By Lucy Evangelista-McCullough.

So my last week in LA was very busy. I tried to pack as much in as possible before we left.

I was lucky enough to walk the red carpet with Jamie Hilfiger and 'IT' guy and event promotor, Drew Gates at their joint birthday celebrations. Drew is currently filming his own reality tv show and Jamie, the niece of American Fashion Designer Tommy Hilfiger, is a model in her own right.

When I arrived at the Bar 210 in the Beverly Hilton, the paparazzi were out in force snapping guests such as Miss Switzerland Nadine Vinzens, Aiden Turner of Dancing with the Stars and Cedric Sanders who is tipped to be the next big actor in America. He recently won Best Actor and his latest films included 'Curious Case of Benjamin Button' and 'Fighter'.

I had a bit of a panic about walking the red carpet as I didn't have many clothes with me, so I got my bargainista head on and went shopping. I bought $50 shorts from H&M, my top was also H&M $24.00 and again wore my favourite £50 Cream silk Emporio Armani jacket from 'The Outlet' Banbridge. It was lovely to be a part of the celebrations and great to meet some fabulous and glamourous people. All of the paparazzi were really nice to me and have sent me the picture to my Facebook page. A fab night all round.

A few weeks ago I told you about shopping heaven in 'The Grove'. Twice a month through the summer they hold 'Free Movies in the Park'. Families come and sit on the grass area with blankets, picnics and enjoy watching the big screen outside. I have to say it was just so magical, fairly lights everywhere, well merchandised shop windows (very important of course) ice cream stands and such a fantastic atmosphere. All the restaurants in 'The Grove' prepare gourmet picnics for everyone. All you have to do is put your order in before 6pm in the evening. We went to watch the very cute Disney film 'UP', having never seen it, i was so pleased to watch it in such a beautiul place. Earlier this summer they showed Shrek, Transformers, Alice in Wonderland and Twilight. I just wish Northern Ireland could have a little sunshine to run events like this because it was magical.

On our last full day I had to see Manhattan Beach, as everyone who lives in LA just adores this area. For those of you born to shop, Manhattan Beach has it all from boutiques to high street and department stores, in anything from modern glass buildings to rugged old beach shacks. It is one of the most expensive coastal towns to live in America, but it is easy to see why. Homes with an ocean view average $3.25 million, (just small change, i'm going to have to start doing the lottery). If I had to pick a dream beach home, it would be here. Manhattan Beach has a scenic 928 foot long Beach Pier. It is one of 100 piers in California and it offers free pier fishing for any fishing fans out there. At the end it has a roundhouse Marine Studies lab, aquarium and a huge shark tank. EEEK!! It also has touch tanks and a tide pool. Manhattan Beach carters for everyone with accessible cycle paths, beach volleyball and fantastic surfing. There are plenty of bakeries, coffee shops and ice cream parlours if you want to get away from the 30oC heat and relax.

We found a hidden gem in the Venice, near Abbott Kinney area called the Venice Canals. They are a quaint beachside version of the Venetian canals in Italy. It's such a beautiful area with single lane traffic, humpback bridges and spectacular wildlife the canals are perfect for keen walkers or photographers. The canal neighbourhood is stunning and again you can expect to pay for a house there, a small 3 bedroom bungalow can cost in excess of $2 million!

I can honestly say i am going to miss Los Angeles and my Belfast girls Karen Hemsworth and Jennifer O'Neill. A huge thanks to the girls, who took me out in Hollywood for my leaving party and looked after us very well.

I hope we will be back in Los Angeles in 12months to find out what the next fashions and trends are going to be and get to lots more parties and events.

Thanks for reading my blogs from LA and hopefully i will keep you up to date with some of the exciting fashion, beauty and style events i get to go to over the next few weeks and months.

Next step is the launch of BIBA House of Fraser tonight. See you there..

Lucy xx

Lucy Evangelista McCullough is one of Northern Ireland's most familiar faces on the modelling scene. A former Miss NI and Miss UK Lucy now juggles her own modeling career with her Voodoo International Modelling School in Belfast. Click here to become a fan on facebook.