Portia

Oudh Osmanthus (Oud) by Mona di Orio 2011

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 32 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hey there Fragrant Family,

I can’t remember exactly but I think it may have been 2013 and Jin, my BFF Kath and I were in Melbourne for the weekend and we dropped by Peony Melbourne for a sniff and a chat with proprietor Jill. The shop is lovely, loads of choice and there were so many fun things to sniff. We went to the Mona di Orio section because Violette Fumee had just been released and I was dying to get my sniff on it. It was right then that Jin started to get excited, he’d just spritzed Oud (now called Oudh Osmanthus). By far the most expensive in the Mona di Orio stable at that time and way out of his budget, but he was smitten. I heard about Oud quite a bit over the next couple of months.

Oudh Osmanthus (Oud) by Mona di Orio 2011

Oudh Osmanthus Mona di Orio FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Pettigrain, green mandarin, elemi
Heart: Nagarmotha, patchouli, osmanthus
Base: Oud, Atlas cedar, musk, ambergris

So what I did was buy Jin a 10ml decant in a split well in advance of our anniversary thinking it would be an excellent amount to test with, which hadn’t arrived a week out. PANIC! So I ordered him a FB which arrived on the day. PHEW! When the split finally arrived I used it a couple of times and put it aside, where it has sat ever since. I recently found it while cleaning.

How does it smell? The softest, most sueded of ouds, a resinous opening both warm and herbally earthy. The barnyard is not in your face but beyond the line of some trees, they are flowering and have a fruity/white floral scent that could be jasmine and ylang or could be mango and banana. It’s heady and intoxicating stuff yet manages to retain a winsome primness, quite the dichotomy.

The oud smells expensive, and in a market saturated that is saying something. Mona di Orio’s Oud is a cool classiness, a restrained power, an elegant sufficiency but no more. Yet again Mona di Orio creates a fragrance that is less about its name than the notes combining to create a ring efftect. Imagine that you have a large perfect emerald cut cognac diamond and around it the jeweller has cleverly set a mass of tiny yellow topaz: the topaz serves to give the diamond depth and highlight its deep burnished lustre. The whole piece becomes even more beautiful.

Further reading: Olfactoria’s Travels and EauMG
Peony Melbourne has Oud $525/100ml with FREE Australian shipping
Parfum1 has Oudh Osmanthus $395/75ml (Currently $395 is AUD$548)
Surrender To Chance has Oudh Osmanthus samples starting at $6/.5ml

Want to try it? See below.
Portia xx

giveaway TheTruthAboutMummyPhoto Stolen TheTruthAboutMummy

Mona di Orio Oud Giveaway

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 3 winners who will receive:
1 x 2ml Oud by Mona di Orio sample
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me (portia underscore turbo @ yahoo dot com dot au) so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us a Mona di Orio you’d like to try, or one you own and why you love it

Extra Chance?
Tweet: Oud by Mona di Orio GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-4n1  

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 11th October 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Thursday 15th October 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

OVERWHELMED – Help

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 52 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hey Fabulous Fragrant Fanatics,

Recently I was feeling completely overwhelmed. Things had gotten behind because other things had taken priority and I was really feeling the push to get stuff done, and trying to do it on less than enough sleep. This is not a healthy way for me to function and I do know it but because things had to be done I put in the extra and got really crabby. You know that 3 year old inside of us that just can’t wait to come out and have a tantrum? Well, what do you know, out it came.

Anyway, when I’m feeling overwhelmed like that not only do I lash out at those around me but quite often I beat myself up too. They are often joined, I lash out at someone and then beat myself up for being the lowest scum in the universe. You know the familiar sinking feeling? So I thought what could I do to stop myself flowing down that familiar path? Answer. I’ll do a feel good post for the APJ crew that reminds me, and them, that we are not alone. Even though it looks bleak it will all be OK. No one is dead and everything else is fixable or finishable.

OVERWHELMED – Help

Even though it feels bad right now I know that tomorrow will dawn brighter, even if it’s only my attitude that’s changed.

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Though I’m feeling crap right now and have 100 reasons to let it all go to hell if I can just push through to the other side of this current mountain of work, friends, life, relationship, home and environment then I will have a breathing space.

-1

Cutting things into bite sized, doable chunks and working towards a goal is the best way for me to go forward. Also, sometimes a moment to reflect. I’ll go make myself a cup of coffee and concentrate 100% on making coffee, that will let my subconscious do some collating. It doesn’t always work but it does let me unwind a little and often a way forward presents itself to me before the mug is empty.

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The next one is really hard. You have to take everyone else out of the equation except you and your needs. Sometimes you need to say enough and walk away from a situation. Only you can ever know if you are walking away or giving up and what anyone else has to say about it is none of your concern. You may have to tell them this calmly and rationally, then walk away from them till they process.

548831ba25fd04080b0ec6bd7213b12eIf you’ve walked away or if you’ve pushed through the mountain then you’ve earned a breather, a space. It may be only one hour, a pedicure, a moment when you spritz some incredible fragrance on yourself, put on a 3 minute song in your living room, close your eyes and dance like you did when you were younger (you’ll be puffed at the end but exultant). It may be taking 3 minutes out of your day to read APJ, whatever your space or reward is then you need to understand that you are gifting yourself this moment. It’s a pat on the back for doing your best. Drink in the joy of that special thing you do.

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Lastly for this post, and maybe most importantly……

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Just in case you were wondering, I feel 100% better right now. My mind is a bit clearer and I have a rough idea of how I’m going to move forward. Now it’s time to make myself a coffee and really enjoy the process of both making and drinking.

Be well, we love you.
Portia xxx

 

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3 Giveaway WINNER

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

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Post by Portia

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WOW! You really loved this giveaway! I’m so glad and hope to have a few more big ones really soon.

Let’s see who won,
Portia xxx

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3 Giveaway WINNER

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3c

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x SAMPLE PACK
P&H Anywhere in the world

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3

  1. Deliria by L’Artisan
  2. Infini vintage parfum by Caron
  3. Juniper Sling by Penhaligon’s
  4. Muguet de Bois by Coty
  5. Eau Mega by Victor & Rolf
  6. Oro by Roberto Cavalli
  7. White Musk by Montale Manufacturers Sample
  8. Eau Perfumee au the Vert Extreme by BVLGARI Manufacturers Sample
  9. Kai Manufacturers Sample
  10. Musc 25 by Le Labo Manufacturers Sample
  11. Rodin RODIN Olio Lusso Manufacturers Sample
  12. Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle Manufacturers Sample
  13. Liliana by TOCCA Manufacturers Sample
  14. Taste Delicious by Jessica Simpson Manufacturers Sample
  15. Ellen Tracey Manufacturers Sample
  16. Red Roses by Jo Malone Manufacturers Sample
  17. Coco Figue by Comptoir Sud Pacifique Manufacturers Sample
  18. Heir Manufacturers Sample
  19. V by Clive Christian Manufacturers Sample
  20. X by Clive Christian Manufacturers Sample
  21. Shalimar by Guerlain Manufacturers Sample
  22. La Petite Robe Noire EdP by Guerlain Manufacturers Sample
  23. Mad Madam by Juliette Has A Gun Manufacturers Sample
  24. Vohina by Huitieme Art Manufacturers Sample
  25. Unknown Fragrance by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 4th October 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winner was chosen by random.org

Winner Is amberinblunderlandPhoto Stolen amberinblunderland

Teri Singer

The winner will have till Thursday 8th October 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

 

Magnum Iris by Ramón Béjar 2014

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 2 Comments

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Post by Portia

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In December 2014 Jin, Kath and I were in NYC for Thanksgiving, it was so fabulous and fun. We even got to do some Black Friday shopping which was scary and exciting. Kath decided that she wanted to buy shoes on Black Friday from Macy’s, sheesh! Can we talk about D R A M A? That is NOT the way I want my shopping experience to go.

Crew OSSWALD 2014OSSWALD 2014

Josie OSSWALD 2014Josie @ OSSWALD 2014

Anyway, there was a perfume groupies meet up organised at OSSWALD NYC with a bunch of the New Yorkers and Birgit of Olfactoria’s Travels. There I was introduced to the beautiful eponymous line Ramón Béjar. The bottles are even more desirable in real life, heavy and cool to touch. They feel weighted in ceremony when you spritz, these mothers have gravitas in spades.

Magnum Iris by Ramón Béjar 2014

Magnum Iris Ramon Bejar FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Iris, bergamot
Heart: Violet, jasmine, ylang-ylang
Base: Haitian vetiver, sweet notes, musk

Magnum Iris opens cool and wet like the softest and most luxurious facets of iris have been blended with the cool sweet wetness of peony, and a hint of chill mountain air. It doesn’t take long for the iris to warm into rooty earthiness and I think the violet helps the fragrance to hint at leather. Through the heart I am reminded strongly of Prada Infusion d’Iris but not so austere. My nose and skin miss all except a hint of the flowers in the heart and mainly get a lovely byplay between a dry smoky vetiver and classy iris with a hint of yeastiness. Later I get soft, fluffy musks with still a whisper of iris, the blending is seamless and I feel like I’ve been wearing the fragrance that the rich of NYC would wear if they knew about it. So cool, urbane and under the radar luxe.

Magnum Iris urban-scene Unsplash PixabayPhoto Stolen Pixabay

OK, just chatted with Josie at OSSWALD NYC and she tells me that Magnum Iris is the second most popular in the line and that it’s her favourite. That’s high praise from a woman who deals with fragrance every day. I’m not sure Magnum Iris is a very good fit for me, maybe because it’s so elegant and refined, but I have enjoyed wearing it.

Magnum Iris four-women-in-gym-PDIPhoto Stolen PDI

Magnum Iris could easily be the perfect signature scent for work. You are fragrant and it’s really good, just flying under the “PERFUME” radar and becoming part of your own smell but infinitely better. I bet if the high powered gym at lunch crew got a whiff of Magnum Iris the change rooms would smell of it for about 5 years.

Further reading: EauMG
OSSWALD NYC has $295/75ml

Have you tried the line yet? HURRY!
Portia xx

 

SLEEP SPECIAL!

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 2 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hello APJ Family,

Memes are like 10 second songs, once we would listen to a song that told a story and it could help formulate our vision of the world. Nowadays they put 4 minutes worth of fabulous music and clever lyrics into a short paragraph or sentence. Down the bottom is one that really captures my soul.

SLEEP SPECIAL!

Sleep you me FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

Surely this is what we all feel.

Portia xxx

if-i-choose-you-over-sleep

 

Journey Man by Alberto Morillas + Pierre Negrin for Amouage 2014

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 8 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hi there Frag Family,

There is no secret how much I admire Christopher Chong his curatorship of Amouage and think him excellent company. So when I first tried Journey Man, with its spectacular box and signature Amouage man bottle in ruby and gold I was saddened by my lack of instant and all moving lust. Expectation is a funny thing, sometimes I hype stuff in my head so much that they can never live up to the dream. It’s a bit of a killer actually so I thought it a good idea to grab a sample from my mate Nick at Libertine Parfumerie recently so I could revisit the fragrance with less expectation….

Journey Man by Amouage 2014

Journey Man by Alberto Morillas + Pierre Negrin

Journey Man Amouage FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Sichuan pepper, Bergamot, Cardamom, Neroli
Heart: Juniper berry, Frankincense, Geraniol, Tobacco leaf
Base: Tonka bean, Cypriol oil, Leather, Ambrox

Journey Man smells quite like a lot of other niche offerings for men, a hark back to the woodsy tobacco and smoke fragrances so popular for men in the designer genre. If GUCCI hadn’t forgotten how to make perfumes this could easily have been in their line-up and it sometimes through its life smells like it should have come from Tom Ford. I know we try to shy away from sexual mandate here at APJ but Journey Man really feels rugged, rough and ready yet smooth and cozy. Through the sharp and bitey pepper which tickles my throat just like it does in food, the tobacco that has a faintly green resinous quality and the brand new leather and woodsy burn the whole fragrance feels calm and unruffled. I can imagine a thousand would be lumberjack hipsters showering, trimming and combing their beards, moisturising, gelling, clear mascara-ing and spritzing from this uber glam bottle before dressing in their office attire in their walk through robes.

journey-man-amouage hipster pipe Unsplash PixabayPhoto Stolen Pixabay

By the time these imaginary hip gents made their way to work they would be a softly focused spicy tobacco that fades to lightly salted leather/woods throughout the day. By the time they hit the gym after work there will be a barely there, mixed with their own manly odours, whisper of the woodchoppers life left to entice the gentlemen gym junkies. Tired, pumped and freshly showered they would emerge like lumberjack butterflies from the gym to hang loudly and obnoxiously with a jar of beer at their local cruise and booze joint, eyeing each other off and making coded conversation till someone takes their physical fancy.

First line from intended? “You smell amazing!”

Below is my buddy Darren, he is EXACTLY what I’m talking about when I think of Journey Man. Darren is recently 100 days clean and his Instagram @bobbydazzler_ has photos and videos of him showing his joy at being clean and his abhorrence of wearing clothes. I swear 99% of the shots are him either standing or dancing in his jocks. Pretty freaking hot actually, go see.

Darren Anthony @bobbydazzler_

What I’m left withof Journey Man next morning is a faded something, still woodsy and a little resinous. Very nice to wake up to. MMMMMMM

Further reading: What Men Should Smell Like and Non Blonde
Libertine Parfumerie has $445/100ml with FREE Australian Postage
LuckyScent has $345/100ml
Surrender To Chance have samples starting t $4/.5ml
Currently US$345 = AUD$495. That’s a saving of around AUD$50!

What is your favourite Amouage?
Portia xx

 

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 59 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hey there Crew,

I loved doing this so much, LET’S DO IT AGAIN!!

There are a bunch of 25 samples & decants that sit here all forlorn, most tested but now in the discard pile. Some of the reasons for being there? Maybe I bought a FB, it had an issue that renders it unwearable, I liked it but have something similar, I have double or triple, I hated it, I LOVED it and completely forgot about it, I’ve moved on. So many reasons, so MANY samples. They are mostly used a bit but they have heaps for testing and trying. I know you’re going to love at least something in this pack.

Most of these samples were purchased, prizes, sent in gift packs or GWP.

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3c

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3

  1. Deliria by L’Artisan
  2. Infini vintage parfum by Caron
  3. Juniper Sling by Penhaligon’s
  4. Muguet de Bois by Coty
  5. Eau Mega by Victor & Rolf
  6. Oro by Roberto Cavalli
  7. White Musk by Montale Manufacturers Sample
  8. Eau Perfumee au the Vert Extreme by BVLGARI Manufacturers Sample
  9. Kai Manufacturers Sample
  10. Musc 25 by Le Labo Manufacturers Sample
  11. Rodin RODIN Olio Lusso Manufacturers Sample
  12. Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle Manufacturers Sample
  13. Liliana by TOCCA Manufacturers Sample
  14. Taste Delicious by Jessica Simpson Manufacturers Sample
  15. Ellen Tracey Manufacturers Sample
  16. Red Roses by Jo Malone Manufacturers Sample
  17. Coco Figue by Comptoir Sud Pacifique Manufacturers Sample
  18. Heir Manufacturers Sample
  19. V by Clive Christian Manufacturers Sample
  20. X by Clive Christian Manufacturers Sample
  21. Shalimar by Guerlain Manufacturers Sample
  22. La Petite Robe Noire EdP by Guerlain Manufacturers Sample
  23. Mad Madam by Juliette Has A Gun Manufacturers Sample
  24. Vohina by Huitieme Art Manufacturers Sample
  25. Unknown Fragrance by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier 

Please help me with another little clear out.
Portia xx

giveaway TheTruthAboutMummyPhoto Stolen TheTruthAboutMummy

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3 Giveaway

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x SAMPLE PACK
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me (portia underscore turbo @ yahoo dot com dot au) so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us what you sampled recently that took your fancy

Extra Chance?
Tweet: SAMPLE PACK #3 GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-4jo  

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 4th October 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Thursday 8th October 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

 

 

CHANEL Two Tone Shoes: Making of Film

/ australianperfumejunkiescom

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Post by Portia

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Hey there APJ,

I love to watch craftsmen. The way they make the impossible for me seem so easy and commonplace. How they are so involved in the creation of their product and the rendering of their craft that there is a kind of graceful flow to every movement. Of course, at CHANEL they employ artisans of the highest calibre and in this 2.2min film it shows. Gorgeous McGorgeous!!

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 2.13.25 pmPhoto Stolen CHANEL

Enjoy,
Portia xx

Making of the CHANEL Two Tone Shoes

Todd Oldham GIVEAWAY WINNERS

/ australianperfumejunkiescom

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Post by Portia

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Super fun vintage draw, thanks Azar. it’s lovely to have you back after your break. we missed you.

Portia xxx

Todd Oldham GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Todd Oldham Todd Oldham FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, mandarin orange, peach
Heart: Jasmine, cinnamon, rose, fruity notes
Base: Musk, sandalwood, patchouli, amber, benzoin

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

Today’s giveaway: There are two prizes.
One US resident winner will receive one extremely cute, 6.5 ml, boxed, vintage Todd Oldham EdP mini.
One NON US winner will receive one 2ml decant spray of Todd Oldham EdP and one 1ml decant of vintage Anne Klein II EdP.

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 1st October 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org

WINNERS dryiconsPhoto Stolen dryicons

In the US:  ElizabethC.

Outside the US:  Pats

The winner will have till Sunday 4th October 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

 

 

Fracas Silkening Body Lotion by Robert Piguet

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 6 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hi there Fragrance Fiends,

One of the ideas we grew up with in the 1980s was the idea of layering. I know it was a push by fragrance manufacturers to sell more product but that doesn’t lessen the fact that it really works. I know if I use a moisturiser that is infused with the fragrance I’m wearing that my fragrance will last longer and often have a richer texture. The added benefit is that my skin is soft and glamorous too, so touching it is an even more pleasurable experience.

Fracas Silkening Body Lotion by Robert Piguet

Fracas Lotion Galaxy PerfumePhoto Stolen Galaxy Perfume

BaseNotes gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, Mandarin, Hyacinth, Green notes
Heart: Tuberose, Jasmine, Orange Flower, Lily of the valley, White iris, Violet, Jonquil, Carnation, Coriander, Peach, Osmanthus, Pink geranium
Base: Musk, Cedar, Moss, Sandalwood, Orris, Vetiver, Tolu balsam

I bought my bottle of Fracas Silkening Body Lotion a while ago online and I have about half left, it was around the $45 then and I have thought of it as a complete bargain. Sadly I can’t see it almost anywhere anymore except a couple of sets or pricey ones on eBay and the Robert Piguet USA site has them too. i think I’ll be stocking up next time I’m in the US.

For those that don’t know Fracas is a tuberose scent that takes all the super sweet, bubble gum bits of the flower and creates a fun and lighthearted blockbuster that will stop traffic.

So what’s so special about Fracas Silkening Body Lotion? Well it’s PINK! Light pink but pink none-the-less. It’s smooth and sinks into your skin in moments leaving it beautifully perfumed. You could wear the moisturiser alone if you wanted to be softly fragrant all day at work, only your really close intimates would really understand why you are particularly attractive today. It also gives Fracas EdT a much longer fragrant life cycle and boosts projection. Tonight at work I had a compliment on my fragrance after we’d been there over 2 hours, usually I find Fracas softens to a very muted scent by then. Clearly I was still pumping out the Fracas well into the second hour and that makes me happy. The photo below is how Fracas makes me feel: young, lithe, lovely and free.

From 32 Cute Little Girl in Pink Dances photos set (uncropped).Photo Stolen Flickr

Robert Piguet USA has $50/195ml
Galaxy Perfume has a 100ml EdT and 195ml Silkening Body Lotion Pack for $198

What do you like to layer in your scent wardrobe? Do you ever mix & match?
Portia xx