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Ananda
Categories: Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Shopping Fashion Accessories Women's Clothing, Accessories [Edit]
1356 Abbot Kinney BlvdVenice, CA 90291
Neighborhood: Venice
(310) 399-4186
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 7 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Soma Intimates is about supreme comfort, high quality and flattering fit. Our bras, panties, sleepwear and relaxation wear are made with soft, luxurious… read more »
24 reviews for Ananda
Review Highlights
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"Great gifts from clothing to books to jewelry." In 3 reviews -
"...well in places like Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie." In 3 reviews -
"...that work there are always friendly and they have great..." In 3 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Tai F.
11/10/2010 2 Check-ins Here
While all of the shops on Abbot Kinney are crazy cute this one is my favorite!!!
I kept touching everything and shrieking with excitement!! It is such an incredible store. If I had more money I would have probably spent it all. As it was I managed to contain myself to a graffiti book for my brother's Christmas present and some incense matches (also for my brother).
Some notable stand outs:
Molly M design jewelry
Butterfly wing jewelry (sad but cool)
Treehouse coffee books
PREETTTYY coasters
Unique clothes
Sturdy Wallets
Peace Signs!
everything...
I'm telling you, of all the Venice stores this one is the most amazing! I can't wait to save up more money for another trip. Maybe this time I will buy a present for myself. -
Review from Wendy R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/1/2012
The accessories here are adorable. They have some very unique and stylish pieces of jewelry and clothing. Even the art on the walls is worth checking out.
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Review from chemmy d.
Berkeley, CA
1/20/2012
Refuse to outgrow whimsy. Ananda has colorful pants for people who are not contrarian middle-schoolers, fake encyclopedias about giraffes for those of us who have jobs but secretly wonder what acid would be like, tasteful coffee-table books about graffiti because you prefer Banksy to Buckingham, and delicate squid-charm jewelry for your inner gay Jacques Cousteau. You will find a present for your weird friend here. And your cool friend. And yourself.
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Review from Jen R.
2/24/2011
During my first couple of months in Los Angeles, my boyfriend brought me down to Abbot Kinney to check out all the shops (and so he could get some decent coffee). Knowing I love handbags, we stopped into Ananda after noticing their interesting window display.
Nice, attentive sales people. Good clothing selection, though as a taller woman I felt a bit left out. Anybody under 5'7" would be able to walk out with a bulging shopping bag full of tops, skirts, dresses, pants, etc. Helps to be on the thinner end of the scale, too, I think.
Liked their jewelry and gift items. LOVED the bags. I don't even really miss that fifty bucks now that I have space to toss my wallet, keys, Chapstik and cell phone. -
Review from Marion Z.
9/14/2011
Delightful trinkets and accessories at affordable prices. There are a bevy of shops with things that tempt me all down this street, but I never feel bad about unloading my wallet here, because I can get so much fun amazing stuff that makes me feel beautiful. A great place to treat yourself after a crummy day, or just because!
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Review from Eva V.
3/11/2009
Whenever I'm walking along Abbott Kinney, I always make a point to pop in to Ananda to see the cute stuff they got, and they've got cute stuff in spades! I totally agree with Lotus L. who said it reminded her of a cheaper, friendlier Urban Outfitters, and I'd also like to add "less pretentious" to that list. I'd never bought anything here for myself before last weekend when it happened to be my lucky day and there were two cute tops that called to me. My friend who came with me got a super bargain on a snazzy yellow top and matching scarf. Also, while the salespeople aren't bubbling with enthusiasm most of the time, when you get them going they do turn out to be pretty nice people.
This place is great for gifts too, particularly for women who are into a bohemian, kitschy, funky, cute kind of style. -
Review from Christine L.
Studio City, CA
7/2/2008
I wandered into this store when I was killing time, and I was absolutely not going to purchase anything due to a recent spending spree. But then I saw this black skirt that looked like I could dress it up for an evening out or pair it with sandals and a tank top for a more casual day thing. And since I was trying on the skirt, I needed to try on a top because the one I had on wouldn't look right with it, so I grabbed this Kelly green drape-y thing. I tried on the outfit, loved it, and justified the purchase by telling myself it was just what I needed if some "hip cocktails" type event arose. (The justification sounded silly even to me.) Strangely enough, I got a last minute invite to a hip cocktails event the next night. Clothing karma? Maybe.
Also, I bought a wallet (I needed one!), but I still walked out of the store spending less than $100 total. My only qualm: the skirt doesn't seem like the most well-made product ever. But it will definitely work for a season or two. -
Review from Paula G.
Los Angeles, CA
8/9/2009
So, being the wonderful animal lover I am, I am currently fostering two cats that I have to take a weekly trek from Eagle Rock to Venice so that they will be shown and some wonderful passerby will fall in love with them and decide to give them a permanent home.
On one pilgrimage to get these two lovely kitties adopted, I drag my mother with me because I really don't want to spend four hours along Main Street and Abbot Kinney all my lonesome and I don't have that much music on my mp3 player. My mother has never been to Venice Beach and she was really intrigued by all the locally owned shops and the different shops. However, her first reaction was "these places are / look so expensive!"
That is until, we hit Ananda. She was immediately drawn to a loose white tank/tunic top that she thought would look great on me. The top was $24, which, by comparison to the other place we passed by was ridiculously inexpensive. The quality of the soft cotton was really nice and could honestly go well with every bottom I have. The clothing would do really well in places like Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie. They carry local made brands like LAMade and Piko 1988, which I am always happy to see. Prices range from $20 to $70, even within the sale rack.
There's lots of accessories as well. My mother found a pair of ballet flats with ankle straps for about $50. Not bad for a really nice genuine leather shoe. There's definitely plenty of accessories, books and gifts of the vintage, beach and bohemian vibe. You can definitely find something nice for as little as $5 (think incense, trinkets or candles).
One thing that draws me away from some privately owned places is the people who work there are most often the owners and you also tend to be the only customer. This usually means, in order to make a sale, the owner or sales assistant will put all its might into "customer service". There are times when it gets to be too much. Like a lot of inner thinking of "Dude, just leave me alone until I ask for you."
Thankfully, Ananda workers will give you a friendly greeting and leave you alone until you really need them for something like a dressing room or a small question about how much is the sale price of a pair of shoes. Never snotty and seem genuine to help.
You will definitely find something nice here, especially if you want to capture that West Los Angeles / Venice Beach vibe, AND at a reasonable price without having to dig so much. Shop and enjoy, my friends. -
Review from Nikki T.
Marina del Rey, CA
1/21/2008
This store has a great vibe, very yogi!
Lots of cute clothes for guys and girls. I'm heading over tomorrow to shop, I'm thinking I need a baby Buddha for my apartment and Ananda is the perfect place to find one!Listed in: Aww, my dirrty lil secret...
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Review from Lotus L.
San Diego, CA
7/28/2008
I really enjoy this shop!
Probably one of my favorite stoes to shop in whenever I'm in Venice and doin the Abbot Kinney thing =)
I've visited on several occasions.
Things I have purchased here include a blouse, jewelry, and Inspiration Cards.
Besides clothing they also offer other items such as books, cd's, and decorative pieces.
It is a "quaint" place that has a nice feeling and not corporate as say....Urban Outfitters? There's a bit more personal feel.
** There is also One thing that I also adore here...They use "Bio Bags" to hold your belongings after you purchase them. BioBag's are "100% compostable and biodegradable! I've never seen these bags used anywhere else (at least so far)
Also when you stroll down Abbot Kinney most other women's boutiques are much much more pricey! This place stands apart and as I said each time I'm on Abbot Kinney I will stop in. -
Review from Josephine A.
Torrance, CA
4/11/2010
Why couldn't I have been born a trust fund baby?!
I spent an afternoon in Venice with dear pals of mine, and we strolled along Abbot Kinney, finding gem after gem after gem. Ananda was one of those many treasures, and gosh, the pain from temptation was unbearable! Ultimately I relented and then bought...........a belt.
Lovely Ananda, with so many goodies that make a girl grin like Chestershire Cat, and offering fashion I can only find yonder on the other side of the Pacific!
I'm bound to return, but with a few Benjamins backin' me up next time. -
Review from Kaitlyn M.
Venice, CA
7/10/2007
This was our first stop on our Abbott Kinney shopping adventure. The place had a very cool vibe. They had a little bit of everything, books on Buddhism, candles, jewelry, and bohemian inspired clothing... very cool. I thought the clothes were very reasonably priced, at least in comparison to most boutiques I have come across. A good store to check out if you are in need of some gift ideas, lots of fun cards and knick knacks.
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Review from Hello K.
Los Angeles, CA
8/20/2007
Cute and quaint store with a bohemian vibe to it. Little odds and ends of things to look at/buy - books, candles, clothing, etc. Very random that there is a barber shop in the back (on the second floor). Overall, a nice little store with definite character.
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Review from B. ..
South Bay
7/9/2007
cute shop for women's clothing.. i want to come back here cuz i love their style.. reminds me of a less expensive "Anthropologie", if you like that style... . although their prices arent THAT inexpensive. you can get cute, eclectic clothing here:)
plus a fun neighborhood to stroll around at. :) -
Review from Adrienne D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/6/2007
Charming little shop on Abbot Kinney with breezy summer tops, Bohemian-ish looks, books on Buddhism, dreamy-smelling candles (mango pineapple!), and a friendly vibe. I'll definitely return to find some cute summer tops to wear on the Venice Boardwalk shopping!
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Review from Katamari D.
Berkeley, CA
11/29/2006
This boutique has cute clothing that's a little out of my budget but I get my hair cut at the salon in back. Veronica is amazing for cutting edge styles and color. She's good at reading her customers and knows when to mullet and when to long layer... She's funny too! I'm not crazy about the ambience but the staff is always friendly and my friends all copy my style...
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Review from Eve S.
6/18/2009
This store is very cool. As a visitor from elsewhere I would say it captures a so-cal/venice vibe without spiraling into total cheese. The t-shirts, jewelry and odds and ends they had seem well selected and well merchandised. They also have some books and CDs. I didn't buy anything because well these are the times we live in.
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Review from Giovanna L.
Venice, CA
6/26/2009
Here is the main reason I shop at Ananda: it is literally, the only clothing store I can afford on Abbot Kinney. On a block peppered with eclectic, high-end and esoteric labels and hip restaurants du jour, Ananda stands out as the funkier, perhaps shabbier younger sister of the bunch. You know, the one who thinks that flip-flops and a jersey wrap dress are the solution to any fashion quandry. I don't exactly mean this as an insult, but let's face it, their stuff isn't as nice, hence their affordability.
Ananda carries a selection of basic tees, jeans and sweaters. They'll always have some cute dresess and jackets on the racks too, plus a selection of menswear and gift items. The selection is very casual and laid back with some fun color choices.
My main issue is not with their aesthetic, but with the quality of the clothing. The very first item I purchased from there was a truly adorable frock that I wore out of the store and onto the dance floor where the seams up the sides of the dress unraveled before my eyes. If the dress hadn't been lined, this could have been a huge embarrassment.
They do have some bargains, but ultimately, you get what you pay for. Fortunately, what Ananda lacks in quality craftsmanship they make up for with a pleasant, always friendly staff. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Venice, CA
4/15/2010
As a stylist on a budget when it comes to shopping for myself, I like this store too, but I would like to point out that Abbott Kinney Blvd is in VENICE, not Santa Monica. Please give credit where credit is due. This Venetian finds this miscommunication offensive to everything that comprises the amazing realm in which she lives. .
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Review from Lilian M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
you know a place is awesome by how long you spend in there. and i just kept finding delight after delight! i went in there to find a birthday gift for a friend, and emerged with multiple items for others, including myself! great deals, original finds, and elisa was so nice and patient. they closed early for july 4th and she didn't hurry me out at all. can't wait to go back! thank you, elisa! :)
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Review from Rocket B.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
12/1/2010
Super fantastic shop. Very nice staff of people who work there. Great for gifts and clothes and stuff. Plus they let my dog shop with me.
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Review from Elizabeth J.
Santa Monica, CA
11/28/2009
I absolutely love this store. I've lived in the Santa Monica area for a few years now and it's the only boutique I've consistently returned to. You can find great, unique pieces here that will not fall apart (other places seem to have cute but cheaply made stuff that doesn't last longer than a few months). I've gotten great shirts and dresses here that are always a fabulous color, have cool patterns or creative beading. And the prices are right-on for what they're selling. The people that work there are always friendly and they have great jewelry, incense, etc. that would make nice gifts. And there's guys clothes upstairs, too.
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Review from Sophie K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2010
Ananda is an affordable, beach casual shop with a friendly staff. It's my favorite wallet-friendly boutique on Abbot Kinney. Nothing here is crazy expensive or designer, yet it all has style and personality. i live around the corner, and this is where I go when I have a date and need something new to make my look pop.
Recent purchases include 2 belts that updated the look of a bunch of my weekend dresses, a chiffony-black and white tunic that is now in constant rotation, a black boho-chic blouse, and a slammin' red patent leather clutch. -
Review from Kevin D.
Felton, CA
1/25/2011
Got my friend an organic cookbook here. Great gifts from clothing to books to jewelry. Great shop in Venice. Will be back to buy gifts for friends!
