Altar'd State has my heart

I first discovered Altar'd State a couple years ago when I was traveling through Portland, Oregon and was wandering around Washington Square Mall to try the Boom Crepes (which was quite a delicious treat!) and turned a corner to behold the most beautiful store I've ever seen in a mall. It felt like a modern princess castle for the girly girl who loves coquette-cottage-core styles and Bridgerton romance. All the details in the store from the chandeliers, custom wooden clothes hangers, to the beautiful stationary-like tags on the clothes were so delightful. And---gasp!---the fitting rooms with individual chandeliers in each stall was exquisite! Despite the long line of girls waiting for the fitting rooms, it was worth the wait to experience the glamour inside! 

Whoever designed this store and concept has my heart and soul in mind!   

But my biggest complaint though is the super expensive price tags for the fast-fashion quality of clothes that reminds me of Forever 21. Luckily though, they have decent clearance sales, so if you are lucky, you may be able to snatch a cute item at F21 prices in the clearance section. 

Here's the current sale items online that is in my cart:

Effie Quilted Collar Jacket (Sale $28.99 from $98!)

Gabriella Embroidered Jacket (Sale $35.99 from $118!)

Mina Floral Barn Jacket (Sale $28.99 from $98!)

Susan Quilted Jacket (Sale $18.99 from $158!)

I love a statement jacket! 

What is the most beautiful store you've been to in a shopping mall?

Forever Forever 21

Looking back into 2025, the saddest fashion moment for me was when F21 closed down. For those who followed me for years on this blog, most of my clothing finds and inspirations came from F21. Going into a massive Forever 21 store with glittery flooring in the mall was the highlight of my college years and early adult life. When COVID hit, I was amazed how fast shipping was with F21 compared to all the other retailers....I mean once I ordered, I received my items in 3-4 days, verses the 10-15 days of other online clothing retailers. I also loved scrolling through the endless pages of items on their app to catch the latest fashion trend and find unique items that were like works of art because they were inspired by celebrities and runway looks. Of course the best part was the affordable prices for such fun items, and junior sizing was perfect for my petite frame! 

However, there were the bad and the ugly with fast fashion like the horrible environmental impact, the waste, the stories of the condition/treatment of the factory workers....maybe it is for the best they closed down. 

Despite all the controversies and ethical debates, F21 still holds a "happy place/happy memory" for a suburban girl in a lower-middle class family who just wants to look her best and enjoy fashion. 

Even though F21 was meant to be fast fashion, I've collected several pieces that have lasted a decade or more including their jewelry. And I plan to preserve the current pieces that I have to last more decades....thanks to the forever chemicals in them I suppose!

Anyway, to fill the empty void since F21 is gone, I haven't found any equivalent retailer that does it quite right. The closest I can do is to browse ASOS, Francesca’s, and my new obsession with Altar’d State. But their prices are super high compared to F21 for similar quality. To get the price tag like F21, one has to be patient and lucky for the clearance sales, so it is a bit of a bummer. 

Currently eyeing these items...

St. Moritz Pullover (sale $19.88, original price of $74 is crazy)

Park City Embroidered Pullover (sale $15.99, original $68 is crazy) 

Lucy Toile Print Sweatshirt (sale $25, original $50 is crazy)

ASOS DESIGN cropped quilted patchwork jacket in black and white floral (sale $62.99...this price point makes me really miss F21 for similar quality) 

Pieces rose embroidered quilted jacket in cream ($29.70 sale, original $99!)

Any F21 fans out there?

 What is a good alternative site to shop at that is similar to F21?

Most pleasing color combination: dusty blue, black, and walnut

I'm on a high with cute illustrative prints lately. Saw these at Walmart and had to document:

It's the garlic and parsley prints that got me! 

Also, the color scheme of the greyish blue, black and walnut brown is so beautiful! 

Perfect colors for home interior: