Thought I’d share some shots during my final days in Los Angeles. I can’t believe taping Cycle 20 of America’s Next Top Model has gone by so quickly. I remember bolting for the airport after the Calvin Klein show on Valentine’s Day during New York Fashion Week… and now it’s April all of a sudden! The past month and a half disappeared in a flash!

I have to say, I’ve developed a strong sense of familiarity with the production team and crew that are a part of the show. I’m so happy to see most of them this time around. Even though I’ve worked with them for such a short amount of time, they’re all really starting to feel like family. I’m gonna miss all of them so much once we wrap taping.

Jacket by Giorgio Armani Made-to-Measure, shirt by DSquared2, trousers by 3.1 Phillip Lim, patent leather brogues by Gucci (click HERE)

I hit the courts with Queenie and Rumi the other day. It was my first time playing tennis. I have to say that I did pretty well, considering I wore 3 inch Marc by Marc Jacobs wedge sneakers on the court. Mama Anna Wintour is probably beaming with pride and delight right now…

Unless you count swimming in hotel pools or online shopping marathons, I’m not big on sports. I really should be more active at my age. Handling racquets and chasing balls is my idea of a perfect Sunday activity. Why not?

Shirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim (click HERE to buy), shorts by 3.1 Phillip Lim, shoes by Marc by Marc Jacobs, watch by Cartier

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Try before you buy or tie before you dye? After taping, Queenie and I took a quick detour to Santa Monica beach yesterday afternoon. Watching the sun go down while sitting on the sand, I realized that some of the most beautiful things in life can be found right under your nose. You just have to stop long enough to notice them. Oh, and I finally get the whole laid-back California lifestyle. Compared to New York City, everything really moves at a glacial pace and I think I’m starting to get used to it. Only a jaded fool wouldn’t drop whatever it is that they’re doing to admire such a breathtaking view of the sunset.

Proenza Schouler tie-dye top (click HERE), MTWTFSS Weekday Collection leather shorts, jacket by Acne, sunglasses from Kitson Los Angeles

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Like the old Nike saying goes, Just do it! Rumi and I popped by Cartier in Beverly Hills yesterday afternoon to look at some jewels. We walked out empty-handed after thirty minutes of browsing and continued our journey, hopping from one store to the next on Rodeo Drive all the way down to Barney’s. I’m not gonna lie, thinking about the obscene amount of money we spend on clothes, shoes and accessories on a regular basis (as an important part of our job), only to end up in the back of our closets, made me sick to my stomach. Do we really need another pair of shoes? Do we really need another bag? Do we really need that gorgeous Celine white leather biker jacket? The honest answer — no, not really. The REAL honest answer, ok, let’s not kid ourselves, YES! The point I’m trying to make here is, I do feel somewhat guilty spending so much money on clothes that ultimately loose their value after a season or two. After four hours of wandering around stores (and leaving with Proenza Schouler and Balenciaga tops… don’t judge!!!), we found ourselves back at Cartier and ended up walking out with something of REAL value that would, hopefully, withstand the test of time. Don’t worry, it’s nothing ultra extravagant; just an every day piece that we’ll have to wear for years and years to bring down the cost-per-wear ratio down… all the way to the ground. LOL!!!

3.1 Phillip Lim is like an evil retail vortex. It’s one of the very few stores out there that I couldn’t leave empty-handed. I ended up buying a number of tops a week and a half ago but nothing beats my favourite piece of the moment –  these slouchy, silk trousers (click HERE) with a geometric, white panel on the sides. I love how you can change the shape of the trouser with the adjustable zippers.

Black tee, trousers (click HERE) and shoes by 3.1 Phillip Lim

My limited-edition red Jil Sander beanie finally arrived after ordering it from the Jil Sander online store. I took it out for a spin while driving around West Hollywood with my boyfriend and Rumi. We were scouting for cute houses to rent… or to use as photo backdrops. Los Angeles is filled with these gorgeous, green bushy hedges. I love them!

Hat by Jil Sandser, sweater by Opening Ceremony, jeans by J Brand, watch by Michael Kors, bracelets by Jewelmer and Hermes, bag by Corto Moltedo, shoes by Tod’s

I’ve been buying a lot of black as of late — quite ironic because it seems as if people in Los Angeles are allergic to black. I found this cute, fringed shirt by Christopher Shannon during a drive-by around Melrose.

Sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, shirt by Christopher Shannon, shorts by Alexander Wang

Anyone else going through fashion fatigue? June is the time of the year when merchandise are being marked down. Rumi and I have been hitting the stores as of late because of the sales. I must say I’m sick and tired of whatever is out there. The markdowns are not that great. Spring/summer 2012 clothes and accessories feel old — it doesn’t help that our consciousness was bombarded with images of people wearing them since last year.

Sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, shirt by Prada, bracelet by Hermes

I feel like I need a wardrobe cleanse. Even though I bought a couple of new pieces on sale, they still feel stale in my closet. It’s time for new merchandise. I can’t wait for Pre-Fall and Fall to hit the stores.

West Hollywood, the inner sanctum of Los Angeles’ gay world, came into a halt yesterday morning due to this year’s gay pride festivities. Getting around was kinda annoying because they’ve closed the main thoroughfares for the parade. Every day is gay pride day in my life so yesterday was my day off! Rumi, my boyfriend and I celebrated gay pride in a very unusual way –  we went to Prada, Barney’s, had a very nice lunch at Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills hotel (you must try the lobster salad — the lobster was soo big), quick pit stop at Starbucks followed by drinks at Bar Mamont then  dinner at Chateau Marmont.

Sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, necklace by Mawi, bracelet by Hermes, sweater by APC, shorts by John Patrick Organic

Free time is very hard to find these days. Period. Its my day off today and I had a few hours to spare. My beau arrived yesterday from Europe and he’s in town for his summer vacation. Rumi and I thought it would be great to celebrate his first time in Los Angeles by visiting Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Malibu. It’s funny and ironic how it’s my bf’s first time in LA and then we left LA. Haha! It’s been awhile since we the three of us reunited so we had a blast cavorting around the western coast. The look on my bf’s face was priceless after he felt the Pacific Ocean on his feet for the first time.