I love this combo. I treat leopard as if it's a neutral color which technically it is because it has black, tan and beige in it and all 3 of those colors can be paired with everything....
Good night!
xoxo,
Munkeh
Both the blouse and skirt are my designs. Shoes- Forever 21 Necklace- Francesca's
It's been a while since my last post. I had to go out of town for some family stuff and have been dealing with a lot. It hasn't been the best couple of weeks but now things seem to be looking up again. But hey, that's life right?
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.....
xoxo,
Munkeh
I've been a little obsessed with cow print lately... Shorts- Zara Vest- Forever 21 Tank- Elizabeth and James Necklace- Fracesca's Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell
I first saw this sweatshirt in a british magazine and finally tracked it down. Sweatshirt- H & M Skirt- Forever 21 Shoes- Zara Necklace- H & M
There's a lot of truth to the saying a leopard never changes its spots. It's been one of those weeks. But it won't change my love for leopard's spots....hahaha
Trying to finish up some projects. Good night!
xoxo,
Munkeh
Dress- by me
Shoes and Belt- Forever 21
Necklace- Francesca's
I helped dress models for our fall kickoff fashion show at work the other day. It was a lot of fun but it made me miss doing my own runway shows. The last show I did was in February 2011. I won a competition and I got to showcase my collection during London Fashion Week. (See video below for highlights.) Prior to that, I showcased every 6 months for LA Fashion Week and also participated in several charity fashion shows benefitting various organizations. It was a fashion show frenzy for a while. Hectic but I loved every minute of it. That being said... It's been way too long so I've started making plans for next year and I'm really excited. Stay tuned for updates....It's going to be big :)
I've got the fever again....
xoxo,
Munkeh
My backstage attire. Blouse- Forever 21 Leather Effect Skirt- Zara Shoes- Asos Belt- Ebay Necklaces- Forever 21
The crew
London Fashion Week February 2011. Such an amazing experience!!!
Anyone who knows me calls me the girliest girl they have ever met. So once in a while, when I do wear something more "masculine" people are somewhat shocked but in a good way. There was one compliment I got that made me chuckle all day. I was crossing the street and a woman drove past, rolled down her window and said, "Girl.....you a bad bitch. You look fierce."
Good night to all you fierce bad bitches out there. lol
I saw this dress on Blair from Atlantic Pacific and desperately wanted to buy it but it was sold out on Asos. I stalked ebay everyday for a month and just when I was about to give up, I finally found one! I love everything about this dress. The silhouette is very 1950's and flattering on everyone and the black and white grid pattern is so on trend right now. Such a great score!
Let's go to the hop!
xoxo,
Munekh
Dress- Asos via Ebay Shirt- Forever 21 Bow tie -made by me Shoes- Shoedazzle
It's been ridiculously hot. I wonder if it's going to be another Christmas like we had a few years ago when we were running around in shorts and t-shirts because it was 100 degrees outside. Even Santa Claus was wearing a wife beater with his pants. hahaha
I feel the fire, I feel the fire burning hot hot hot!
The white dress I'm wearing was actually my wedding dress. Chris and I didn't have much money so we had a very small ceremony with our close friends in a chapel in Beverly Hills. But he did surprise me by getting a limo to drive us around for the day. He had some connections at work. We had dinner at Shutters in Santa Monica during Happy Hour. Then we walked to the pier , played a few rounds of air hockey before we headed over to the Gas Lite for our reception. It's were we met. We drank and sang karaoke till the bar closed. All in all, it was a pretty perfect and amazing day.
Who says fairy tales can't come true?
xoxo,
Munkeh
Dress- Forever 21 Vest- Forever 21 Necklace- H & M Shoes- Asos Sunglasses- 99cent store
At my first day back to work last week, we had a meeting sponsored by the brand Band of Outsiders. I honestly didn't know much about the brand before the meeting but now, it's one of my favorite companies. Scott Sternberg prides himself in being a goofball and started the company with $300 in his pocket. He doesn't follow trends, just does what he loves and designs for people who are a little bit quirky and not traditionally high fashion. He does his photo shoots with polaroids and did a scavenger hunt for fashion week in New York instead of a runway show. He refers to himself and his staff as "outsiders" hence the name "Band of Outsiders". I was so inspired by that meeting because everything just resonated with me. I am a big goofball, and I don't always fit in. I work backwards and going the traditional route has never worked for me. I dream big and I honestly believe the impossible can happen. Case in point, I got in touch with a big celebrity stylist this week and asked if I could send him some dresses for his client and he said yes! I used to feel really insecure about who I was but now I've embraced it. Chris always tells me that the world through my eyes must be pink and cartoon like, where monkeys talk and unicorns really exist. He often jokes that I crash landed on earth from another planet in a small pink spaceship with Gabbana my crazy turtle looking after me.
Steve Jobs said it best....
“Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
xoxo,
Munkeh
I flipped out when I saw this sweater. It makes me happy :) Tres Chic Magnifique
Sweater- Forever 21
Skirt- Forever 21
Shoes- Shoedazzle
Necklace- H & M
We just went to Taylor Swift's concert. Her stylist is one of our clients and he got us tickets to say thank you for everything. Our seats were awesome! I had a blast! I've never heard this song before and now it's one of my favorites. haha It's fitting for this post I think.
What a week. I barely got any sleep and have been working around the clock. I had a lot of orders to finish and haven't had much time for anything else. I'm going to Vegas for MAGIC this weekend. The show doesn't start till Monday so I'll at least have a couple of days to relax so I am looking forward to getting at least a couple of good nights of sleep. I can't believe I actually said I'm looking forward to going to Vegas so I can get some sleep. What's happened to me? hahaha
Anchors aweigh! See photo caption for a fun piece of trivia.
xoxo,
Munkeh
The term Anchors Aweigh often gets misspelled to Anchors Away. It totally changes the meaning. The prior means that the anchor is clear of the bottom of the ocean so the ship is moving and on its way. The latter changes its meaning to dropping the anchor, therefore keeping the ship at dock. Sequin Anchor Tank- J Crew Flounce Skirt- by me Cardigan- Forever 21 Shoes- Forever 21 Bird Necklace- H & M
I saw Lucy Hales's character wear a floral trench coat on Pretty Little Liars last season and desperately wanted to acquire one for my wardrobe. Hers was from Anthropologie and it sold out very quickly. So I decided to make a couple of my own.
Quick post today...gotta get back "in the trenches" to finish my orders. (ba dum bump)
xoxo,
Munkeh
Watercolor Bird and Floral Trench Coat- by me
For ordering info email me rochellecarino@gmail.com
Dress- H & M
Shoes- Forever 21
Necklace- Forever 21
I made this trench from upholstery fabric last fall.
Shirt- H & M
Skirt- Forever 21
Hat- Forever 21
Necklace- Forever 21
Fun linings! You all know how much I love to mix my prints!
I had my second class at S Factor tonight. It was so much fun and such a great way to unwind from my hectic day. Earlier today, I had a sweet schoolgirl look going on. I did mix my prints and one of my co-workers said that if he saw this outfit on anyone else he would think they were crazy and got dressed in the dark, but on me it totally worked and looked cute. I didn't quite know how to take that although he said it was a compliment, I'm not so sure.... As soon as I got to class the hair came down, the layers came off and then I was doing tricks on the pole. My sassy alter ego came out to play. haha
What's your "S" Factor? For me "S" stood for sexy secret....
xoxo,
Munkeh
Schoolgirl by day.....
My usual crazy mix of prints :)
Skirt and Blouse- by me
Sweater- Forever 21
Shoes- CC REpublic
It's Monday. That's all I have to say today. hahaha. But seriously, this weekend went by way too fast. I spent most of it slaving away in my sweatshop because I have several projects and orders right now. It's a bit overwhelming but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? Thank heaven for Chris right now. He keeps me sane in the midst of all my craziness. He knows me better than anyone ever has and definitely reads between the lines when I say "I'm fine". He makes me take a breather and pulls me out of my head.
As much as I love summer clothes, I'm anxious for the fall season to start because I love the upcoming fashion trends. I've also been lucky enough to see previews of designer's autumn/winter collections and of course want everything in my closet. A couple of key trends for fall that I decided to play around with the other day are laser cut leather and mixing textures. There's also going to be a lot of feminine silhouettes reminiscent of film noir glamour.
Good night everyone!
xoxo,
Munkeh
Mixing textures is a fun key trend for fall. Faux Leather Laser Cut Tank- Forever 21 Jacquard Skirt- Zara Blazer- Calvin Klein Colorblock Sandals- Forever 21 Necklace- Forever 21
Did you know that ostriches don't actually bury their heads in the sand? I just learned this fact and found it quite interesting. It only looks like they bury their heads in the sand because when they are not able to run from danger (they are very fast by the way), they flop to the ground and lay still. The color of their head blends in with the sand. I also learned that ostriches are farmed for their feathers and the feathers are collected during the molting season only and then the birds are released unharmed. That makes me feel better. You all know how much I love wearing feathers!
People have teased me about how I should have been a chicken because I love feathers so much, but Brad Pitt said it best...Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken. hahaha
xoxo,
Munkeh
T shirt- Marni Ostrich Feather Skirt- Robert Rodriguez Faux Leather Jacket- Primark Shoes- Vince Camuto Necklace- Forever 21
A current trend I'm loving right now is pairing black and white with a very bright pop of neon color. The bright neon adds a shocking twist to an otherwise classic color combo.
Let your colors shine through everyone! Good night
xoxo,
Munkeh
Chevron skirt- by me
Sweater- Forever 21
Shoes- Asos
Necklace- Ebay
I love the contrast of masculine and feminine and that's why I decided to pair my camo jacquard pants with an eyelet ruffle tube top. My friend told me that I am the girliest girl she knows and that only I could make camo look frilly.
You know what they say...pretty in pink....dangerous in camo.
xoxo,
Munkeh
Pants- Zara Tube Top- by me Blazer- Tobi Shoes- Vince Camuto Necklace- Forever 21
It was my birthday yesterday! My hubby took me to Sea World for the day. I'm postponing my birthday pool party for a couple of weeks because I'm still on the nutrition plan for my thyroid and can't drink while I'm on it. Not that I need to drink to have a good time, but who doesn't enjoy a cocktail or two at their own birthday celebration? I turned forever thirty yesterday. You know a woman never reveals her true age but I will say I passed my real 30th bday a few years ago and I haven't quite reached the next decade yet so I'm somewhere close to the middle...But age really is just a number. People don't believe me when I do tell them how old I am and they say that I look like I'm still in my 20's. I used to hate it when people told me how young I looked but now I love it! It's funny how your perception changes. But I think the biggest reason people find my true age shocking, is how I act. I'm a goofball, I love to laugh and my friends always lovingly tell me that I need help . But I truly believe that is the secret to the fountain of youth. That and my fancy creams that I get from work haha....
To quote my all time favorite singer Frank Sinatra, fairy tales can come true, they can happen to you if you're young at heart. I'm going to post that song actually. Just listen to the lyrics, they always makes me smile. :)
