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Portia
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Hi there Fragrance Family,
I don’t know why but there are hardly any pics of this week. I did as much as ever but seem to have forgotten to take happy snaps. That makes this weeks post much more perfume centric.
I’ve also started watching The Good Wife on Netflix and have been reading Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy. Both have been really enjoyable.
Scent Diary: 9.10 – 15.10.2017
Monday 9:
Jumped out of bed, rushed the dogs around food and walking. Sprayed a load of Penhaligon’s Ostara and smelled fabulous.
Jumped in the car and headed for my lovely girlfriend Sue’s, grabbed Wendy on the way and we had the most marvellous morning tea. I had a jacket made for Sue in India and so she decided to put on a magnificent spread. It was absolutely divine and I ate like a starving person. SO YUMMY!
There were mini crustless sandwiches, buttered fruit cake, fairy cakes and sausage rolls. All hand made from scratch by Sue. We talked about her days as a caterer and career as a teacher. We even had a business idea Drag Queen High Tea Hens Parties! Imagine how fun that would be.
After that I grabbed Anna Maria and we drove up the Blue Mountains to a Perfume Sale, where I bought a few things. Don’t get excited, only the Mona di Orios (Oiro & Carnation from 2006) are destined for me, the rest are Christmas gifts.
While Anna-Maria and I were shopping I asked her if she’d ever been to the Hydro Majestic. OMG! She hadn’t so we decided to pop up there and have a look. Secretly I was gunning for us to have High Tea there. He He he. TWO lavish tea parties in one day. We had the Champagne High Tea and it was stellar. Anna-Maria is the best company and we laughed and chattered the afternoon away. It was excellent fun.
Got home and really wanted to fall into a diabetic coma but Jin had organised to go to Kath and Alice in the evening to fix their electrics, and Kath’s shower screen.
We were so tired after that that there was no energy for dinner, nothing decent open at 10pm and we saw the golden arches. McDonalds it was. Delicious but, you know, awful, but DELICIOUS!
DEAD
Tuesday 10:
So, there was NO WAY I could then write this weeks Trivia Q&A because my mind was mush so up at 5am to start. Though I was still a bit groggy the work got done in time for Scott to arrive bearing coffees.
We went through some boxes and did a big cull for sale. Sorry, there are only available to Australia. There’s a Sale Doc on Aussie Fragrance Network on FB if you are Aussie and something grabs your fancy. Most are used but almost all are back up bottles of fragrances that I’ll probably never use the original bottle up.
Wore some vintage Guerlain Shalimar Parfum to bed and asked myself again why I wear anything else.
Wednesday 11:
I gave Jin a small amount of money for our Anniversary this year and his Christmas present to buy a shitty little run around car. He has been having a marvellous time looking up websites, meeting owners, test driving and genuinely enjoying the whole experience. Every couple of days he has been giving me updates about it and he is wholly invested in finding a bargain but workable car.
I have no recollection of Wednesday day at all. Seriously. I must have been sleepwalking. I know I took the dogs walking because I took a pic of Paris looking so happy as he sits on command.
I also indulged in a fruit salad, banana, apple, watermelon, cantaloup, pomegranate seeds and dates smothered in Greek yoghurt and honey. So freaking delicious and fulfilling.
Thursday 12:
We spent the early morning looking at complete wrecks for Jin’s car obsession. So no new car today. Bloody hell, the things people think are worthy.
My mate Aunty Sonni died. She left the house to friends. It’s in a VERY nice part of Sydney that I always used to tell my Mum I’d live in one day. We went to have a look at purchasing it but once we did the math it was going to make our very comfortable life a tight budget fit. Neither of us want to give up the luxury we currently enjoy so it’s a no. BUMMER!
I did have a fragrant arrival. Something I’ve been Jonesing for a while and it’s getting rare as hens teeth so I finally bit the bullet and bought it. It’s such a bummer because I remember when these babies were being run out and I could have got it for less than half the price I paid. Trust me to wait till now to fall in love. GRRRR! Tom Ford Ombre de Hyacinth.
My day was spent waving some CHANEL Antaeus Pour Homme vintage EdT, what a bloody gorgeous fragrance. Total immersion for the first 20 minutes and then a perfect scent story to dip into over the next few hours at will.
Friday 13:
Jin came home with a car. He had been talking to this guy and wife around the corner from his work. The car was a good price so he and a couple of his car savvy mechanic workmates jumped in the van and went round to see it at dinner time. They went over the car with a fine toothed comb, test drove it and were given the complete history of servicing receipts in a folder. The car is immaculate, looks brand new and drives beautifully. A 2002 Daihatsu, baby blue for nearly half the amount Jin had to spend. So I bought his first year of insurance and he will be getting new number plates.
Look at that happy face. How could you not love this goofy, handsome, sweetheart?
Dentist day! Went to town for a teeth clean. I love my dentist, so handsome and careful.
Today was spent wandering in original Fendi. one of my great perfume loves. There have been a new rush of Fendi to the market but it doesn’t have the size or longevity of the original, I have a few of both and this one is the real deal. Blow the back of your head off, happily.
TinaG’s birthday today and I am in charge of the birthday present shopping from the four of us. WOO HOO! I walked around the whole ground floor of David Jones City Store and finally settled on CHANEL. No 19 Shower Gel and Body Lotion, a mascara and lip gloss. Beautifully boxed and presented by Laura.
It was a huge hit. TinaG was so excited. YAY!!
We had dinner at our favourite Chinese restaurant Liu Rose. It has the same decor from when I was a toddler and used to come with my parents because it was two doors down from my parents jewellery, watchmaking and gift store.
The birthday cake was Bomb Alaska. OMFG! I seriously couldn’t finish my piece. Amazing.
For bedtime I spritzed some Guerlain Mitsouko EdT. Perfect bedtime scent.
Saturday 14:
At the computer most of this morning surrounded in a cloud of Guerlain Champs Elysees EdT. It is so dewy, fresh and elegant. I don’t understand why more people aren’t raving about it.
Had the most fabulous LUSH Rose Jam bubble bath, moisturised with Madonna Truth or Dare Naked lotion and spritzed Bal a Versailles EdT like crazy. I’m a little bit fragrant, Good Night. XX
Sunday 15:
Early morning wake up spritz of Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola.
This morning I was up early to give the house a quick zjush because my mate Evie came over for brunch while daughter Lola had singing lessons nearby. We walked the dogs and grabbed coffees from the local parklands coffee shop, chatting with residents and dogs along the way. I love the village atmosphere of North Parramatta. Then we came home and had a yummy brunch of left over chicken ratatouille chopped small and mixed with mayonnaise, cheese and lettuce on fresh wholegrain bread. Delicious.
Now I’m back at the computer organising blog posts till I get ready for work tonight.
Bubble bath in LUSH Rose Jam and work fragrance courtesy of DIOR Mitzah.
How was your week? What went on? Anything, any little tit bit that you want to share, we love to read it. Jump into the comments below. I can be fragrance related or not, help us get to know you just a little please.
Portia xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
I love Champs Elysees and wore it back in the day, but haven’t worn it in ages. I will have to find some again. How does it compare to the vintage? Thanks for sharing your fun and fabulous week with us!
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Hey Kandice,
I’m not entirely sure how old my current Champs Elysees bottle is but it smells really good to me.
Portia xx
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Portia, I could feel your enjoyment of your week coming off the page! Sounds fantastic and the photos of your friends’ morning tea are just gorgeous. Memories of my Mum and ‘aunties’ and their carefully set tables and homemade, great-tasting treats.
I must put the Hydro on a wish list for the day I finally make it back to Sydney.
And the drag queens’ hens affairs? Please, please do this! And come to Adelaide to do some …
Thanks so much, Portia I really enjoy reading about your and Jin’s weeks.
Have another great one.
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Hey Sue,
Thank you for coming along for the ride.
Excited to have someone else thing the Drag Queen Hight Tea Hens would be fun.
You’re welcome.
Portia xx
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If I could have even half the delish food and desserts you had in a week, my life would be complete.
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Ha Hage,
Our lives do feel pretty good right now. Love having such lavish foodie adventures. We know how lucky we are and are extremely grateful.
Portia xx
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What a fun week you had and I am so envious of all of that glorious food! I spent the entire week in Sisley’s Eau de Campagne which is really satisfying my tomato leaf note obsession…I am more than halfway through the bottle which I acquired through a freebie meet because I have been spraying quite lavishly.
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Hey CM,
Funny you should mention tomato leaf. Have you tried Memory of Kindness by CB I Hate Perfume? Excellent rendition of it.
Portia xx
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No i haven’t but am adding it to my list 🙂
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Portia!! Those Mona Di Orios! Swooooonnn….. I’d love to have a sniff. If they have any left I’d drive up tomorrow!!
What a fab birthday dinner. Thank you so much. The Chanel gift box was definitely a hit, and I’ve been wearing the Chanel No 19 body lotion for the last 2 days. Beautiful. Thank you to everyone & to you for choosing!!
Lots of love
Tina xx
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Hey Tina,
Come over and sniff these babies. Sadly they only had 50ml bottles.
Great night out for your birthday. CHANEL No 19 felt so right for you. Glad you’re loving it.
Portia xx
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Hey P, I’ll bring my MdO Jabu, its in the same style grey wooden box. Fun!
xxxxx Tina G
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It looks like a terrific week, Portia, le grande patchwork of friends, food and fume 🙂 Adore Fendi ❤
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Oh yes Margo, Fendi is very special. So many memories.
Portia xx
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Portia, I love that pic of you and Tina! What wonderful pressies you picked out too.I’m not surprised she’s been enjoying the No.19 shower gel and body lotion. Fabulous.
I tried out Mx. by Eris Parfums this week. Not what I expected – in a good way. Very cuddly yet chic.
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Hey Tara,
Yeah, don’t we look happy? Tina is so beautiful.
Eris stuff is very nice. I wished only for more size sillage and projection but the frags are YUM.
Portia xx
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I enjoy your food pictures. The fruit salad with the yogurt and honey looks scrumptious. Yesterday AnnieA had some perfume pals over to her place for brunch. We had a lovely time eating and and chatting, mostly about perfume. I tried some fragrances from Dusita, which were new to me.
I can relate to your comment about McDonalds being awful but DELICIOUS. When I got home from the brunch, hubby had just eaten McDonalds and was moaning that he didn’t feel well!
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That fruit salad IS delicious. So bloody yum SunnyDay.
Poor husband, is he OK now? I spend the next day and a half regretting my Maccas choice while sitting on the porcelain throne.
Portia xx
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Can I just say how much I enjoyed reading this? You had me laughing and knodding my head a few times. I love the way you write so honest and open. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
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Hey Gerda,
What a lovely thing to write. Glad to have you here as part of the APJ family.
Portia xx
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Sounds like a great week! So glad you got your Ombre de Hyacinth. Actually, I find that knowing a scent was available in recent years for a much lower price helps me resist a purchase today and tell the difference between something I’d like to have and something I really, really want. If, after much “Jonesing”, I’m still willing to pay the higher price …
This week I finally ordered Papillon Perfumes’ Dryad, which I’ve been wanting. I dutifully bought a sample first, weeks ago, and confirmed that I really do love it; then Indigo Perfumery here in the US had an anniversary sale this weekend with 20% off in-stock bottles, and they had Dryad, so I grabbed it! I’ll let my husband give it to me for Christmas, probably. If I can wait that long.
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Hi there OH,
Interesting. Such a good way to look at it. The stocks seemed to be drying up and I have less than a ml in my decant. Time to shop.
YAY! Discount codes are my weakness! 20% is a huge whack off total price. Good job.
Wait for Christmas, the waiting is half the fun.
BTW I love your piece on L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Oeillet Sauvage
Portia x
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Thank you! What I couldn’t post there, but can here, is that I bought Vitriol d’Oeilet for my dear husband for Christmas. He reads my blog sometimes but he won’t see this comment, so no ruining the surprise! I hope he likes it. Pretty sure I will like it on him!
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YAY!! I hope he loves it. what a great scent.
Portia xx
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I haven’t seen Jin look so happy except when he got his dog.
Was a “slumpy” week for me. Procrastination will do that.🙄
Sometimes I spritzed the room with Fresh Cannabis Rose — too much of a bomb to actually wear.
For wearing there was Samsara, Shalimar, and Diptyque Eau de Lavande.
Finally connected with a friend on Saturday for coffee which slid into dinner because we love talking to each other so much. Feeling much better today and ready to start my project.
I always love to read your Scent Diaries. So much enthusiasm and you have a real zest for life (and food). The only things I eat at McDonalds are egg mcmuffins or fries. Which is not to say I don’t eat fast food. 😀
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Hi there Lindaloo,
You know what? I was thinking much the same thing. Jin had an absolute ball finding that car and he was so chuffed with himself for coming in well under budget. Isn’t he the cutest?
I think I have smelled Fresh Cannabis Rose but can’t remember where, or if I liked it. How dope-ish does it smell? I find that weird wet dankness that dope smokers curtains have really unsettling.
Are you Aussie? We now have All Day Breakfast here. You can get your Egg McMuffin 24 hours.
Portia xx
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Cannabis Rose is basically patchouli and rose. While patchouli does remind me of marijuana, it’s because that’s was what high-schoolers (in my day) wore to disguise the smell of pot.
These days you can smell the pot from miles away. I natively thought that we must have a lot of skunks in the neighbourhood until the penny dropped.😀
Now I have to close the windows to avoid a contact high.
Meanwhile, in Canada we also have 24 hours a day breakfast. Happy, happy.
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HA! Yeah, that smell is GAK!
Hooray for 24 hour BREAKFAST!
Portia xx
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What a great week Portia!
The Drag High Tea, omg would be amazing Portia.
Mondays adventure in the Blue Mountains really set me up for a great week too. Kept me in high spirits xxx
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Thank you for being my friend Anna-Maria. we always have a good time and have brilliant adventures. Life would be a lot less wonderful without you in it.
Portia xx
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Can I just say you wear other scents besides vintage Guerlain Shalimar because it’s in limited supply and when it’s gone, it’s gone. So many wonderful vintages…Fendi, Shalimar, Mitsouko. Started off the week not wearing scent because the air was heavy with ash and smoke from the wildfires. Been on edge worrying about friends and their places up that way and worried that the hills to the west of us are in the same tinder dry state. But the firefighters are starting to get a handle on the blazes, the air is starting to clear and I needed to head into The City, so I put on some Bottega Veneta yesterday and repeated the same today. Jin looks so happy with his car! Wishing you happy and safe miles in it. Did they pour liqueur over the top and light the bomb to brown the meringue in front of you?
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Hey Tatiana,
So good to see you.
Oh yes, I wear quite a few vintage parfums. You don’t need to worry about me running out of vintage Shalimar though. I think there are about 50-60ml of it around here.
Those fires have been ghastly. Terrifying. We were evacuated a couple of times at the house we grew up in. So scary.
Bottega Veneta! One of my faves too.
No they didn’t do that. I think the Bomb Alaske is now done with a torch. They put an egg shell on top and that is the flame bit. It may be an Australian safety rule now?
Jin is super happy, thank you.
Portia xx
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Got to try Ostara recently and crikey it’s stunningly rich and fabulous. I managed to get a few “real life” projects off my plate this week which means more time for frags, yay! I’ve got a bunch of aquatic/90’s inspired new releases in for a story, enjoying the flashbacks…
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Hey The Accords:
Clearing the decks of real stuff is excellent. I love that feeling of freedom and the loss of the Sword of Damocles.
Read your article, that Daisy Dream bottle is SO cute.
Portia xx
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One of my hidden talents is recognizing brand logos whether cars, fashion brands, watches and so on. If I am correct, Jin’s car looks Daihatsu. I didn’t even know Daihatsu cars are sold in Australia, too.
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Hey Fazal,
Yeah, Daihatsu it is.
Jin and I were interested too. I think they were here for a while and then pulled out. We have had an influx of Korean cars lately that are proving popular.
Portia xxx
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I loved reading about all the delicious food you had this week. I also love the idea of Drag Queen Tea parties 🙂 I hope the business idea happens!
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Hey Nemo,
Thanks.
Yeah, wouldn’t it be fun to start it. I don’t think it will happen but who knows what tomorrow brings.
Portia xx
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Morning Portia (well it’s night with you now, I know)
Don’t you just have the best times? I must say you have very very lucky lucky friends, if those pressie pics are anything to go by. What a nice haul. My own small haul this week is pale by comparison, a few handbag sprays, mini body lotions and decants. But I look forward to them arriving anyway. That bomb Alaska is something else😍 It has reminded me that I haven’t made a baked Alaska in years. Wishing Jin happy and safe motoring in his new motor. You can be a right pair of babes tootling around town now.
Where I am we’re waiting for hurricane Ophelia to hit, due around midday or so. We’ve got a new house under construction and are worried about that. But we’ll just have to wait and see. People are more important!
Ciao for now.
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Good luck in the hurricane Cassieflower, We all have our fingers crossed and prayers ready.
People are more important.
Actually I’m the lucky one to have so many wonderful people around. Who wouldn’t want to spoil them a little if they could? They are all well and truly worth it.
Portia x
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Hello gorgeous.
Always love to hear of your adventure, scented or unscented and photos or no photos.
I don’t have much to report this week besides quoting Rihanna/Drake: “Work work work work work…”. Boring I know.
On the scented front I’ve been enjoying one of my most recent purchases: Zegna’s Musc Gold. I was very lucky to get a bottle at less than 50% of RRP. I’ve read reviews citing it as super skanky but all I get is a little skank that starts with a boozy, warm saffron and settles down to cozy musc, patch and leather.
Last and definitely not the least…
Happy belated birthday to Miss. TinaG.
BTW… did you finish The Song for Achilles? I love love love that book.
XXX… T
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YAY Tim!
We still haven’t caught up. I am a naughty friend. Mea Culpa
I like some of the Zegna Prive line and 50% off sounds almost the right price for them. Good shopping.
Song of Achilles is a book and I’ve been stuck in my Kindle. Haven’t opened it yet but thanks for the reminder, I’ll read it next.
Portia xx
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As Gerda said, your writing just jumps off the page, it feels so you. I think what I enjoy about these posts is that you make real life seem happy and fun, rather than some of the perfection of Instagram, etc. Even just the ups and downs of buying a car or choosing Maccas. I’m glad you had another great week. And Drag Queen High Teas need to be a thing. xxx
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Hey there Greennote,
Thank you.
My life is pretty good, it would be churlish in the extreme for me to present it other than it is. It’s really nice having this live style journal, reading back is a perfect memory for me.
Wishing you a great week too.
Yeah, I keep thinking about them too.
Portia xx
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