Concerning My Gluttonous Shopping Habits:

Easy Jean, Nylon Tricot Figure Skater Dress in Shiny Peach, 3D Mesh Flower Jumper in White and Denim Circle Skirt in Medium Stone-Washed Indigo, all by American Apparel

When I buy something new (or, as is more often the case, a few new something's) I invariably convince myself that it's the last thing I will buy - the last thing I'll need to buy, in fact - for the rest of the year. For a week, it is the latest and greatest of all my purchases, forsaking all others. But once a weeks grace period has passed, I'm back online, scouring through all of my bookmarked online stores for the next clothing item that will make me feel better about my semi-pathetic life.

Case in point: Last week I bought a sequinned skirt and two ridiculous statement necklaces from ASOS.com. They arrived yesterday; I tried them on in front of my boyfriend and asked for his opinion. Predictably, he pointed out that they are impractical purchases, but all very flattering. So, I dithered about, trying them on in different ensembles, trying to determine how on Earth I was going to integrate them into a wardrobe that is already directionless and in disarray. Now, a mere 24 hours later, I'm on the American Apparel website compiling a want list and reassuring myself that these four items are much more practical than the sequinned skirt and the rose gold collar I bought last week. 

Maybe after I fulfill New Years Resolution #3 - detox, clean and organize my wardrobe and get rid of all the things I own and don't wear - I'll consider buying these four. They actually are quite practical, you know...

xo, CK

Curiouser and Curiouser

This has been a strange but wonderful week. 

There's been a lot of good news, for a start. My boyfriend R and I have been seeing each other (long distance, admittedly) since late last year but finally made things Facebook official this week. And look, I'm not going to lie: I derive such a sick little joy out of going to my profile and seeing the words "In a relationship with [R]" under my name and birth date. But what is it about a changed relationship status that can send every male you've ever made extended eye contact with into an absolute flurry of questioning text messages and accusations? (Particularly, your best and arguably closest friend of three years?)

Them's the brakes, I guess. R's in town for work so, immediately following the fallout, we went into hiding in the little cabin he's staying in on a nearby dam a few towns over to enjoy the absolute peace and quiet. Asides, of course, from the never-ending rain pattering down outside. It's been such a rainy summer but for once, I don't seem to mind much - perfect cuddling weather. I think I probably had the most peaceful, most relaxed night conceivable. I don't actually remember the last time I was so content. Unfortunately though, the sun always comes up. Can't live in a little fantasy world forever. 

On the plus side, I did get back into contact with N, a pen pal of sorts who means more to me and more in my life than most people who live a short drive across town. (N lives in Western Australia.) I'd almost forgotten how easy it is to talk to her, and how happy it makes me when we do. Talking about the past - about my old writing, which she was always the first person to read, and about our shared hatred of pretty much everyone in the world - brought back so many things, most of which I think it was important to remember. 

I was polishing off a feature that I've been writing for Purple Sneakers (which should be published sometime before Monday pending editing and approval) but when I was inevitably smacked upside the head by writer's block, R and I went outside and cuddled on the balcony. (I've been practicing blowing smoke rings without much great success.) 

And talk about this for a milestone: I even let him take pictures of me without makeup on. I don't even remember the last time I let someone take a picture of me without makeup on.  

Here's my happy little playlist for the past week:

• Lay It Down, The Rubens
• The Werewolf You Become, The Holidays
• Giant Song, Funeral Party
• Sleepy Tigers, Her Space Holiday

xo, CK

Oh, hey.

Last year I wrote a couple of sanctimonious reviews mocking big budget movies I saw and hated and these can be found on my good friend Kyle's blog, YouReviewAU (specifically, a review of Red Riding Hood, here, and a review of Monte Carlo, here, although I endorse that you check out the entire site which is predominantly full of meaningful, well-considered reviews of things that are actually good save for my bitchy rants about big budget movies) for those of you who are interested. 

And, in an exciting turn of events, about 24 hours ago I found out that I got a sweet biscuits position as an online contributor for Purple Sneakers (also to be found on Twitter and Facebook). My first review for the site is of the mesmerizing video for Zimbabwe (Flume remix) by New Navy; the times, they are a-changin'.

Thought I'd share the love around. I know for a fact that Kyle has been super supportive of everything I've pursued in the three years that we've been friends, from trying my hand at music (which was a short-lived but no less embarrassing pursuit, to be completely honest with you), to scripts and, now, reviews. 

xo, CK

PS: Just in case you feel like you don't hear from me enough, you can follow me on Twitter, which I update slightly less sporadically than this blog.

Moving Is The Devil's Work

I'm in the middle of the moving process, which is the single greatest torture that can be inflicted on any hoarder. The mature, reasonable approach to moving house would be to calmly and carefully go through my possessions and discern what I actually need to keep, and what's superfluous. Then, throw out anything that I don't actually need or want anymore. Then, arrange my leftover possessions neatly, in an organised manner. 

Fuck that, though. I'm shoving shit in boxes and hiding them around my little flat for Future Cheryl to deal with. I'm trying to be good about blogging and pushing myself to post with something sort of resembling regularity - yes, that's right; I made a New Year's Resolution to blog more - so here's some photos of my new little flat for you to enjoy, or whatever. 

The one awesome thing about the dreaded moving process is discovering all the cool shit I own that's been overshadowed by my floor-drobe for the past year or so. Naturally there were moments during the year where I noticed a particular painting or cushion and thought "God, I'm so cool, look at all this shit I own - that's a fucking cool pillow, and it's fucking mine". But thought processes like that were routinely interrupted by "Wait, where the fuck is my (insert highly useful object destined to be buried under piles of clothing I bought but don't actually wear)?!"  

I'm going to leave you with my Unpacking All My Useless Shit playlist. Hope you're all following through on your Resolutions like I am - be tidier, check; blog more, check, check, check.

xo, CK

• Toxic (Britney Spears cover), 16 Bit
• Kaleidescope, Tiesto ft. Jonsi
• Keen on Boys, The Radio Dept. 
• Midnight City, M83
• Tongue Tied, Grouplove
• Jungle, Emma Louise
• Let Me Go, Oh Mercy