Hi APJ Family,
Well I do love to eat and today I get to eat my words. I was on a blogging black ban of the Tom Ford fragrances because they cost more than my house and at David Jones, Sydney City they wouldn’t make or give me samples to test. I was like, “You want us to pay $600 for a bottle of your juice and I can’t even get a sample to try at my leisure? Are you FECKING BARKING MAD?” I was in there today though and policy has changed and they make you samples to take away and try, it’s very personal and Joel the SA at Tom Ford could not be lovelier or more helpful. I know he, and the juice, will charm me into penury, beautifully fragrant penury but penury nonetheless. The stench of poverty this season by Tom Ford.

I was out with my girlfriend Alice (Hi Girl!) and we were having a sample and spritz-fest and I told her about the last time I was at the Tom Ford counter and the ensuing debacle and she was all, “Let’s go see then, I’ll sort them out.” Well we get there, problem solve and Alice looks at the aqua bottle for Neroli Portofino and asks if she can have the bottle without the juice. Joel & I look at her as if she’s just laughed at an autistic child and then stolen her doll. “OOoh,” she says, “I love the aqua bottle but the juice just doesn’t do it for me.” Joel kindly made me a review set of the 6 fragrances available for sample at the time. I then used the pipette from Neroli Portofino to swipe my buddy Alice, 10 seconds later there was a soft MOAN from behind us and we turned to see RAPTURE…
Fragrantica gives these featured accords/notes:
Top: Bergamot and mandarin orange
Heart: African orange flower
Base: Amber.
MyPerfumeDiaries gives
Notes: bergamot, lemon, mandarin, lavender, myrtle, rosemary, orange bitter, Egyptian jasmine, neroli, orange blossom water, pittosporum, woody amber accord, ambrette seeds, angelica root.
The bottle is gorgeous, it’s true but the juice is even better. Tom Ford has not pushed any fragrant boundaries here. Neroli Portofino is a fine, fresh, spicy cologne style scent. All citrus and herbs mashed up into a very, VERY expensive smelling and quite fragrant whole. It is a really delicious sparkling version of an old favourite that I would happily part with my hard earned cash for because it lasts for AGES!! Finally a cologne-esque spicy, almost masculine white floral that I can wear and forget because I know that 6-8 hours later I will still smell glorious. What’s not to like here? And Tom Ford does an excellent skincare, bath and body set in the same fragrance meaning you can layer for even longer lasting, deeper and richer results.
I am now putting all sample/decant/online shopping on hold till I have the cash to get this wonderful fragrance. It’s an investment but I want Neroli Portofino to be my shared memory scent of Aussie Spring/Summer 2012 with Guerlain Lys Soleia. One salty, suntan, coconut-ish white flowers, the other green, herbal, amber white flowers. I feel an awesome summer ahead down here.

EayMG does a great review of the 2007 release of Neroli Portofino and MyPerfumeDiaries (which is Aussie BTW) has the new one.
Tom Ford counters everywhere have samples
SurrenderToChance does decants $6/ml
Isn’t it nice when the world changes to the way you want it? Has that happened for you in any way lately? Do tell, I love happy stories, I don’t think there are enough of them shared so here’s your chance in the comments below.
Thanks for dropping in,
Portia xx
PS My mate David C begged me to do some Tom Ford because he is LGBTI family and now I have, and will do so more because I am now able to sample the range.
Hi Portia :*
I really like Neroli Portofino. It’s the only TF Private Blend fragrance I tried. They’re not available in Poland but a friend from the US send me a small sample so I really save it up.
But the scent is great.
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I’m with you Lucasai. Excellent fragrance. Everything I want it to be and more.
I love Tom Ford right now,
Portia xx
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And it’s great for summer. Nice kick of freshness
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So fricken jealous right now ! I have had mixed success at that counter and that cute guy is always the friendliest !!! Tom Ford is my all time crush !
I got given a whole tester bottle of bandit at DJ when I bought another RP frag ! I was after bandit and they no longer stock it so he bribed me into buying another frag and bandit was mine ! Wha ha ha ha haaaar !!
That was a so happy I could bottle it day !! Portia I’m with u , must have N P , the aqua bottle is 2 Die over.
More TF reviews please !
Hey , it’s Friday
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Hey , did she get the empty bottle ?
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Naah, Alice now wants a FULL BOTTLE. Ha Ha Ha
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Wow! Good score on the Bandit!!
There will be more Tom Ford in the very near future Tim. I am really liking his stuff, and Joel is gorgeous, isn’t he?
Portia xx
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Yes ! He is most kind and a cutie! I’m expecting a call from him when noir releases. Tom Ford does great little mini decants in a sexy brown box ! Oh how I covert those. Have u been into DJ s this week ? They have moved frag down stairs ‘ looks good , more spread out! I feel in love with Nuit Etollee by Anick Goutal , they have extended lines and some new luxe brands ! Very excited ! Portia , do u have a David jones card ?
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No I do not have a DJ card, why? My Mum always had one but I have SOOO much clogging up my wallet already. Weren’t you coming up today?
Portia xx
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If I buy this and wear it will my tummy be as flat as the girl in the picture? Oh to be young and cellulite free… Seriously though, I have sniffed this and I do like it which is surprising because it’s not typical for me. It reminds me of something that I can’t put my finger on and I wish I knew what it was. I’m guessing it must be a happy memory if I like the fragrance. I’m on a buying freeze right now so it may be a purchase for next spring. I’m getting ready to break out the winter scents here.
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I love it when the reason I love something is locked away. So I return to the thought again and again, intrigue.
A buying freeze sounds so sensible. Good one Poodle, enjoy bringing your winter frags out. Amber, leather, coffee, spice, vanilla YUMMO
Portia xx
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I still LOVE the bottle – it reminds me of luxurious swimming pools on super hot days! And the fragrance isn’t bad too – OK, I really like it, although notice, I never asked the price, turns out with good reason (!). I put some on the other day (from my extra special sample) only to flick a good couple of mls onto the carpet. I shoulda thrown myself on the floor and rolled in it at that price! 😀
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I would pay to see a display like that. It may even be worth buying you a bottle of Neroli Portofino.
Portia xx
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What a great story and smashing review…If I ever get down to Sydney… we have to go on a smellathon together!
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Bed is made is the spare room for you. We’d love to host you, why don’t you pop over when we get back in late Feb for Mardi Gras. You are absolutely welcome.
Portia xx
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You are so kind…and you know I would if I could.
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Tom Ford is one of “my” brands: I like most of their perfumes. Some of them I like a lot. Is it really that expensive in Australia? Or were you looking at the 200 ml decanter?
I don’t know if you’re a part of the Fragrance Swap group on FB but there are constant TF splits on that group.
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Hey Undina,
Yes the big bottle is $600, but seriously they are pretty pricey in small sizes too.
I am going to Fragrance Swap as soon as I’ve answered everyones notes. Thanks,
Portia xx
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I am so about to test this from a sample I have got my hands on. Can’t wait!
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AHA!! Hold onto your wallet Margeaux. It’s my favourite from the whole Tom Ford line up.
Portia xxxx
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