Scent Diary: 14.8 – 20.8.2017

August 20, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 19 Comments

Portia

OMG APJ!

Sorry but I’ve hardly chronicled this week at all. It has been non stop Go Go Go. We’ve had Jin’s niece & nephew from Slovakia and Jin has been determined to show then EVERYTHING in two weeks. I’ve been working so haven’t been on every adventure but still it has been a hell of a week. I am 100% done and ready for some quiet weeks.

Scent Diary: 14.8 – 20.8.2017

Monday 14:

The kids have gone to do a SCUBA course. Jin and I have the day together and to ourselves. We walked the dogs and visited a mate then once home Jin hit the hay for some extra ZZZZs and I am at the computer. All feels right in the world.

My smells today were coffee, toast, dogs, the combined fragrance of my perfume room and Jin until I bathed in the evening. Lazy, lovely day spent doing the blog and Trivia Q&A.

When the kids got home we ordered Domino’s Pizza and ate it watching Netflix Riverdale. They loved it.

Tonight for Trivia Q&A writing I drenched myself in Guerlain Mitsouko EdT.

Tuesday 15:

Woke up late. Somewhere around 8.30am. I’m a bit fuzzy round the edges today. Having a cuppa.

OMG! I didn’t send my Q&A to the team. How do you all cope with kids daily? You’re all freaking SAINTS!

Jin has nicked the car and taken the kids to SCUBA today. He’s planning on doing a couple of dives with them too. What a cutey!

Penhaligon’s Savoy Steam is puffing along with me today. I really like it.

Had a Roger & Gallet Cedrat bubble bath, Simple moisturiser, Cacharel Liberté fragrance. MMMMMMM

They all came home after their amazing day of diving. They’re so excited and happy. It’s really nice to see.

Wednesday 16:

Lancome Magie Noire was this mornings choice.

We did SO MUCH today. Caught the bus and train to Sydney city. Wandered David Jones, Pitt St Mall and then had lunch at Westfield Centrepoint Food Court ( I gave the kids $20 each and told them to get what they want. It was their first food Court so they loved it). Then we wandered around the Sydney Opera House and caught the ChooChoo Express through the Royal Botanic Gardens. We then wandered leisurely around to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and from there to the Art Gallery of NSW where we saw some ofd the Indigenous Australian art and had a cuppa and some sweets from the Members Lounge. After that we were all buggered and we caught the train home.

Then I had a nap and went to work. STUFFED!!

Thursday 17:

I had hoped to spend the morning on my own because Jin & the kids were going to Surf School but Sindy woke up sick. SHIT! Took her down to the doctor and she has ruptured eardrums. Not very bad but she is on antibiotics to stave off any infection and he wants to see her Monday to give the OK to fly on Tuesday.

Got some super lovely postcards in the mail today! Thanks to Lyndall & Mazz. I LOVE POSTCARDS!

I’ve spent the day in vintage CHANEL No 5 EdT & EdC.

We met Rose at Manly and had fish & chips on the esplanade in the area my family used to sit when we were kids. It was a perfect 26C winter day with blue sky. It was the kids first ever experience of fish & chips eaten al fresco at the beach. Afterwards they took the leftover chips and fed the seagulls. It look like The Birds, hundreds of them clamouring for the chip. Excellent.

We wandered around a little bit after lunch then came back home and chilled on the couch watch Atypical, the new Netflix show about an autistic boy and his family ands friends. Then Rose came with me to work tonight at Kings Park Tavern. We came home and watched the rest of Atypical. Great series.

It’s late now and I’ve run Rose a bath because she’s staying tonight and will sleep on the couch.

Friday 18:

Gave myself a very lavish spritzing of some older Lancome Magie Noire this morning and really enjoyed its mossy goodness through the day. Even got a compliment on it. Very cool.

I got up early and had the car up at the repair garage just before 7am. The morning was so cool and crisp I took the dogs for an extra long ramble around our area. they loved it.

When I got home the house was just starting to stir so I made French Toast and Bacon with a choice of maple or Golden Syrup and percolated a pot of coffee. There was also pulpy Orange Juice our Tropical. Rose, the kids, Jin & I sat around eating and laughing. It was a real family meal and I can’t talk for anyone else but it was really special for me.

Then we caught the bus into town and met TinaG for the Sydney Aquarium. I’m not really a huge fan of captured animals on display but the Sydney crew do a really good job. The tanks are large and don’t seem crowded, most of the fish looked in fine form and happily swimming in their schools or solo. Some of the sharks look like veterans and the only creatures that gave me real pause were an octopus and two Dugongs. Most fish look like they are mindlessly doing their thing but these three looked forlorn, lost and unhappy. They were the only low point in what was a wonderful experience. There were loads of messages about trying to minimise plastics and waste, information about the companies work as a refuge and rehabilitation centre and some info about each fish, bird or creature in each enclosure.

Everyone slept on the train going home except me. They were REALLY tired.

We came home, had a nap and then headed out for the kids first ever Sushi Train! They loved it. Jin is a terrific uncle and I have loved watching him blossom into a responsible guardian in the week they’ve been here so far.

Saturday19:

The gang has gone to Jervis bay for a Seal Dive, SCUBA with the seal colony down there. Poor Sindy is devastated she can’t do it because of her ears but at least she’ll get to be part of the fun and see the seals, dolphins and whales that inhabit the area. They left at 4am this morning but I slept right through to 8.30am. Woo Hoo!

Spritzed Cacharel Liberté early this morning and it was a fun fizzy accompaniment to my morning.

A bit of blog organising today and work tonight. After my bath I decided it needed to be a BIG skanky floral for the Hen’s Party tonight. Alpha fragrance to keep them a little restrained for the two hours I’ve got them. How about Bal a Versailles? Hmmmmm, parfum and EdT! That should be big enough.

Hey, does anyone else get moody? Like spot moody? Tonight my mood went from happy that my gig had gone so well and full of love for the world to blackest black (because of a few small things that didn’t go as planned or were less than thrilling surprises) in the space of one hour and then back out the other side to relatively calm again. It felt ridiculously powerful being angry. This is not something I’ve felt before and seems very bi-polar.

Sunday 20:

Ahhhhh Sunday. I was up really late watching Iron Fist on Netflix, like 5am late.

The crew got up and we all had breakfast this morning before they headed out to the markets and Yum Cha in town. I have had enough of people so I stayed home and vacuumed the house and cleaned the kitchen. Did it all smelling of Penhaligon’s Savoy Steam, I love it and can’t seem to get enough. Perhaps 3 or 4ml has already gone from my bottle!

Tonight after my Radox Bath Salts bath I went crazy with vintage Miss Dior EdT. As I was walking into the club tonight one of the club punters said I smelled fantastic, he even pulled me in for a closer sniff. It was a nice moment.

Alright, enough about me. What have you lot been up to? Got a story to share? Fun or fragrant, friends or family, happy or sad, we love them all. Please share in the comments.
Portia xx

Scent Diary 7.8 – 13.8.2017

August 13, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 21 Comments

Portia

Hey Gang,

This week has been a hodge podge of loads of stuff and very little of anything in particular. It started out calm and cool but has become more frantic each day. I am completely blitzed now.
Portia xx

Scent Diary 7.8 – 13.8.2017

Monday 7:

Monday went by in a daze of organisation.

Jin and I managed to run away to our favourite cafe for lunch but the rest of the day seemed computer bound with breaks for coffee & food. I went and collected the mail from my Post Office Box and my favourite postal GF had popped Home Made Cookies in the box! Seriously, how freaking lucky am I? Thanks Nikki, delicious. They’re Nikki Bickies!

I did order PIZZA dinner because Jin was working night shift and I am too lazy to cook when in Trivia Q&A mode.

It got to 11.57pm and my mind was fried so I decided to go to bed and get up early tomorrow and finish my Q&A. Sometimes I need fresh eyes on the problem. So, quick spritz of Estee Lauder La Rouge Gloss, their answer to Diet Soda scents and off to the land of ZZZzzZZZZZzZZ.

Tuesday 8:

Awoke early, got my Q&A finished and sent out to the girls. They’re seriously tricky this week so I’ve told the girls to give clues. Mine are printed and awaiting organisation.

WOO HOO I received a package this morning. It was a BIG surprise. It was a thoughtful gift from Kate Apted! How freaking generous! Wonderful. LUSH Rose Jam shower gel

CHANEL Boy for work. I bloody love this baby.

Wednesday 9:

Weather is sublime here in Sydney. walked the dogs for over an hour this morning in the warm sunshine. They were pooped by the time we got home.

Wearing Guerlain Tonka Imperiale. It’s sweet nutty warmth was a perfect ramble accompaniment.

Tonight I finished my B&BW Warm Vanilla Sugar in the bath and spritzed Histoires de Parfums Amber 114. Amber 114 is very nice as it goes on, a cool amber buoyed by herbs and woods. It’s the heart and dry down that I really love though, warm amber, nutty, creamy woods and resins. It’s so glamorous. Simple and elegant. Why don’t I wear it more?

Thursday 10:

Went to bed and started feeling achey, woozy and chill. Took two Neurofen and put on a heater, added a jumper and extra socks. Drank a bunch of tea and water and sweated it out.
Awoke this morning feeling slightly fuzzy but infinitely better.

TinaG came over.

We went and started sorting my VISA for India and bought some tropical fish for my aquarium.

Sniff, TinaG and I sniffed perfumes. LOADS of them. Can I remember which ones? NOPE!

Work: Tonight was fun at KPT. We had a great crew of regulars & newbies. They put us into a new room which I think will work perfectly for us. Sound is excellent and the ambience too. Lighting needs a little tweaking but we can work with it. Here’s a few of the gang.

Friday 11:

Jin finished work at 6am. He headed home and grabbed 3 hours sleep then we were off and running for our day.

First stop: We collected the signed poster from Jimmy Barnes for the auction winner at the recent fundraiser I hosted. It is going to make vaughn an extremely happy fan and hopefully he’ll treasure it for a lifetime.

Next we hit the Redfern apartment. The kitchen kick board is falling apart so Jin glued and fixed it into place. We also checked the water connections to the clothes washing machine, the taps and pipes, all clear. While we were in there as Jin was doing his thing I cleaned the grease traps in the exhaust fan above the stove. They are super clean ands lovely now.

Lunch time and we went to a Korean style Chinese restaurant. Every country makes their Chinese food differently so though it’s called Chinese the Korean version is a horse of a different colour.

In the fragrance department it was a red letter day for postal arrivals. OMG! I received today what most regular people would get in a year.

Criminal Elements Sample Set

Not available to buy until September 1 2017 I received the advance press set. UNBELIEVABLE! The boys have created a fully functioning mini brief case to hold their samples. It’s so freaking good and I’m on a design high. BRaVO! Amazing packaging. This will sell like hoy cakes on cool red alone. WAIT till you smell the frags. Ah May Zing.

PANIC SHOPPING ARRIVED:

Elvire at the Palais Royale Serge Lutens store sent some stuff to Val who forwarded a Le Vaporisateur of Fourreau Noir and the new 100ml of La Fille de Berlin. SO EXCITED!

Paris and everywhere else is out of the Le Vaporisateur of de Profundis. I found it at The Perfume Shoppe Canada. They could not have been more helpful, were excellent communicators and got everything sent tout de suite.

We have been home and relaxing this afternoon but tonight we will be cleaning and readying the place for our visitors. Jin’s Niece & nephew arriving in the morning. I’m so nervous. HA! Hopefully they have a wonderful time.

Saturday 12:

Woke up early, spritzed Guerlain Cuir Beluga and went to the airport to collect the kids. They came home, rested, ate breakfast and generally hung out.

Spritzed Etat Libre d’Orange Afternoon of a Faun. Went to Sydney’s best meet-the-native-fauna type zoo, Featherdales. I haven’t been in decades and it has come a long way. We were able to meet and feed wallabies and small kangaroos, pet the quokkas. We also got to see dingoes, Tasmanian Devils and fruit bats being fed and an excellent assortment of birdlife big & small. It’s all set out in a really comfortable area. We met up with the Lee family (Kath’s sister Jane, husband Mark, kids Rachel & Erin) and it was super fun. Excellent day out. I learned so much from the keepers and the shows about our native fauna.

Spritzed Lancome Magie Noire. Then we met Kath & Alice for DUCK DINNER, yep Peking Duck. It was a smashing success.

Now we are all totally worn out. Everyone else is sound asleep and I’m pretty much on my way. A sneaky spritz of Patou 1000 EdT before bed. NIGHT!

Sunday 13:

After reading some of the Saturday Question responses I was inspired to wear vintage CHANEL No 19 EdT today. GREAT CHOICE!

Went and had a wonderful day on the river to Sydney then wandered the markets and stalls. Then had lunch. It was lovely seeing one of my dearest friends Eve and her daughter, Jin and the kids were pleasant AND we were lucky enough to be with Jin’s BFF Matt who we hardly see enough. At the markets we bumped into Eve and my childhood friend Sean Carver at his stall and the kids bought some fab bags and T-Shirts for themselves and friends.

It should have been wonderful but actually I was tense the whole time, felt claustrophobic in the crush of people and snapped at everyone. While I do know I’m not a bad person this was definitely one of my less attractive moments.

Home and bathed. Wore Keiko Mecheri Un Jour d’Ete and it was a beautiful tropical accompaniment to work tonight. I still smell of it.

How was your week? Come on, share something fun or fragrant. Maybe you had a public melt down or did something silly. Purge yourself here and we will all commiserate.

Portia xx

Saturday Question: DIOR, Lutens, CHANEL or Guerlain?

August 5, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 80 Comments

Portia

Hello Fellow Fumies,

Once a week here on Australian Perfume Junkies we have a Question, an idea purloined from Olfactoria’s Travels. Everyone gets to chime in with an answer, chat with other responders and it is generally a fun event each week. Taking sides never means taking offence and everyone keeps it respectful and light, even though we can sometimes trawl the depths.

The idea is you’ll see it on the weekend or chime in through the week. Hopefully you will come back and see if anyone has responded to your comment and you can reply to them.

Over 100 responses I will draw a $10 Surrender To Chance Gift Card.
Over 200 responses I will draw a $20 Surrender To Chance Gift Card.
Comment purposefully on yours or anothers comment & you’ll have a chance, random.org will draw on Friday.

Last Weeks Winner: $10 Surrender To Chance Gift Card Tiffanie

Saturday Question: DIOR, Lutens, CHANEL or Guerlain?

So many times on blogs and FaceBook chat pages these four fragrance houses come up. They seem to be the benchmark in a multitude of ways and I often wonder if people have a favourite from the big four.

My Answer:

This collection is littered with all four brands. Guerlain is the best represented in sheer quantity but that’s mainly because I buy a LOT of vintage and have multiples of the same thing. There is also a moderate collection of vintage mens and womens targeted CHANEL and not very much of the modern stuff. In DIOR there are a bunch of vintage Miss Dior, a good vintage cross section, some modern and more than half of the prive line. My Lutens collection is currently at 33 bottles (export, bell, vapo.).

Guerlain

So let’s talk about what I wear the most, maybe that will help sort it out. I think Guerlain outstrips the other brands in skin time by at least double. Shalimar and Mitsouko being my most frequent wears but lately Mon Guerlain and Black Perfecto have been getting a lot of skin. I also wear a lot of the Aqua Allegoria line, Samsara, Vol de Nuit, Mahoma, La Parisiennes, L’Art et la Matiere and both of the d’Orient collections. So, though I think the Guerlain brand degraded beyond belief and that it’s going to hell in a handbasket, it does seem to be the house that I wear most regularly and keep coming back to for so many reasons. It’s been a part of my life from earliest recollections and still is a major personal fragrant influence.

So my question to you today is: DIOR, Lutens, CHANEL or Guerlain?

Scent Diary 24.7 – 30.7.2017

July 30, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 25 Comments

Portia

Hey there Perfume Junkies,

Here’s a shot of my outfit for the Sydney Stingers on Saturday last week, taken by Daniel Kirkwood at the event. Yes, I am a fur & sequin galion under full sail.

Scent Diary 24.7 – 30.7.2017

Monday 24:

This morning, in the middle of winter, saw the return of spring in Parramatta. The sun is shining, bulbs are pushing through the soil, there’s a hint of greenery on the breeze and it was lovely to be out and about on a mornings ramble with the dogs.

I decided to let the faux spring choose my fragrance and what better reminder of spring than Penhaligon’s Ostara. Sadly this gorgeously green narcissus and bouquet of other fresh flowers scent was not a big hit for them but it is so lovely and has made me smile this morning.

After last weeks creative extravaganza I’m way behind on all things blog and trivia so this morning is dedicated to answering comments, this afternoon and evening will be new posts and my Q&A. Woo Hoo! I think I’m ready for it.

So instead of working all day I went and spent a big happy chunk of it hanging out with TinaG who is back at her parents house recuperating after her hospital stint. We went and lunched at a wonderful Thai restaurant in Windsor. Pressies from Tara at A Bottled rose, beanie crocheted by Vanessa of Bonkers About Perfume. She LOVED them

Then we went on an adventure ride to The Fruit Bowl, a cafe that specialises in home made pies of the sweet and savoury styles. I had Scones, Jam & Cream with a cuppa and Tina had Chamomile tea. We saw them making their pies, bought Apple pies and Honey. MMMMMMM

Home by 5pm. Started working at the computer on Trivia. Having a coffee break now and a spritz of Grandiflora Madagascan Jasmine. BEAUTIFUL!!

Jin came home and wanted to watch Despicable Me 2. What could I do but succumb to his sweetness.

MORE TRIVIA!

Tuesday 25:

Catch up. Catching up. Blog, Trivia, Postage, eMail and FaceBook. Not caught up but definitely making inroads.

Today has been so glorious but I’ve been house bound, BUMMER.

Wore Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician and it’s zingy metallic vetiver was an excellent choice.

Jin had the Telstra man come in. We are changing to Optus and he needed to do some fixing. We are now without internet in the house so I’m tethering the phone to my computer. It’s surprisingly effective.

Bath time today was in B&BW bubbles, Kiehl’s Original Musk lotion and atwork I wore Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain EdT. Very nice. A smooth, spicy, fresh fruit & greens, balmy scent that ends a resinous dry wood. It smells like old rooms, recently aired but the wooden furniture and polish and a very slight hint of cold damp linger and blend with fresh sheets.

For bed? I wanted something odd so chose Sarah Jessica Parker Covet. A perfect Frankenstein’s monster of a smell that leads me deeper and deeper till I sleep. Never enough one thing or the other it seems to find harmonious balance in it’s utter lack. Plastic geranium, waxy white flowers, cool amber with thoroughly unnatural musks. Excellent night scent, I could imagine it being the choice for ghouls and vampires.

Wednesday 26:

WOW! An amazing day with my mate David who currently lives in UAE working as a butler/EA. He’s in Sydney visiting the family and friends and we had had today in the book forever. I had COMPLETELY forgotten but he reminded me last night so I sent through three ideas for the day. He chose one and we added a second and it was a terrific catch up.

I got a bus & train to town and we met at the NSW Art Gallery at 10.45am. I knew we could do an 11am free tour of the main gallery BUT when I arrived it was with fabulously happy surprise I noticed their current exhibition had the name O’Keeffe. Could it be? I asked myself. Fortuitously the answer was yes. Georgia O’Keeffe in an exhibition with two Australian women artists of the same era; O’Keeffe, Preston, Cossington Smith – making modernism.

So we had a cuppa, did the 11am Gallery Tour, had another cuppa, did the 12pm O’Keeffe, Preston, Cossington Smith Tour and finished our gallery time with lunch in the Members Lounge.

We wandered across the Domain to Sydney City and had dessert at the David Jones Food Court Cafe. I wanted David to come through David Jones and try some fragrance. He’d been so nice to us in UAE when we were there and I figured EVERYONE needs a new scent. Sadly he wanted none of it. I did get him to spritz DIOR Leather Oud and CHANEL Bois des Iles. Maybe he’ll fall in love with them and ask me to grab them for him one day. As all good things must come to and end then it was time to go

Thursday 27:

Walked the dogs, Bank, Post Office and had an early lunch with Jin at our favourite local cafe. It’s been a beautiful morning, lazy & slow.

Afternoon much the same.

Serge Lutens Daim Blond for work. Got quite a few compliments. Surprising because I think of it as such a subtle beauty, well apparently it was wafting itself into peoples hearts.

Friday 28:

My right knee is playing silly buggers. Not so long ago the patella decided it wanted to drift around, it seems to have decided it needs another vacation from its prescribed spot. A throbbing, uncomfortable feeling that lodges itself in my stomach. Did ALL the exercises my guy prescribed last time it happened.

We took the dogs to the Off-Leash Dog Park nearby today and I was freaking out but the dogs seemed to love it, Jin loved it too. I was a bundle of nerves.

Actually I’m a bit glum. No reason, just a little bit bleach.

We’d organised a Korean BarBQ get together for a bunch of our mates but completely forgot that I have a Christmas In July Fundraiser tonight. Sometimes I surprise myself at how vague I can be. OOOPSIE!

I wore loads of Reem Acra because I wrote about it on Perfume Posse this week and felt it needed an outing. Perfect hefty sheer radiant white floral extravaganza that nods to history but is completely in the now.

Christmas In July Fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital was a grand success. We raised a bunch of money and the participants had a ball. Already talk of doing it again.

Saturday 29:

Jin decided he wanted to try Archery a few months ago. He wanted it to be a big fun day out for the crew but no one was interested. So, because we love him dearly, his BFF Matt and I said we’d go. Anyway the day was perfect and it was really easy to understand the basics, we had fun BUT my fingers are fricken killing now. STILL, nearly 12 hours later they are red and feel like they have pins & needles.

The guys were much better shots than me but I did manage one bullseye.

Home for a Saturday afternoon nap. I grabbed Paris my dog and we cuddled for the nap, Jin slept in front of the TV and his dog on the dog bed in front of the TV. LOADS of snoring from all four of us.

Kath’s dads birthday party tonight. The whole family there. Jin and I grabbed Take Away Chinese. The Lee family did the cake. Kath made sure there were gifts and drinks etc. We had a ball. I think Dad has a photo on his phone that Jin took of us all (Second shot). There was so much fun and laughter, we all had great stories to tell and it was a terrific night. As the birthday cake was being lit Dad (the birthday boy) started saying women didn’t know how to light matches and all hell broke loose. It was apocalyptic, and hilarious, everyone having a go at him for sexism and we were all laughing so much that my tummy hurts.

When I got home my buddy Michael sends me this pic of us in the dressing room of the Fridge in Brixton, London. We were Go-Go dancers there on Saturday nights and as you can see, high as kitten. Great memories.

Sunday 30:

Lazy Sunday with Jin at work, me home with the dogs. Only left the house today to walk them till work time. Heavenly Sunday.

Finished this lovely little shower gel in the bath today. B&BW Pretty As A Peach. Bubbles over my head. It was glorious.

Slathered myself in Guerlain La Cologne du Perfumer today. It’s a beautiful cologne, wears very fragrantly for about an hour and then softens off to almost a functional white musk but stays just interesting enough to jump that hurdle. Funnily, I can’t smell it after 2 hours but I got a compliment tonight at the end of work as I kissed Anna-Maria goodbye. That was five hours later.

OK, so you’ve read my life. How was your week? Share a story that’s fun, family, food, friends or fragrance oriented. Anything you’d like to share, we’d love to read it.

Portia xx

Scent Diary: 17.7 – 23.7.2017

July 23, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 23 Comments

Portia

Hey APJ,

Most of my week was taken up with sewing and creating new stuff for a gig on Friday night. there were also great moments and fun with friends and fragrance. Honestly I’ve been too swamped to take photos or really document my week in any detail, sorry. You’ll see some of the main protagonists though.
Portia xx

Scent Diary: 17.7 – 23.7.2017

Monday 17:

TinaG is still in hospital but looking 100% improved. This is the view from the end of her corridor, doesn’t Sydney City look like a fairytale and how blue is the sky. We went and hung out in the patients common room, Alice joined us and we had a really nice visit.

From the hospital Alice & I went off to the Estee Lauder Staff Shop. I was hoping to find some discontinued Tom Ford frags, particularly Ombre de Hyacinth but there was only a small selection. I only walked away with Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess travel set and Tom Ford London, which became my SOTD along with a few other things I spritzed while there. Alice grabbed a few bits and bobs but was particularly pleased that her HOLY GRAIL moisturiser was $50 cheaper there. So happy chappies all round.

Jin was working so I grabbed dinner. I thought you should know that while we do eat fabulous foods from around the world generally, SOMETIMES we love to eat rubbish. So tonight I didn’t even want to leave the house so Dominoes Pizza delivered. Thin & Crispy Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Spicy Chicken and a Garlic Bread. Tasted so good and filled me up YUM!

Trivia Q&A writing night. I started earlier today and got quite a bit done before my usual start time. Wearing more Atelier Cologne Tobacco Nuit to write questions and I’m about halfway through my 10ml decant. It’s a really lovely wearable fragrance that doesn’t steal my concentration when working but smells good in the coffee breaks.

Tuesday 18:

Today was a write off. BUSY running and getting shit done. Sewing the foam bits for my new headdress and work.

Morning: Guerlain Black Perfecto

Work: Cacharel Liberté

One exciting thing happened. I finally got a little cuddle with one of my long term crushes at work tonight. He He he. Poor boy spent the whole time saying his girlfriend would be furious. He should bring her next time so she would know that it was all in the fun of an evening and not being unfaithful.

Bed: Miller & Bertaux A Quiet Morning

Wednesday 19:

Weather is perfect. Dog walk was warm, sunny and uneventful.

My mind is preoccupied. Friday night I have a gig that has decided it will be a Super Hero Party. I don’t know if any of you have noticed but all the superheroes are buff. No fatty superheroes. So I’m having to create my own version of a superhero. I’m calling her Super Chunky. Maybe Super Ceded. Anyway, I’m off to get the gear to create this new hero. GAK! Wish me luck.

My search for a superhero fragrance today is CHANEL Antaeus. This stuff is SOO good.

Jin loves Krispy Creme. Today I bought him a box. Well, I say I bought it for him but four of them are for me. One each of the fancy ones. Jin’s favourites are the regular ones but he will force himself to eat fancy if they’re there.

A Guerlain Shalimar bubble bath and then spritzed lavishly with Guerlain Shalimar EdP for work.

Wendy and I had dinner together before Trivia at Greystanes Hotel. We had 8 teams to start with tonight and it was a fabulously fun evening. I really love the crew that comes to play there and the food is FABULOUS!

Thursday 20:

SEWING!!!!

Roger & Gallet Cedrat bubble bath, Guerlain Mitsouko EdT & parfum.

SEWING and HOT GLUEING!

Friday 21:

Sewing. My pointer finger has two hot glue blisters. Ouchie WA WA.

Morning: MORE Guerlain Mitsouko

Tonight was the big gig. Sydney Stingers, the gay waterloo team are fundraising for their 2018 France Gay games Adventure. I had a new frock and new wig for the night and drenched myself in Madonna Truth or Dare. No, I only have this photo from the night and it’s not in the new outfit! GRRR!

Saturday 22:

Miller et Bertaux A Quiet Morning

RECOVERING!

Jin and I got Chinese food and watched Despicable Me.

Tonight is one of my BFFs, Scott’s, BIRTHDAY! I hate house parties but I love Scott so I felt honour bound to drop in and say hi. It was a fabulous party with the backyard turned into a Disney Fairy Garden and the Disney Princesses as the houses backdrop.

Sunday 23:

Lay in bed, walked dogs, went to Pedicures with my mate Rose. YAY! We wandered IKEA afterwards and I got some incidentals.

After Pedis we grabbed some lunch and went visited our other mate Phil and hug at his place for a while.

Then home, bath and work. I had a lovely Robert Piguet Bandit bubble bath, used Amouage Dia lotion and Guerlain Black Perfecto EdP. Was swamped with fragrant compliments and everyone LOVED the new hair. I hope you do too.

OK, you’ve read my week, time to tell us about yours please. Big, little, good or bad; share a story with us. We love to read about you.
Portia xx

Chanel No. 5 Le Parfum Cheveux

June 14, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 3 Comments

Erica Golding

Hello to all of you gorgeously scented readers out there!

Today I am excited to dish about a new limited edition treasure that I didn’t even know existed. Last weekend, after a visit to the museum with family, I just so happened to accidentally pop into the Chanel boutique. Oopsie! 😉 While I was there, sniffing euphorically, I found out about:

Chanel No. 5 Le Parfum Cheveux

CHANEL

This sweet little frosted bottle of hair mist is adorable and affordable! It’s only 40 mL, so it’s a fleeting luxury. But some of the best things in life are ephemeral, don’t you think? This is a flare of joy to savor in the moment! The petal-pink formula does not contain alcohol, which makes it great for scenting your tresses without potential damage. The atomizer produces a full-bodied fine mist, just perfect.

As for how it smells, the opening begins a bit more powdery than how No. 5 perfume presents on my skin. The aldehydes are more muted in the hair mist, so the aroma doesn’t have as much of a high-pitched soapy vibration. The signature Chanel rose and jasmine absolutes preside like royalty, delightfully noble. Overall, the hair mist wears a bit softer and silkier than the perfume. The scent projects a tender sweetness as a glowing halo, and I really do associate this quality with the rosy blush tone of the liquid. It’s an absolutely divine manifestation of synesthesia for me.

PDI

I’ve already gotten several compliments on this charming luxury, and it brings me such pleasure to know that people subconsciously enjoy the sillage because they associate Chanel No. 5 with beloved memories.

Chanel won’t have this hair mist available for very long. It’s an online exclusive, but some of the boutiques begged for a few to put in stock. Snatch one up while you can! And if you’re a fan of Chance or Chance Eau Tendre, those are currently available as well!

Scent Diary 15.5 – 21.5.2017

May 21, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 32 Comments

Portia

Hey there Fragrant Family,

This week has gone by in a blur. Where did it bloody well go? Wasn’t I just posting the scent Diary last week a minute ago?

Having said that the week has been really good mainly, loads of great fragrances, friends and food. Can’t complain about that.

Scent Diary 15.5 – 21.5.2017

Monday 15:

Lazy morning answering Australian Perfume Junkies comments. We hit the 150 comments mark for the Saturday question this week so one lucky commenter will be getting a $20 Surrender To Chance GIFT CERTIFICATE! I’m really happy about that but my typing finger is a bloodied stump. Yes, I do all this with one finger every week. Pathetic, I know.

We had a few things on the agenda for today but only a few got done. First Jin & I went and had pizza & pasta at Gioia in Leichhardt on our way to the Redfern apartment where my BFF Kath lives to fix the lights under the kitchen cupboards onto the benchtops. I love that kitchen.

While we were there we left her belated happy Mother’s Day present. I think she loved it. Who doesn’t need new flaps?

Had a few deliveries. Of course they all come at once when I ordered them over a month. Decanting supplies from ProudStyle, LuckyScent order, bought a used Frederic Malle Musc Ravager from FaceBook and lastly a nearly full vintage DIOR Diorella EdT that has gone a bit stale from the CFCs/propellant. Still, it’s not ruined but it is not pristine either. It also leaked a bit in transit and its silver at the sprayer is going nasty.

Tuesday 16:

It’s only 1.40am, and I’m finished my Trivia Q&A. Woo Hoo! I did get some prep work done the other day so all my games and jackpot were already written. The daily Q&A was also ready to be done so having done a couple of hours work before i am much more ready.

OK spritzing Carner Barcelona RIMA XI, cleaning my teeth and going to bed. Night.

This morning was sunny and warm so I went for Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur. It arrived in the mail and I REALLY wanted to give it an outing. So warm and cuddly, a real furry fragrance. It was delicious while walking the dogs in the sunlit morning.

Went and saw Kath’s Mum at the rehab centre. we finally got her to sit outside in the warm air today to have lunch. She looks 100% improved.

Tonight I was having a hard time deciding what fragrance to wear for work and the candy stripes of my Cacharel Scarlett travel size caught my eye. It was a perfect choice and got some compliments. Happy frag day.

For SOTBed I wore Serge Lutens Arabie. Sweet spicy chutney and dusty desert in a bottle. Perfect for floating away upon.

Wednesday 17:

Jin cooked Korean pancakes this morning. they are pancake batter filled with nuts and melted brown sugar. You have no idea. Sorry I have no photo but they were delicious.

Jin and I went to our local IDAHoT 2017 event. International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. There were a group of our mates up at Parramatta to support the cause, the Police Band played with a sensational singer, there were speeches and the raising of the Rainbow flag outside our historic Parramatta Town Hall. The sun was shining and it was a fun way to spend lunchtime.

Jin wore Serge Lutens Muscs Kublai Khan and I was wearing Annick Goutal Grand Amour. As you can see my bottle is nearly empty, has changed colour and looks like it’s on its last legs. Nope, smells as good as the day I bought it. MMMMMMM

When I got home we watched the last two episodes of Sense8. Absolutely heart stopping drama, loved every second.

Tonight in honour of Greg Young’s extra special Guest Post I’m spritzing the cool, fresh elegance of CHANEL Pour Monsieur, bought from Robert Herrmann in his sale. MMMMMMMM

Thursday 18:

Wore Guerlain Samsara extrait today. Not sure exactly how old it is but it smells so much like my Mum that I’m feeling disoriented. Total mind fuck for a while.

Jin and I did some garage reorganising. He put a cupboard on the wall that I have wanted up for nearly two years, we moved some furniture from the house down there too. This place needs to be a little more streamlined to be fully zen.

Tonight I went crazy with the Agent Provocateur EdP. I enjoyed every inhale and it has lasted for hours and hours.

Fragrantica

After work my car got a flat tyre. Had to call the Roadside Assist and I was still in full drag. He was so unconcerned and absolutely sweet. He fixed it all, chattered a bit and we went on our merry ways. Thank you NRMA. It was a super nice experience, and he took less than 20 minutes to get to me and get it fixed.

Tonight I’ve spritzed Parfums DelRae Coup de Foudre. It goes beautifully over the Agent Provocateur EdP. Ready for bed. Night.

Friday 19:

WHAT A DAY! Got up and walked the dogs quickly where the Cockatoos are playing headstone angels.

Then caught a bus & train headed into Sydney city to meet with some perfume geeks.

Ingrid, Gino and Tim were my adventure accomplices and we had a wonderful time. Ingrid is down in Sydney from the Gold coast for her birthday so we celebrated in high style. Starting with coffees in the David Jones Food Hall and a quick sniff of the niche fragrances on display in store.

Then we moved on to Harold’s in City Westfield. We met Gino & Tim there and had a wonderful time looking at the high fashion, niche fragrance and accessories. I caved and bought Series 3 Incense: Ouarzazate Comme des Garcons, which I have had small decants of but was out. Roman and Andy were our SAs today but gorgeous Andy got the purchase. Gagging for the fun Balenziaga bags, REALLY want one.

It was definitely time for lunch and a lazy Prosecco at David Jones Food Hall. We ate at the cheese and antipasto desk. It was wonderful fun eating, sniffing and chatting.

Then we hit Mecca in Myer and were served by Ken, the sexy bearded French hottie. Sadly I already owned everything in the store I want. It was super fun chatting fragrance with them though.

Also we got to see my next boyfriend Louis at the Libertine stand in Myer. I bloody wish he had something i wanted to buy. As we were leaving I did tell him I am coming back soon to get his number and go eat. He is sweet and charming.

At Men’s Biz Ingrid bought Tauer Lonestar Memories. A purchase she had long been pondering, great choice for her. The guys there are so friendly and knowledgable. It’s always a pleasure but sadly they don’t stock my shave soap anymore. BUM.

Coming home on the train & bus I was overwhelmed by how much fragrance I had on. Like I was fumigating the bus. Because we’d tried so much on I think I was bathed in 10+ niche fragrances. Poor people on the bus. It was too much even for me.

Saturday 20:

This morning dawned cool and wet. Jin got home from work at 5.30am. Unusually I woke up and was 100% ready for the day when he got into bed so I jumped out of bed and came to my computer to get some blogging done. Fed & walked the dogs through the wonderful Autumn wispy drizzle. It was heavenly, the dogs loved it too. Had a little cuddle with my baby boy Paris and spritzed some M.O.U.S.S.E. by Oliver & Co. from their Discovery Set that’s left me softly sizzling with a bright, metallic clove. Beautiful.

Off to Pedi with my BFF Kath, hopefully we’ll have lunch too.
Yes we did. Popcorn Chicken and Dumplings for lunch. Sorry I didn’t take a pic but we were chattering so much that I completely forgot.

Spent the evening at home with the dogs watching TV and getting stuff organised for next week. Very quiet and peaceful. Perfect.

Sunday 21:

3am. So, I’m in bed. I’ve just got the sheets warmed to perfect with my body heat. It’s comfy and cuddly under the doona.

Then I realise I forgot to spritz for bed.

QUANDRY! Do I stay here and wish I hadn’t or get out, spritz something and lose my heated cocoon?

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

My long time buddy, since we were teens is coming for a champagne brunch this morning. Doing a little cleaning and pottering around the house before she comes. I love how the house feels with Jin sound asleep in the bedroom and me just going about the cleaning rituals. I’m burning an Ainslie Walker for MudAustralia Candle to make the house smell like flowers instead of old men and dogs.

I did Bacon, French Toast and Golden Syrup, Percolated coffee and Verve Mimosas. It was wonderful fun chatting and laughing. I’m so lucky to have these two beauties in my life.

On my person I have spritzed Perfumerie Generale 25 Indochine. Beautiful, sweet woods. Balmy, Smooth.

Bathe and off to work. DIOR Mitzah and lashings of it. While driving to work I was absolutely overwhelmed by it. So lavish and glamorous. Here’s a pic at the end of the night with Kim R and Anna-Maria. These girls are the bomb, I love them to infinity.

So how about you? How was your week? What frags did you wear?” Did you do or go anywhere interesting?
Share please in the comments.
I love to read about your lives too.
Portia xxx

Chanel Pour Monsieur by Henri Robert for CHANEL 1955

May 17, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 7 Comments

Greg Young

Hello APJers,

Released in 1955 Chanel Pour Monsieur is the venerable grand-daddy of Chanel’s line of male fragrances. I was lucky enough to find some vintage bottles of this gem.

Chanel Pour Monsieur by CHANEL 1955

Chanel Pour Monsieur by Henri Robert

Fragrantica

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Lemon, Verbena, Neroli, Orange
Heart: Cardamom, Coriander, Basil, Ginger
Base: Oakmoss, Vetiver, Cedarwood

The three bottles here are a large splash bottle of vintage Pour Monsieur EdT, a bottle of Pour Monsieur After Shave, and a large splash bottle labelled A Gentleman’s Cologne. Pour Monsieur was marketed to the English-speaking world as A Gentleman’s Cologne during the 60s, so this is probably the same fragrance, despite the clear colour difference.

I took these bottles into the Chadstone Chanel store, and the staff there told me that they had never seen PM in those bottles, and did not think that it had ever been sold in Australia in those forms. We did some sniff tests on cards, comparing to the latest EdT. Only the after shave held up; the splash bottles had a bit of a plonky smell, suggesting that both had turned.

I decided to take one for the team, and decanted each of them into atomisers for some skin testing. I often find that, like with vintage wine, decanting old perfume can liven it up a bit.

The AGC is most likely the oldest of the three. The bottle is a different shape and has a different spout and cap to the PM bottle. My best dating puts this at 1962-1969, so it is about 50 years old. The colour looks fine, but the real test is the smell. From the first spray, this one is dominated by cardamom, with a touch of ginger. It sticks very close to the skin, and has almost no sillage. After an hour or so, the cedar has taken over, with a bit of oakmoss. I can’t make out any florals or vetiver. It is still there 5 hours later, so not too bad. As a woody aromatic, this AGC still stands up although it is clearly only a shadow of its former self.

The PM EdT probably dates to either 1985 or 1993, going by the batch code. The years have not been kind to this one, as the dark brown colour attests. On skin, it goes straight to the base notes of cedar and vetiver, and all but disappeared within a couple of hours.

The After Shave is in better shape than the other two. Some of the top notes are still present, notably petitgrain. It softens quickly though and, again, sticks very close to the skin. It’s a bit linear, and doesn’t develop the spices and woods that should be present before it disappears. Presumably this is due to the lighter concentration; perhaps more copious spraying might turn this one into a winner.

This was an interesting experiment. It was almost like being able to separate out the layers of a classic fragrance and smell them concurrently: the aftershave giving the top notes, the Cologne the middle notes and the EdT the base notes. Unfortunately, none of these three delivers as a standalone fragrance, and each is probably only good for collecting rather than wearing. It did make me keen to go full bottle on some Chanel Pour Monsieur though, if I can find a vintage bottle in better shape than these three.

(My thanks to Ali at Chanel Chadstone for her help).

See you soon,
Greg

(ED: This piece was first run on Greg’s new blog AusScents. Please zip over and have a squiz.)

Scent Diary 1.5 – 7.5.2017

May 7, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 24 Comments

Portia

Hi there fellow fumies,

I’ve learned a new put down. Don’t Get Thin Lipped With Me You Scrofulous Harpy. HA HA HA HA! Isn’t it heavenly, so deliciously awful and will have your opponent diving for their dictionary. Just so you know, Scrofulous is in reference to the tuberculosis illness and general degeneration, Harpies were mythical beasts with womens bodies & heads, birds wings & claws. I know, fabulous isn’t it.

Scent Diary 1.5 – 7.5.2017

Monday 1:

Not exactly sure what’s wrong with my baby Paris but he did another wee, this time in the house. Jin is off later in the week and we are going to take both dogs to the vets to get them checked out.

We caught the train to town. Jin wore Neela Vermeire Bombay Bling and I slathered myself in Mona di Orio Eau Absolue. We smelled wickedly good.

Our beautiful girlfriend Alice is going home to the UK for a month. Jin & I were able to catch up with her in town today for lunch. We went to one of my all time favourite venues the David Jones Food Hall in Sydney city. It’s a really wonderful lunch venue with loads of choice. I grabbed us an antipasto plate for entree and then we all had steak at The Grill. It was a totally fun way to farewell our mate and not very expensive either. The butcher has some of the best meat ever and they will soon be doing home delivery.

After much we went for a bit of a sniff through the city shops. I added Amouage Bracken Woman on my left arm and Estee Lauder Modern Muse on my right. So I was completely fragrant for the ride home too. We felt the need to take a SMELFIE.

OK, so I’ve become obsessed with the Gilmore Girls. Can’t seem to prise myself away from them. Tonight I kept watching one more episode until VERY late and then fell asleep without finishing my Trivia Q&A. OMG! So naughty of me. It won’t be long now because I’m already in season 6.

Tuesday 2:

Had to get up and finish the Trivia Q&A which took till noon. I am a wretched boss feeling very guilty.

I gave myself another healthy spritz of Mona di Orio Eau Absolue to write my questions. I have been trying to finish a 15ml decant for ages and now that its gone I am finally using my bottle. I find it balmy and smooth, TBH I thought it had lashings of lavender in it but it seems to have zero.

Tuesday is beard dying day. The white beard looks very lame with drag so I have to keep it dark and lustrous. I do admit though that I also like it dark as a bloke. It’s youthful, though I am not. I did get excited about my bubble bath today though because I used the last of my gorgeous gift from Jocelyn Fullerton of Cult of Scent. Golden Dreams is TO DIE FOR! Sadly it’s not regular range, special for me. You can get her fragrances and candles from the Cult of Scent site though.

Over my bubble bath scent I spritzed liberally with Guerlain L’Heure Bleue EdP, I think it’s this century. Very nice, perfect for how I’m feeling tonight.

Home now, walked & fed the dogs and back to the Gilmore Girls. Chat tomorrow.

Wednesday 3:

It’s Wednesday late morning. Dogs are fed & walked. I took them by my favourite local coffee joint and grabbed one to go as we wandered the streets. It’s cool and there are some clouds flitting by. Though the dogs are excited to be out and wandering I find it peaceful to wander aimlessly, chat to locals, see the seasons changing. EVERYONE that loves dogs wants to pat the boys so we get quite a bit of chat time, I like it a lot.

Wearing Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Musc. It’s very pretty, red roses and leaves in a bottle. It was a perfect wandering companion. Later, through it’s life a fabulously animal musk came through, not dirty or loud but a friendly musk that wears subtly underneath red roses that last for hours & hours.

Tonight for work I’m wearing 5 big spritzes of modern Guerlain Shalimar EdP and 2 of vintage parfum, this scent is my happy place.

Thursday 4:

Woke up with a jolt, wide awake and jumped out of bed. Fed and walked the dogs on a beautiful autumn morning.

Then I got caught up on a small slice of the Office Work that I’ve neglected. Hopefully Tuesday next week will get it cleared. I love having an empty inbox and all the bills paid and taken care of. There’s some mail still going to the house I sold over 2 years ago. I thought we had redirected EVERYTHING but clearly some stuff slipped between the cracks because the couple that bought it called and left out a BIG bag of it. I just collected it last week and I’m feeling overwhelmed.

BFF Kath’s Mum has been moved to rehab after a nasty tumble, breaking 3 ribs and fracturing her arm. Grabbed Kath and we went up to see her today. Yesterday was her birthday and it was a sad & sorry one for the poor girl. I think we brightened up her day just a smidge.

It’s cooler today so I wore a few spritzes of Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles. Sweet, spicy chutney & herbal woods. Excellent choice.

Tonight at Turbo Trivia we had a completely full house. It was an excellent night and so many of my favourite teams were in the house. It was loud and people were having fun.

I wore original Trussardi Donna, every time I wear it I love the light leather of this fragrance.

Spent an hour or so chatting to Neela Vermeire tonight. She is so funny, we laughed and nattered and fixed all the problems of the world.

Friday 5:

Friday dawned bright, crystal clear and sunny, not too warm and definitely hoodie over T-Shirt weather.

I had a fullish morning planned. The door guy had to come back and add a door closer to our screen door but he didn’t give me a time, hoping to be here by 2pm. When he did arrive the job took less that 20 minutes and he is a sweet man so it was nice to have him come back and fix the lack. Now we have a Self Closing Screen Door, which is what we paid for. YIPPEE!

If the door guy had come early I wanted to go see Kath’s Mum with her over lunch but things didn’t work out so when Jin gets home we can go visit.

Around midday I realised I was hungry so I made myself a little late morning tea. MMMMMMM Toast with Peanut Butter and Vegemite and a cuppa. I sat out on the balcony with the dogs and they were very well behaved. After the initial excitement that it might be for them they skedaddled right back to their beds and watched me eat with hungry, loving eyes.

In my free time I’ve been blogging. YAY! Yes, getting stuff done for next week and organising the Perfume Posse pieces for May. It’s a really relaxing when I put my mind to getting something done and then let my creative juices flow. Industrious, cleansing and cathartic all at once. It also has the added benefit of getting stuff done so I’m not worried about it. WINNING! Currently I smell like MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Rochas Byzance and Aether Citrus Ester. There is a note in the Baccarat Rouge 540 that reminds me of Aether Methaldone.

Jin arrived home, we went and saw Kath’s Mum in hospital. On the way home we grabbed LOADS of Chinese food, watched the 2017 Winter episode of the Gilmore Girls. It was weird seeing them after 10 years but the good news is Logan Huntzburger, played by Matt Czuchry, my favourite character looks better than ever and they even have a storyline between Rory & him that feels super 21st century.

Fed & walked the dogs. Now Jin has gone to bed and I’m tap-tap-tapping away at the computer keys. Bliss.

I wanted to buy some Grand Soir and Baccarat Rouge 540 from MFK tonight but my mind was on other things and I bloody forgot to get the grand Soir. I’m a bloody idiot.

For bed I wanted something vanilla floral sweet but not too heavy so I went with Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia. Perfect.

Saturday 6:

Saturday and Jin went off to work around 4am. Usually I sleep right through but today I woke up. Wide awake. He usually trots the dogs quickly downstairs for a wee when he wakes. He noticed I was awake and brought the dogs in to cuddle with me. It was so lovely. I had to change the bedsheets anyway so no harm and the dogs & I lay around in bed till 9am feeding and walking. CHANEL Boy was my morning accompaniment, lovely soft balmy lavender for an autumnal wander. There’s even more air in the bottle since this show was taken.

When Jin got home this evening it was Chinese reheats (MY FAVOURITE) and the 2017 Gilmore Girls final three episodes. So good. we laughed, we cried. Matt Czuchry is even more enthralling, I melted every moment he was on screen. PLEASE let them do a new series…….

In honour of the Favourite Vintage Scent Question I wore vintage Miss Dior extrait around the house tonight. It was cozy and perfect.

Sunday 7:

While walking the dogs they became very excited and it turned out to be a little Australian Noisy Minah that had wandered from its family, fallen from its nest or something. He would definitely have become cat food during the night so we brought him home and are feeding him a mixture of minced beef, egg, egg shell grounds and lorikeet dry food. He’s so bloody cute we called him Finbar and he’s nearly ready to fly free. We’ll take him to the vet tomorrow and see what they say.

First thing this morning we went to the Sydney Harley-Davidson centre in Strathfield. Jin needed to do some paperwork, buy a new helmet and jacket and show me his Mid-Life Crisis Impulse Buy. While I’m shaking my head at his ridiculousness it’s not so bad. So far he has pierced his nipples and bought a Harley. Any day I’m expecting him to start at the gym and bring home a Toy-Boy. One thing I am proud of him for though is that he is living his life as he chooses, has a solid debt reduction plan to lower the mortgage and pay off the bike and has not overcommitted himself. He even has Life Insurance just in case and is almost the highest level of Health Cover. That’s all pretty good for a man not quite 40 who came to Australia with a suitcase and almost no money in 2006.

I finished off this lovely Angel style bubble bath today. It’s a cheapy from Bath & Body Works that smells great and bubbles like crazy. Mountains of them. YUM! Because my base is so obviously sweet I have overlaid Michael Bublé By Invitation. You have no idea how good I smell. SWEEEEET

So, what’s been going on in your world?
Have you seen, done or smelled anything interesting?
Please share your life in the comments below. I love to read about your weeks too.
Portia xxx

Scent Diary 17.4 – 23.4.17

April 23, 2017 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 36 Comments

Portia

Hey there Frag Crew,

This week I was hoping for a quiet, relaxing, get shit done and maybe even get ahead of the game but then …… life. So instead of calm & collected it ended up being crowded and cluttered. HA! Loads of fun though, filled with food, friends, a rally and I got some really yummy scents on my skin too.

Scent Diary 17.4 – 23.4.17

Monday 17:

Easter Monday morning and the weather is beautiful. Sunshine is out and we took the dogs for their morning walk. I thought 1889 Moulin Rouge by Histoires de Parfums would be a good choice. It was very nice wandering the quiet North Parramatta streets at 9am. That sweet iris/rose lipstick pluminess was most noticeable this morning, really front & centre. On previous wears it has smelled less intense. I quite like the sweet musky dry down too. Pretty. Bought it from Sonya in one of her sales, thanks girl.

Jin’s been on the couch snoozing and watching re-runs of Gilmore Girls and I find myself strangely drawn to it in a way I never was when it was current. Fortunately he went back to work tonight. Structure will help him back on track.

My evening has been spent swathed in the magic that is Atelier des Ors Aube Rubis. OMG! Where has this sensational beauty been my whole life. Freaking gorgeous.

Monday is Trivia Q&A and Blog day/night.

Tuesday 18:

It’s around 1am. I’m halfway through my Trivia Q&A but I’ve been listening to music, hanging on FaceBook and generally dithering. I’m thinking of spritzing fragrance and my mind instantly went to Neela Vermeire Creations Mohur EdP. Fiendishly good, fruity roses, spice, greenery, incense and oud. Now I’m ready for questions. I’m a bit surprised at how much air is already in my latest bottle, I love it so much and usually overspritz like crazy, serves me right.

YAY! It’s 4am and my Trivia Q&A are done, dusted and sent to the crew. PHEW! More Mohur and a late night snack before bed.

This was the perfect autumn morning for walking the dogs. Sunny and warm, hardly anyone around at 9am. The dogs loved it and I found camellias in bloom. I wanted something barely there this morning so went with Parfumerie Generale 4.1 La Musc & La Peau. It’s pretty and fresh, softly soothing and perfect for sunshine.

For work tonight I’m wearing Burberry Brit Woman EdT & Extrait because I feel the need for sweet. I don’t know why I’m putting it back in its box. Seems to be my current craving.

Wednesday 19:

Another glorious Sydney Autumn day. I’m wearing a couple of dabs of vintage Guerlain Shalimar extrait.

Jin has finally finished his retraining to be an electrician on the NSW Country Trains. It’s a promotion to full team member and a pay rise. He is trying to brush it off as inconsequential but this is a really big deal. It was supposed to take 6 months but due to unforeseen work circumstances the whole crew has been held back. One really good thing is that Jin will be getting the pay rise backdated from the start of the year. That means that quite a bit of the extra money spent to go back to Slovakia and all the things he paid for and facilitated while helping the family deal with our sister in laws suicide will be covered by that lucky windfall. He left the house today in a cloud of vintage CHANEL Antaeus, I think he’s going to be OK.

For work this evening I chose Amouage Opus X. The arctic rose and screechy hairspray fragrance full of woods, ylang and resins. Perfection.

Thursday 20:

Thursday morning and I’m up early in the cool of the half light. I’ve been trolling the net and found some wonderful bargains but held myself firm and only put my name down for a split of Amouage Bracken Woman. I got the dogs inside and they are both curled up on their beds in the living room while I tap away at the keyboard in my office. There’s a coffee in hand and the lingering taste of breakfast cereal in my mouth, wondering if I should also do toast but then think I’ll have that as a morning tea after my 9am dog walk.

The weather is cooling considerably and I’m wearing a decant sent to me by my mate, the gorgeous Robert Herrmann who is a moderator at FaceBook Fragrance Friends and now writes reviews at CFB, when he did a giveaway here on APJ no-one collected the prize so he sent it to me. It’s Tom Ford Vert Boheme, greenest of the green and curiously fitting for an autumn morning. As you can see there is quite a bit of air in the bottle. I like it a lot.

Had a scream tonight as the madcap hostess for a Guerrilla Anti-Fashion Parade as a protest against Levi Strauss using dock workers in Madagascar that are being paid $40/month. Levi’s has 7 factories on Madagascar. The company ICTSI that runs the docks gets $200/container moved, the Dock workers get 2 cents. Their safety gear costs 3 months pay so they never buy it and many of them have to live & sleep under a nearby bridge between shifts.

Levi Strauss is actually a great company with an excellent ecological and workplace agreement history. In 2016 they were ranked #1 in the world for their supply chain code of conduct. Unfortunately the dock workers don’t come under that umbrella and are being treated abominably. The few workers, 43 in all, who have been trying to get better conditions were all fired. It’s a shemozzle and we think that with a multinational like Levi Strauss on board they could help to push ICTSI and governments in the right direction.

Feel free to pop into your local Levis store and tell them how disappointed you are in their ethical double standards in Madagascar.

What fragrance was I swathed in for the evening? Reem Acra EdP. Big, radiant white floral with all the bells and whistles. Done with a very clear nod to vintage but in a super modern way. You can get it for a steal on the discounters now.

Friday 21:

Big day off today. Up, breakfast , fed & walked dogs, got ready, spritzed DIOR Mitzah, out the door by 8.30am to meet my mate Evie for a morning stroll through the Art Gallery of NSW and a guided tour of some of their permanent collection, then to the dentist, had a wander around the department stores (bought the Mon Guerlain Shower Gel and learned how to get my Diptyque Rose de Mai squirter to work, tried 32 Venenum by L`Artisan Perfumer) then hanging with Alice and having Peking Duck!! We are not quite sure what Alice had in mind with the chips but it looks like she is trying to make a chip moustache. We ate the WHOLE DUCK between us.

Amazing day but now I’m pooped. Walked nearly 14,000 steps today. That’s a lot for lazy old me.

Saturday 22:

SATURDAY! I promised myself to Jin this morning. He has been working nights since Monday and it’s his first day off. Today we are going to be able to celebrate his promotion. So I grabbed the makings of French Toast. It’s one of his all time favourite breakfasts and it’s so easy to make. Today I’m adding some off the bone ham, a big dollop of fresh made guacamole and a mushroom, onion, ham stir fry.

I’m just about to take the dogs for a walk. The day is cool and lovely, I’m multiple spritzing Lolita Lempicka EdP down my shirt before I go. On the walk I came across these amazing flowers on a large shrub fully in bloom, heavenly.

Jin’s best friend Matt called and is taking him out to the Rugby League this afternoon so I get to blog and nap. YAY!!! Aren’t they cute in their Parramatta supporters outfits? Such boys.

Then tonight I’m taking him out for Korean BarBQ. A real date night, first one since I went on the cruise in February. Poor Jin was so tired, he fell sound asleep in the car on the way home, snoring and all.

Sunday 23:

WOW! How is it Sunday already? This week has sped by.

This morning we organised to catch up with mates. Sydney really turned on the most spectacular autumn morning for us and I made Jin take a photo out the car window.

I wore my vintage Jean Patou 1000 EdT. Perfect accompaniment to a morning a fun.

We had Pedis & Yum Cha. Kath & I had our feet attended to, then Jin and Phil joined us for lunch in the food court.

Fell asleep and missed my make up cues. Went to work at Austral Bowling Club as a guy wearing Guerlain Moscow. It also has a bit of a Mon Guerlain vibe.

Hung out there with Anna-Maria and her husband Johnny. Anna-Maria was Jin and my 2016 travelling companion through Europe, you might remember that we all met up with Tara of A Bottled Rose?

So how was your week?
Try any new fragrance? Rediscovering old one?
Do something or go anywhere exciting? Watch any good TV or read a book?
Come on, share. I love to know what you all have been up to too.
Portia xxx