Hi crew, I’d seriously put aside time to write but it has slipped through my fingers. Happy Busy Life has had me in its bear claws. Not sure how many of you are longtime readers, or even care, but my not perfume blogging life is as a Drag Queen. Yes, that has been my major source of income since 1988 and continues to this day. Turbo Trivia is the weekly event I run and have some other gorgeous Drag Queens working all over Sydney under its banner. Personally I work 4 nights, Sunday through Wednesday but also manage to pick up some extra gigs here and there hosting other things.
Currently (though I’m on a bit of a sabbatical) I’m also studying to become a Wedding Celebrant. In Australia it’s a really big deal. Cert 4, one year and loads of hours each week. There’s just 5 real life fake weddings to go and then to be approved by the Governor General’s office. I’m both excited and terrified about the prospect and have been arseing about. Next month I’m hoping to get it all done and dusted.
The reason I’m giving you this life update is because I find myself at 2am on Tuesday morning here in Sydney with nothing prepared to go up later on today. So thought you might like a couple of recent pics of events I’ve been hosting and what perfume has been getting the spritzes with each outfit. Please remember that it’s been Autumn and just hit Winter so many of the choices are cool weather leaning.
Happy Busy Life
First shot is Sunday Night Turbo Trivia at Austral Bowling Club. As you can see, feathers are my fave! On this night I was drenched in Neela Vermeire Creations Eshal. Tuberose with a zillion bells and whistles. Perfect for this slightly OTT outfit.
This is my early years Boy George look, Before he got really outlandish with the huge hats and shirt dresses. This night was a Jaipur PH by Boucheron night. It’s a creamy spice bomb that wears so beautifully. It surprises me that it’s not a bigger perfumista hit. In this photo I’m with some of the girls who have played Turbo Trivia at Club Parramatta for well over a decade.
This weekend my mate Jason married the love of his life. Jason and I were in shows together at the Albury Hotel for a few years spanning the century divide. He flew me up to Brisbane on the Saturday afternoon, I got dressed, hosted his reception and partied a bit with the crew, up again at 5am to get a plane back to Sydney because I was working again Sunday night. Here I am with Australian singer and cabaret performer Rhonda Burchmore who was the entertainment for the night. She’s legendary and Jason was one of her dancers for years, he also danced in the movie Moulin Rouge and others. I wore Olibere Parfums Escapade a Byzance because I wanted something opulent and fabulous to match the occasion.
So, there you have it. three looks and three fragrances that got some wear in my life lately.
What have you been wearing?
Portia xx
Undina's Looking Glass 
Such great photos, Portia, I’ve missed seeing you all dolled up! Lovely that you wear appropriate gorgeous perfumes.
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Thanks JillieCat,
Always a good excuse to waft luscious scents.
Portia xx
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You look gorg! And congrats to your mate. We’ve slumped back to cooler jacket weather for a couple of days, so the leathers (Galop, Tuscan Leather) have been getting some wear. It’ll be hot again tomorrow!
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OOOOHHHH I love the cool day perfume choices.
Enjoy the warmth tomorrow Nose Prose.
Portia xx
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Woohoo Portia in full regalia is something we haven’t seen in a while. Just curious about why becoming a celebrant is such a big deal? I don’t mean for you personally, but for the general side of it. Obviously I’ve never given this much thought😉
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Hey CassieFlower,
In many countries it’s not such a big deal but here in Australia it comes with a lot of legal knowledge, script writing, business basics and other things. Especially after the big change to Marriage Equality when the Federal rule book got a complete overhaul. Real consent has also become an issue here.
I understand why they’ve made it so inclusive but it’s bloody crap if you’re a terrible studier.
Portia xx
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Quite a lot to get your head around.
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Yeah, you said it
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I’m interested in your real life, Portia. It sounds very glam! And weren’t you in Priscilla?
It’s supposed to be summer here but it’s a dark cold one. I’ve been wearing Rose Tonnerre, the pure parfum (who knew it came in that format?), Galop, and Hermes Pamplemousse Rose. Funny-lots of rose. And all the wild roses are in bloom here. The weather is gross but the roses are really blooming luxuriously this year.
Anytime you want to post about your life I’m interested :) Also, why do people in Australia and New Zealand not have central heating? We cannot be without it, in our climate. Your winters sound v uncomfortable.
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Thanks Carole,
Yes, I had a couple of Priscilla cameos.
Woo Hoo for the beautiful roses on bushes and in bottles but BOO for crap weather. I hope it turns glorious for you soon.
Most of us have Air Conditioning that goes hot and cold. There has been heavy pushback on fires and forepots because of the environment. Not much central heating here. Maybe more of it in New Zealand.
Portia xx
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Love all your glam looks! I’ve been wearing citrusy spritzes and light florals. Parfums de Nicolai’s Victoire and Riviera Verbena. Going with Nicolai’s Bois Belize tomorrow. These are the only fragrances bearable in the Florida heat and humidity.
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Good luck with that H&H, I love PdN perfumes. She has such depth and breadth in the range. What fools Guerlain are.
Portia xx
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Thanks for sharing your happy busy life with us, Portia. Jaïpur Homme, own it, love it. You’re absolutely right, it does wear beautifully. Now, about those cameos in Priscilla, please do tell. It’s one of my favorite movies.
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HA! Flaconneur, you’ll see me in the dressing room when Mitzi gets the phone call. I’m in front of her in lilac doing my rouge. Then in the funeral scene I’m between Mitzi and Felicia. It was the blast, the three leads were hilarious. Tim Chappell the costume designer and I have been friends since our teen years. It was a family affair.
We even got to go to Cannes Film Festival with the movie. It changed my life, opened doors and has been a talking point for 30+ years. I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am to Priscilla.
Portia xx
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I’m going to watch Priscilla again. Love that movie!
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Every time you spot a Portia cameo in Priscilla a fairy gets their wings.
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I had no idea, Portia. That’s incredible! I’ll definitely be watching for you during my next viewing of Priscilla. One night, I hosted a Priscilla viewing party at my place with some very close work friends. We tried to pay homage to the movie’s Australian roots as best we could. We had kangaroo steaks, and no, they didn’t taste like chicken. We also had a great selection of Australian wines, which were definitely a hit. Since Vegemite isn’t our thing, we opted for Greek and Asian foods, since they were popular in Australia at the time. We had potstickers and a few varieties of fried rice. Of course, what’s a movie night without popcorn, Twizzlers, Milk Duds, Hershey’s, Swedish Fish, and Good n’Plenty? It was a perfectly enjoyable film with great memories. Congratulations, and what an amazing experience for you! Thank you again for sharing your Happy Busy Life with us.
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I LOVE that you all had an Australian themed night for Priscilla. So fun. Next Aussie event please make Fairy Bread (look it up) and Chocolate Crackles. No party is Aussie till they are included. Both seriously weird and wonderful.
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I’m not certain I can bring myself to Fairy Bread but Chocolate Crackles, most certainly.
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HA! Fair
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Pricilla was such a hoot! Will have to rewatch & play spot Portia. I’ve seen pix of you from back then, those legs!
You will be a fabulous Celebrant, get that studying over & done. You’ll be booked up in a flash!
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Oh yes Alityke, thankfully I ate my way out of that body. It was no fun trying to maintain it.
Thank You. Yeah, I will get it done. Promise.
Portia xx
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I sooooo miss your old regular posts about your life! It was so fascinating! So, I loved this peek into your “regular” events. My daily life is a lot more prosaic :) (I’m not complaining, just stating). And even for parties, my attire isn’t even close to be as glam as yours!
Earlier today we went to our friends’ house for the Father’s Day celebration, and I wore L’Attesa. It was quite fitting for a cool summer day.
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Yeah Undina, they were fun posts but they ruled my life. I’m so glad they live on in your memory. It’s the thing most people say they miss about APJ. The comments used to be in the 100s. It was so amazing.
Sounds like you were smelling perfect for the day. MMMMMM
Hug
Portia xx
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Your headgear is magnificent in all the photos. ;) I can’t help thinking it must hurt, especially if it is hot under stage lights, though I am sure you are used to it.
Good luck with the celebrant studies!
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Hey Vanessa,
The headgear is incredibly light and while not unnoticeable we refined it back in the 1990s to be really comfy. MUCH less trouble than keeping wigs looking lovely.
Portia xx
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