Fragrance

September: full of luck and love.

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Post by Ainslie Walker

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September: full of luck and love.

I was a lucky lady during September: surviving a car accident, winning a bottle of perfume AND finding a favorite fragrance dramatically discounted. It’s been peculiar experiencing first hand, concussion and shock. My sense of smell was fortunately still intact after a big bump to the head, even stronger for some time– apparently due to primal instincts of “fight or flight.”

(untitled) Maison Martin Margiela FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

TWO bottles of discounted Maison Martin Margiela – Untitled were awaiting me in packages when I arrived home from hospital and I wore nothing but for days. Perfectly strange, earthy and uplifting, it suited my surreal state.

Margiela’s intention was to reinterpret greenery after rain. It gives me the feeling of holding my face up to the sky and it being washed with big plodding drops of fresh rain. Ahhhhhh the ultimate cleanse. I visualize fresh, wet, pounding summer rain running off bending plants, yet a musky, sweet white floral heart is present all the while. Lurking in the undergrowth is the better parts of the smell of smoking. Not tobacco. Just mysterious smoke. Galbanum, fierce and green is complimented perfectly with bittersweet orange. Jasmine adds sumptuous pretty, floral and sweet notes that cedar and musk bring back to earth, deepening and giving an irresistible otherworldly edge.

Gorgeously avant-garde, listed as containing boxwood, galbanum, bitter orange, incense, jasmine, cedar and musk. Apparently no vetiver, however it’s a definite must try for vetiver fans. A scent that rarely gets a mentioned on fragrance forums, yet for me is stand out, always receiving numerous compliments. Completely unisex – in fact my dad has already “borrowed” one of my bottles!

Rose Etoile de Hollande Mona di Orio FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

From my hospital bed I entered Mona di Orio’s instagram competition and a few days later I received notification I had won!! Completely spaced out, I pondered my weird week’s luck. The full bottle of Rose Etoile de Hollande, beautifully packaged (old packaging) was with me within a few days from Europe – a very generous gift. Named after the worlds most fragrant climbing rose species, which Mona studied, growing outside her window in Cabris, France. I had never smelt it before, yet doused myself in it recklessly. A spine-tingling, sparkling, deep rose hit my system. Aldehydic, reminding me of the rich rose component of vintage Chanel Number 5. I am pleased by the natural tones and earthiness in the heart of this fragrance. I feel as if my nose is buried deep deep inside the bosom of a red rose. Deep enough to even smell the fizzy peachiness of its just forming fruit. It is beyond than that though; with additional layers transpiring over time. Smoky eugenol (clove), cedar, patchouli and leather contribute an edgy and carnal feel to this voluptuous beauty. Eventually it powders down, yet remains fiercely rosy sparkling into the evening like a vast and starry night.

How was your September? Do you love fragrances that take you from planet earth to elsewhere in 1 sniff? Which are you favorites?

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3 Giveaway WINNER

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Post by Portia

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

Let’s see who won,
Portia xxx

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3 Giveaway WINNER

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3c

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

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

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3

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

HOUSEKEEPING

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

Winner Is amberinblunderlandPhoto Stolen amberinblunderland

Teri Singer

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

 

Magnum Iris by Ramón Béjar 2014

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Post by Portia

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

Crew OSSWALD 2014OSSWALD 2014

Josie OSSWALD 2014Josie @ OSSWALD 2014

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

Magnum Iris by Ramón Béjar 2014

Magnum Iris Ramon Bejar FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

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

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

Magnum Iris urban-scene Unsplash PixabayPhoto Stolen Pixabay

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

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

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

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

Have you tried the line yet? HURRY!
Portia xx

 

Journey Man by Alberto Morillas + Pierre Negrin for Amouage 2014

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Post by Portia

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Hi there Frag Family,

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

Journey Man by Amouage 2014

Journey Man by Alberto Morillas + Pierre Negrin

Journey Man Amouage FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

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

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

journey-man-amouage hipster pipe Unsplash PixabayPhoto Stolen Pixabay

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

First line from intended? “You smell amazing!”

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

Darren Anthony @bobbydazzler_

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

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

What is your favourite Amouage?
Portia xx

 

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 59 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hey there Crew,

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

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

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

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3c

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3

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

Please help me with another little clear out.
Portia xx

giveaway TheTruthAboutMummyPhoto Stolen TheTruthAboutMummy

HUGE SAMPLE PACK #3 Giveaway

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

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

HOW DO YOU WIN?

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

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us what you sampled recently that took your fancy

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

HOUSEKEEPING

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

 

 

Todd Oldham GIVEAWAY WINNERS

/ australianperfumejunkiescom

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Post by Portia

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

Portia xxx

Todd Oldham GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Todd Oldham Todd Oldham FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

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

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

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

HOUSEKEEPING

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

WINNERS dryiconsPhoto Stolen dryicons

In the US:  ElizabethC.

Outside the US:  Pats

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

 

 

Fracas Silkening Body Lotion by Robert Piguet

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 6 Comments

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Post by Portia

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Hi there Fragrance Fiends,

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

Fracas Silkening Body Lotion by Robert Piguet

Fracas Lotion Galaxy PerfumePhoto Stolen Galaxy Perfume

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

L’Amoureuse by Emilie Bouge for Brecourt 2010

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 6 Comments

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Post by Trésor

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(Ed: BTW Here’s the link to a story about Trésor in the Mac Campaign)

There are a handful of categories in fragrance which are often maligned by those whom may consider themselves connoisseurs of haute parfumerie (myself very much included) but there is one particular climate of olfactory exploration which may well get a bum rap that’s worse than them all: the fruity floral. The fruity floral has become somewhat ubiquitous and while that ubiquity can often come with a sense of fragrant ennui there can also be a sense of comfort and familiarity captured within these dulcet vapours. Just as I’d been delving into some research of the genre to further my understanding it so happened that I was fortuitous enough to receive a package from a dear friend, one which contained a very generous sample of L’Amoureuse from the Parisian house of Brecourt, easily one of the most exquisite compositions in the genre I’ve had the pleasure of wearing along my scented journey this far.

L’Amoureuse by Brecourt 2010

L’Amoureuse by Emilie Bouge

L’Amoureuse Brecourt FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, lemon, tangerine, black currant
Heart: Rose, jasmine, violets, raspberries
Base: Peach, lily, musk

L’Amoureuse opens on my skin with the sumptuous bravura of juicy blackcurrant, each berry positively glistening with rich and nectarous dew. The narcotic aroma of jasmine and her petals of luxurious ivory permeate the airspace alongside the citric effervescence of glowing tangerine, a combination which somehow reminds me of a smell from my childhood; the redolent aroma of a particular shampoo or other such potion that perpetuates the most splendid notion of lighthearted nostalgia. As the composition progresses the lush magenta petals of a blooming rose bouquet unfold and radiate their glowing aurora throughout the exquisite menagerie of aromas which preceded. The lambent sweetness of ripe peach amplifies the utter ebullience of delectably fruity damascones and makes way for the most unbelievably comforting drydown. A plush cloud of sensuous white skin musks alongside the delicate warmth of rich sandalwood are what remain after the spellbinding floridity of the heart begin to fade. It is in this splendid embrace that L’Amoureuse finally becomes one with the skin and exists as but a fond memory.

L’Amoureuse Brecourt Vivien_Leigh WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

With L’Amoureuse I get a moderate degree of sillage, nothing particularly huge but by no means existing within the realm of a skin scent. Longevity is about the same for me as well, I get a good 6 to 8 hours of wear before the fragrance disappears entirely on my skin though I am certain on warmer days I may very well be able to get a solid 10. I think L’Amoureuse would be the absolute ideal transition scent for someone making the journey from wearing only mainstream releases into the world of niche. It is wonderfully elegant, delightfully well made and created with a sense of familiarity that I think even those completely new to fragrance would find very appealing.

L’Amoureuse Brecourt happy young woman Andi_Graf PixabayPhoto Stolen Pixabay

Further reading: Scent For Thought
First In Fragrance have €69/50ml & samples
IndieScents have $85/50ml & samples

What fragrance would you recommend to somebody taking their first steps into the world of niche?

Until next time, my darlings.

Trésor, xx.

A Full Speed Perfume Trip Around the USA Photo Essay

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 51 Comments

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Post by Val the Cookie Queen

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A Full Speed Perfume Trip Around the U S and A

Seattle. San Francisco. Los Angeles. New York.

I do not know where to begin. Everyone that I met in the US were absolutely amazing. They took time out of their schedules to meet up, made me and my family so welcome, showed us around the cities and were generally mind-blowing. I was so touched. A lot of it is personal and has no place on a blog. However over the months I will include things that happened as there are perfumed tales to tell. I am not too reliable at taking pictures, but I hope you enjoy the few that follow. New York was so much fun that nobody even remembered to take photos. An absolute highlight was meeting Azar of APJ. I have many samples of perfume to brighten up my winter.

The one question I have been asked by a number of people is did I find anything new that really impressed me. I absolutely did. It will be my
next post. You will have to tune in again.

Jetlagged Bussis
CQ

Perfume Trip Around the U S and A

Photo Essay

IMG_4626Sniffing Ellen Covey´s  überfragrant Cattleya orchid.  iIhad NO idea how narcotic an orchid could be.

IMG_4628The very elegant Azar.  Australian Perfume Junkie´s very own!

IMG_4636One of Ellen´s orchids.

IMG_4627Ellen and her husband and a basket of Azar´s homegrown tomatoes.

IMG_4629Me with Mary.  A San Franciscan perfumista and Verophile.

IMG_4630Part of Ellen Covey of Olympic Orchids work materials.

IMG_4631A not very clear picture of the beautiful Virgina of Té de Violetas.

 

IMG_4633Shelley Waddington of En Voyage and Mary on the comfy sofa in Tiger Lily.

IMG_4632Antonia.  Owner of Tiger Lily in San Francisco.  Such a charming store.

IMG_4634Ellen Covey’s Olympic Orchids shelf!

IMG_4637 Leaving Twisted Lily in Brooklyn.  Daisy from Coolcookstyle leading the way.  The charming Arielle of Scents of Self and of Arielle Shoshanna Scented Luxuries.

IMG_4638Mary, Virginia and me trucking`through San Francisco.

IMG_4639The most beautiful toffee apples I have ever seen.  Seattle.

IMG_4640Ellen showing a tiny orchid in her greenhouse.

IMG_4641Jtd Jtd of Scenthurdle.  Los Angeles.

IMG_4642Hannah the BlondesWunder in the makeup store at midnight.  NYC.

IMG_4643
Carlos Powell of Peace, Love and Perfume having a dhosa for lunch.  NYC.

IMG_4645Hannah me and Daisy.  Daisy organized a New York perfumista extravaganza for me. However what happened in New York, stays in New York.

IMG_4646Laundry rates in then hotel we stayed in.  NYC.

IMG_4647Tonka beans in a golden bag.  On the recommendation of Barbara Herman, author of Scent and Subversion. An old voodoo spell.  brings love and luck.  I have left one in the bag and the rest I shall use in my baking.

IMG_4648Tiger Lily.

IMG_4649 Twisted Lily.

IMG_4650 Inside Twisted Lily..

IMG_4651Hannah learning how to use and  umbrella.  Outside Twisted Lily.

IMG_4653

IMG_4654Two with Connor

IMG_4655Selfie.  Val and Undina.  San Francisco.

 

(ED: This is the mad, disjointed and crazed order these pics were sent. Nobody got time to organise this lot, clearly not even Val)

Todd Oldham by Parlux 1995

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 26 Comments

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Post by Azar

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Hello APJ,

This week I am revisiting my favorite family in the Parlux clan, the boozy, amber-y, fruity scents originating with Anne Klein II ( 1985 by Yves Tauguy), continuing to Todd Oldham (1995 by Jeffrey Dame et. al.) and finishing with Todd’s “daughters” (so to speak), Queen Latifah (2009) and Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights (2010), both by perfumer Steve DeMercado. This particular Parlux – Five Star Fragrance family template never seems to die. It is re-born and reformulated, renamed, repackaged and sent out into the world every decade or so to recapture our imaginations and put yet another small dent in our pocket books. Obviously I don’t have the space to write about the whole family today so I will limit myself to the second generation – Todd Oldham.

Todd Oldham by Parlux 1995

Todd Oldham Todd Oldham FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

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

Let me tell you a little about Todd Oldham:
In case you missed the 1990s (or were still dusting cobwebs off the moon at the time) Todd Oldham, designer of super fun and funky fashions, launched his first clothing line in 1989 and was hugely successful in ready to wear throughout the 90s. These days he continues to surprise and delight us with his interior designs and creative crafts for children and adults. This week I have been busy insulating the greenhouse with bubble wrap and found Todd Oldham’s video on creating t-shirt designs with this same bubbly material to be timely and appealing.

Todd Oldham the fragrance was put together in 1994/95 by the designer himself with the help of Jeffrey Dame, then VP of Sales and Marketing at Parlux.

Here are my perceived notes: Peach and Bananas! Over-ripe, dark, sweet bananas combined with squishy peach, at bit of orange and something oudy and woody. The opening is luscious and thick, a scent reminiscent of orchards at harvest time, redolent of rich, heavy, fruits verging on ferment and decay. This boozy fruit cocktail cools to banana cream pie perfumed with patchouli and spiced with cinnamon. As Todd Oldham dries down he morphs into one of my favorite synthetic flavors – banana Popsicle. This effect is much lighter than the initial peachy/banana/woody blast but still a far cry from my granddaughter’s fruitchouli! The sticky Popsicle lingers for several hours before it melts and warms again into a balsamic and amber-y confection with hints of rose and sandalwood.

Todd Oldham, although not as insistent as “daughter” Queen Latifah, is still a powerhouse fragrance. One spritz extends well beyond my personal space for at least an hour before settling down for the long haul, 8 hours or more on skin and forever on clothing.

Now back to the bubble wrap! Azar xx

giveaway manoneileenPhoto Stolen manoneileen

Todd Oldham GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

Today’s giveaway: There are two prizes.

One US resident winner will receive one extremely cute, 6.5 ml, boxed, vintage Todd Oldham EdP mini.

One NON US winner will receive one 2ml decant spray of Todd Oldham EdP and one 1ml decant of vintage Anne Klein II EdP.

HOW DO YOU WIN?

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

To be eligible please tell us how you follow APJ and if you are inside or outside the US.

Also give us your take on any of the fragrances mentioned in today’s post or a fave from the 1990s.

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 1st October 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Sunday 4th October 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.