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Post by Portia
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Hi All,
You have survived Christmas or you didn’t celebrate. Either way it’s over for another year. Boxing Day is here in Sydney.
So Christmas here was a lovely, laid back affair. We ended up with only ten people at table and it was a perfect size. There was loads of room for everyone and no elbows getting in each others way. Jin & I were up quite late getting the apartment organised and having an event spurred us on to get some things done that had been on the list since we moved in. We both slept like logs and then up bright and early to do finishing touches. Jin also had to get his dessert ready so we could throw them in the oven when we needed to.
Photo Donated Kath Waples
This year we did something new. Every family had to bring a salad, meat and dessert. It was all planned in advance so we had a fabulous selection and everyone had enough. It cut down on prep time for everyone and meant that we all arrived feeling much less stressed than usual. Jin made mango dacquiris to start us off on the right foot and they were particularly potent so by the time we sat to dinner everyone was feeling convivial. There were a selection of sparkling white or moscato with lunch and still or sparkling water, add garlic bread and a serve yourself buffet and you have an idea of how it all went.
Christmas Tree & Presents
In between courses we did presents. My lovely haul included a new wallet, reading light, back armour for my bike jacket, gift cards and LOADS of chocolates!!!
Dessert was extravagant. Jin cooked mini apple pies with cream and Jane, my BFFs sister, created an ice cream cake with 4 layers and that was drizzled with ice magic and sprinkled with berries, we didn’t even bring out the Christmas Cake and there was something else but I didn’t even notice it. With dessert I percolated some coffee and made some Irish breakfrast tea and we sat around chatting and laughing.
Ma & Pa Waples
CHANEL No 5 was the fragrance de jour but to be honest I was so busy organising and eating that it was background hum, it’s completely faded now but I’m thinking that a bath is in order and then I’m craving vintage Mitsouko by Guerlain.
Photo Donated Kath Waples
Boxing Day 2015
Today we are having a sleep in and then going for a swim with the same crew we spent lunch with today. Perfect! It feels like a Liberté by Cacharel kinda day but I’m wavering and think that maybe I’ll wear Skin on Skin by L’Artisan, Teo Cabanel Alahine or V Intense by Piguet.
It’s days like today that remind me how freaking lucky I am in so many ways.
What did you all get up to and what frags did you wear?
Portia xxx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Yes, have had similarly lovely couple of days…did an exotic cous cous Middle Eastern inspired simple thing just my daughter and I yesterday, then glued myself to the start of the Sydney to Hobart today…woo woo hope for the southerly to smack that AMAZING Yankee boat tonight! I love Wild Oats because they support the Aussie equestrian scene too…and have just got back from a totally OTT seafood extravaganza with my sister in Taree tonight. Something extra sweet about Christmas this year and I’m counting my blessings. Have just worn all my tuberose BWFs. But am going to put Mitz on now. My life long perfume miracle. Blessed be….and now for NY eve!
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Sounds like you had a marvellous time Marion. Yes, there does seem to be something special and easy going about this year.
Mitsouko? I wore it last night and it was a perfect fit. SNAP!
Portia xxx
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Hey Portia and Crew!
The desserts sounded divine! Great times! Love the pictures. Kath’s photo of the lighting is so beautiful too.
On Christmas Eve Ellen and Michael provided a fabulous chinese dinner for us with the best hot and sour soup Brad had ever tasted. On Christmas day we gathered the “kids” and headed for our favorite chinese (again) restaurant. More great times! In between the festivities Brad managed to re-tile one of the bathrooms and I wrote several posts.
On Christmas day I wore Ellen’s new White Cattleya. Yummy!
We are all so blessed with wonderful family and friends!!!
Azar xx
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WOW Azar! I’m sorry to jump straight to this but BRAD RE-TILED THE BATHROOM!!!! O M G! That is seriously cool. Good for him.
As for the double Chinese whammy, the friends and family and that you wore White Cattleya! What a fabulous Christmas. You deserve it, gorgeous girl.
Portia XXXX
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Yes, it’s true, Portia!
Brad is very good at tiling and has remodeled or restored several bathrooms over the years. This particular bathroom had a large, very stupidly proportioned and ugly colored formica counter top. The sinks in the counter top were in horrible shape and the plumbing was crap. The sinks came out and the plumbing was repaired. Then, on Christmas Day, quarter inch hardy board (cement board) went in for a surface, the puzzle of the proportion was solved and the tiles were put in place with quick setting thinset/mortar. Today or tomorrow they will be grouted, then the next day the sealer goes down, then sinks go back in and “voila” – a new bathroom. This year’s perfect and much appreciated Christmas present! Second only to the tiler himself!!!
Azar XXXX
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You tell Brad that I think he is a marvel please Azar. I hope you have pictures of the journey and you’ll write a post about it please.
Portia xx
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Crap. Wild Oats has just retired. Mitsouko couldn’t save her!!
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BUM
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Wonderful post, so glad you guys had a fun time. For us, it was our job to bring the Christmas pudding and brandy custard this year. A marvelous time was had by all, even with a surprise slide show by the obnoxious uncle! Christmas and boxing day were drowned in wine and Guerlain L’Instant pour Homme.
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Sounds great Mark. My dad used to be the obnoxious slide show uncle. I sympathise. Thanks for sharing. I’m laughing and wincing.
Guerlain L’Instant pour Homme is a perfect choice.
Portia xx
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I just spent a quiet Christmas at home with my Dear Husband. The Dear Daughter slept over since we had gone out to dinner for Christmas eve. I made baked eggs for breakfast and DD spent the day baking cookies and desserts. We usually have a very non-traditional holiday dinner, so I make whatever the DH requests. This year he asked for stuffing. So I stuffed a pork loin with rye bread, tart apples, prunes and pecans. Yesterday I wore Portrait of A Lady and today I’m wearing Coco EdT.
Hope you have a happy and peaceful new year!
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Tatiana,
That sounds like a heavenly Christmas. MMMMMM the one thing missing from our Christmas was pork.
You also wore two of my most cherished scents, great choices.
Portia xx
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After several days of eating I cannot really think about food but your desserts still sound very appealing 🙂
On Christmas Day we went to dinner at friends’ house. I wore Lancôme Climat and enjoyed it a lot. Now I need to decide which of my favorites I’ll wear for the New Year.
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Climat! I’ll always think of you when I read or hear that name Undina. Yes, we are stuffed again tonight. It’s excessive.
Portia xx
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This was the first year in quite awhile that I had all three of my sons together for Christmas. That by itself was the best gift,add to that Michigan had a warm, green Christmas this year! Stress free driving!!! It was a loud and lively few days of feasting and nerf wars that started when my grandson Xavier was trying to figure out how the gun worked and accidently shot his Uncle Joshua in the back of the head with the foam shell. The look of shock, mingled with the look of “I’m so dead now!” was writtened across his face, than Joshua who had a hugh grin looked at his brother Jacob and said “Shoot him” and the battle commenced!!! It was the grown brothers against the young brothers, throw two large dogs into the mix and you can see the laughter and chaos filled day we had. Dior was my scent of the day.
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What a fabulous day Hazel, LOVE it when the presents become a super fun focus. You make me think I need a nerf gun….
Portia xx
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What fun reading about your lovely day, Portia! And Jin rules the world if he makes individual apple pies! I had a quiet day, wore my latest combo, Sienna Musk from Sonoma Scent Studio with Amouage Lyric Woman sprayed over it. Have you tried Chanel No. 5 Premiere yet? I rubbed on one of those magazine inserts and really liked it. We’ll see whether the real thing is even in the same ball park. Happy New Year!
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Heya Fifi,
You’re right, Jin does rule the world but SHHHH don’t tell him.
Yes, I like Eau Premier but my heart will always belong to the original No 5. It’s a stalwart of my collection.
Portia xx
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