Wearing: Fit + Cabled

Dress: Anthro Fit + Cabled

Shirt: Anthro Shine Through

Coat: H+M

Boots: Nicole Miller

Watch: AE

Bag: Nine West

   It's funny how the thing that irritates you most about a person when he's alive becomes the very thing you miss most about him when he's gone. Nathaniel and I were different as night and day. He was street smart, driven and focused. I was driven...I just never quite knew where I was driving to. I spent my childhood annoyed with him for thinking he was always right, for knowing so much about everything. I have to admit he did have just cause to be aggravated at times. The first time I filled my car up with gas after getting my driver's license, I had very carefully squeezed the nozzle up to $18.50 worth of gas and was headed in to pay when Nathaniel glanced at the pump and asked, "Why didn't you put twenty dollars in?"

   "I did", I said, "but I only have a twenty-dollar bill and I wanted to make sure I had enough to cover the tax."

Nathaniel hung his head like he had somehow failed me in the worst way. 

   "Kristina", he spoke with great control, though I could sense he was seconds away from losing it, "the tax is already included in the price." 

   I felt like such a...well, there really aren't words. But, of course, I laughed at myself.  I had always been that girl, the book-smart one whose IQ never quite made up for what was lacking in common sense. 

   I'd like to think I've gained a bit of savoir-faire since then, but the raw truth is that I'm still a little off--head in the clouds--a bit too awkward to actually be cool...but maybe, hopefully...my natural exuberance is the thing you'll miss most about me when I'm gone.

Excerpt from After Nathaniel

Thanks to everyone who's been participating in the Style Me for South Africa contest. I'm gonna keep it open until the 11th hour (which is this Saturday).  I'm excited to try out all the options!  And all the music ideas...I love discovering new artists and you've come through for me in a big way. Have a fabulous week, mah dears.