Welcome To APJ

Hi there from Portia,

Welcome, my name, for all intents and purposes, is Portia Turbo. I am a Sydney-sider born and bred and had a sun filled childhood in modest middle class, schooled by Nuns and Jesuits, studied Fashion and briefly worked in the industry until, at about age 19, I became a professional Drag Queen and have been working in that capacity ever since all over the world; on stage (OMFG!! Everywhere), in film (Priscilla; Queen of the Desert), on radio ( OUTFM, 2DAY FM), in print (Outrage, Q, ExpressMagazineNZ), on TV (Raving reporter on MTV) and books (Mardi Gras). Currently I run Turbo Trivia nights at pubs and clubs around Sydney and feel like I’ve hardly worked a day in my life and am grateful that the universe continues to let me do what I love. Long have I suffered with potty mouth.

Below was written in 2012 when APJ started, not so much has changed since then but I would probably write it differently now. It could be changed but sometimes it’s nice to keep your initial directive around. This is one of those times for me.

Currently I am not long in the perfume craving, I collected without knowledge, but wish to learn as much as I can.
There is some squirt bitch work in my past, distant now, working at the Guerlain counter during Xmas holidays at a small suburban department store in Sydney Australia. Since then I have been through the fragrance roller coaster; sometimes 50 fragrances, then 2, back up to 30, down to 6 and now, honestly you’d think me mental if I gave the number of different fragrances in full bottles, decants, and samples in my home.
I am fragrance omniverous, sluttish in my broad and sometimes good-taste-bypass buying. To smell EVERYTHING seems to be my current goal. Good, bad, indifferent, whatever. And hopefully, in the end, to be able to tell the difference. But of course its the journey I am enjoying, no destination in sight. I’m not niche centric, nor do I care if a celeb has brought it out, I have some pre existing favourites that you’ll get to meet but basically I’m a clean slate.
We decided to do an Aussie blog about perfume because at the time we couldn’t find what we were looking for down under to learn stuff from. We also like the idea of writing in a Southern Hemisphere time zone, so when we talk about spring there’s not a 6 month wait till the observation becomes valid.
We are hoping to hook you up to some really useful basic knowledge about perfumery, interview some noses, see some of what goes into the manufacture and promotion of perfume, find you good books on the subject, have some AWESOME competitions, direct you to interesting conversations or articles on blogs all over the world, tell you our thoughts and feelings on fragrance and the industry as we see it and a multitude of other outpourings that will, we hope, inspire, educate, interest, include, envelope and entertain you. There will be space for you to join the conversations too, you all know more than us anyway, I do beg though that there be a ZERO CYBER BULLYING code.
What letters do I have after my name that give me gravitas, none, sorry, kicked out of school at 15. What will we be offering that you can’t find elsewhere put better, researched with knowledge and years of history within the inner circle of the industry, I don’t know. I have a nose that can smell a bit and a mind that sometimes surprises me. Honestly, the sheer weight of perfume bloggery did give us pause for thought (and so much of it is excellent, progressive, informative and thought provoking), the exponential growth in the last 5 years is incredible, so even if we are just writing a journal for ourselves I would like to do that, and give our learning curve somewhere to come back to and follow later on, like a paper trail of our perfume history.
While I have no qualms about cash for comment, if we do ever become that kind of adventure there will be fair warnings. Having said that; cash for comment doesn’t mean you get us to lie, we will (I hope) always tell as much truth as we can and/or dare.
I just LOVE fragrance and would like to share my thoughts and learnings. The great thing for you is that hanging out with us is FREE! Exactly, nothing to lose, everything to gain, and maybe we’ll all make some super great friends along the way who also love fragrance in all its forms.
Other things I love include my amazing circle of friends from all over the world and all different walks of life, reading, cooking, a bath, greyhounds, homemaking, ironing (I KNOW!!), furniture, snack foods, sex, getting ready for work, swimming, pedicures, partners old and new, bed linen, gardening, sewing (actually I hate it but do it well), lying in bed after everyone has gone to work, the WWW, iconic imagery, dancing, my job, shopping, flirting, dinner parties, the feeling after you’ve cleaned the house before guests arrive, travel, art, cheese, etc etc etc
Welcome to the AustralianPerfumeJunkies.com blog, please come regularly and enjoy the ride.
Portia xx

28 thoughts on “Welcome To APJ”

  1. Hi Portia,

    How to stumble upon diversionary sites (I am far too easily distracted!): I just discovered you because my sister asked for my opinion on a new logo for a business we’re starting and I said it reminded me of the fragrance “Jazz” by YSL. I did a quick search for an image to illustrate what I meant, which led me to your blog and thence, website. I wish you lots of luck and obviously you enjoy what you do, so hope that continues.

    I do have a question you may be able to help with. I am a fashion ignoramus, almost 50 year old guy who has no particular idea of current fashion or trends, outside my own field. I was perturbed however, last time I went to purchase the aftershave which I have more or less made my own for the past 20-25yrs, which was Dali.

    It seems to be unavailable in stores and as I’m not much of an online shopper, in my utter lostness I have reverted back to the Jazz of my youth. I am wondering if you would be able to tell me what’s the story with Dali, and if truly unavailable, perhaps suggest something new to make my own.

    Your reply will be much appreciated.

    Kind Regards,

    Michael.

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    • Hey Michael,
      You like some really good fragrances, is it the original men’s Dali you are after? Black bottle? Still available at the discounters like FragranceX and FragranceNet last time I looked. Big masculine scents are your thing. Try Armani Prive

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  2. Hi Portia, love your intro!
    I am curious and would love to know if you would like me to create a natural Aromatherapy perfume for you, handcrafted by me with pure essential oils and hydrosols? There are NO nasty chemicals in my products, they re made to order only and I have long been on a mission to share my message and help people to improve their health and wellbeing on all levels.

    I am an Aromatherapist of 18 years. Creating beautiful luxury products it is one of my greatest passions in life. I live and breathe divine pure plant aromas from my stunning collection of essential oils from the world over every day.

    Well I look forward to hearing from you and if not well that is absolutely fine as well.

    Kindest Regards
    Julie
    http://www.aromatiqueessentials.com.au

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  3. Hi Portia, a couple of months back you told me to contact you here about Samsara perfume and where it might purchase in Newcastle. Thanks, and keep up the fun at the Trivia.

    Sue

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  4. Hi Portia!

    How refreshing to join you on this SENSATIONAL adventure of olfactory fun! What twist of fate has led me to discover this amazing site!

    I love perfume and especially Tendre Poison! But to my dismay ,every time a new lover asks me what is my favourite perfume they seem to tell me that this particular fragrance is unavailable and as a result so am I !

    I am finding this terribly distressing, as my new dates don’t seem to make it past the perfume gift phase!

    Is it possible that they are telling me porkies ? So in my desperation would you ,with your magical olfactory powers , be able to summon the location of this perfume please?

    Your help is much appreciated….

    Loyal fan of Turbo Trivia ,from the group NFI

    Tina T

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  5. Hello,
    My name is Julia Kirk, I am someone who loves shopping for clothes, keeping up with the latest fashion trends, designing clothes for myself and my friends and keeping a close watch on what’s in vogue. I am fortunate that my day job is fashion merchandising as it allows me to indulge in things that I anyway love.
    I have ghost written a number of articles and have been published in reputed journals. I mainly like writing about the topics that are a passion of my mine. In other words, be it a topic on beauty, fashion, style, latest trends, or anything under the sun related to them and I can come up with a really great article.
    I am keen to feature a guest post on you blog as it would do wonders for my portfolio. I realized it was time I stopped ghost-writing for others and built an online reputation for myself. Here are a few ideas that I feel will blend in perfectly with the flavour of your website:
    1) Fragrances Top Hollywood Celebrities Wear
    2) How to Choose a Scent That Suits Your Business Destination
    3) Top 10 Designer Perfumes Available in the Market Today
    4) Building Yourself a Perfume Wardrobe
    5) How to Curate a Perfume Collection
    I have keenly followed your site for some time now and hence have a precise idea of the kind of articles you prefer.
    I hope your reply is in the positive, so your readers get the opportunity to benefit from what I have to say.
    Regards
    Julia Kirk

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    • Hi Julia, I love what you have offered to do with Portia and Australian Perfume Junkies bog!

      Would you be interested in having a chat with moi, I am an Aromatherapist of nearly 2 decades and specialise in creating Bespoke Perfumes, I LURVE designer clothes and shoes.

      I hope to hear from you
      Kindest
      Julie

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  10. Hello Portia,

    I’m Rasih,
    Teacher, educator and a part time perfumer.
    I am almost up the the top of the hill in launching my first 3 fragrances and I am so excited.
    Reading your introduction I was very impressed and I know I have found a forum which is right down my alley.

    Thank you and all the best

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  11. Hi Portia what a Sunday night find – you site that is looks like great reading and I love that it encompasses the southern hemisphere OS burnout for me. I love Serge Lutens perfume range as of a fortnight ago in particular first buy Five O’Clock Au Gingembre – delicious – also an Etsy find Forstrangewomen – interesting scents I favour the solid scents Amber Jasmine – tuberose. other than that Guerlain Balenciaga Portia where in Australia offers the best in Samples especially serge lutens.

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    • Hey Nick,
      If you put One Seed in the search bar you’ll find some reviews. I have the new one too, Seeker, review coming.
      Portia xx

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  14. I would LOVE to hear your review of Cumberland Ti by Soivohle. Also is it possible to get one sample from her [instead of a set]?? Thanks and love your blog!!

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    • Heya LL,
      Yes, SOIVOHLE has 4ml samples of each size. I’ll look into getting some Cumberland Ti and having a sniff too.
      Portia xx

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  15. Hi Portia.
    You are a Gem!
    I am a Fine Jewellery Designer. And I love Gems!
    I am head long into creating a range of three niche perfumes inspired by different coloured Sapphires.
    I live in Sydney.
    Coffee?
    Would love to chat.

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  16. hi,. ive always loved perfume but now i find myself thoroughly addicted. leaving no stone unturned on my quest for that special love perfume. of course i have found a few special ones but that doesnt make me satisfied. the quest continues….

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  17. Hello

    I’ve just found APJ and have subscribed via email.

    I came across APJ because I was looking to see if Zoologist Perfumes are available to buy in Australia, and if so, where from?

    APJ have some reviews on the Zoologist line and I’m hoping someone there can tell me where I can try them out, with a view to buying.

    Thanks so much!

    Kind Regards

    Cecilia

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