Last Minute Gift List 2015

December 15, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 4 Comments

Post by Ainslie Walker

Hello Australian Perfume Junkies!

How are you coping with the fast approaching “festive season?!” At this point most are either in their element or completely over it! Which are you? If you are like me you might still need to buy some gifts, so I thought I would make another little list of some favorite products I personally recommend…all scent-based of course!

PS Remember: you can just highlight the relevant items and hope Santa or someone finds it and takes the hint!

Last Minute Gift List 2015

Perfume Legends – French Feminine Fragrances by Michael Edwards
I bought this special classic book from Amazon last year (approx. $195) and it’s worth its weight in gold. The ultimate gift for anyone with an interest in history and perfumery right through to design buffs, fashionistas, French obsessed and complete fragrance heads. The book is now out of print and is a collector’s item, yet second hand copies still do pop up on eBay/amazon. The ultimate cult coffee table book, who’s content continually expands my depth of knowledge on fragrance and the fragrance industry, as I flick through its beautiful pages. I would like to halt time so I can cozy up and read it from cover to cover a few more times.

Photo Stolen Libertine Perfumery

L’Artisan L’Hiver reed diffuser
I have always resisted reed diffusers, however this one is truly delicious. I bought the same fragrance last year in candle form and enjoyed it, but here in diffuser form the fragrance is set off nicely with a great throw. The scent is not too “up the nose” and rather floats around in an atmospheric way. A possibly more appropriate method to create Christmas ambience during the complete fire ban across most of Australia at this time of year. Pine needles, smoky wood all riding on a sweet, dry vanillin/wood base. A personal favorite home scent available from Libertine Perfumery and online for $96.

Photo Stolen Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella – Wax Tablets
Beautiful and distinctive are Santa Maria’s scented beeswax tablets which for wardrobes or placed in draws to scent clothes and repel moths. Gorgeously packaged and old-worldly to look at, each tablet is decorated with flowers and dried fruits by hand. The scent is super strong so I am just using one at a time. If they were not so beautiful I would break one in half, as that would be plenty for each draw. Peony Melbourne and Franque Melbourne are the stockists in Australia I have seen them in. I have Relax Orange but there was a rose, pot pouri and lavender available too. $48

Photo Stolen The Beauty Apothecary

Edible Beauty – Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum
This Hyaluronic acid based natural serum gives skin additional hydration without adding more oil or grease. I have been adding it under my normal moisturizer and tinted sunscreen to help my skin hold onto more moisture on these hot days AND it’s weightless! Skin stays nice and plump and on top of that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the smell. It makes me happy every time I slap it on! Available from Sephora and The Beauty Apothecary

Please let us hear about any yummy scent-based presents you are giving or wanting this Christmas??

Imagine The Possibilities: Barbie: 2015

December 13, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 4 Comments

Post by Portia

Hey Crew,

Barbie, and its creators Mattel, have often come under criticism for educating young women that the impossible figure is normal. It’s a serious charge and one that our Mum fought by buying us loads of different dolls including the prettier and less formidably and ferociously sexualised Cindy doll, as well as some cheapies that had very nice but homely faces and much more real bodies. We didn’t care, they were all fun and we found them all equally perfect to inhabit our worlds of make believe. We even had some boy dolls, although they didn’t get nearly as much playtime because their day was done in the games when they drove off to work and the ladies could start living their lives.

Imagine The Possibilities: Barbie: 2015

Photo Stolen Barbie.com

Today I found the new Barbie advertisement and my Mum would have been 100% behind this ad, though I can hear the cynic in her asking if the body had become more realistic and if the barbie had been given Doctor, Lawyer, Scientist, Astronaut, Park Ranger or Engineering outfits in 2015?

This is a small step but a significant one. I hope you enjoy the ad, it makes me want to buy a Barbie for every child I know. Again I hear my Mum saying that the marketing team has done their job well. Yes they have Mum, BRAVO.

Portia xxx

Imagine The Possibilities | Barbie

Christmas with Uncle Serge Lutens

December 9, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 12 Comments

Post by Poodle

When people talk Christmas perfumes, Nuit de Noel always seems to come up. While lovely, I don’t think it smells the least bit like Christmas.

Enter Serge Lutens. He’s got your holiday moments bottled.

Christmas with Uncle Serge Lutens

Baby it’s cold outside. Spritz on L’eau Froide. This smells cold like a winter night. A night so chilly that it makes your nose burn so you pull your scarf up over your face and the smell of cold mixes with your warm breath and skin. Cool notes are balanced with pepper and ginger in this one.

Photo Stolen Torange

On my skin Arabie smells like a traditional holiday candle. Or maybe potpourri. It’s warm with dried fruits and what I think of as mulling spices. I don’t really like wearing this but I do like smelling it if that makes sense. It doesn’t work on my skin but I love it on clothing and other people. If I had more than a sample I’d use it as a posh room spray.

Let’s deck the halls and put up the tree with Fille en Aiguilles. Quite possibly my favorite foresty scent. Pine needles, fir, and incense with a tiny touch of sweetness from the stewed fruits that Uncle Serge does so well. Reminiscent of a Christmas tree but the fruit notes and incense prevents it from smelling like an air freshener.

The tree’s up. Time for a cuppa. Five O’Clock au Gingembre is on the menu. Bergamot, ginger, and honey swirl together to warm you from the inside out. I don’t find this to be a true tea scent but rather more like tea time. Evokes the scent of spicy holiday tea blends that I can’t see to get enough of at this time of year.

Photo Stolen FreeStockPhotos

Love holiday baking? Break out the Jeux de Peau. Jam filled cookies, toasted yeasty bread with butter, syrupy fruitcakes… It’s like grandmas kitchen on steroids. Jeux de Peau starts buttery sweet but ends on a spicy note. It’s everything but the calories of the holiday dessert table.

We always went to midnight mass on Christmas and that’s what Amber Sultan makes me think of. It’s not really a churchy fragrance. It’s more about amber and spice notes. This reminds me of the swirl of perfumes that I’d smell in church. All the ladies wearing their very best for the holiday. A mix of fur coats, perfumes, and that undercurrent of incense that permeated the walls in every catholic church.

It’s late. The fire’s all but gone out and it’s getting chilly. Time to rest and dream about what Santa might bring you. How can you sleep with the clatter of reindeer on the roof? How about a little Gris Clair? This perfume has the scent of lavender and smokey notes. Not a light bedtime scent really, but with all the excitement and holiday stress you might need a big lavender.

Photo Stolen Flickr

Surrender To Chance has all the Serge Lutens samples

What perfumes make you think of the holiday season?

A Merry and Fragrant Christmas to you all!
Poodle

Cookie Queen in Vienna: December 2015: Photo Essay

December 8, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 28 Comments

Post by Val the Cookie Queen

I have just returned from three days in one of my favourite cities. Time spent with my daughter and friends. Sniffing, shopping, eating delicious food.

Cookie Queen in Vienna: Photo Essay

December 2015

Vienna is a beautiful city, now uneasy and troubled. There is no way of ignoring the refugee crisis. Make no mistake, it is very uncomfortable.
Guerlain exchanged my broken bottle of Shalimar Extrait and I gave a man and his dog who found themselves having to beg, a little money. Perplexing.

Start with the Vienna Christmas Lights

The Flower Shop in Stephanplatz

Hannah: Blondes Wunder

Kiki: Vero Profumo

Neela Vermeire Creations

DIOR HandbagInto the Vienna cobbled alleys

and church

and refugee

Good will to all
CQ

How to Set a Provençal Table by L’OCCITANE

December 4, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

Post by Portia

Hey APJ,

OMG! Christmas is nearly here! It’s time to think table settings. It has to be fabulous so everyone can go WOW when they arrive but easy to remove so you can eat dinner and have stuff to hand around on the table. L’Occitane has some good, simple, effective and cheap ideas here that anyone could take inspiration from. I hope you enjoy this little film, I’m definitely inspired.

Portia xxx

Photo Stolen YouTube

How to Set a Provençal Table: L’OCCITANE

Need some last minute, well priced Xmas ideas? L’Occitane Au can help. No, I’m not affiliated or paid by the company, LOVE the L’Occitane products though. XX

L’Occitane + Pierre Herme GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

November 30, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 2 Comments

Post by Portia

Thank you everyone for getting involved. Especially thankin Lesley from L’Occitane Australia. Don’t Forget: L’Occitane Australia have FREE DELIVERY on orders over $100 and most sets come GIFT WRAPPED. So if you want something both beautiful & affordable then you might want to think L’Occitane, they are excellent products.

L’Occitane + Pierre Herme GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Gift Set $95 L’Occitane Australia

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 3 winners (1 Aussie, 2 Overseas) who will receive:
1 x AUSSIE: Jasmin Immortelle Neroli pack
1 x 75ml Jasmin Immortelle Neroli EdT
1 x 250ml Jasmin Immortelle Neroli Shower Gel
1 x 250ml Jasmin Immortelle Neroli Body lotion
2 x OVERSEAS: Miel Mandarine Hand Cream
1 x 30ml Miel Mandarine Hand Cream
P&H

Hand Cream $13 L’Occitane Australia

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 29th November 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winner were chosen by random.org

Photo Stolen thegarfieldshow-diary

Australia: Amanda

Overseas: Annet Z + Musette

CONGRATULATIONS!! The winners will have till Thursday 3rd December 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.

Eau de Toilette 75ml $62 L’Occitane Australia

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas from Under $20

November 17, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 7 Comments

Post by Ainslie Walker

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas from Under $20

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25

For smoky vanilla lovers: Encens Feve Tonka perfumed soap $16.95

For the woody citrus lovers: Tilleul Cedrat perfumed soap $16.95

For the bearded hipsters and dandy gentlemen in your life, give them an aromatic moustache to sniff at: Penhaligon’s Bayolea Moustache Wax $19

For bathing beauties, both man and woman: Gascoigne & King Luxury Unmilled soaps come in aniseed, myrtle and charcoal (my favorite), tangerine, geranium and lemongrass, patchouli and poppyseed. They are beautifully packaged and handmade in Sydney, making them unique Aussie gifts! $25

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $35

For fragrant bathers of any age, even Grandma: Fragonard Shower Gel’s in Fleur de Vanille, Soleil, Freesia, Rose de Mai $28

For the gourmet foodies you know, make their dinner table decorating dreams complete: Cire Truden Madeleine Tapered candles come in Black, Aqua, Grey, Rose and Stone. Are dripless and smokeless and will be beautiful and classic even adorning your festive table $29

Flower of the moment is Lily of the Valley and Fragonard Muget Soap Gift Box of 4 is super cute. I just love the illustration on the box. Perfect for any age group now that this flower has been revived! $32

For the artists, creatives, art collectors, perfume lovers and just about anyone I can HIGHLY recommend Just Gil’s – Original Perfume Art Starting from $35. Just Gil is a talented, perfume-loving artist based in Sweden and you can follow her on instagram: @Just.Gil to see what she is producing. She also does warm and friendly, easy to watch fragrance reviews on YouTube: Just Gil
Her artworks are original and addictive (I have 2 already!!) and make the perfect original gift for anyone who is sentimental about a fragrance through to all you fragrance obsessives! She will do bespoke commissions of your favorite bottles too! *Postage –is a maximum of $18 for an any amount of pictures to be sent anywhere in the world, so team up with your buddies and order at the same time to share this cost. Be sure to order soon so yours arrive in time for Christmas!!

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $40

For work colleagues/secret Santa’s/neighbors and people you may not know too well, for example, The Fragonard Body Lotion’s are easy to gift in Soleil, Freesia, Rose de Mai, Fleur d’Oranger $34.95

A no sweat stocking filler is Penhaligon’s Deodorant’s in Bayolea (citrus aromatic), Quercus (chypre), Sartorial (fougere) or Blenheim Bouquet (citrus aromatic). $39

Who doesn’t like roses, Italy and a little bit of history?! The beautiful 250ml Santa Maria Novella Rosewater is a real treat with many uses and comes packaged with historic, iconic Santa Maria Novella labeling. $40 from Peony and Franque in Melbourne.

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $50

Creed’s Aventus Soap is a win for the men at only $49. No better choice than a sexy soap for Grandpa!!

Atelier Cologne Layering Duo (Ltd Edition) is handy for a hot Australasian summer, 2 travel sized spray bottles ready for a sophisticated freshen-up-respritz and layering experience. Orange Sanguine is zesty, juicy orange and geranium. Vanille Insensée takes sweet notes of vanilla, jasmine and lime and fuse with oakmoss, woods and coriander spice. Worn together to create a unique fragrance. From teen ages and up. Can be unpackaged into 2 separate stocking filler gifts for siblings. Available in Sephora Stores. $49

Frédéric Malle Editions de Parfums 10mls I had no idea these started so affordably!! A “gateway” sized bite into this drop dead gorgeous collection of quality fragrances by the very best noses in the world. From $50

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $60

A new release to Mecca from Korres is ‘Velvet Orris, Violet, White Pepper EDT’ it packs a punch and is built to last! For lovers of sweet, strong, fruity, powdery florals. (Think Flowerbomb to Coco Mademoiselle wearers) AND IT’S NATURAL!! $56

Award winning niche brand Costume National’s 10ml Rollerballs: So Nude, Homme, Scent Intense, Cyber Garden are $59 each from Libertine and Sephora and are a fantastic introduction to quality niche and make great gifts for teens and upwards! Packaging makes them a great gift for the discerning traveller!

BY ROSIE JANE James Fragrance Oil 5ml roll on is a delightful sweet unisex fig, gardenia and amber rollerball perfume. It’s creamy white floral notes edge on coconut and says summer to me. For all the sexy beach babes you know. Light, earthy and romantic. Perfect size for in the handbag. $60.00

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $80

(Malin + Goetz) votive set of 3 candles – 3 x 67g In dark rum, tobacco and vetiver, the scented trio will make gifts for any sophisticated, house-proud males in your lives. $66

Where are you staying this Christmas? Give your hosts or even newly wedded couples unique ambient home scent as a thank you: L’Artisan’s Amber sachets. GORGEOUS! $79

5 Fragrant Gifts Under $60 2015

November 15, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 20 Comments

Post by Portia

Hi All,

Gifting is expensive! Here are some excellent Under $60 buys that will have them smiling, and feeling fabulous.

5 Fragrant Gifts Under AUD$60 2015

Molton Brown Vintage 2015 with Elderflower Bath & Shower Gel $33

Molton Brown is YUM! I love their packaging, generous sizes and they often smell fabulous too. Vintage 2015 has grapefruit, pettigrain, elderflower extract and vetiver. It goes on beautifully, lathers up a treat, is refreshing & energising and it has little GLITTERS in it that make me feel like a beauty queen. First saw Molton Brown Vintage 2015 with Elderflower with Ainslie Walker and begged to try them. YUMMMMMMMM. I’m about a third through my bottle and will be repurchasing again at full retail when it’s finished. $33 for 300ml and you can get the matching Body Lotion in a beautifully Boxed Set $77 at Molton Brown Au.

ime Natural Perfume Collection Pack $49.95

This set is an excellent gift, 9 x 2ml atomisers in a beautiful presentation pack. All the fragrances are based on one of the muses from mythology, remember Xanadu? While writing this post I’ve been happily marinating in Kleio [elegant] which is sold as a friendly and romantic blend of sweet florals with a touch of gentle spice and warm wood but my body is throwing a fabulous blast of anise over woods and some pretty chilly geraniums and grapefruit. Interesting and robust naturals to enhance your moods. Good longevity for naturals too. Go check the ime Natural Perfume site

Quantum Demonology by Sheila Eggenberger $59

You want to read a book that blows your mind? A book that picks you up and carries you along, shakes you up, makes you think and then spits you out with a whole new perspective on life? Fellow perfumista, blogger and all round stellar human being Sheila Eggenberger has given us such a tome, and littered it with frag references. I loved this book so much I had to buy a new one because I passed mine onto a friend who directs and produces films. Do yourself a favour. Hardback $59 at Book Depository

Choc Banana Tim-Tams 365g. 2 for $5

SERIOUSLY! You buy me 2 packs of these then we’ll be friends, possibly forever. Well, till I die of heart failure. If you love Banana Lollies and Chocolate then these are for you. Un freaking believably yummy. Two of the best flavours in the world brought together with a choc biscuit inside. It doesn’t get any better than this. Available at Coles Online.

Estée Lauder Youth Dew Deodorant $30

STOCKING FILLER! Did you even know this was a thing? It’s TOTALLY a thing. Excellent for under your seriously spicy orientals and also perfect as a fragrance on its own. Youth Dew the EdP can be pretty loud but the deodorant has the same basic model but sotto voice. It’s a roll on, has 75ml and I’m loving mine sick. This is my second one because I’m nearly finished my first and I found it for you at Myer Online

What are your best sensibly priced picks for 2015?
Portia xx

L’Occitane en Provence: Holiday 2015 Film

November 13, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

Post by Portia

Hi there Fragrant Fumies,

One of the things I love about the end of year holiday season is the beautiful films many of the multinational beauty companies create and present. This is the first I’ve seen from L’Occitane and I think you will love it.

Portia xx

Photo Stolen YouTube

L’Occitane en Provence: Holiday 2015 Film

A Dazzling Provençal Journey

Need some last minute, well priced Xmas ideas? L’Occitane Au can help. No, I’m not affiliated or paid by the company, LOVE the L’Occitane products though. XX

Top 10 Christmas Shopping List 2015

October 31, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 13 Comments

Post by Portia

Hi Lovelies,

We are HURTLING towards Christmas with speeds previously unknown to mankind. How did this year disappear so fast? It seems like only yesterday I was having Christmas at home with Mathew, Jin & Kath, opening up my presents, eating, laughing and having a stunningly relaxing day. Jin, Kath & I were all living in an apartment in Redfern (on the edge of the Sydney CBD) and it was great. You know, I can’t believe I’ve been sporting the BEARD for a year!

Many of you are not Christian, have horrible Christmas memories or are very lonely at Christmas. Depression is made even harder when the world expects you to be joyful and smiling. I too have spent Christmas with the black dog. One of the things that helps me through is organisation, make a plan for the day and stick to it. Leaving the house can seem like an insurmountable mountain, especially in the dead of winter, but if it’s safe to do so then getting bathed, dressed and outside for a short while can really help. Even if it’s just to a porch or balcony. Inside, spend an hour tidying up your kitchen and table and making it a really nice place to have a meal, polish the damn thing if you have to and if you have a placemat put it down, set up your cutlery and condiments. Even if all you have for lunch is a Cup-A-Soup please make it a SPECIAL Cup-A-Soup moment. Do you know someone else who is lonely or in need? Nothing puts the Christmas blues behind as much as helping someone else. Just do it for yourself, helping them will help you through, selfishness harnessed for the greater good is still wonderful.

Anyway, here are my Top 10 Christmas Gifts 2015, I know you have some great ideas to help people with their gift giving, please leave your comments below. Also good ideas for beating the Christmas Blues would be great too.

Top 10 Christmas Shopping List 2015

L’Occitane Shea Fabulous Oil: Seriously, L’Occitane Shea Fabulous Oil is FAN fricken TASTIC! It smells so beautiful, sinks into your skin in moments, leaves your skin feeling soft, supple and with a light sheen. I can’t imagine anyone male or female who would not be thrilled receiving a bottle of this beautiful baby at Christmas (or any other time). Whoever you give this to will be seriously impressed with your good taste and sense. Retailing AUD$45/100ml at L’Occitane Australia

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Miller et Bertaux – A Quiet Morning: On our first trip to Europe together while shopping with Birgit and Sandra Jin spritzed some Miller et Bertaux – A Quiet Morning. It was instant love. We were busy buying other things at the time but later in the evening I got a whiff of him and it still smelled killer. The top notes and heart are put together in such a way that they smell like nothing in my scent memory and are based around Saffron, Rice & Neroli but the deep Woody dry down is where it really shines. First In Fragrance has €98/100ml

Photo Stolen SmartDraw

Surrender To Chance Gift Certificate: Don’t know what to get someone? Know they like fragrance and don’t want to double up or worse give them a scent nemesis note? Surrender To Chance Gift Certificate‘s are a great idea. Your friend will have the joy of receiving your card explaining their gift, you can send them a Gift Voucher via eMail, they will have enormous fun picking their order and once it arrives the fun of wearing a bunch of brand new fragrances. Excellent gift from $1 to $200. I usually give $25 or $50, depending on my financial status and our friendship.

Photo Stolen Parfum1

Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet Bath Oil: I love baths, and here is a fabulous way to soften and lightly scent your skin while enjoying that most relaxing and mentally detoxifying pursuit. The Blenheim Bouquet range from Penhaligon’s is chock full of fabulous stuff, from Shaving Soaps and Shower Gels to EdT and Body Lotion and it all comes beautifully packaged. Aimed at the men but blissfully unisex. Parfum1 has $85/200ml Bath Oil.

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Lolita Lempicka EdP: The original Lolita Lempicka fragrance. One of the loveliest, and much more wearable, Angel spin offs. Licorice, Sugar & Violets all drizzled with Vanilla Praline and smoothed over with Musks. I often gift this one. It suits all ages and everyone loves the fun bottle, even the men. It’s sweet but won’t rot your teeth, light enough to wear to most events but fragrant enough to be interesting. Perfumery Australia has AUD$40/50ml

Photo Stolen Book Depository

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo: If any book could change your life then this is the one. Imagine being surrounded by ONLY the things that bring you joy. Perfect if you or someone you know needs to de-clutter. Marie Kondo is clever and a bit whacko but her book really does give an excellent guide to making your life cleaner, sparer and more able to let in the joy. I’ve not done the full clean but it will happen when I’m ready. Book Depository has the hardback for AUD$19.20 delivered.

Photo Stolen Libertine

Amouage Body Lotion: You want to make someone feel like they are incredible beautiful and important to you? Want them to think lovely thoughts of you every time they get out of the shower and are moisturising themselves? Top quality and smells amazing, my favourite of the Amouage Body Lotions is DIA filled with glycerine, shea butter, aloe vera, almond oil and silicone. A softly fresh bouquet on a base of powdery woods, vanilla & incense. Sensual and elegant. Libertine has $119/300ml with FREE Australian Shipping

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Magnolia Grandiflora – Michel: You are looking for something different, beautiful, easy to wear and vibrant to gift your partner. You are expecting to pay a bit of money but cant go too far over the top. Magnolia Grandiflora – Michel is an excellent choice. Citrus and fresh green up top through a softly white floral bouquet and into a dry patchouli and vetiver skin scent to finish. Unisex, magical and Australian. Peony Melbourne has AUD$185/100ml

Photo Stolen FragranceX

Rancé 6 x 104 ml Iris Royal Soap Box: Rancé has been producing excellent soaps in Italy since 1795 and their production methods remains basically unchanged from their founding. That’s quite an amazing thing. The soaps are presented beautifully, six in a box and they smell incredible. The soap leaves your skin clean, moist and lightly fragrant. This is the good stuff. FragranceX has AUD$73.50

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

CHANEL Misia: You want their friends to be as impressed as they are. Grab the 2015 release from CHANEL, Misia. It shows you are cool, clever and bang up to date. There’s nothing like the thrill of finding something by CHANEL under your tree or given any way a gift can be given. Make sure the sales person wraps the box and ties with CHANEL ribbon, roll it in the CHANEL bag and only then can you put your own Christmas paper on it. Give them the whole thrilling experience. It will be worth it. CHANEL Boutiques and large department stores have 75ml or 200ml bottles.

Did any of these tickle your fancy? What would you like to give or be given?
Portia xxx