Fashion Show Fever

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!!!

Leaving Las Vegas...

I'm back! MAGIC wasn't as busy as the previous years but the line I was working for got some decent business.  It was really nice to spend some time with my mom and dad even though they try to kill me with food every time I come to visit. And I actually got some sleep while I was there so I feel refreshed.   Although, I did come home to a busy schedule and more orders to fill so we'll see how long that lasts haha.

Home sweet home.

xoxo,
Munkeh

First day back to work!
Chris bought me this awesome jacket for my birthday :)
Leather jacket- Vince
Striped Bandage Skirt- Honey Punch
Cami- Elizabeth and James
Shoes and Necklace- Forever 21

Leavin' on a jet plane!
I was up at 4:00am to make my flight to Vegas.
When I travel, comfort overrules fashion....but at least my sneakers are cute. haha

I always overpack. I was there for 3 days and I packed enough for a week.

I got to catch up on my reading while I was there

Vegas baby!

My mom and dad
They may be small but don't let that fool you.  They can pack away more food than anyone I've ever known.
And they try to kill me with food everytime I go to visit them.

I saw this poster at MAGIC and I realized it's my mom and dad's motto 

MAGIC @ the Mandalay Bay

One of the lounges at MAGIC

Day #1
Marni dress, Zara shoes
Day #2
Thakoon Addition dress, Zara shoes

This was the booth right next to ours.

I geeked out when I saw the stormtroopers at another booth and had to get a pix.

Because people always carry sharp objects with them after they've been thru security at the airport.  huh?
Only in Vegas....

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!

                                                         

Alter Ego

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

Power Suit

Yesterday was amazing. I got to meet one of my all time favorite designers Antonio Berardi. He complemented my outfit which just so happened to be one of my own designs. It completely made my day! I also made some great contacts with a couple of top Hollywood stylists who said they would love to use some of my designs for their clients and editorials. Another stylist got us VIP tickets to Taylor Swift's (she's his client) concert and he said I could give her a couple of my dresses. I honestly think it was because I was wearing my lucky suit, haha. Every time I wear this outfit, without fail, at least a couple of really good things always happen. I get tons of compliments and it just gets plenty of attention. It's probably my favorite thing that I've ever made.  I was inspired by Dolce and Gabbana's use of tapestry fabric last season. I love the fabric, I love how feminine it is and it pretty much sums up everything about my personal style. Someone commented that it's very Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl.  I wish I could wear it everyday because I could be the luckiest girl ever. lol

Have a great day!

xoxo,
Munkeh

My lucky outfit, the "power suit"
I love this tapestry fabric and how feminine the whole look is.
Blazer, Skirt, & Top- all by me
Email me for purchasing info or general inquiries, rochellecarino@gmail.com or visit my website here.
Shoes and Necklace- Forever 21

Florals and Stripes, my all time favorite pairing!

Antonio Berardi and I
He is super talented and just a really nice and genuine person.
He made my day by complementing my outfit :)

Some pieces from his new collections.
Stunning. 

My favorite dress of his.
It's inspired by hummingbirds.
The details of the sequins and beading really do look like the feathers of a hummingbird.
Exquisite work. 

Get Your Ducks in a Row

I have been so scatterbrained lately. I've got my full-time day job, my full-time sweatshop trying to get my line off the ground, a couple of big projects and then trying to have a normal balanced personal life on top of all that, no wonder I'm exhausted and having trouble focusing. I've got to get my ducks in a row and start prioritizing otherwise nothing will get done. Battle plan starts tonight with a full night of sleep haha.

Goodnight my ducklings!

xoxo,
Munkeh

Marni has all her ducks in a row! I'm in love with this dress.
Dress- Marni
Shoes- Go Max
Necklace- H & M

Black and White

As much as I love color, the monochromatic trend is definitely one of my favorites this season especially black and white stripes. The bolder the better. Short but sweet post today, got some work to catch up on.

Have a great night!

xoxo, 

Munkeh

Chevron Striped Dress- Tobi
Shoes- Asos
Necklace- Ebay
Belt-Ebay

Enough is Enough

Last night my friend Amber and I went to a benefit event for Keeping the Promise sponsored by Enough is Enough Media which is an organization that creates media content and conducts research committed to understanding and finding the root causes and effects of under-regulated firearms in society. The mission of the Sandy Hook Promise is to help the community heal and to be advocates for change by bringing together a great majority of Americans who agree that we must find and implement common sense solutions to address the causes of gun violence.  One of the main issues of concern is the gun show loophole. Federal law allows people who sell guns to avoid running background checks or keeping records by calling themselves occasional sellers, and these sellers often congregate at gun shows. The loophole provides criminals and mentally unstable people with easy access to firearms without having to worry about any background checks. Here are some online resources.

www.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/

www.nomorenames.org/

www.sandyhookpromise.org/

www.enoughisenoughmedia.com/

www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/

It was a very touching and eye opening evening. There is a need for urgent action because the consequence of doing nothing is more senseless loss of life.

xoxo,
Munkeh

Tank- Q
Shorts- Forever 21
Shoes- Forever 21
Sunglasses- 99cent store
Necklace- Ebay

My best "Audrey Hepburn" impression. haha

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

Jailbird Is Now Freebird

Hello all! I just got back from a quick whirlwind trip to Vegas.  We were only there for 4 days but it felt like we were gone for 2 weeks. It was nice to see my mom and dad and just relax and let loose at the pool. It was so hot I lived in my bikinis, shorts and tank tops.  I feel refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to get some shit done now. It's a nice feeling since I was feeling a little burnt out and uninspired. We were at PF Chang's for lunch today and my fortune cookie said "Keep your eyes on your long term goal. Don't hesitate to act now"

Wise wise fortune cookie.

xoxo,
Munkeh

"Jailbird"
I was behaving like a victim to my circumstances and needed a mini break to snap out of it.
Blouse and Pants- Forever21
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace- Ebay

Chris and Nick
BFFs

mwmwmwm

Healthy ice cream from the ice pan.
Dress- Urban Outfitters

We finally got to stop at the alien jerky store!
Chris ran into some trouble.

My new foreign friends
Tank and Skort- Zara

Sarah and I 

This really was SPICY!

Aliens really are more technologically advanced!