The Holidays

"Let it snow..."

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday for so many reasons. It's really not just about the material gifts but the gifts of family, friends, blessings and tradition.  I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and have an even better New Year.



In my little family we have a tradition that each of us gets an ornament that reminds us of something great from the year.

A little DIY:  Dress look familiar? Well it's the dress I wore to the fashion show in October minus the shoulder appliques.  Just like that...

A new look, a new feel.  Love doing this to my clothes.

From "old Hollywood glam", to mommy.

I must say, this Christmas was one of the best of all time.  What was your favorite part of this Christmas, darlins?

Changing Hair

Well I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.  Surprisingly, I didn't eat much, thank God. Never the less, Thanksgiving with my family and friends was all gravy (wink). I will not bore you with those Thanksgiving pictures.

Moving on to the fun stuff....so I was feeling a bit over my hair style and was thinking of doing something...different to it.  Of course one would just run on over to their hair stylist or local salon and let the magic happen.  Well...I have a bit of a phobia and it's not want your probably thinking. I'm just really afraid of someone messing up my hair, as they once had.  So I decided to do it myself.

Starting with color!

I started coloring my hair when I was 15.  My hair has gone from brown to black, to blond to red. Now a days, I keep it simple.  Dark brown in the winter and light brown for the spring and summer.

Love Natural Instincts. It's so good to my hair, leaves it soft and shiny.

With my "dye" tank on, I went to work.  Note to self:  hair dye on skin will stay for a day.

After washing out the dye, I decided to do a little trimming.

Ok, a lot of trimming.

Using my best fabric scissors, I cut most of it off.

After blow drying my 80's hair, I was at the last step of my new look.

This straighter is amazing and affordable. Sally's baby.

Ta-da!

Now, I'm regretting cutting my hair. Oh my.

Till next time loves, embrace change and hold on to traditions.

Months of Thankfulness

Photo via thepiferfamily.blogspot.com

These days, I know for many, many in this world it's hard to say, "I am thankful for..."  I know I had quiet the year of really high ups and really low, lows.  So I decided to take it one month at a time. Simply, thinking back over the past year and finding at least ONE thing to be thankful for, so here are my 11 months of thankfulness:

• January:  I am thankful for another birthday.  That the Lord gave me another year to share with my family and friends.
• February:  1) I am thankful for my son, Eli.  2) I am thankful for my friends, Sam & Frances for all their love and hosting my son's 4th birthday.  Miss them deeply.
• March:  1) I am thankful that the Lord brought my niece into this world safe and sound.  2) I am thankful that my friends, Heather & Richard opened their home to us with love and support. Miss them deeply.
• April:  1) I am thankful that after 6 years, my husband is finally out of the Air Force, safe and sound. 2) I am thankful for 5 years of marriage to my prince in shining firefighter gear.  3) I am thankful that the Lord died for my sins.
• May: I am thankful for business picking up.
• June:  I am thankful for my friends who supported my career by helping make things happen; Sabrina Noel Hill, Christina Martinez and Lily Hernandez.
• July:  1) I am thankful that I was able to help my friends Dee and Jason have a wonderful anniversary.  2) I am thankful that my hubby got his dream job.
• August:  I am thankful that the Lord gave us a new direction in our lives, to buy a home.
• September:  I am thankful for my sister Denise and Victor for opening up their home while we made a very hard transition.
• October:  1) I am thankful for my parent's never ending support of my career.  2) I am thankful for our new home. 3) I am thankful for my son, Ben.  4) I am thankful for the opportunity of a life time, thank you for finding me Nicky Bernal.
• November:  I am thankful that my sister moved in, even if its just for awhile, to have their company.

Last, I'm sure I'll find something to be thankful for next month.  Meanwhile.....enjoy your families, your friends; enjoy those laughs, those moments; enjoy that food, that hug. Breathe it all in and hold it. 

Happy Thanksgiving, loves!

                             Mel

11 Year Reunion

So last year I missed my 10 year class reunion because I was working, working, working.  As it turns out most of my closest friends from High School didn't even attend. So we all decided to have our own little 10 year reunion eleven years later. 


Meet the ladies and I, 11 years ago.

Yes, I designed my own prom dress. And the flowers? Well, I wasn't the queen but one of the prom princesses.  And for the record, I ran for queen out of curiosity.

So we met up at this yummy restaurant, Wokcanos.  It was so great to catch up and listen to everyone's stories.  It really made me realize even more how important friendship is and what it really means to be a friend.  So cheers to all of you who are REAL friends, you make this world a better place.

Good times, good food, good company.  Can't wait to see these ladies again for our sleep-over!  Till the next post, "love, peace & chicken grease!"

xoxo,

    Mel

Celebrating at Rockwell

So this past weekend I celebrated my sister's birthday at this fabulous bar, Rockwell in Los Feliz, CA

Before heading out that night, I had realized I hadn't packed the right things to wear for a night out at a trendy bar.  It had been a last minute trip to my sisters, that caused me to pack items that left me unhappy with the outcomes.

So began my search for something to wear at local shops and department stores.  To my surprise, the stores were only carrying Fall trend items. Lace, sweaters, velvets, satins, browns, tans and other "in style" pieces.  I was soon reminded why I became a clothing designer.  So I took to the sale racks and sure enough the selection I was looking for, I found.

DRESS, Tucker for Target. SHOES, Jessica Simpson suede lace-ups. ACCESSORIES, Chu-La Couture

And so the evening went on. My highlights.

It was sweet of one of the managers, Rafael to give us all a free round of shots.  I can't remember the name of the shot but they were strong and sweet. Hmmmm....

The bottle service here was also great.

Yes, the double ring she's wearing is from Chu-La Couture. Love it!

Fell in love with this dress worn by my sister's bestie.  The red and black colors really made this dress stand out.  Not to mention the shoulder pads, love'em.

"Cheers"

We celebrated and danced the night away to some classic hip-hop, r&b and 90's.  Over all the night was fabulous, the venue was a "must-visit" and my sister....well lets just say she left very happy (wink).

the Rockwell on Saturday nights

Bottle service reservation contact:

Rishi@usualsuspectsla.com

The Thrill of The Hunt

As a child, did you ever dream about the day you'd own house?  I sure did. Little did I know, there was really no thrill to house hunting.

After 5 years of living from apartment to apartment, with family to friends, my husband and I had finally come to that pinnacle point.  It was time to buy. Only, it was all just bad timing for me. For I had to put together a 15 piece collection, while living out of boxes.  It was really a nightmare, having to move from here to there, work and house hunt all at the same time.  Never the less, God got me through it. It was one of the most stressful times in my life and I was completely blessed.

When I arrived on moving day and saw this sign, I was completely speechless.

Finally I had an office/ studio with the space I needed to continue to create and be inspired.

I soon realized as I looked around my office, how much stuff I really had.  I began saving things for my career since I was a kid.  I knew there were books, magazines and more "junk" that would inspire me some day.

Placing this Mother's Day gift from my sons on my window ledge, quickly made me feel at home.

A drawing of Lucille Ball that would grace my walls, is one of my favorites.  I still simply die laughing every time I watch I Love Lucy.  It never gets old.

As I look back on all of it today, it was all worth the sweat and tears.  I learned that in hard times, we must hold on to the good times. To record those great moments in a note book for when the next time life turns upside down, simply pick up your note book and remember not only the great moments in your life but remember, that this too shall pass and more great moments are to come!

xoxo,
Mel

Hello Runway

"What a night!"
From its highs to lows, to "really your telling me this right now?" Pure craziness and all over emotion.


So here is last of the coverage from the Project Ethos LAFW fashion event.  Beginning with some red carpet highlights.

What an experience it is to pose on a red carpet. My thoughts at this moment could be describe as madness. Really, a thought per second...."hows my hair", "do I look fat", "what did Tyra say about looking thinner when posing", "keep smiling", "why am I standing here" and soooo much more.

And I'm sure my parents were feeling the same way. Don't they look great?  When a parent gives their child unconditional support, they give their child wings.  And that night, I was flying high.

I just had to post these lovely ladies, the Millionaires . How cute are they?  Love their look and red carpet confidence.

Someone else with lots of red carpet confidence was the Host of the evening, Nick Verreos.  Can we say, STYLE!

Next up, the runway highlights.  For this I put together a little video montage with the music that played.  Yes ladies and gents, I put this together using my PC. I am so not a Mac fan.

My favorite picture from the runway.

Backstage highlights.

Over all, it was a great night and I'd totally do it all over again.  In which, I shall come March 2011 for Fall 2011.  Can't wait.

Here are some of the reviews and buzz from the night, featuring my line;  Boho Market, All Indie Magazine, Apparel News, Apparel News Slide Show, Watermoolen, Sweets & Hearts, China Shop, Disarray Magazine, Laist and Audrey

Pictures via; Runway Icon, Nelson Photo Images and Disarray Magazine

Thank you to all!