by

Sunday Question: What 3 New(ish) Perfumes Would You Recommend to Try?

I am traveling for pleasure this week, and I will have a chance to visit a couple of specialized perfume stores. I do not know what niche or high-end mainstream brands they carry, but it doesn’t matter since in the last several years my new releases testing was almost nonexistent. So, please recommend me perfumes that I should try if I come across them.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #270:

What 3 New(ish) Perfumes Would You Recommend to Try?

The best recommendation would be something that you bought or consider buying despite not needing any more perfumes. But if you don’t have any such perfumes, anything you tried, liked and thought that you would have bought it if it weren’t for the size of your collection will also fit the bill.

My Answer

Well, if I knew, I wouldn’t have asked you. But I know that when I get to such stores these days, everything seems unfamiliar (brands) and repetitive (perfumes). So, it would be nice to have at least some hypothetical list of what to look for.

  

What 3 New(ish) Perfumes Would You Recommend to Try?

by

Saturday Question: What Is Your Favorite Classic Perfume?

Thank you to all of you who commented on my last week’s post. It was heartwarming to read your kind words.

As we were discussing fragrant choices of our fathers a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised how many of you mentioned Old Spice cologne and thought that it was amazing that it was still around (reformulated a dozen of times, I’m sure). True classic? And that brought us today’s question.

 

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

 

Saturday Question #269:

What Is Your Favorite Classic Perfume?

I won’t make the question harder than it is: it’s up to you to define what you consider “classic.” The perfume you choose doesn’t have to be currently in production – it can be a discontinued gem that you still own. And if it’s still available but you prefer the previous version in your collection, that works too.

My Answer

That was a hard question! I decided to consider only perfumes created before the current century (can you believe we’re already a quarter into it?!). And an additional limitation is that I still like and wear it. It provided me a list of 30 perfumes. And then I had to choose. You all know how hard it is: every time I try to select just one perfume for any reason, it feels as if I’m betraying my other favorites. But I did it!

I decided to go with one of the oldest (though, not the oldest) by the year created perfumes in my collection – Chanel Cuir de Russie.

Chanel Cuir de Russie

How about you?

 

What Is Your Favorite Classic Perfume?

 

Image: my own (though, the level is much lower in my bottle now)

Fortnight Perfume Wears
by

Fortnight Perfume Wears

Hi Crew, It’s my Tuesday fortnight already and I’ve completely dropped the ball. There are three half finished posts awaiting attention in my Drafts Folder but I’m still trying to get a bead on the fragrances. So here is a picture of most of the perfumes I wore in the last two weeks.

Fortnight Perfume Wears

Are any of these loves, likes or loathes of yours? Do the houses speak to you? Do you wish you’d grabbed any of the now DCd beauties?

Also I did the Boy George look again this week. LOVED my make up this night so thought I’d take a pic. I was wearing Hermès Eau de Citron Noir. It’s mid winter here so this outfit is one of my warmest and it gets a lot of winter wear.

Also, here’s a quick hello from the dogs who now own this apartment and have all the best spots. They’re both in their 10th year, getting old, stinky and rickety. What was once not allowed is now permissible. We will be lucky to have them another 12 months. What are rules in the faces of these beautiful hounds?

The white spot girl is Momo, Jin’s baby, who has decided MY BED is the comfiest spot in the house. She only came to us last year. Her Dad went into care and no-one would take her. Jin saw her on our local greyhound FaceBook page and they were worried that she’d have to go to a pound where old dogs are usually euthenised on arrival. We got her that weekend.

This used-to-be black guy is Paris, my true love, who has taken the prime spot on the couch. You’d think he is watching the TV with us. Paris came from a trainer mate of mine with another Greyhound Jinx (Jin’s) who got cancer. Jin was heartbroken.

So what have you all been wearing? Clothes or fragrance. How are your pets doing?
Portia xx

by

Remembering Rusty

A year ago, we said goodbye to our wonderful cat, Rusty. We are still grieving. My vSO and I both loved him very much, and he loved us. I do not feel the acute pain of his loss daily, but it comes and goes.

Last December, I ordered a daily calendar with 365 photos of Rusty, and it became our ritual to tear off the next page every day before the first meal. We see a new picture and remember when it was taken or a good story about that moment or a similar event in our life with Rusty. It’s both sad and joyful.

It doesn’t make me feel worse when we interact with other people’s cats. And we often enjoy funny cat photos and videos on Instagram and YouTube. Theoretically, I even want to get another cat… but as soon as I start thinking about any practical steps, I can’t imagine bringing one into our house, where some of Rusty’s things still live with us. Maybe one day, but not yet.

Rusty's Shadow

Rusty was such an exceptional cat. I’m not even sure I want to stop hurting after him.

by

Sunday Question: Does/Did Your Father Wear Perfume?

I’m late this week, but it’s still Sunday, and I decided not to skip our weekly topic. It’s Father’s Day in the U.S., and since we haven’t covered this question before, I decided it would be quite appropriate – even though my loyal respondents are all around the globe and even if celebrate a similar holiday, most likely, do it on a different date.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Sunday Question #268:

Does/Did Your Father Wear Perfume?

If yes, do you know/remember which one(s)? How about your grandfather(s)?

A bonus question: do you have Father’s Day or a similar celebration where you live now?

My Answer

All men in my family wore colognes when I was growing up. Men’s colognes, as practical aftershave products, were much more prevalent then women’s perfumes. Most of them weren’t fancy (though, my father and one of my grandfathers were known to get a better ones), but men used them – both at home and as the last step in getting a haircut at a barbershop.

My father uses perfumes these days. We leave 5+ hours flight away from each other, so I do not know what is in his scent wardrobe these days, but I remember him wearing Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, Chanel Egoiste Platinum, Creed Aventus and Ineke Field Notes From Paris (which I bought him for his birthday 3 years ago).

Ineke Field Notes From Paris

Now it’s your turn.

Does/Did Your Father Wear Perfume?

Happy Busy Life
by

Happy Busy Life

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.

Happy Busy Life

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.

Happy Busy Life

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.

Happy Busy Life

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

by

Saturday Question: Which Are Your Top 5 Favorite Brands?

Can you believe it – I didn’t ask this question before? I was sure that we did it at some point and planned to ask anyway since it was long ago. But I checked – and no.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #267:

Which Are Your Top 5 Favorite Brands?

You do not have to give away or stop wearing any of the brands you won’t include. You do not need to rank these five – unless you want to, of course. These are not necessarily brands that are represented the most in your collection. And you can change your mind tomorrow. But today, please make an effort and choose just 5.

My Answer

My perfume database currently contains 388 brands. It doesn’t mean that I own even a sample from all of them, but I tested at least one of their perfumes at some point. I could have also tested some additional brands but didn’t think I would ever be interested in their perfumes – so, those experiences haven’t been recorded.

I selected top 3 without thinking or looking in my records – Ormonde Jayne, Amouage and Puredistance. Each of these brands have numerous perfumes I enjoy wearing, and while there were releases that didn’t work for me, each of them had something new that I liked quite recently.

But then it took me some time to choose the last two. I like many individual perfumes, but that doesn’t mean that I like the brand. For some brands I have multiple bottles, but then I start thinking about their most recent releases, and I’m not sure if I like them any longer. Finally, after sifting through the list, I decided on Chanel and Masque Milano. (I have to clarify: I do not like Chanel as a brand, but I like their perfumes.)

How about you?

Which Are Your Top 5 Favorite Brands?

by

Saturday Question: Do You Still Buy Perfumes?

I can’t believe it’s the last day of a Meteorological Spring already! Today was the hottest day (so far) this year – +88F/+31C, and I am already thinking about Fall. I know that we need summer (I love eating local fruits, and grapes for wines that we buy need at least some sun), but if it were for me, I would have been happy with a “jacket weather” all year long.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #266:

Do You Still Buy Perfumes?

Yes, we do not need more perfumes, and yes, most of us still have a wish list, even if it’s a small one. But have you actually spent any money on perfumes this year? Everything counts – bottles, decants and samples. As long as you paid for it.

What have you bought?

My Answer

Had I asked this question a week ago, my answer would have been “No.” I tried a number of newer perfumes at the local Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, but haven’t pulled the trigger on any new bottles. I was tempted a couple of times by Luckyscent’s sample packs, but by the time I would see them advertised in their newsletters and get to the website, they would be sold out.

Last weekend, since Luckyscent was running the Memorial Day sale, I decided it was a good reason to buy some samples. Since it was a spur-of-the-moment purchase, I bought just 3 samples – the latest Puredistance perfume Divanche (it was the main reason for that purchase) and 2 Amouage perfumes, Guidance 46 (I like the original Guidance, so I am curious to try this extrait de parfum version) and their newest Reasons (I wanted to try others from the same launch, but Luckiscent was out of samples for them). I haven’t received them yet, but hopefully early next week they will be here.

Since I have some trips planned later this year, I will be testing more perfumes than I did in the last 3-4 years, so I might find something that I’ll want to add to my collection. But, in general, I’m currently on a very-slow-buy.

 

How about you?

Do You Still Buy Perfumes?

Lady Day by Maria Candida Gentile
by

Lady Day by Maria Candida Gentile

Hi there ULGers, Lady Day by Maria Candida Gentile was a gift from my perfume buddy Scotty. He was complaining about how polite and pretty it is and felt that he’d never wear it. I offered to give it some wear and see if it was more me. Yes, selfless, caring individual that I am. HA! also greedy bitch who wants to have ALL the perfume.

Lady Day by Maria Candida Gentile 2012

Maria Candida Gentile site gives these featured accords:
Top: Galbanum
Heart: Gardenia
Base: Balsam

I wore Lady Day the next day after my acquisition. Considering how short the advertised note list is I was surprised by the depth and texture of the fragrance. There was something very repellant in the first wear, an unease that felt like malaise or the slip from sadness to melancholy. Normally I’d be glad and give the perfume back but Lady Day isa so strange. I wanted to smell that feeling again. Did it REALLY smell like that or was it projecting my own preconceived ideas of the Billy Holiday story.

The opening is green, smoky and sweet. The green is smooth like beach glass and super cool like frost. It has a smoky texture that also smells like the feel of old burned wood ash in a BarBQ. So silky but with the acrid scent of char. The sweetness is uncomfortable, a bit ripe sweat and whispers of confectionary like those strawberry and cream lollies we had as kids. Yes, I told you. Strange and unsettling but Oh SO More-ish.

Lady Day Maria Candida Gentile

The heart of Lady day feels more floral but not gardenia. It smells like a bunch of wildflowers picked while out walking and dandelions. It’s so pretty and calming. A bit like your first sip of chamomile tea, that fresh but green/tart warmth. Poor description, I know.

Dry down smells to me like smooth greenery and some vanilla rich amber. It’s very calm and serene at this point.

Longevity is better than moderate and though not a powerhouse Lady Day does give a soft wave of sillage after the first 30 minutes that lasts a few hours before becoming very close to your body.

Strange but alluring, like much of Billy Holiday’s music. I will not be returning this bottle, I’m captivated.
Did you ever try Lady Day? or have a favourite Maria Candida gentile?
Portia xx

by

Saturday Question: What are You Top 5 Iris Perfumes?

I wrote about iris perfumes so many times that I was sure we have previously covered this topic in one of the SQ posts. But I checked – and no, we didn’t. So, shall we?

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #265:

What are You Top 5 Iris Perfumes?

Provided you do like this note in perfumes, what are your most favorite irises in your collection? (Any formats above a sample count.)

My Answer

I like iris in perfumes, and in the past, I did a couple of Month of Iris projects where I wore only iris-centric perfumes for the whole month (albeit a short one, February). It was hard to choose just 5, and I feel bad leaving some of my favorites off the list, but I can’t break my own rules, right? So, here we go, in alphabetical order by brand – not to worry about which one I like the most:

Chanel №19 Parfum
Frederic Malle Iris Poudre
Armani Prive La Femme Bleue
Le Labo Iris 39
Xerjoff Irisss

I love them all, but it seems like I can’t recommend any of them! La Femme Bleue was a limited edition, so it’s long time gone, No 19 parfum isn’t on the brand’s site (but it might still be available at one of their boutiques), Iris 39 and Iris Poudre are bleak copies of their original selves, and Irisss is still available but I don’t know how seriously it was reformulated. It will be interesting to find a new iris favorite among the currently available perfumes.

 

How about you?

What are You Top 5 Iris Perfumes?