Scent Diary: 18.11- 24.11.2019

/ AustralianPerfumeJunkies

.

Portia

.

Hey there APJ Crew,

This week has sped by and my head is whirling from adventuring. My average daily step rate was well over 10,000! Normally it sits between 5 and 7k. Out doing. So many friends, and I still managed to get a bunch of terrific fragrances on my body and up my nose. Fingers crossed for a down week next week, I’m bushed.

Scent Diary: 18.11- 24.11.2019

Monday 18:

Got up with all good intentions of hitting the pool this morning but the thought of it made me tired. I did some stuff, had a cuppa and went back to bed.

SOTMorning: Jicky by Guerlain. Definitely a calm, centred, breathy precursor to my love Caron Pour Un Homme.

CLEANING DAY! It’s midday. I’m having a cuppa. So far I’ve done three clothes washing loads and packed & run the dishwasher. Dusted the apartment and started the vacuuming but really needed a moment of peace.

Started on TRIVIA Q&A.

More cleaning. Finished the clothes clothes washing, bathroom spotless, kitchen clean.

SOTEvening: Ormonde Jayne Woman. This modern version is pretty, so easy to wear and comfortable.

Anna Maria’s son Rocco had an hour or so to kill in Parramatta so he dropped in. Chatter and laughs ensued.

Made myself a cheese platter for dinner. MMMMMMM

More TRIVIA Q&A. It got to the point where my focus had absolutely left me around 1am. I packed up my shit, spoke to Jin on the phone and went to bed.

SOTBed: Caron Pour Un Homme. Lavender to quell my minds racing and send me to sleep.

Tuesday 19:

Jin got home from work at 7am and woke me with a store bought coffee. OMG! Best wake up ever. Then he jumped into the warm patch of bed I just left and slept within seconds. It’s a definite skill he has.

SOTMorning: Le Bain by JOOP!

Finished writing TRIVIA Q&A and sent it all out.

Did a bunch of Blog organising. Currently I’m a fragrant melange.

Jin went to bed at 1pm.

I did the clippering and had a BUBBLE BATH!

SOTEvening: Amor amor by Cacharel. My Anna Maria fragrance, like the sweetest hug from one of my besties.

We had 87 players tonight. The joint was jumping. So much fun.

Home and I’d hardly done any steps today so I walked the dogs for an hour in the cool. breezy evening. It was lovely. Almost no one else on the streets.

Home.

Computer.

I might have ordered some Hiram Green perfumes. SHHH!

TV. I’m watching GRIMM again on Netflix. From the start.

SOTBed: Mitsouko vintage parfum by Guerlain from my all time favourite canister.

Wednesday 20:

I love it when Jin works nights. I get the TV and bed to myself all night. He comes home at around 7am. We have a chat and he jumps into my warm spot if I’m getting up. I can merrily go about my day.

This morning I fed & walked the dogs then went and did an Aqua class.

SOTDay: The Source by Hermetica. I wasn’t sure that The Sources would get much wear but it is a perfect fit for this cooler summer weather (25C/77F). Can’t wait to try it in the winter too.

Jumped a bus & train to Sydney CBD and had Mexican lunch in Hyde Park. It was sunny but not too hot and we chattered so much and had too much to say so I completely forgot to take photos. Sorry.

I was a bit early so too this pic of the cool colour way in the lobby of her building.

Dropped into the Post Office on the way home and these were waiting for me!

Home.

Jin got up and went to work early today.

I jumped into his cozy warm spot and had an hours nap. Sometimes I completely LOVE my life.

SOTEvening: Granville by DIOR

Work at Greystanes Inn. They’re a great crew and I love Wednesdays.

Home. Feeling lethargic.

Took the dogs for a walk. Beautiful in the warm night with just a hint of cool breeze.

I managed to walk over 10,500 steps in the course of my day. I’m happy if I do 7,000, base line is 5,000 and on the rare days I do less than 5k I feel fairly let down with myself. You know what they say, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

Watched a bit of GRIMM

SOTBed: Issey Miyake L’Eau Bleue d’Issey Pour Homme. I’m feeling hot and sweaty and this is the perfect foil. ICE blue.

Issey Miyake L'Eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme

Thursday 21:

Jin got home at 5am this morning. He tried to be quiet and stuff but he isa generally as quiet as a herd of elephants on a rampage. This morning was no different. I got up and made a cuppa, checked the computer. Spritzed.

SOTMorning: Mohur by Neela Vermeire Creations. It’s a cool summer morning but I know the heat will hit at around 8am so this is a perfect rose with the lot fragrance. Surprisingly, even though it’s rose, spice and resins Mohur can feel remarkably cool.

My mate Jason who owns Becker Minty (the ultra luxe design oriented emporium in Potts Point. Check the website, stuff is amazing) took this shot of Sydney this morning from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. The smoke from the bushfires is definitely back.

Another eerie smoke photo from Kerri Clarke taken in Hyde Park. You can see the Archibald fountain and St Mary’s Cathedral.

BATHTIME! A few drops of Clinique Aromatics Elixir Bath Oil in the bath, the Body Cream on my arms.

SOTDay: Aromatics Elixir by Clinique. I smell utterly divine. How can this department store oldie smell so freaking good? All the spicy, resinous, oriental glamour.

Went to the spare room and slept another couple of hours.

Jin and I went to the Chinese Visa Agency. It was BUSY! We sat there for over two hours but finally got served.

Came home. I had about 40 minutes before catching my bus back to town. Lay down and slept for 25 minutes. 5 minutes to get myself back together and out the door.

SOTEvening: A Quiet Morning by Miller et Bertaux

Met my mate Gareth and had dumplings with him in Chinatown.

Then we walked down to the Sydney Opera House. A brief pit stop in Paspaley Pearls where Gareth was given a champagne.

Tonight we saw a sensational modern symphony. Turangalila-Symphony
From Wikipedia: The Turangalîla-Symphonie is a large-scale piece of orchestral music by Olivier Messiaen. It was written from 1946 to 1948 on a commission by Serge Koussevitzky for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The premiere was in Boston on 2 December 1949, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
I can tell you right now that we both had our minds completely blown. It was utterly engrossing. Sometimes like a broken fair ride, others like a dystopian outer space adventure story. It was pastoral, eerie, dramatic, beautiful, enormous and unsettling. Bits of movies, musicals, even cartoons have used or been inspired by this piece. The symphonic cast on stage was massive too.
I was so into it that I came out of the hall drenched in sweat. That has never happened to me before at the symphony.

On the train ride home it was running through my head. I have been moved.

Got home and Jin was in a frenzy of cake baking. I think he’d used EVERY pot, pan, bowl, spatula and other item in the kitchen. There was shit everywhere. We did a quick clean up and then he got busy on the frosting, marmalade and whipped cream.

I’m beat. It’s 1.30am.

SOTBed: One Direction Our Moment. I freaking LOVE this shit. MMMMMMMM

Friday 22:

Slept right through. Deep and dreamless. Alarm went off at 7.50am and I was rested and ready for action.

BATHTIME!

SOTD: Caravelle Epices by Frapin

Bus & train to town. The fallout fro the bushfires still has Sydney air hazy.

Met Alice at Sir Stamford hotel where we had a High Tea brunch. It was lovely. I booked us in early and we were the only couple there until just before we left. I didn’t eat everything on the tray because of my diabetes but I did give it a red hot go. LOVED IT!

Then Alice and I walked over to the Art Gallery and saw the Japan Supernatural exhibition. Really interesting. Looking at the connection from their early poster prints to todays modern art and the interesting way Japanese art has embraced its history and continually uses their myths, legends and legendary people as art fodder.

We came back to Jin & my place and all collapsed for a couple of hours.

SOTEvening: I Am Trash by Etat Libre d’Orange. I’m seriously loving this beauty.

Then we met the crew at Liu Rose for Chinese dinner. Peking Duck, San Choy Bow, Shred Beef and Lemon Chicken. Then Jin unveiled his dessert masterpiece, Frosted Orange Cake with home made Marmalade in the centre. We left groaning. HEAVEN!

Home and we both crashed immediately.

SOTBed: Kiehl’s Original Musk

Saturday 23:

Slept in till 10.30am. Jin had already gone to work.

SOTDay: So Nude by Costume National

Lazed around the house, computer, TV and did practically zero.

Funniest thing I read online this week. Thanks Ash.

SOTEvening: New Tradition by ETRO. I kept smelling this on myself all night. It’s so far from what I usually wear I kept looking around for who smelled so good.

Jumped a bus & train to town and met my courtesy Aunt Sandra and a couple of mates for dinner and show at an Italian Restaurant in Oxford St Bellocio’s. It was a hoot.

Came home. It was late for me. After 1am.

Damnit! I’m not tired. Going to watch some Netflix.

SOTBed: Tea for Two by L’Artisan. Sweet, smoky, spicy tea and milk. SO GOOD!

Sunday 24:

Slept late.

SOTMorning: Gucci Bloom Acqua di Fiori. Love this salty white floral.

Computer. Responding to comments, FB, stuff and nothing. Bought some Red and Yellow undies for New Years Eve.

Sewed up the Car U Blanket to keep the dogs safe in the back seat of the car.

BATHTIME!

SOTEvening: Tzora by Anat Fritz

Took the dogs to their trainer for the week because Jin and I have a short Tasmania trip organised. They were so happy to be there.

Work was fantastic. It was a little quiet but we had fun.

Home and hung out with Jin for a little before he hit the sack.

GRIMM on Netflix.

SOTBed: Gold Man by Amouage

Also, to my friend and the longest surviving contributor at APJ. Happiest Birthday. I hope you are surrounded by love and warm wishes, that all your good dreams come true and that the new chapter in the new home brings you mostly joy. You are a special, wonderful, crazy-assed, mad woman and I adore you.

 

 

It’s YOUR turn. What’s happening in your world?

Did you do anything Fragrant, Fun, Friends, Family or even had some less than Fabulous news you want to share? Now’s the time, in the comments below.
We love to read what’s happening to YOU.
Portia xx

34 thoughts on “Scent Diary: 18.11- 24.11.2019”

    • It was so nice to hang out with you tonight Anna Maria, I wish I’d taken a photo of your frock too. It was really nice.
      Come over with a list of things you want to smell and we’ll smell them all. With little walks to clear our noses every half hour.
      Portia xx

      Like

      • A fabulous night, as ever. I’m a bit old now for ” yawping” around. Dancing ,singing , thought I was 18. This morning different story, back and legs seized up I could hardly walk. I felt more like 81 not 18 . Nevertheless loved every minute XXXX

        Like

      • You would’t have laughed if you had seen me this morning when I managed to drag my body out of bed after the Rod Stewart concert in Manchester last night. I looked like the Wreck of the bloody Hesperus !!!!!. XXX

        Like

            • You have great taste in music and perfume Matty! I’ve only seen Rod Stewart once in concert, and I was obsessed with his music as a teenager many many years ago. I thought him the sexiest performer ever!
              I also enjoy seeing my favorite performers at a live concert. xx

              Like

                • Isn’t it amazing the age of our favorite performers from our youth, and they still sound amazing!? And they are out there touring putting on incredible shows! I recently saw The Rolling Stones and Bob Seger, and Mick, Keith Richards, and Bob Seger looked and sang as good as ever! They are all in their 70s and still performing strong!
                  Which Guerlain did you wear to the show?
                  I am wearing Vol de Nuit today, one of the Guerlains I’ve always read about and never had the pleasure of smelling until now.

                  Like

                  • I saw the Stones many years ago when Brian Jones was still with them. Yes they are still rolling along.
                    Everyone here seems to know a Guerlain girl, but, wait for it…. big surprise.. Dior J’Adore X probably cos I love Rod. Ha Ha

                    Like

                    • Ooohhh! Dior and not Guerlain! Intriguing choice but most appropriate considering! I adore J’Adore! One of the few bottles I thunked. Very appropriate choice for Rod Stewart Matty! I heartily approve.

                      Like

  3. Jim’s cake!!!! Please pass me the entire thing 🍰🍰🍰
    You have had another busy week and I am inspired by your 10k daily steps.
    I wore Noa all week as I left my bottle at work on my computer. Yesterday and today Hypnotic Poison thanks to Kathleen.

    Like

  4. You had a great week, Portia! OMG! You bought red and yellow undies for NYE! So much fun!
    I spent the week thunking samples, decants and trying to finish full bottles that are being killed by evaporation.
    I have fallen in deep, deep love with the decant of Roja Enslaved that you sent me Portia. I wore it several times this week.
    Such a fantastic perfume!
    My aunt is hosting a baby shower for my youngest sister this afternoon. I hope she and her husband enjoy it. They are expecting twin girls in January. We are looking for a great time today!

    Like

  5. Like Matty, I think I need a lie down after just reading about your week! Mine was dead boring compared to yours. How amazing is that orange cake! I’m surprised the restaurant allowed you to bring it, that would be forbidden here. Some restaurants without a liquor license will allow you to bring your own wine, but no outside food. That symphony hall is gorgeous! Love all the photos. Thank you so much for giving us a weekly peek into your fun life! And huge happy birthday wishes to our dear Val!

    Like

    • Hey TaraC,
      I’ve been eating at this restaurant on and off since I was born. We are still regulars there and almost always have their Bomb Alaska for dessert. If they had of said anything then I would have had a large, loud, embarrassing twelve point turn and nobody wants that. Most restaurants will let you being a cake in for birthdays here though. I’m sure they charged us a little extra for plate-age as they would for corkage.
      Yes, the symphony hall is amazing. Every time I go there I’m awed.
      Portia xx

      Like

  6. Another stellar and fine-smelling week Portia! Safe travels to Tasmania, hope your week is a blast. And high-five on the 10K steps! Double pleasure meeting your goal while walking with your pups. Dog walks are my moving meditation and adds to heart healthy exercise.
    I babysat a friend’s dog this week while she was recovering from knee surgery. A Bernese Mountain dog, so sweet and so stubborn, not going to do anything she doesn’t want to do. So interesting the difference between breeds; my Boxer is high-energy and exurberant, always ready for a good time. The Bernese so low-energy and content to do nothing but laze around on the cool tile floor.
    I am enveloped in a cloud of Guerlain Vol de Nuit thanks to Brigitte. New perfume to me and such a gorgeous classic.
    Happy Thanksgiving week to all those that celebrate the US holiday!

    Like

  8. Wow, a fun filled and busy week for you. Phew, I can’t keep up! And Jin’s cake😍 I’m going over there to kidnap him and will enslave him in my kitchen😂 Well done on your steps. Easy to do your stepping out there with your fine weather. I’m hardly getting any steps in as it’s dark when I leave work and I’m not so totally cray cray that I’ll go out to my walking spot by myself. My only option is when I’m working at night, so I don’t turn into a total sloth. Is that pic of the theatre interior one of the halls in the Opera House? Beautiful. You’re beyond lucky to have that. Living close to a big city has its bonuses. I’m laughing to myself at your buying some yellow undies for NYE. I was out shopping earlier and was looking for some, but nothing in yellow to be found, alas. My week was low keyish, work was good, saw an up to date rework of one of Shakespeare’s plays. It was an absolute riot. So funny. Less funny was when I had to do a quick radio interview early next morning, a quick critique. Was back to bed for another hour afterwards. Got cracking on some present shopping this week. Quite productive. A few bases covered. Wohoo. It was great not having any work this weekend, spent yesterday lazing around and just doing bits n bobs. Watched a really funny film last night. Dirty Grandpa – yeh, he was filthy. I was laughing so much that hubby came downstairs from where he was trying to get an assignment done to see what was so funny. He saw enough to make him watch it today. I left him to it and went shopping. Better get cracking on dinner prep now. Have a good week everybody and big birthday wishes to Val.

    Like

    • Hey Cassieflower,
      Jin is a rare gem indeed. You’re not the first to want to steal him and his amazing cookery abilities away. I would be very sad to lose him.
      Yes, the weather does make doing steps easier. We have almost zero rain in Sydney and no snow. Almost every day is a walking one.
      Yeah, that’s our Opera House, the concert hall. It’s only about an hour and twenty minutes from door to door so very do-able a couple of times a month.
      I couldn’t watch Dirty Grandpa. It was too much, even for me.
      Congratulations on getting so much of you Christmas shopping done already. WOO HOO!
      Portia xx

      Like

  9. It’s always great to see your deco-lighter Mitsouko, which reminds me that yes, yes I do love a beautiful bottle despite my claims that “It’s what’s inside that counts”. (Also, now I want a classy cigarette lighter and I don’t even smoke.)

    The Christmas decorations are up, so I’m looking forward to this evening with all the sparkly lights. Take that, dark November!

    A healthy and active week to all,

    Like

    • Hey AnnieA,
      That is my favourite perfume bottle. there are a few years when I bought EVERY ONE I SAW. Now I have a little collection of Vol de Nuit, Shalimar and Mitsouko ones.
      HA! Yeah, I loved having glam lighters when I smoked.
      Portia xx

      Like

  10. Tell me more about Issey Miyake L’Eau Bleue d’Issey Pour Homme. Cannot make anything out of the reviews online except that it is a green fragrance in a blue bottle. Most important, which other fragrances it smells like or borrows something from…

    Like

Comments are closed.