Abbot Kinney in Venice is one of my favorite corners of the city. Trendy and lively, it’s the spot I usually bring visitors first. For months Jeff and I had talked about taking an unplanned stroll down the boulevard, just wandering and soaking up the color and character of the storefronts. We often end up rushing guests to our favorite shops or heading to an event, so we rarely get an hour to simply take in the sights. When ZICO Coconut Water invited me to join their #ZICOHour campaign and asked what I would do with an extra hour, my answer was simple: stop working and start exploring.
ZICO sent along their original coconut water and the pineapple flavor for us to try. Jeff drank half before we finished shooting—he loves his coconut water. Both flavors were tasty and one bottle packs as much potassium as a banana, which is great for days when I’m on the go and hydration is a challenge. With warm weather and a busy schedule of work and wedding prep, having something refreshing on our walk made the morning even better.
If you find yourself on Abbot Kinney, Bountiful is worth a stop. Their shelves are stacked floor to ceiling with colorful cake stands—an incredible sight and a real treat for anyone who loves bold color and design. I couldn’t help imagining how gorgeous a wall like that would look at Studio DIY HQ.
I limited myself to only three photos of The Piece Collective’s storefront, but that yellow façade stopped me in my tracks. I’d happily paint the front of my future house in that shade. Inside the shop there are plenty of delightful finds as well.
These two vibrant walls face each other and felt like a little slice of heaven—especially for Jeff, whose favorite color is blue.
I couldn’t leave Abbot Kinney without stopping at my favorite shop, Urbanic. It’s a paper lover’s dream and I never walk out empty-handed. Their selection always inspires little projects and gifts.
All photos by Jeff Mindell
Outfit details / Romper: Splendid / Shoes: Topshop / Purse: Pinky Otto / Heart Pin: Ban.do / Pouf Pin: Ban.do / Giant Gem Ring: DIY
So tell me—if you had one extra hour in the day, how would you spend it? We all say we need more time, but carving out just one hour to explore, rest, or create can make a difference. I’m glad ZICO encouraged me to take that hour to wander and enjoy a simple morning out.
This post was created in partnership with ZICO Coconut Water. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep creative projects and posts like this possible.