Back to school essentials

Back to school essentials by laura-banciu featuring a button down shirt

As school/college/university classes are approaching I picked my essential for this fall: the satchel bag, classic jeans, Oxford shoes, ankle boots, the cardigan, plaid shirt and sweatshirt. Of course, a school outfit is not complete without a notebook and a delicious coffee.

VMA 2013

So, VMA 2013 happened last night. Besides the highlights of the awards: two comebacks: NSYNC and Lady Gaga (ermm, ok), a very awkward and disturbing performance by Miley Cyrus (I'm talking about the "We can't stop" single and the featuring with Robin Thicke for "Blurred lines") and the "Shut the f**k up" moment from America's sweetheart, Taylor Swift, during One Direction's award presentation. Oh, I almost forgot Lady Gaga's g-string appearance (lol, what??).

Wow, now that's what I call a music event! But one is never complete without a Best and Worst dressed, am I right? So who nailed it and who lost it? I'm not even going to mention Miley's performance disaster outfit and the g-string incident.

Selena Gomez were a flattering blue dress from Atelier Versace. It's a yes for the former Disney idol.

Taylor Swift rocked a new hairstyle in a Herve Leger  bondage dress. Except for her dirty mouth, it's a yes for the country singer.

Not sure what Rita Ora was trying to pull here, but she looks rather featherly and less glamorous.

Ciara looked bodacious in the Givency dressed. I have to give it to her this time.

Ellie Goulding wearing Brian Atwood pumps and a studded dress. Rock-ish and I like it.

There's so many wrong things about Miley's outfit...I'll only say this: it's Dolce & Gabanna.

Another disaster comes from Katy Perry. Besides the dress, I might add the strappy sandals are not for her.

That was a very surprising outfit coming from Rihanna. She dressed down for this event, wearing jeans from her new River Island collection and a ripped t-shirt. Cool.

It's "Mr. 2 Chainz" showing everything that's wrong with today's hip-hop.

Just another typical outfit from Lil' Kim.

Coco Rocha in Fausto Puglisi. Love it!

Model Joan Smalls rocked a white sport dress with long gladiator sandals. So simple and so effective!

The One Direction boys looked rather fit holding their moonman for Best Summer Song.

So that's pretty much it. I wonder what will happen next year...

When in Paris...

If you are planning a visit to Paris or you're simply just curious, this article will come in handy for you. From what we've heard, everyone falls in love with this city, its cuisine, architecture, fashion, art and so on. And the celebrities are not immune to this either, I'll tell you that. So here are their favorite spots in the city of light.

Famous model, Natalia Vodianova who lives in Paris, admits that her favorite place is L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon . In her words, it is an incredible restaurant, "very cute, very charming and bloody delicious".

Natalia Vodianova attending Paris Fashion Week

Sienna Miller, on the other hand, is a little more cheesy, her favorite place to be is the Ritz hotel. Yeah, that;s right, the home of Coco Chanel, the one I showed you a while ago here. The beautiful Brit spent the night there, after she got engaged and she felt magical.

Because Paris is not all about restaurants and luxurious hotels, Katie Holmes loves to lose herself in a silk-flower shop, on the Left Bank.

Oh, le Carrie Bradshaw...ehmm ups, it's Sarah Jessica Parker, sorry about that, likes to wonder the streets of the Marais district, the old Jewish part of town. There are six parks there, tiny little restaurants and amazing thrift shops. Well, that sounds more like it!

Well, of course, if you go to Paris you must try the macarons and the place to be is Laduree, according to actress Carla Cugino. Oui, oui!

Now that you know all this information, all you need is to pack your bags and get ready to go! Paris ain't gonna visit itself! 

Riri's new River Island collection

As you know, or you don't know, Rihanna had a collection last season with UK high-street brand, River Island, that pretty much represented her latest style. From cropped tops to strappy sandals, to oversized t-shirts and cut-out dresses. So I'm guessing it was a success since the Brits decided to continue with the whole Riri look for the Autumn/ Winter collection. Here's a preview:

And there is also a promo video:

Another good news is that you can find some of Spring/Summer's collection in the sales section. Check out Rihanna's fav sandals this season, half off! http://www.riverisland.com/women/sale/shoes--boots/Beige-Rihanna-barely-there-stiletto-sandals-633452

What do you think about Riri's collaboration with River Island? Are you loving the styles?

Rainy Day Music Festival Style

Rainy Day Music Festival Style by laura-banciu featuring dog boots