Start Here, Kitty Kitty
A Welcome Letter
Welcome to Kittenesque, my infinitesimal antechamber of the internet, an adventure playground for the young at heart, free in spirit and curious of mind.
What exactly is ‘kittenesque’?
It’s as simple as it sounds—cute and playful, kitten-like—but you don’t have to be young in years to be kittenesque. It’s genderless and ageless.
It’s a state of mind. Tough and smart. A way of being. Fierce and graceful.
It’s an attitude. Coy and sassy. Vulnerable and irreverent.
It’s a mood. Beguiling and pensive. A look. Innocent and seductive.
Effortlessly stylish and comfortably unique. A captivating presence. Paradoxical. Enchanting but mysterious. Otherwordly.
It’s the kind of love and affection those divine beings that are our dogs and cats inspire… or any furry friend…
Is this about… cats? Or childless cat ladies?
No, but that picture of me with the nameless kitten might give that impression. There’s a great story about that kitten, which I will share in a future post. I like cats, but I am a childfree dog person, myself.
Kittenesque is about curiosity—wanting to know more. I’m one of those people who leaves no stone unturned. Incidentally, my name, Petra, (full name: Petrina) literally means “stone, rock.”
I like to investigate and get to the bottom of things. I want details. “Tell me everything, from beginning to end!” (Anyone who knows me will have heard me say this, or something similar.) Such a trait—my inquisitive nature—has been met with scorn. “Stop asking questions!” I was often told as a child.
OK, curious. But didn’t curiosity kill the cat?
So “they” say. But I’d rather know than not, and I’d rather die curious than ignorant.
In my eternal quest for knowledge, I make sense of the world through writing. I’ll never stop learning, but more than anything, I want to know myself.
Self-knowledge brings the most valuable of qualities: Wisdom.
What should I expect from this newsletter?
Truth be told—expect the unexpected! Real and meaningful stories. Insightful commentaries. Authenticity. Vulnerability. Honesty. Humor.
And how often?
Twice a month, subscribers will receive a new post in one of these categories:
Stories - real and imagined
Thoughts - opinions and perspectives on current affairs. For example, a recent news story motivated me to write An Impromptu Note on Love
Interviews - with people of interest—I know an eclectic few
Aesthetics - fashion, beauty, art—for levity and color
Commentary - modern pop culture
History - broad—could be recent, could be from another century
Big Cats - profiles on fascinating figures—dead or alive
kittens - wise words for young people based on experience
All posts are written by me, some with voiceover. Further down the line, I intend to integrate other mediums such as video, and collaborate with other creatives.
Who is the Author of Kittenesque?
My name is Petra Khashoggi. I am a storyteller and a seeker. I don’t always like what I find—Truth can be harsh—but my thirst for knowledge is unquenchable.
Despite my Greek first name, French middle name (Camille), and Arabic last name, which is of Turkish origin and means “spoon-maker” (kaşıkçı), I am a legit Brit: both my parents are half-British (one’s half-Canadian, the other is half-New Zealand). There isn’t a drop of Greek, French, or Turkish blood in me. I know, it’s complicated.
I had a peculiar start in life, exposed to many unusual situations and extraordinary personalities. People intrigued me beyond their words and appearances. I looked for an explanation or hidden meaning as to why they did what they did or said what they said, what made them use that tone of voice or facial expression, and why others responded—or reacted—in a certain way.
I was born in America (Los Angeles, California), bred in England (London and two all-girls boarding schools in the Shires), and spent a lot of time in European hotspots like the Cote d’Azur and Costa del Sol. One might describe me as a Euro-American Sloane.
Aged five, I started using my mother’s typewriter to copy words from storybooks before making up stories of my own. If someone or something caught my attention or sparked a feeling I didn’t understand, I would write a story to comfort myself and create an alternative reality. I was often left alone in the care of strangers. My own mother, who I saw as The One With All The Power, was a mystery. I didn’t actually see that much of her growing up and hardly knew anything about her until I was a teenager.
I didn’t know who my father was and nobody could explain the Big Secret (I asked those around if they knew anything, but they didn’t.) The only men in my life were my much older brothers whose father I was told to call ‘Uncle’ and a few transient men I was also told to call ‘Uncle’. I shared a last name with my older siblings and their father—my so-called ‘Uncle’—none of which seemed abnormal until I went to boarding school and people started asking me all the questions.
I quickly discovered that my answers bred more questions, to which I had no answers. Amidst my confusion, I had to form a narrative of my own, and to quell my sadness and loneliness, I wrote stories.
After leaving school, I worked as a fashion model for a decade followed by a career change as a contemporary art dealer. I later gained a Masters in Screenwriting and Film Production at the University of Westminster. Shortly after graduating, I moved to New York City where I now live with my husband and our dog, Bugsy.
I wrote an independently published children’s book, and wrote and produced a short film, which won ‘Best Romantic Comedy’ at a New York Film Festival. I have also worked as a freelance copywriter, editor, and journalist for various publications including The Times, The Mail on Sunday, Vogue, Elle, Perspective, and Tatler.
I believe in fairytales, magic, and miracles. I have a deep understanding of the human condition and try to look at everything with childlike wonder. My life experiences have given me the gift of empathy.
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” - Roald Dahl
Congratulations! You have peaked my curiosity and can’t wait for what’s to come.
🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍 love this, and am so excited for what’s to come!