Monday, July 8, 2013

Venice Canals

Venice, Ca has some spooky weird history... Amusement park fires, underground tunnels ... rollerblading. Also amongst the weirdness: the Venice Canals. They were built by Abbot Kinney around 1905 to add to the glory of his genius idea, "Venice of America."

Dude wanted to literally recreate Venice, Italy ... but in So Cal. 

Like most things novelty, the canals were a tourist hot spot for a few years, but then cars happened, and everyone got really pumped about cars (not so much canoes) and forgot about the canals. Venice was annexed by Los Angeles and eventually turned into "the slum by the sea" and the canals basically became west nile-trash-heap-swamps. 

Then in the 90's they were renovated. ( I love the 90's). Now that Venice has become super-duper gentrified, houses on the canals are considered prime real estate. And the neighborhood has got to be one of the most charming spots in the U.S.. All the houses nestle up to sidewalks lining the canals, and there are little white bridges for crossing. Each house has a little doc and most of them, paddle boats. 

I should be a history teacher! 
Shorts: Vintage Calvin Klein (Similar)
Shirt: Vintage Gitman Bros for Nordstom: Available Here (sold out)
Necklace: Vintage (Also super rad)
Belt: Thrifted
Bag: Vintage Coach

21 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, what an incredible history! So cool that you were able to explore the area! I'm head over heels for your vintage shorts and necklace!

    Xo, Hannah

    sweetsweetnoir.net

    ReplyDelete
  2. beautiful as always. lusting after that necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Venice in California...very interesting! Very cute looking, though I have to say that the real Venice beats it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm jealous of any city with water, why Brussels decided to just throw their pretty river underground still is a mystery to me (actually it smelled really badly and because the sewers didn't exist in that time yet, that was the best option). But seeing from your photo's neighborhoods with houses right next to the water always have such a lovely charm. Loving your boots and the pretty necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gosh.. who doesn't love waterfront property? I know I do.. super gorgeous... speaking of gorgeous, this outfit.. slammin girlfriend... LOVE the turquoise!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful photos, Ashley!

    Love, Amy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I need to make a trip down there ASAP! Love the photos, but that's nothing new ;)

    Mili from call me, Maeby

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is so interesting! I love the little history lesson you gave. Also, you look super fabulous. That necklace is like the perfect pop against the black top - so glam!

    xoxo,
    Laura
    http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. The area where the canal dead ends into Venice Blvd still looks like a west nile-trash-heap-swamp! Haha! It is nice to walk down along the canals though...picking out your favorite house and pretending like you can afford it.

    Your necklace is AMAZING!

    http://fieryfinish.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thoooose boots.
    http://halielandry.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. You would be a very stylish history teacher :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the canals, always spend all my time in Venice, when I'm in LA, Venice Italy it is not, it stands alone. Your outfit is perfection, great belt!!
    Simona
    www.lakenmoon.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. necklace: also super rad. yes and then some, it's all kinds of amazing! give me a little shot of turquoise all day every day. love how the turquoise adds a little pop to your outfit and that picture of you in front of the flamingoes is gorgeous. oh what i wouldn't give for a little slice of that prime venice real estate!

    abigail
    www.farandwildjewelry.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi!
    I'm followin' you on GFC :)

    Would you like to follow each other?
    Let me kwown!

    xoxo,
    Bea

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ha! I wish my history teacher had been as cool as you!
    You look amazing, as always.

    www.monadot.net

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful photos, as usual! For a second I thought you were in Italy, but then I realized this looks a little different ;) I don't know if Venice, Ca. is that cool, but you make it look and sound like that! Awesome!


    xoxo Iris
    A DASH OF FASH

    ReplyDelete
  17. You should definitely be a history teacher!! You'd be great to look at (and I mean that in a stylish/fashion sense, not just creepy/sleazy way:D) and you're fun. I was never a big fan of history, but I think that's because I didn't have teachers like you...:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. GIMME THAT NECKLACE! Omg you look amazing...let's take a trip to these canals for SURE! Also when can I sign up for your history courses?! ;)

    We need a swim sesh for SURE.

    xoxo Britt

    ReplyDelete
  19. Stumbled upon your blog and LOVE this outfit!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to spill your guts! However, please keep those guts nice and constructive.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...