Portia

.

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 20.4-26.4.2026

Monday

Got up and took the dogs for a wee. Normally on a Monday when I rise, Jin is already up and has taken over the couch. No Jin. I did my Morning Routine: 10 Minutes

• Don’t Touch the Phone
• Avoid Negative Input (TV, Socials, Arguments)
• Drink Water
• Get Sunlight in My Eyes
• Move Body 3 Minutes
• Set One Intention
• One Small Win

Juliette Has A Gun Gentlewoman. This was on the block to be sold but I have re=fallen in love with it. A bright citrus cologne with some sweet, woodsy interest down the back.

Monday is traditionally cleaning day. On the list for ages but I never get to it, pulled a cupboard out next to my bed. Knew it was going to be a bit messy but O M G! I seriously have vacuumed under it every week but there was a whole world under there. GAH! Can’t believe I’ve been sleeping next to such a horror show. It’s clean now.

Hit the Trivia Q&A, did some more cleaning.

Lunch was Vietnamese reheats left over from dinner on the weekend.

Fed and walked the dogs in the beautiful sunshine.

Jin did an overtime shift today. He arrived home and hit the couch. Still not well.

More Trivia Q&A

Amouage Fate Woman. Cool pepper/spice and amber/patchouli over a smoky incense. How did I forget the beauty of it? One of Amouage’s masterpieces.

3.38pm and Trivia finished, printed and sent to the Queens! Excellent.

Normally we would go do Aquarobics tonight but Jin is still under the weather. I had to go do some grocery shopping and visit the Post Office. He asked that I grab him the new McDonald’s Spicy Korean Burger for dinner.

7pm and a very happy but still unwell Jin is already in bed.

Finished the vacuuming.

Dogs fed and walked. Clear night but couldn’t find the moon.

Watched the end of Live Action Disney Aladdin. Then watched a hopelessly schlocky Christmas movie with the actor who played Aladdin, Hotel for the Christmas. Awful! Loved it (again).

Patchouli Leaves by Montale from STC decant. OTT patchouli and some amber bells and whistles.

Tuesday

Gosh! How is it Tuesday already? Up, Morning Routine: 10 Minutes. Gave the dogs a wee. Realized it was sparrows fart and went back to bed for an hour. BLISS!

Up again. Dior Ambre Nuit from my 250ml busted spritzer bottle. So annoying. Have to hold it upside down to get even a few drops. Did it, worth it.

Did a very little bit of house tidying.

Invoicing done for this month. PHEW! Job that I continually procrastinate on. It was my morning intention and I’m finished just shy of midday.
There are 90 emails in my inbox that need responses and actions. I’m going to get them down to 60 tomorrow. Well, that’s the plan. I can’t even look at them today.

Some blogging in advance.

Had sandwiches for lunch and started rewatching John Carter.

Jin came home. He’s feeling better but the coughing lingers. Poor bugger. He stole the couch.

Off for my HOT bubble bath. MMMMM
PLEASE don’t judge my nails. The nail boy took so much off the top of them that they are now whisper thin. So I’m growing out the colour over winter.

Nap time

Tonight’s fragrance choice is the OG Lolita Lempicka in the last of my stalk spray bottles. What a stellar beauty it still is.

Work was fun, a bit quiet.

Home. Computer.

TV watching John Carter movie (again)

Fed and walked the dogs.

Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur. Freaking love this.

Bed. ZZZZzzzzZZZZs

Wednesday

Not quite sure why but last night I slept about an hour, then woke. Watched some TV, read my book, hung around the computer. Walked the dogs around 2.30am because a change of scenery is always good. Tried to sleep a couple of times through this but was still wide awake. Jin got up at 4am. I saw him off to work. Finally went back to bed at 4.30am slept like the dead till 10am. Woke up feeling refreshed and a little discombobulated.

During all this I went to the car and grabbed the box of frags I’d bought from a Sales Doc on FB. Epice Volees for me, Musc Ravageur for Scotty. My eyes were blurry and I had no idea they looked so banged up. I’ll clean them for the real shot.

Morning Routine: 10 Minutes

Guerlain Epices Volees

 

Watered the balcony plants off Jin’s bedroom. It looks so lush out there and ONE last rose for the 25/26 season.

Sat in front of the computer and did basically nothing. Bought some super sale jewellery for the gift box. Faffed. Suddenly it’s nearly midday.

Dealt with some of the emails, YAY down to the 50s. Lots of it was shopping receipts that needed to be printed. DONE! I’m going to hit it again tomorrow and see if I can deal with some more. It would be nice to hit 30 but that may be pushing it.

Jin came home early. This bloody cough has him beat. I made him a Chicken Schnitzel lunch, to get some goodness into him.

He hit the couch and I made my version of his family sick kid tea recipe.

Here’s what goes in the pot:
FRESH:
lemon, ginger, garlic, chilli, arugula, spinach
DRIED:
clove, cinnamon, cracked cardamom pods, bay, parsley, clove, star anise and cracked pepper.
Plus three teabags of choice and two tablespoonfuls of honey.
I start cold and bring it to boil for about 10 minutes. Reheat it through the day for more cups.

Jin had a nap and I hit the bath. While scrolling I saw this magnificent bookshelf.

For work I’ve gone spritz crazy with the last of my second FragranceNet 8ml Lalique Ombre Noir. Looks like the bottle might get opened. THUNK!

Work was fun. Busy too. Lots of laughs.

Home. Dogs fed and walked. Had some light dinner.

Watched Twisters movie with Glen Powell, for the third or fourth time. It’s such an easy watch.

Wee for the dogs.

Teeth.

Wanted something sweet and crunch Yves Rocher Vanille Noir. YUM

Bed. ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ

Thursday

Morning Routine: 10 Minutes

Miller Harris La Fumee Intense from FragranceNet 8ml decant.

Jin is home from work today, but working. He doesn’t look or feel sick but he’s coughing heavily. He has set up shop on the dining table. It’s nice to have him around.

9am and Lisa and I were supposed to be doing our ALS: To the Moon and Back podcast. It wasn’t meant to be. Tomorrow.

Off to lunch with the fabulous Donna Gow! It’s been too long. We had hilarious chats and updates about life, work and travel. Thai food. YUM!

Home. Did daily stuff. Fed and walked dogs. Read my book. Chattered to the unwell, coughing husband.

DIOR Santal Noir

Tonight we had a farewell dinner for our mate Celia. She has bought her retirement villa about three hours drive north of Sydney in Forster Tuncurry. Henrietta’s Chicken in Parramatta. Middle Eastern chicken and so delicious. The sides are amazing too and very affordable. There were 12 of us and it was a hoot. Jin stayed home.

Pravesh, the manager, was talking about how he’s hoping to get Permanent residency. We offered up Dianne as tribute to marry him. She can’t believe her good fortune.

Came home. Jin was sound asleep. Fed and walked the dogs.

Opened my fabulous gifts brought back from Japan by my mate Maria M who had just spent time with my Japanese GF Miharu. Super spoiled.

Guerlain Epices Volees

Bed. Read. ZZ ZZ ZZ

Friday

Morning Routine: 10 Minutes

Niki de Saint Phalle. So gorgeous.

We did our podcast this morning. After it I was a bit at sixes and sevens. Lightly emotional.

Popped to the Post Office. Picked up a parcel.

Came home a did virtually nothing.

Jin got home from work. He’s still not well but needs must.

Back to doing nothing.

Made a meme of this stupid thing I say all the time. It’s been a part of my personal vernacular for decades and I think it was me who added “but you can roll it in glitter” about some lackluster drag queen. The more I live the more poignant it seems to become.

Jin and I watched the footy. Made us a leftovers dinner. Very chill, except for Jin’s coughing.

Paris has started standing up and staring at us to let us know he needs to wee. He’s bloody clever.

Montale Jasmin Full from Surrender to Chance decant. WOW! All the jasmines, nothing but the jasmine.

I know you all don’t care about this but even with a bunch of incomings today we are now below 50! I’m seriously celebrating right now.

Jumped in a bubble bath and finished my MOR Orange Flower and Lavender Shower gel. It made a very satisfying thunk in the recycling bin.

Robert Piguet Alameda, was wanting something sweet and youthful. Hit the spot.

Bed. Read. ZZZZZs

Saturday

Woke up this morning about 15 minutes before the alarm. Could see the sunshine on the vertical blinds. Morning Routine: 10 Minutes. Met a new to the area greyhound and her owner Geoff while giving the dogs a wee. They are both super adorable. Wish I’d grabbed a photo so you could all see.

Wearing a new arrival. Olfactive Studio Flash Back In New York tester bought super cheap on FragranceNet.

ANZAC Day brunch at our local RSL. We expected there to be 2UP and crazy people but it was remarkably civilised. Three hours of food and chatter with a sneaky Mimosa thrown in for good fun. Julie, Mona, Karim and Sam.

Got home. Jin was home from work already and fast asleep on the couch. I fed the dogs and we walked through the cemetery across the road under perfect Magritte skies.  Beautiful and serene.

Had some lovely downtime. Reading and snacking.

Boucheron Jaipur Homme

Jin and I went for dinner and then saw The Prom live show with Caroline O”Connor and Thern Reynolds )who is my long time buddy since we worked doing shows in the clubs) and in the audience was another longtime mate since our teen years Tim Chappell (Oscar award winner for Costumes for Priscilla: Queen of the Desert). Very cool.

Poor Jin is still unwell but like the trooper he took all the drugs and throat lozenges. Kept his coughing to an absolute minimum AND covered his mouth with his very gorgeous Missoni scarf.

Once home he went straight to bed.

I am watching Brendon Routh in Superman Returns.

Neela Vermeire Creations Rahele

Bed. read. Z ZZ ZZZZZZZ

Sunday

Woke up naturally an hour earlier than expected. Took the dogs for a wee. What a sensationally beautiful morning. Morning Routine: 10 Minutes

Little swipe of Guerlain Shalimar extrait. What a perfect way to start Sunday.

Took Jin to the doctor. Fortunately his lungs are clear, it’s all throat cough, no phlegm. Poor bugger is suffering. He bought us coffees! So nice.

Jin went to play golf in the warm sunshine.

My BFF Kath came over and we lunched. Today I did a Portia version of French Toast. It was yum. Yes, that’s a puddle of Maple Syrup. Then we fed and walked the dogs, including her beautiful Smudge Groodle.

 

In the bath. Hot and bubbly. Such a lavish gift of time to myself. One hour of fragrant soaking bliss. This is one of the things that brings me immeasurable joy.

DIOR Vanilla Diorama tonight. Warm and cozy.

We had 45 players tonight! Very happy because it’s a long weekend and usually that means less players. Ersilia won a Chocolate Mousse and Petrina brought a slew of mates! She’s ex Parramatta but moved further west. It was a fun night.

Watched the end of Superman Returns. Brendan Routh is sheer perfection. He even looks doll like. His skin is so perfect and he’s the sweetest Superman we ever had.

For bed I’ve swiped myself liberally with some vintage Worth Je Riviens. It’s so lovely and purrs like a tiger in a bouquet.

 

 

How was your week? What things did you do or see? Did something go right? Maybe something went not so right? How’s your health? Wealth? Fragrant spritzes?
Let me know. I love to read your stories. Every message gets read and responded to.
Portia xx