Three Cool Stores

It's no secret that I like shopping. No, I love shopping. I could honestly be a professional shopper. A really, really good one too. I especially like shopping in new and different stores. While in Arizona, I got to spend an afternoon shopping with my Mom, which is simply the best. We hit up the mall and a few favorite plazas. I now have three new favorite stores. If you're lucky enough to have them in your area, go there. Now. 

World Market. Have you been to one of these beautiful stores? It's like Pier 1 on steroids, but better. They have all types of goods from around the world, jewelery, soaps, candles, furniture, coffee, chocolate, wine, dinnerware, kitchen goods, home decor. Oh, how I wish there was one my area. I think the closest location is in Ohio. I wanted to buy gifts and food and goodies, but they wouldn't fit in my suitcase.

Charming Charlie. Accessory and bling heaven basically sums it up. I have been hearing about this new fashion accessory boutique popping up around town. As soon as I set foot inside the two-story shop in Phoenix, I knew this was my kind of store. Jewelery arranged by style and color. Big rings. A table devoted to cute owl necklaces. Scarves and bags. Earrings. Formal and casual accessories. I looked around, and it was good. Very good. 

Forever 21. I know, I'm officially the last girl on the planet to set foot inside a Forever 21 store. No excuse. But I finally did, and it took going to Arizona to do it, and I loved it. I had no idea. I definitely had a complete misconception of what the store was like. For starters, I could not believe how HUGE it was. The place iterally seemed to go on an on, from one side of the mall to the other. The selection was overwhelming. I've been in a lot of stores, and this one had my head spinning. I wasn't sure what I wanted to look at first.

I did buy the first thing I laid eyes on - this three strand gold necklace with little vintage style medallions. My jaw dropped when I looked at the price, expecting it to be a pretty penny, only to learn it was an affordable $5.99. I thought it was a joke. As I looked around the store, I couldn't get over how reasonably priced most of the items are. Shirts for $14.99. Dresses for $24. I got another necklace for $2.50. I think I may have found my new favorite place to shop. I will need a few hours next time. I'm glad we have one in our area.

I was even more impressed with Forever 21 when I got home and noticed the bottom of my little yellow shopping bag. On the gusset was printed John 3:16. How cool is that? I did some research and I learned that the Biblical quote is a demonstration of the owner's Christian faith. The company's story is detailed in this bloggers post. It's inspiring to see such a popular organization leaving their mark in the world and trying to reach their customers with the Gospel. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."