The leopard pump

Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Necklace: Premier (option, option) | Bag: Michael Kors (option) | Top: Express | Watch: Kate Spade | Bracelet: Topshop | Bottoms: American Eagle (option, option) | Shoes: BCBG (non d'orsay option here)

I have a ridiculously big shoe collection. You guys know this. So why is it that I didn't have a plain old pair of leopard pumps? I'm sure you're scrolling through your memories right now to prove me wrong. Let me save you the trouble:

Clockwise from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

The Kate Spade pumps are probably the closest thing I have to the traditional pump I was looking for, but as Gina proves here, there is a difference between leopard and cheetah. I was specifically on the hunt for leopard, and I wanted something with more of an almond toe vs. the round toe that the Kate Spade pump has. Then there are those Alice + Olivia pumps, which would be good - but the bejeweled back and red heel take away from the typical versatility of a leopard pump. You see how hard my life is?

Well, Sabrina saved me. I saw these pumps on her here, and thought they were perfect! Except they didn't have my size. Boooo. But alas, I caught them on her blog again two months later here, and voila! My size appeared, so I quickly ordered them. I was worried about the heel height and that my foot would slip out of the d'orsay, so I also ordered this pair here. Luckily, my decision was pretty easy because the non d'orsay version really pinched my toes in a bad way. The d'orsays felt great, and the heel height felt completely manageable. I took a few fast walks around my wood floored living room, and was very pleased! Yay!!

Source

As far as the rest of my outfit - I did have a little pinspiration. I knew I wanted to wear this red portofino to be in keeping with the "Summer Red" Spotlight theme linkup hosted by Elle and Jacqueline. I just couldn't decide what I wanted to do with it. When I came across this outfit and saw the leopard pumps to finish it off, I knew it would be a perfect way to introduce my new shoes to the world. 

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Tres Chic, Summer Style, Working Girl with Style, Spotlight Weekly Linkup with Elle and Jacqueline, Look What I Got with Sharon and Tara.

READ MORE... "The leopard pump"

Orange + summer booties

Via Instagram

Sunnies: Vince Camuto (option) | Earrings: Nickel and Suede | Necklace: Gifted (option) | Bag: Kate Spade (option, option, option)  | Top: Bellatrix | Bracelets: Express (option), Topshop, Kate Spade (option) | Bottoms: Forever 21 | Booties: Report

Yeah, I caved. I ended up ordering this top in a second pattern (original one seen here.) I had to let it all hang out with this outfit since I tucked it in when I wore the other top. Gina had asked if I had to wear anything underneath it, and the answer is no. There's a snap closure near the neckline that keeps it closed, so this really is the perfect, most non-fussy wrap top.

Booties in the summer may be a bit crazy, but the highs are hovering at 80 degrees this week. Plus I couldn't resist pairing these booties with the top - cobalt and orange just naturally "go" together. (As seen here and here. Oh man, that second post had awful poses. Painful.) I really wish I could find something similar to these boots for you guys because these boots are the epitome of happiness! <3

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: What I Wore Wednesday, Random Wednesday, I Feel Pretty, Whatcha Wearin Wednesday.

READ MORE... "Orange + summer booties"

Loosely Pinspired

Sunnies: Vince Camuto (option) | Necklace: MOD (local boutique) (option) | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (budget option)  | Top: JCrew Factory | Bracelet: JCrew | Dress (worn as a skirt): Banana Republic (option, option) | Sandals: Rebecca Minkoff (budget option, option)

This is one of my favorite maxi dresses, and if you need proof, this is the third time you've seen it on the blog - see the other ways I've worn this here and here. I love that this has more of a straight column fit than an A-line fit like my other maxi dresses/skirts. And the thick stripes are eye catching and crisp - such a fan of wide stripes.

When I was pulling this outfit together, I very loosely based it on this Pinspiration:

Left: Source

That pin of mine is probably my most re-pinned pin ever. I get a notice just about every day that it's been repinned. I've been wanting to recreate it for the longest time, but just never have. I felt like finally doing it today, but wasn't feeling my denim vest with it. Sometimes I feel like the denim vest or the denim jacket is the cliche thing to do with a maxi skirt. Not that there's anything wrong with that - especially since I just rocked my vest plus maxi here. 

Left | Middle

In the spirit of remixing this maxi, I wanted to wear it as a skirt since I've already done a jacket over it, as well as simply wearing it on its own. And a chambray is the next best thing to real denim anyway. Sara's outfit did inspire me to grab my chunky mint necklace, which is something I would not have thought to pair with this dress. I also love the hint of mint peeking out from under my dress. It's great that you can pull little snippets from other's outfits in addition to trying a full on copy. Inspiration is still inspiration, right?

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Tremendous Tuesday, #AllAboutYou, Style Sessions, Erin and Laura for Trend Spin Linkup, and Stylish Tuesday.

READ MORE... "Loosely Pinspired"

Manic Monday: Joe's 'Ali' Pump

A couple of Manic Mondays ago, I recapped you on my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchases. These pumps were on order at the time, so now that I have them in my possession, I thought I'd follow up with my review! Unfortunately, it looks like only black is available online, and in limited sizes at that, but just in case you happen to run into these in real life - you will know how I feel about them.

And the fact is, I love them.

I've heard some people complain that they have a short toe box - and that definitely is the case. I do get a bit of toe cleavage, but it doesn't bother me. They come pretty high up on the ankle, and I was afraid the rubbing would cause blisters throughout the day - I went to work prepared with all my typical shoe aids, but I was pleasantly surprised that the shoes "softened" more and more as the day went on. I didn't have to doctor them or my feet at all! I was also afraid that the heel height would be too tall, but again, my feet were fine - even without ball of foot pads in them. I've been ordering a half size up on narrower shoes, but I was able to order my actual size in these, so I do feel they are true to size in terms of width. So all in all, a very successful Anniversary Sale purchase!

Necklaces: Express, Stella and Dot | Top: Francesca's (option) | Bracelet: Express | Bottoms: Bobeau (40% off!) | Shoes: Joe's 'Ali' Pump

For their maiden voyage, I decided to pair them with these soft pants. If you recall, I have another pair I bought from Express that I have worn here and here. When I wore them the second time, I realized they feel a little bit heavy for the summer and I was looking for another pair, more lightweight. These pants came highly recommended by some fellow fashionistas, including Renata, so I decided to try them out. And, I mean, they're $28 so what did I really have to lose?

I was really happy with these - they do run big, so I sized down. They claim to be high rise, but I didn't feel like they were any higher than my natural waist. Granted, I do feel my body is slightly on the high waisted side… This top was the perfect piece to pair with them, and will be the closest thing to a crop top that you guys will see me in! I'm really digging the sporty chicness of this outfit!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for Mix it Monday, Personal Style Monday, and Rachelle and Cha Cha for #HowISummer.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://morepiecesofme.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Linkup Button" src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k269/clephobuck/clephobuck004/31b52868-3d00-44eb-964d-ad89c59fbb00_zpsae8d8a0c.jpg"/></a>

We'd love to have YOU link-up with us for Manic Monday.

Here are the simple guidelines:

1. Click below to add a link to your recent post. Any topic is fine!

2. Please make sure your post has links back to both More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express.

3. It would be very cool if you followed along with us via the social media platform of your choice (Bloglovin, Pinterest, Twitter etc.), but as long you link back to the hosts it's all good. 

Thanks for linking up!

        

An InLinkz Link-up

READ MORE... "Manic Monday: Joe's 'Ali' Pump"

Random Roundup

Ahhh, Friday - everyone else breathing a sigh of relief today? Well, in the spirit of the Friday Randomosity that I seem to be throwing at you guys lately, I decided to do another round up of outfits that didn't quite make the blog and/or that I ended up tweaking when it came down to actually wearing them. I got a lot of great feedback the last time I did this here, so I promise to make this a recurring theme since it was well received. Like last time, I will only link to the stuff where the exact item is still available.

Vest: JCrew Factory | Top: Express | Shorts: Express | Shoes: Steve Madden

Every time I see this picture, I feel like I should be holding a beer can, standing in the neighborhood and talking to the men on King of the Hill. Haha! And yet, I love everything about this outfit. Camo. Good. Stripes. Good. Leopard. Gooooooood. This was the outfit I wore to car shop in! Oh, speaking of car shopping outfits!

Cardinals Jersey: Jon Jay #19 | Tank: Express | Shorts: JCrew Factory | Bag: Kate Spade | Shoes: Skechers

By the time we decided to get the car, the finance manager was already gone for the day, so we had to come back and sign the paperwork the following morning. We had a Cardinals game to go to a 1pm, so we literally went to buy a car before the game. No big deal.

Necklace: Francesca's | Top: Bellatrix (Nordstrom brand) | Skinnies: 7 for all Mankind | Sandals: Antonio Melani (Dillard's brand)

I love the weather in St. Louis because one day it can be hella humid and in the 90s and the next morning, we wake up to 60 degrees with a high of 78. That's exactly what happened the day I took this wrap top and my Mini Affair out for a spin, so I ditched the skirt for pants. And I don't know about you, but I feel like wedges look best with skinny pants or shorts - I don't like them as much with skirts or dresses. I "forgot" I had these olive wedges, so I decided to take advantage of them color coordinating with my top and wear them since I had pants on.

Necklace: Express | Chambray: JCrew Factory | Dress: Bailey 44 | Sandals: Alex Marie (Dillard's brand)

I love that a chambray can serve as an indoor denim jacket of sorts when you feel like your outfit needs just a little something. This is the same dress you saw me wearing here with my faux daughter aka first cousin once removed.

Glasses: Rough Justice | Scarf: Kate Spade | Dress: Express | Sandals: Isola

This is definitely what you could call my foolproof outfit. Anytime I am running late or feeling uninspired, I just grab one of my striped dresses and throw on a scarf. In the winter, I will layer this over opaque tights and riding boots and top it off with my moto jacket (as seen here.) I highly suggest finding similar dresses to throw on in a pinch. They're like ninja pajamas, I tell ya!

Necklace: Express | Top: Express | Jeans: Express Rerock | Sandals: Sam Edelman

This is a modified version of the date night outfit I shared with you here wearing these amazing and wonderful Sam Edelman sandals. I realized the only other time I've worn this top to work was here, so I decided to switch the shorts for some cuffed jeans that I can wear to work. Yes, this is what I would call a "work" outfit. I'd say I'm pretty lucky for that.

Necklace: My Name Necklace | Top: Ily Couture | Jeans: American Eagle | Sandals: Steve Madden

Another uniform of sorts - my weekend uniform consisting of anything + distressed jeans + leopard slip ons. I need a dressing room like this at home - so perfect for OOTD selfies.

Top: J Crew Factory | Watch: D&G | Jeans: Delia's | Sandals: Sam Edelman (more sizes here)

This is a pretty lazy outfit, not gonna lie. But I always reach for this top when I want something a little bit better than tee. And stripes + a splash of leopard always makes me happy.

Tank: Spurs tee from Academy | Camo leggings: Express | Shoes: Nike

And last but not least is a little workout OOTD. And I was legit working out. I wasn't just wearing fitness wear for everywhere like apparently the entire country does per Gina's reconnaissance. I do love cute workout clothes just as much as I love cute real life clothes, so I had to throw this in for one last random selfie. :)

Hope this roundup was just as entertaining for you all as the first. My posting schedule has been a bit hectic the last couple of weeks because of busy weekends, but I'm looking forward to getting back into my normal routine! Have a great weekend!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE POST:

Linking up for:  Friday's Fab Favorites, Casual Friday, Favorite Fashion Friday, Weekend Wind-down

READ MORE... "Random Roundup"

After the fact

via Instagram

The title of this post is a double entendre of sorts. This was a random outfit I had thrown together one morning-- it wasn't premeditated or pre-photographed for the blog. But I loved it so much that I made the husband properly photograph it when we got home from work at the end of the day since the gym selfie didn't do it justice! You'll also see from my nail art below that this fell around the 4th of July week, so it's definitely a little late. I normally like to post pretty real time, but since we were traveling this past weekend, I didn't get to do my normal weekend photoshoot. So, here you go, a few weeks late!

Sunnies: Tom Ford | Earrings: Nickel & Suede | Necklace: Stella and Dot | Bag: Kate Spade | Top: Express (option, option, option)  | Bracelets: Stella and dot (link, spike) | Bottoms: Express (option) | Shoes: Jeffrey Cambell (option)

This top is one of my all time faves. It's actually a knit, so it's very easy and comfortable to just throw on. It's also perfect to travel with, which is why this baby has left the country with me twice! 

Left | Middle | Right

Since I've paired it with pastels in the past, I loved the idea of pairing it with patriotic primary colors. The silhouette of this outfit makes me feel good, and I'm not kidding when I say this outfit is as easy as jeans and a tee shirt. I'm pretty sure when I ordered this top, it was one of those times when I wasn't even looking for anything in particular, I was just randomly shopping, came across this, and added it to my cart. I love buys like these that end up being wardrobe staples!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Tres Chic, Summer Style, Working Girl with Style, Spotlight Weekly Linkup with Elle and Jacqueline, Look What I Got with Sharon and Tara

READ MORE... "After the fact"