Karen Gilbert in Sydney!! September 20 2014

Hey There APJ Crew in Sydney,

One of my mates Karen Gilbert is coming to Sydney in September, so save the date Saturday September 20. I have begged and cajoled her into hosting her 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class here in Sydney. This is the event that Karen runs worldwide and it will be her first ever training day in Australia. A once off, one time only deal with someone who has worked in the fragrance industry for years as a Perfume Evaluator at IFF, then on to working as a perfumer herself and consulting for some of the world’s best known brands. Now Karen is writing, fragrancing, teaching and traveling the world. We are so lucky that she has agreed to host her 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class here in Sydney.

The day will be held upstairs in a wonderful old Sydney hotel that is famous in the area for its delicious food. Lunch will be provided; simple, hearty fare like creamy Italian pasta or Thai beef salad and there will be loads of fresh crusty bread.

The first FIVE people to book will get an autographed copy of  Karen’s latest book Perfume: The Art and Craft of Fragrance. I will be buying these and getting Karen to sign them because I think the day will be splendid and the books will be a wonderful momento.

Just so you all know, I will be receiving no kickback for organising this event and that Karen is doing a very special price because it’s for me. Normally in the UK a day with Karen will cost guests around £200 each (that’s over AUD$350) and having Karen teach a corporate day is beyond my wildest dreams. You can book here 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class<<JUMP. Also, there are a very small amount of guest places for this event because Karen wants to make sure everyone gets as much of her attention as possible.

Can’t wait to spend the day with you getting a better understanding of fragrance and how the industry works. We will have a great time together, promise.
Portia xx

Karen Gilbert Natural Beauty BookDepositoryBookDepository AUD$19 delivered worlwide

Karen Gilbert Art Craft Fragrance BookDepositoryBookDepository AUD$16 delivered worldwide

1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class

I’m so excited to be running this 1 day perfumery class in Sydney Australia!

Do you want to create your own fragrance or just learn more about perfumery?

I have been wanting to run a class for my Aussie readers for ages so when Portia of Australian Perfume Junkies suggested fitting one into my September trip to Sydney I jumped at the chance.

For those of you who have never met me before you can read more about my background HERE

All my classes are very in depth with lots of industry insider tips as well as lots and lots of hands on practical experience. Many students who have done classes with other teachers and are still stuck find that even after the 1 day class it all makes sense and falls into place.  I tend to tailor each day to the experience level of the group so each class is a unique experience. This class is suitable for beginners or more advanced students

Karen Gilbert Perfume

1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class

This introductory workshop in perfumery will give you the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the history of perfumery and then work with a variety of materials to design your own fragrances. You will have plenty of hands on experience in blending and creating your own accords and finished fragrances.  All materials and equipment are provided and no previous experience is necessary. All you need is imagination and a love of perfumery.

Topics Covered In The Class:

  • The History of Perfumery
  • The Sense of Smell and What it Means To Us
  • The Beginners Guide to Training your Nose
  • Classifying Fragrances
  • Top, Middle and Base notes and Why They Are Important
  • Creating Accords
  • Practical Blending Techniques
  • Naturals Vs Synthetics

By The End The Class You Will:

  • Have an understanding of the historical significance of fragrance
  • Have learned about the different ingredients used in perfumery
  • Easily be able to classify aromatic ingredients into the different fragrance families
  • Understand how accords are created
  • Have practised blending top middle and base notes
  • Have created your first fragrance

You can book here 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class<<JUMP

Passion Boisee GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Hi there Juice junkies,

There is something deeply satisfying in having a giveaway that you all get excited about. Thank you everyone for being part of the fun. I am glad that we can work out 4 winners today. YIPPEE! THANKS to LibertineParfumerie, you guys rock my world.

Portia xx

Passion Boisee GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Passion Boisee Frapin FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Tangerine, nutmeg, rum, clove
Heart: Oakmoss, oak
Base: Patchouli, leather, cedar

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 Major Winner who will get:
1 x Passion Boisee 100ml bottle
(minus the Secondary Winners Prizes)
P&H Anywhere in the world

3 x Secondary Winners who will each receive:
1 x 10ml decant of Passion Boisee
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID 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 so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Go to Libertine Perfumes<<<JUMP and find me one of their Bath & Body Products and Manufacturer…………….. NO DOUBLE UPS!!

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 3rd August 2014 10pm Australian EST
Winners were chosen by random.org

WINNERS dryiconsPhoto Stolen dryicons

Passion Boisee MAJOR WINNER

Katherine Mittas

Passion Boisee SECONDARY WINNERS

Tara (via Twitter)

Nemo

Yin

The winners will have till Thursday 7th August 2014 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.

Special THANKS to LibertineParfumerie for these amazing giveaways. Please visit their site because they are so generous and helpful. If you wonder why they are sometimes more expensive than the discounters or OS retailers it’s because they are the only licensed company selling their fragrances in Australia; where you know you are buying new, fresh and genuine product. The cost of importing, and buying the right to import, alcohol based fragrances (and having the right to send alcohol based fragrances throughout Australia, which are illegal to send in the Australia Post air system) is expensive and they must cover their costs to bring you these luxury goods.

Oliver & Co Limited Edition Sample Set 2014

Hey there APJ,

If you love niche fragrance and enjoy the good stuff then this is for you. I love this crew.

Oliver & Co Limited Edition Sample Set 2014

DISCOVERY SET – 1# ONLINE EDITION OF 20

THE SET INCLUDE 7x10ml GLASS SPRAY VIALS OF:

10ML - ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

ILLUSTRATED SERIES

M.O.U.S.S.E
LA COLONIA
VETIVERUS
RESINA
M.O.U.S.S.E II

NEBULAE SERIES

NEBULA 1
NEBULA 2

AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY – FROM 1st TO 6th AUGUST.
LIMIT ONE PER PERSON. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE.

THIS ITEM CAN’T BE PURCHASED ON PHYSICAL STORES.

67,00 €

Oliver & Co Site<<JUMP

Further reading: Resina by Oliver & Co

Drew Carey, Richard Simmons: Living Scenery

Hi there APJ,

Today’s post is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen in my life. Sometimes a little video can make your day seem lighter and brighter. If you haven’t seen it before then I promise you a rare treat. For those that have seen it, watch it again. It only gets better every time you see it. Drew Carey, Richard Simmons: Living Scenery from Whose Line Is It Anyway.

Today I am taking a perfume break. Hanging out with Jin, fixing my BFFs parents electrical problems and riding the motor bikes. Then I’m off to work tonight where I will probably be wearing Vintage Boucheron Femme. Loads of it. YUMMO!

DREW CAREYPhoto Stolen ScreenInsults

No matter how shit your day, I think Drew Carey, Richard Simmons: Living Scenery may just turn you around

Be well.
Portia x

 

whose line is it anyway-richard simmons special!!

Passion Boisee by Jeanne-Marie Faugier for P Frapin & Co 2007

Hello Fragrant Family,

My mate Nick from Libertine Parfumerie sometimes gives APJ product for giveaways. A package from Nick is ALWAYS a sweet surprise and he is a lovely guy who wants to have a great range of fragrance for Aussies to choose from. Please, even if you don’t enter today’s competition, go and have a look at the amazing fragrant beauties that Libertine Parfumerie has for sale, you will be astounded. Lately Nick’s buying power has become so good that some (not all) of his products are the same numerical value as you would buy them for in the USA, that means with the current Aussie dollar that they are in fact 10-15% cheaper!!! AMAZING!

Passion Boisee by Jeanne-Marie Faugier for P Frapin & Co 2007

Passion Boisee Frapin FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Tangerine, nutmeg, rum, clove
Heart: Oakmoss, oak
Base: Patchouli, leather, cedar

Before anything else I want you to know how much I love the Frapin bottles. Heavy, great shape, excellent atomiser that gives a super blast. The whole packaging has been beautifully thought out and will look great as a gift or as the single bottle of scent on most mens counters. Not that women wouldn’t wear Passion Boisee, or any Frapin, but I can definitely see the men falling in love with the whole aesthetic.

So my nose gets a lovely gust of citrus, booze and a cool note that reads to me like pipe tobacco for a short while which then softens off considerably within 20 minutes and becomes a very light, forest floor over skin scent. Passion Boisee becomes a barely there shimmer of depth, an extra hint of the wild. Subtle to the point of subconscious. I pretty much lose the ability to smell Passion Boisee after an hour on myself but when sprayed on Jin it is a completely different beast and every time I come close to him its presence is noticeable and damn sexy. Powerful and sexy undertones, like pheromones.

I don’t get much play through the notes after the initial fireworks. I get cool forest, jungle floor, masculine, slightly animal and a feeling of power. I imagine this smell is how a jungle tiger feels. There, not there, camouflaged yet deadly and powerful. I think Passion Boisee would make an excellent work or date scent, a very under the radar reminder that the wearer is dangerous and focused and hungry.

If you like to proclaim your fragrance wearing in no uncertain terms then I think Passion Boisee will be too soft, too quietly confident.

Further reading: Fragrant Moments and Smelly Thoughts
Peony Melbourne currently has $95/100ml (That’s over 50% discount!!)
First In Fragrance has €105/100ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $4/ml

giveaway TheTruthAboutMummyPhoto Stolen TheTruthAboutMummy

Passion Boisee GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 Major Winner who will get:
1 x Passion Boisee 100ml bottle
(minus the Secondary Winners Prizes)
P&H Anywhere in the world

3 x Secondary Winners who will each receive:
1 x 10ml decant of Passion Boisee
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 so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Go to Libertine Perfumes<<<JUMP and find me one of their Bath & Body Products and Manufacturer…………….. NO DOUBLE UPS!!

Extra Chance?
Tweet:  Passion Boisee: P Frapin & Co GIVEAWAY    

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 3rd August 2014 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Thursday 7th August 2014 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.

Special THANKS to LibertineParfumerie for these amazing giveaways. Please visit their site because they are so generous and helpful. If you wonder why they are sometimes more expensive than the discounters or OS retailers it’s because they are the only licensed company selling their fragrances in Australia; where you know you are buying new, fresh and genuine product. The cost of importing, and buying the right to import, alcohol based fragrances (and having the right to send alcohol based fragrances throughout Australia, which are illegal to send in the Australia Post air system) is expensive and they must cover their costs to bring you these luxury goods.

 

Hypnotic Poison EdT by DIOR GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Hi Scent Hounds,

Excellent response this week, and what a wonderful giveaway. Azar always finds the good stuff, it gets me excited too.

Portia xx

Hypnotic Poison EdT by DIOR GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Hypnotic Poison by Annick Menardo: 1998 version

Hypnotic Poison Dior FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Apricot, plum, coconut
Heart: Tuberose, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, rose, brazilian rosewood, caraway
Base: Sandalwood, almond, vanilla, musk

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 2 winners who will each get:
1 x 2 ml spray decant of the 1998 version of Hypnotic Poison EdT
1 x 2ml spray decant of the historic Italian referred to at the beginning of this post
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID 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 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 leave a comment about your favorite re-discovered oldie and/or your take on any version of Poison or Hypnotic Poison.

Extra Chance?
Tweet: Hypnotic Poison EdT: DIOR 1998 #GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-313 #Perfume

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 31st July 2014 10pm Australian EST
Winners were chosen by Azar putting all names on paper and pulling two from a hat. Hey Presto!!

winners propercoursePhoto Stolen propercourse

NennaO

Elia

CONGRATULATIONS! Many thanks to everyone for their oldies and for their memories of Poison!
Azar xx

The winners will have till Sunday 1st August 2014 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.

AQABA: New Film Celebration Special.

Hi there APJ Crew.

I just received an amazing deal in the mail today and I thought you would all love to get involved. I have enjoyed all the AQABA fragrances that I’ve been lucky enough to sample.

Portia xx

AQABA: New Film Celebration Special

Aqaba Spring Aqaba FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

We have been invited to share the AQABA journey through the new AQABA Perfume Film

In celebration of the completion of this film, for 3 days, through July 30th, with a minimum purchase of $125.00, receive a complimentary 1oz/30ml of your choice, with AQABA samples included.
Please specify which 1oz/30ml you would like in the Comments section of the Order Form.
Orders can be received at AQABA Site or via email at info@mirani.com

Aqaba Logo Aqaba FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

 

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Hi there Perfume Junkies,

I hope you that got on board with this giveaway had some fun with it. I loved reading your stories and can’t wait to see who’s won.
Portia xx

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel Clinique FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Chamomile, aldehydes, orange blossom, bergamot, coriander, palisander, green notes
Heart: Lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, tuberose, orris root, carnation
Base: Sandalwood, oakmoss, vetiver, musk, coconut, patchouli

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 4 winners who will each get:
1 x 1.5ml decanted vial Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID 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 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 me your own Aromatics Elixir story, or why you would like to try this one.

Extra Chance?
Tweet:  Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet     

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 27th July 2014 10pm Australian EST
Winners will be chosen by random.org

WINNERS markmontanoblogsPhoto Stolen markmontanoblogs

Jaybee

Patty Pong

SaffyIsHere (Via Twitter)

Jillie

The winners will have till Thursday 31st July 2014 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.

Fille en Aiguilles by Christopher Sheldrake and Serge Lutens 2009

.

Post by Portia

.

Hey Hos, Frag Hos that is.

Today I am chatting about a fragrance that has been on my radar for a while. I remember testing it when it first came out and LOVING it but I think at the tiome I was financially recovering from some holiday and it was an inconvenient purchase moment so it went on the list. Special thanks to Michael Edwards for gifting me his bottle.

Fille en Aiguilles by Christopher Sheldrake and Serge Lutens 2009

Fille en Aiguilles Serge Lutens FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Pine needles, vetiver, bay leaf, spices, fruit, incense

WHOO HOO! Spices, stewed fruit, pudding. When Fille en Aiguilles opens it is all about food for me and this amazing moment lasts about 5 minutes until the incense comes on in and dries the whole shebang out. The incense is dry and smoky, unisex and rose-ish.

So I never get the pine. I get the FEELING of walking through pine needles. That dry, dessicated, rustle and shimmery crackle of the pine needles under my feet. It’s a soft but freaky feeling underfoot that is both comforting because it was a commonplace experience in my childhood and freaky because I’ve felt nothing on earth yet that I could compare it to. Many of the beaches in Sydney have conifers of one kind or another on their foreshores and we would run through them and kick them and make whole games and stories with our trucks, cars, barbies, whatever was at hand. Instead of the scent of pine needles I get a balsamic vinegar, a sweet and sour edge that is quite alluring, inviting me to stick my head in my T-Shirt and really enjoy the scent.

Fille en Aiguilles  Serge Lutens manly-beach TripAdvisorPhoto Stolen TripAdvisor

My skin throws a boozy undercurrent too, maybe it’s the fruit, warmed, sweetened and spiced that reminds me of mulled wine. Actually Fille en Aiguilles goes dry and moist in waves, such an interesting fragrance. Sweet/Sour, Light/Shade, Dry/Moist a multiple contradiction re-proving Sheldrake and Lutens genius partnership. A circular scent that grabs the notes and rearranges them in different groupings and asks you again and again, how about like this, or like this, or like this? You sniff deeply to find out how it smells and by the time you’re ready to sniff it again it has changed itself like a chameleon and you must run to keep up. In the end I let myself float on a sea of Fille en Aiguilles, just a beautiful fragrance that I really love.

I usually get excellent scent longevity from Fille en Aiguilles, though not always and I don’t know why. First hour is pretty big but then it calms beautifully. You will be decidedly fragrant and could easily skunk your office if you aren’t careful. Depending on your work of course, I find it perfect for hosting a trivia night.

Fille en Aiguilles  Serge Lutens Pine Needles AJ Cann FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

Further reading: Smelly Thoughts and EauMG
Beauty Encounter has $89/50ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $4/.5ml

I am overwhelmed every time I wear Fille en Aiguilles by its loveliness but it could easily be a comfortable wear for someone who merely wears fragrance, rather than a perfumista. A lovely rich and warm scent and I would have bought my Mum a bottle of Fille en Aiguilles had she still been around and I am pretty certain she would have drained it dry and asked for more.

Have you tried it? Did Fille en Aiguilles sing for you? Was it overwhelming or did you think it too like some of his other releases?
Go on, leave a comment. I love to read your thoughts.

Portia xx