‘Ello loves!
As you may recall, last week during our visit to Lovely Los Angeles, the Mr. Merry and I lodged in Venice. All biceps, boardwalks, and bygone classic rockers aside, Venice is an adorable community within LA which I became oh so charmed with on our visit.
Sure, there are tourist traps along the boardwalk. Sure, the canals are technically a bit cheesy, and you will probably have “Love Street” in your head for the duration of your time there (at least I did…) but on the plus side you have an enchanting stretch of beach, neat storefronts filled with charming wares, and friendly locals with puppies peppering the ocean front who are oh so willing to stop and let you gush over their pets for a mere song.
It’s official, I heart Venice. Here are a few of the charming ways I “consumed” Venice!
1. After a sweaty day marching down to the Santa Monica Pier and back, I was struck blind by some shining baubles in a classic kiosk on the boardwalk. Now, I typically avoid these things like the plague (who needs another woven friendship bracelet or bobble head doll, right?) but being sort of an earring spazz who lives life in search of the perfect shape/ size earrings for my head shape, when you see “the ones,” you STOP!
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| tkdesigner1@aol.com |
These lovely mint green glass earrings grabbed my attention, and after satisfactorily holding them up to my ears for a few minutes and squealing in delight, man-go-round threw a fiver at the lovely Teresa Kole, designer, and they were MINE! (thank you mister!)
2. Later in the week, I strolled down Washington looking for trouble a cuppa Joe, and wandered into this random surf shop (cliche, I know… so shoot me). After fondling the soft sweaters and tees, I came upon this baby:
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| it’s wrinkly because I’ve already slept in it about 5 nights… |
As I scooped up this supersoft tee (the only one, and in my size! Holla!) I chatted for a bit with the proprietor, who informed me that the shirts are made in the shop (they are literally made in Venice…) by a man standing just outside the shop. Hey, to see the dude who screen printed my new camisa? Gracias!
I will return one day to Ocean Echo Surf Shop, where I purchased this baby on a sunny, surf-worthy morning.
3. Lastly, on our final day in California, we decided to spend the morning grabbing some coffee and window shopping on Abbot Kinney, a sort of arty/hipster enclave slightly inland Venice. Part art galleries, part cafe/coffee shop, and part unique-boutique, Abbot Kinney is Lyn-Lake and Nordeast and Grand Avenue, if they had a gurgling baby named Sunshine.
at Ten Women, a local gallery and artist co-op, I fell in love with artist Lys Wilcox, and her “Dot’s Daughter Designs.” If you’re in the area, check her out!
down the road at Abbot’s Habit, we stopped for a bite and some caffeine to get out of the sun, and were greeted with the friendliest barista I have maybe ever encountered.
we mosied on a bit after refueling, and what should catch my eye but the color explosion of quintessential surf style boutique Aviator Nation… maybe it was the bright colors, the classic mural on the wall, or the “hold it against your cheek” soft t-shirts and hoodies… If it’s retro, mod, or classic americana surf, chances are I’m gonna like it.
I did enjoy myself!
Thank you Venice-
for your kindness, your hospitality, your Whole Foods the size of 4 MN Whole Foods…
Thank you for your sun and your fun.
I shall return, wallet akimbo, and heart open.
Cheers!
Meri
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