Channeling Carrie Bradshaw...

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

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

Anchors Aweigh

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

In The Trenches...

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! 

Floral and polka dots!

Birds, florals and stripes!

                                                         

Tiny Dancer

People don't believe me when I say that fashion was actually not my first career choice.  It wasn't even my second choice. My mom taught me how to sew when I was a kid and I used to make my doll clothes. And then when I got a little older I started sewing my own clothes and I loved looking at pictures in magazines. It's always been a part of my life and something that I've always enjoyed but I never thought I would end up becoming a fashion designer or working in the field period.  No, I wanted to be a dancer. I used to do ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop and ethnic dance. I studied for a long time, belonged to a dance company and I was actually very good.  You wouldn't think so because I'm the biggest klutz in day to day life but when I danced, I was very graceful and controlled. Then I got injured. I was preparing for the biggest audition of my life, a part in A Chorus Line. I randomly ran into a psychic on the street and she told me I was going to get my big break very soon. The very next day I completely tore my achilles tendon in my dance class. I got my big break, literally. I was devastated because the doctor said I would never be able to dance professionally again.  I really do miss dancing and I wonder from time to time what life would have been like if I got to pursue that path. I think it's those feelings of nostalgia that inspired my outfit today. hahaha. But I'm very happy how things worked out and grateful for the things and people in my life. So maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

When fate steps in, don't question it, you never know where it will lead you.

xoxo,
Munkeh

Prima Ballerina
Skirt- my own design (buy here)
Sweater- Joie
Shoes- Vince Camuto
Necklace- Francesca's

I want these Chloe shoes!
available at Saks Fifth Ave

Me playing dress up at work....

Look how cute and how perfect those shoes are with my outfit today!

Childhood Toys

The pattern on this fabric reminded me of the spirograph toy I had when I was a kid.  I used to draw hundreds of designs with it and what I loved most was that no two drawings were ever exactly the same. Another one of my favorite toys were my fashion plates. I remember begging my mom for those and she finally bought me a set that she found at a yard sale. I practically wore the plates down because I drew endless outfits and patterns. Both of those toys would keep me entertained for hours.  It's no surprise that I ended up becoming a designer, but believe it or not, fashion was not my first career choice. I wanted to be a dancer instead, haha. But fate stepped in and here we are.

Creativity is contagious, pass it on....
-Albert Einstein

xoxo,
Munkeh

Dress- by me
Shoes- Forever 21
Jaguar Necklace- Ebay

My first introduction to fashion design!

My creativity was first unleashed with this!

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

The Big Reveal

I saw an outfit on one of the blogs I follow and fell in love with it.  I already have a jacket that is similar and but the skirt was sold out so I decided to make my own version of it which is now available here: http://www.ustrendy.com/store/product/93334/chevron-split-front-skirt. It's times like this that I'm really happy that I can sew.  I heard someone say this and thought it applied..."I think the turning point was when I really realized that you can do it yourself. That you have to believe in yourself because sometimes the only person that does believe in your success is you."

Do it yourself, no one else will do it for you.

xoxo,
Munkeh

Faux Leather Jacket- Ebay
Tank- Elizabeth and James
Skirt- me :) buy it now! (here)
Shoes- Asos
Necklace- Charming Charlie
You can see the inspiration for this outfit here: vivaluxury

Groovy Baby

I feel like I belong in an Austin Powers movie in this outfit.  Couldn't you have seen Heather Graham wearing this as Felicity Shagwell?  I made this romper with the  60's go-go dancer in mind. I love this print and the fabric is very silky and comfortable. Almost feels like pajamas, perfect for a hot summer day.

Oh, behave!

xoxo,
Munkeh

Paisley Silk Romper by me
Shoes- Forever 21

Gatsby

I should have been alive during the roaring 20's. The clothes from that era are amazing and elegant and I wish we still dressed like that today.  Well, I still do sometimes. I'll wear a beaded flapper dress with a blazer to work. We are going to see Gatsby this weekend and I can't wait to drool over the costumes.

You are all the cat's meow!

xoxo,
Munkeh

Daytime Flapper
Dress- Forever 21
Scarf- Forever21
Shoes- Jessica Simpson

I beaded this entire dress by hand.
I wore it during LA Fashion Week for one of my shows.

I want this dress!!!!!!
It's by Needles and Thread
available on asos.com

Prada selected costumes from Gatsby to showcase in their Soho store.
How beautiful are these dresses?!?

Prima Ballerina

I have wanted a fluffy ballerina skirt for a very long time so I finally made one. It's a fun piece and just like my feather items, I don't need a special occasion to wear it. I've worn it to work a couple of times and to the grocery store on the weekend. I'm actually thinking of making another one in black but even fluffier.

Everything is beautiful at the ballet.....

xoxo,
Munkeh

I love the mix of prints and the contrast of masculine and feminine.
Skirt- me:)
Rhinestone Army Jacket- Alan
Sweater- Forever 21
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace- Forever 21
Belt- Ebay

Denim and Tulle
Skirt- me :)
Shirt- Forever 21
Shoes- Breckelles
Necklace and Belt-Forever 21

Animal Kingdom

I love animal print. I don't just mean leopard and zebra but actual prints of animals.  I have stuff with monkeys, birds, tigers, elephants, giraffes and my latest find was an abstract panda face sweater.  My husband and I just recently celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We spent the day at the San Diego Zoo. Of course I flipped out over the monkeys and giant turtles. And I told Chris that when we get a house I'm getting a giraffe, a rhino and a panda. Besides being our wedding anniversary, that day was important because that was the beginning of the "news" I've been waiting for. I'd been waiting for their phone call and had to take it. So, I had my first informal interview at the zoo while an elephant started to trumpet  behind me. What a way to make a first impression.

Somebody posted this and I thought it was funny:

Please do not feed the squirrels. If you feed the squirrels, they'll become overweight, and prone to disease. Their population will grow, and they'll lose their ability to forage for food on their own. They will expect you to feed them and will attack you if you don't. They'll become like little welfare recipients, and you wouldn't want to do this to them.

Sign in Rocky Mountain National Park

Don't feed the animals!

xoxo,

Munkeh

Hello Panda!
Sweater- Debut
Skirt- Forever 21
Shoes- Forever 21
Necklaces- Ebay

Chris vs. Monkey
Who are you betting on?

It's a tie!

Munkeh vs. Monkey

Happy Anniversary! xoxo

I really love this fabric! The giraffes make me smile.
 I made this dress and am currently working on a pair of shorts and jacket.
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace- Ebay

I saw this dress on Miranda Kerr and fell in love with it. I found it on Ebay!
Dress- French Connection
Shoes- Forever 21



The following photos are some pieces from my Spring 2013 Collection.
Playful Animal Prints

Rochelle Carino Spring 2013 Collection
http://rochellecarino.wix.com/rochellecarino

Rochelle Carino Spring 2013 Collection
http://rochellecarino.wix.com/rochellecarino

Rochelle Carino Spring 2013 Collection
http://rochellecarino.wix.com/rochellecarino

Rochelle Carino Spring 2013 Collection
http://rochellecarino.wix.com/rochellecarino

Rochelle Carino Spring 2013 Collection
http://rochellecarino.wix.com/rochellecarino

Rochelle Carino Spring 2013 Collection
http://rochellecarino.wix.com/rochellecarino

Wonderland

I felt like Alice in Wonderland today. My journey through the looking glass began this morning with a meeting at work where I got to meet one of my favorite designers Tommaso Aquilano from the the brand Aquilano Rimondi. His new collection is partly inspired by the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. His pieces are exquisite and the details are amazing. Not to mention, he has a fantastic sense of humor and genuinely loves what he does. I decided that when I become a world renowned fashion designer, I want to live in the Italian Riviera for a while and look fabulous everyday like Sophia Loren. I'd drink the finest wine, showcase my collection during Fashion Week in Milan, go on romantic gondola rides in Venice with Chris and then repent all my sins at the Vatican in Rome...sigh. But for now, I'm enjoying life in Wonderland. I got some great news, not "the" news but great news none the less. I was invited to join an exclusive network of international fashion designers, buyers, and magazines. I was just reading about this group in the WWD. They carefully screen every new designer to ensure quality standards and ensure the integrity of the community.  They found my website and I am extremely flattered that they invited me to join. It can open up doors and possibilities that I can't even imagine.

I'll end this post with some of my favorite quotes from Alice in Wonderland....

“How puzzling all these changes are! I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another.” 

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.""I don't much care where –""Then it doesn't matter which way you go.” 

“Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

"You're mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” 


xoxo,
Munkeh

I was in a playful mood today so I mixed up my prints
Dress- Rochelle Carino
Shoes- Go Max
Sweater- Forever 21
Necklace- Forever 21

Tommaso Aquilano of Aquilano Rimondi.

"Queen of Hearts"
I love this dress.

Such a fun dress. Those boots are to die for!

Love this!

The heart on the back is too cute.

The picture doesn't do this stunning outfit justice.

Love this print.