Portia

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Hello Australian Perfume Junkies and friends, Scent Diary is a fantastic memory tool. Looking through some much earlier Scent Diaries over the 2025 Xmas break reminded me how good our life is. It also inspires me to live life as fully as possible so there are things to talk about. This is a win.

Your involvement is key. Hope you enjoy it and will let me know what’s happening in your lives too. What I really loved about original Scent Diary was the interaction with perfumistas around the world, and their interactions with each other. Scent Diary became a friendly conversation hub and it was epic. We can disagree but keep it nice and try not to give or take offense. Right now the world needs a web of friendships and connection more than ever.

Jin and I have made so many friends, near and far, through perfume. So let’s reunite the old and welcome some new friends too.

Scent Diary: 2.3-8.3.2026

Monday

Monday blew past in a complete whirlwind. Woke at 4am so we could get to the 24 hour pork soup shop. We walked past last night and the line was at least 60m long, snaking around the corner. Jin was over the moon that it was nearly empty at 4.15am.

5 am Anna Maria, Johnny, Jin and I were in the car and off to Busan International Airport. We arrived in good time. Checked the baggage in and had some time to faff about inside.

Arrived Singapore Changi Airport. Headed straight for the inter-terminal train to get glimpses of the super grand waterfall, hit the Butterfly Garden and then the Lounge. Jin wanted some very specific foods so he and I ran off to get him fed. We also LOVE to wander airports, even ones we have been to many times. Anna Maria and Johnny were happily ensconced in the Lounge, had showers, ate, relaxed.

After our three hours were up we trotted off to another Lounge. Jin and I tried watching a movie but the place smelled like wee and the film was about people who seemed to hate themselves, and each other. Profoundly depressing, so we skedaddled.

We did hit the perfume Duty Free counters but I wasn’t in the mood for new so I spritzed DIOR J’Adore l’Or on my chest and Tom Ford Bois Pacifique on my arms. They are both VERY me and I enjoyed them immensely.

On to our Singapore to Sydney flight. Very comfortable. Food was good. Toilets clean. We did have a couple of very vocal kids but WHY would you put a child through air travel? They mostly seem to be tortured by it, and then pass on the torture tenfold.

Tuesday

Arrived Sydney. Declared Jin’s various Korean foodstuffs, no problem. Here’s our Welcome Home photo, looking like the living dead.

Johnny and Anna Maria had gone through the Nothing To Declare gate and beat us out and to the train station by 30 minutes. We hit the trains at peak hour. First leg was standing only, very close. Once we got to Central Station and headed against the rush we had plenty of room to Parramatta. Light Rail, a brisk walk and we were home. The dogs were beside themselves. So were we.

Traveling is amazing but coming home is heaven. Had a quick bite, took the dogs for a wee and both of us headed for some ZZZZZZZs.

Up, did all the Trivia printing, some blogging, answering and deleting emails.

Bathtime. Byredo Vetiver shower gel as bubble bath. So luxurious.

In honor of traveling with Anna Maria my return fragrance is Clinique Aromatics Elixir, perfume and body cream. MMMMMMMM. I smell so bloody good.

Faffed around getting little done. My bloody sty still hasn’t gone so I’m not in drag AGAIN tonight. Going to see the eye specialist on Friday. GRRRR

Worked. Full house at Trivia, YAY!

Home. Fed and walked the dogs. Hanging washing, doing another load. I know, does the glamour never end?!? Made myself a cuppa and came here to share. It’s the full moon e3clipse tonight and I got a terrible picture.

DID NOT read even one full page of Persuasion over the holiday. Hoped to have it and at least one other book read. Nope. We were busy. When we did have a moment to rest all I could do was get my FB, Insta and some blogging happening. No complaints.

I made Jin promise we’d do a poolside/beach/do nothing holiday someday soon. He’s not thrilled but we have never done a loafing at the resort week. Sure, we’ve been to resorts but every day has had to be filled with adventure. What I really want is a beach or pool, huge umbrella, a bar with snacks and a few good books.
This takes nothing away from my gratitude for what we normally do. At all. The pace is fueled by both our needs to squeeze every drop from life and experiences. Falling into bed at the end of a jam packed day, sights, cultural events and oddities, food, people, art and nature all call us. It’s just a different sort of adventure, one where we get to seriously shed all the burdens of the world and lie back relaxed.

Anyway, all that to say I’m off to bed to read under the fan because it’s a humid 25°C/77f here at 11pm. Night.

Bedtime spritz of A Drop d’Issey

Wednesday

This morning Jin woke me at 4am. He gave his work truck to his colleague while we were on holidays. I dropped him at the station.

Then I went back to bed and slept till 10am. Hit the snooze button and slept till 10.30am ish. WOW! Must have needed it.

At around 11am felt like I needed something refreshing and zingy. Bulgari Man Wood Neroli got the spritz. This 30ml is 2/3 spent. It was a stocking filler for Jin a couple of years ago but he never wore it. Gave it to me with maybe half a dozen uses. I’m powering through it this summer, hoping to thunk it.

Did some desultory blogging, some commenting and some emails. Wasn’t really getting anything done so decided to feed and walk the dogs. Nothing like a wander to revitalize my energy and focus.

Hit the Post Office, UniQlo to pick up the things I bought to wear on the holiday that arrived after we left, dropped one necklace in for a new clasp and stronger jump ring. Also Jin’s gift from our holiday to have it valued for insurance. Lastly I did a big grocery shop, loads of fruit and veg, some deli meats and cheeses and sundries.

Made Pumpkin and Veg Soup. It simmered a couple of hours. Left it to cool.

For work tonight I put on Calvin Klein Contradiction Woman. Space age, arctic roses and stuff. I love it and was inspired by one of Alityke’s comments online.

Work was fun. Got in a few zingers. I know it was only a week but I really love my job. Part of that is all the fabulous teams we have. Seeing the crews was super fun.

Remembered I have a big gig tomorrow. Got home and re-choreographed the number I’m teaching them. Organised my outfit. It’s going to be a Think Pink kinda day. Sizzling, hot, pink.

I really shouldn’t be wearing makeup with this sty but the money is WAY too good to let that get in the way. So I’m going to suck it up tomorrow and then go see the eye specialist on Friday.

Time for bed and I’m going with a few Sprays of Miller Harris La Fumee Intense from a FragranceNet 8ml decant. Yes, I know my keyboard is disgusting. Soz.

Thursday

Up at sparrow fart this morning to bathe and shave.

Wearing the spectacular Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola 2022.

It was so humid today, getting my makeup on was a disaster. All turned out OK in the end. Sorry, I forgot to take a pic.

Needed something substantial to choreograph baby drag queens in.  It had to be sweet, sweaty and commanding. Olfactive Studio Ombre Indigo. Good choice.

The gig was fantastic. Noelia did seven people’s makeup and I got most of the wigs together. Taught them choreography to Kylie Minogue Padam Padam. The whole office came and watched the final show. It was excellent and they all had a fun time. Me too.

Home.

Spritzed Juliette Has A Gun Gentlewoman for something fresh and lively on a sweaty day.

 

Got my face off and Jin received a message that our mates were going to be at the restaurant 30 minutes early. GRRR! They are always early. I should plan for it. Much better than late.
Dinner was delicious at one of our local Thai restaurants. This photo is a couple of bottles of wine and innumerable beers. We are all very loose.

Everyone else went home so Jin and I wandered languidly in the heat and got ICE CREAM. Jin had strawberry and some choc thing and I got my favourite Rum & Raisin. No, I don’t care what you think. This was what my Mum and I always had. Every little bit is a joyful meander down Memory Lane.

Fed and walked the dogs.

Did a bunch of emailing and a bit of blogging/comment reading and answering.

I had a quick, cool bath.

STILL reading Persuasion. BED.

Friday

Up, showered, dressed, dogs fed and out the door by 9.15am.

Wearing Serge Lutens Poivre Noir. Crisp and dry for an end of summer day.

Eye Hospital, I thought it was going to be a simple rock up, see doctor, get help. NOPE! It was a waiting game. Saw triage nurse, nurse, triage nurse, then had to leave before seeing the doctor. I was there 10am-12.40pm.

Then I caught up with ex Libertine Parfumerie Paige for lunch. It was excellent. She is a font of stories and perfume information. It’s always fun. She gave me some Essential Oils from her new job. I’m yet to get to grips with them but really interesting Aussie stuff. Forgot to take pics.

Al Fresco drinks with mates at The Courthouse Hotel. The bottom pic is Glenn, Adrian, Jill, Miss3D. Miss3D is the queen responsible for giving me my first full time weekly  drag job. She was a Mum to me and I was a handful of a child. Next year will be her 50th anniversary of drag.

Tea at Patrick and Wayne’s

Dinner at Newtown pizza place Bella Bucha with BFFs Kath and Phil. LOADS of catching up to do. Non stop chatter.

Jin picked me up at the station. We watched a little football, chattered about our days, caught up and then Jin went to bed.

Fed and walked the dogs.

I’m rewatching the first for eps of Bridgerton S4 because I’d forgotten. SO enthralling. Stayed up till 3am and suddenly realized.

A few hefty shots of ZARA Vetiver Pamplemousse. Crisp, juicy and green. Goodnight

Bed

Saturday

Up early. Fed and walked the dogs. Had a quick shower and spritzed CHANEL Jersey. MMMMMM. Lavender lollies.

Bus and train to town. Cuppa with a camera shy girlfriend and super excellent browse through our big city bookstore Dymock’s. They had a very bijoux LGBTQIA+ section but we found these rippers.

Then we wandered the shops, looked for a very specific pair of runners and chattered amiably for a few hours.

Met Kerri, Simon and Tina in the gorgeous old Grace Building. It only has a stinky dive bar in it. Weird but the drinks and food were not terrible.

The four of us wandered around to an Indie Perfume Showcase called Scent to the Vault. We had some friends presenting their wares and a few new to us crews. It was so well attended and run. Everyone was impressed with the range of scents available to try. It was also lovely to hang out with perfumista people. Quite a few who have been buddies for up to two decades. Made some new mates too and had a splendid time.

Below is the one purchase I was allowed to make. Arakyal Discovery Set. Bought entirely for Meron. Old school niche: spicy, smoky, amber drizzled over rose. Breath taking, eye rollingly good.

Sadly the photos are a mess but I did my best.

Can we talk about how gorgeous Clayton Ilolahia (from Fragrances of the World) is?!? What a honey.

A small crew hit the noodle/dumpling shop after. DELICIOUS!

Headed home. Jin collected me at the station. We hung for a short while and he hit the hay.

I binged the four Bridgertons left. Satisfying but…

Bed.

Sunday

Was woken abruptly by Jin, like REALLY abruptly. It was a sneak attack. Up and off to the pools for a swim. Very cathartic.

Yum Cha brunch. SO GOOD!

Went to do some low key shopping stuff and wandering, had a cuppa in a Korean style bakery. It was lovely.

Back home. Jin picked a tired old line of argument that is unresolvable between us. Again I did not capitulate to his way of thinking. He is getting better at defending his argument and has obviously thought through some new angles and levers. I did enjoy the cut and thrust more, BUT his premise is flawed (from my perspective) and indefensible.  That took up an enjoyable half hour before he got so overwhelmed he told me to go away so we (meaning he) could cool down. I’m sure he’ll circle back to it some surprising time before the end of the year.

One spritz of Vero Profumo Onda voile d’parfum. SO perfect.

Blogging and came through the living room to make a coffee. Jin was watching a Morgan Freeman narrated Dinosaur series. Stayed and watched three eps. Time slips so quickly. Suddenly it’s 3.30pm.

Back to the computer. Stayed here till dinner.

More blogging till bed. Spritzed a handful of things that will be coming up over the next couple of weeks on Perfume Posse and Undina’s Looking Glass

For bed I spritzed some Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely Noir. SWEET!

 

OK, so how was your week? Do anything? Smell something? Buy, Sell, Borrow?

If you did it then I’d love to read about it.
HUG
Portia xx