Let the Countdown Begin!!!

Hello!!!!

I haven't posted in a very long time because I've been busy getting ready for New York!! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by.  I found out 4 months ago and now my show is in less than a month!

I had a mini preview/trunk show/ fundraiser on January 15th.  I was very happy with the turnout and everybody seemed to love the collection.  Although my indie gogo campaign has ended, you can still send contributions directly to my paypal account,  rochellecarino@gmail.com.  You can still view the page to see my video and perks http://igg.me/at/rochellecarinonyfworbust/x/5584503

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey so far!!! I couldn't have done this without you. Next stop....the big apple!

xoxo,
Munkeh

The event was at Runway Boutique. Thank you Fatima Dodson!
Everyone that made a $20 contribution or higher, received a gift bag. :)
All photos by Nick Howell

Mini preview of my New York Collection!
Munkeh in the middle!
Lovely models from l-r: Brittany Grimmett, Heather Mayer, Shannon McMahon, Summer Webb, Jessica Rice, Melinda Baker.  Special shout outs to Sarah Morales, Megan Lopez (meganmichellemua.com)  and Abie, the wonderful make-up artists, Abbie Roberts a model not pictured here, and Raymond Delgado the awesome DJ!(www.soundcloud.com/raymonddelgado)!

This is my favorite look! It was also a crowd favorite! 

I already have pre-orders for the collection, especially this outfit!

Mr. and Mrs. work the runway!!

Designer Collaborations

Hello!!! It has been way too long since my last post. It's been a very busy and exciting month and even though I haven't had much free time, it's totally been worth it. The theme for today is designer collaborations. The two outfits I'm wearing are both from Target's latest collaboration with Phillip Lim. Love these pieces! Yes, I was one of the crazy people who stalked it online at the stroke of midnight to make sure I got what I wanted.  I believe I went to bed at 4 am that night. I plan on doing it again once Isabel Marant releases her H & M collection in just 2 short weeks and once again when Peter Pilotto does theirs for Target.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll get my very own collaboration. I feel like it could be possible with the way things have been going lately. Or maybe I'm just delusional. haha But seriously I've had my fair share of good news over the past month after a very trying and challenging period. I found out that I have been selected to showcase my collection during New York Fashion Week in February 2014.  When I got that email, I literally started jumping for joy.  And then I was lucky enough to give stylist Johnny Wujek a few of my dresses to show Katy Perry.  And then I have been working stylist Deb Waknin on a couple of E! shoots with the Kardashians. So, it's all been great and I am very excited about all of the new possibilities.  For more updates follow me on instagram! @rochellecarino

Bye for now! Have a wonderful afternoon :)

xoxo,
Munkeh

Phillip Lim for Target dress
Shoes- CC Republic
Necklace Ebay

Phillip Lim for Target sweater and skirt
Shoes- Forever 21
Necklace- Francesca's

Leopard and Tweed

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

A Leopard Never Changes It's Spots

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

Dangerous Carnivores

I ate my body weight in meat tonight. We went out for Korean BBQ for my friend's birthday. It's all you can eat. You ring a bell and then someone brings you plates of meat until you are literally bursting. I ate so much I feel sick and almost a little ashamed of myself. haha. Since I knew I was going to eat until I burst, I wore a very loose top and pants with an elastic waistband. Such a contrast to the day before when I wore a snow leopard print fit and flare dress that I made, which sadly I probably can't fit into at the moment.  My birthday is in 3 1/2 weeks and I'm having a jungle themed pool party/BBQ.  I've been trying to get into bikini shape in honor of the occasion. I'm currently working on bikinis for myself and my good friend. Keeping the theme in mind, my bikini is going to leopard rhinestones and hers is zebra rhinestones. I've been eating healthy and exercising but tonight I fell far off the wagon. Oh well, one night of gluttony and indulgence won't hurt, right?

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!

xoxo,
Munkeh

My top was nice and loose:)
Jacket, Top, Pants and Shoes- Forever 21
Necklace- Zara

Before I ate my body weight in meat...
Snow Leopard Print dress- by me
Shoes- Prabal Gurung for Target
Necklace- H&M

Are Those Real?!?

I used to think that spending $100 on a pair of shoes was a bit much but because I work in the fashion industry in Beverly Hills, I've seen women drop $4000 on one pair of shoes. Now, $100 is chump change haha.  But it's crazy the lengths that some women will go just for a pair of shoes.  My friend tells me all the time that she would sell me for her dream pair of Alaia booties.  Whenever we have sales, especially on Black Friday or the day after Christmas, women line up around the block starting at 6:00 am, the store opens at 8:00am btw, some of them have even camped out the night before. I've seen grown women get into fights. Two years ago, one woman was arrested for hitting another one over the head with a Louboutin stiletto, and the one that got hit was rushed to the ER for stitches and a possible concussion. I watched several women hoard as many shoes as they can and then try to sell them to other women for double the price while they were still in the store.  Don't get me wrong. I love shoes and clothes. But I still can't wrap my head around spending my rent on them and that's with my discount applied on the sale price. That's why I was thrilled when I found these Valentino Rock Stud look-a-likes on Shoedazzle. They were $40. Each time I've worn them, I've received death stares from the jealous ones who think I just dropped $995 on the real things or admiration from the ones who also think they are the real things. I also have a skirt has a very similar print to Dolce and Gabbana's current spring/summer collection and I've received the same kinds of reactions.  It's all about status isn't it. Some people just get so wrapped up in the label that they lose all sense of logic.  I'm proud of my bargain shopping skills. Hey, I rock sunglasses from the 99cent store and I love those things. I've said this before,  it's not the clothes that make you look great, it's your confidence.

Be proud of what you have and who you are! 

xoxo,

Munkeh

I'm having way too much fun with the new photo technique I learned!
Overalls- Zara
Blouse- by me
Necklace- Forever 21
Shoes- Shoedazzle

Dress and Jacket- Forever 21
Necklace- Charming Charlie
Shoes- Shoedazzle

These are the beautiful Valentino shoes that inspired my shoes.
These are $900, mine were $40

Outfit inspired by Sophia Loren. I feel like I should be in the Italian Riviera.
Blouse- Forever 21
Dolce and Gabbana look-a-like Skirt- Debenhams
Shoes- Asos

The real Dolce and Gabbana skirt.
This one is $1675, mine was $50

Stop And Smell The Roses...

Time is really flying lately.  I can't believe it's mid-June already. I feel like the year just started. In the hustle and bustle of daily life and in constantly trying to "get somewhere" I often forget to just take a few minutes to appreciate life in the present instead of looking too far ahead in the future.  I read this in an article from my high school newspaper and the words have stuck with me over the years.  "The best times and the best people just come.  While you're anxiously searching you'll never find them."

Tomorrow will be today soon enough and right now especially, it comes way too quickly, so just take a minute to stop and smell the roses.....

xoxo,
Munkeh

I learned how to do this cool photo effect on my phone today. I got really excited.
It's the little things in life that make me happy :)
Dress- River Island
Blazer- Forever 21
Shoes- Oasis
Necklace- Forever 21

I literally stopped and smelled the roses today...
I know, I'm a big cheese ball.