Bath Tub Gets Christened!

Heya Posse, Portia from Australian Perfume Junkies with a grand tale of happiness. You know we sold the house in November 2014 and moved to an apartment in town? Well the bath there is small and was in the share bathroom so I only used it about once a week. Then we moved into our new apartment and the bathroom wasn’t ready. Well, it’s still not completely finished but the bath has been set and dried and on Monday was ready for some serious Bath Action! Can’t tell you how thrilled I am. So thrilled that I thought I’d share my excitement with you all today.

Bath Tub Gets Christened!

Portia Parramatta First Bath July 2015

Yes, there I am in all my glory with a cuppa and a bubble bath. Happy doesn’t cover the elation at getting into my long, wide and deep new bath. On top of that we are on GAS for our water and it’s set to 70C. I know! Amazing.

Ambre Fetiche Perfumed Shower Gel 150ml

So for my first bath I used my Annick Goutal Ambre Fetiche Bath Gel as bubbles, it smelled so amazing and I really felt like a complete princess. BLISS!

Yes, I know you can see more lovely things on my sill so I’ll tell you what they are.

Old Spice Splash Cologne: Smells beautiful in the bath. About 2 teaspoons just before you jump in will have you and your bath smelling incredible

Nikki de Saint Phalle Body Oil: A few drops on this lovely furry green fragrance into the bath will send your skin soft and delicately fragrant. A wonderful base for any green or white floral scents.

Shalimar Bath Gel: Another beauty that makes a wonderful Bubble Bath and creates the perfect base for those magical Shalimar days and nights. Nothing smells so ridiculously extravagant as a Shalimar Bubble Bath.

Annick Goutal Ambre Fetich Bath Gel: So yummy and very reasonable considering it only takes about 10 drops to scent and bubble your bath. MMMMMMMM

Jo Malone Blue Agava & Cacao Bath & Body Oil: Sometimes I want to be completely overwhelmed with a fragrance softly and lusciously gourmand. Here we have a dry gourmand, it’s completely delicious but not edible. I know that sounds ridiculous but that’s how I feel about it. After bathing in a teaspoon of this my skin is so soft and glowing.

Soap & Shampoo

Madonna Truth or Dare Bath Gel: I use this as my body wash quite often. Madonna made some products that are now so ridiculously cheap and they smell amazing. If you like to wear white florals then this one makes an incredible base.

Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oil: After putting a couple of squirts of this magical elixir in my bath the cares of the world seem to float away leaving me relaxed, refreshed and ready for anything. Woods and herbs compliment some lovely creamy ylang in a fully rejuvenating bath experience.

What are you using in your bath or shower currently that makes you feel special?
Portia xx

  • Diana says:

    Unfortunately, over the past few years I’ve seemed to have fossified into a stody fart. However, your joy de vivre always comes through in your postings and pictures and makes me smile, Portia. Glad to see you’re enjoying your new tub. Its the little things that count. I’m more of a steam shower person, but it seems we both agree that the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. Enjoy!

  • Ann says:

    Good for you, Portia! Love that nice and roomy tub you’ve got there, and thanks for sharing your accompanying bath goodies. Enjoy!

  • Kismet429 says:

    Hello Portia!

    Another bather here–I find that whatever’s wrong a nice soak in the tub can make it a whole lot better. Lately I’ve gotten into essential oils in a big way. First was using some pricey name-brand facial oils, but find that the scented massage oil from the health food store works just as well for far less. One of my favorites has a base of grapeseed oil scented with chamomile, lavender, and patchouli oils. Trader Joe’s also sells a nice vitamin E oil for not a lot of money.

    Like you, for everyday I don’t run the tub full, then give face and legs a nice massage with scented oil, relax for a couple of minutes, and then splash off. Smells lovely, and your skin will be glowing and as soft as kitty fur.

    It’s the little things, isn’t it?

  • Anne says:

    Looks fabulous! The various scents also look amazing. Might try some as wash.

    Alas I just don’t enjoy ‘baths’ (as in relaxing versus a quick wash in a bit of water). They over heat me, make me dizzy and just end in misery, pain and having to drink lots of water. Even when not that hot. I’ve tried and just end up tense and miserable. Pity, the idea sounds so nice.

    Still I appreciate someone else enjoying it!

  • poodle says:

    You look as happy as I did when I got the kitchen sink back. I think I would have jumped in and splashed around in it if I would have fit. I don’t take as many baths as I used to. It’s almost always a shower lately. It would probably do me good to wind down with a bath more often.

  • I totally want a tub like that! I like a good bath, but the tub in my apartment is too shallow and not quite wide enough. Someday…

    I usually mix some essential oils into epsom salts for my bath, but sometimes I throw some Halston Z-14 cologne in there.

    • Portia says:

      Hiya Jennifer Counts,
      This is the first bath I have chosen for myself and it ticks almost every box. Made from a Marble/Plastic alloy it is strangely pliable which I find a bit freaky.
      In every other way it is absolute perfection and was very reasonably priced. The plumber also complimented me on its ease of installation.
      Since that first bath we have learned to only fill it half, which is oodles for regular bathing.
      Sorry, I ramble with excitement.
      Portia xx

    • Mals86 says:

      I first smelled Z-14 about two months ago at the drugstore (HOW could I have missed it before? I have no idea) and bought it ON THE SPOT. It smells like a sexed-up version of Neutrogena Rainbath shower gel, which I love. Yum.

  • Mals86 says:

    I saw that teeny pic up in the corner before I scrolled down to see the big one, and my first thought was, “Glasses in the bathtub?”
    Then my second thought was, “Duh, how else are you going to read a novel while you are luxuriating in all the bubbles?” 🙂 Because that’s my MO for baths… usually in the winter or if I’m sick or achy. Usually at night (I prefer to shower in the morning).
    I think I’m going to seek out some Truth or Dare bath gel – there was something in the perfume that I didn’t like, probably whatever jasmine-like aromachem that often goes very screechy on me. But I’m guessing that it wouldn’t be a problem in the bath gel.
    Of course it is summer here and quite muggy, so I am really enjoying the wake-up slap of The Body Shop Grapefruit shower gel these days, either that or this no-name thing I got at the drugstore that smells like nectarines and orange blossoms.

    • Portia says:

      Hi there Mals86,
      Yes, I do need to wear glasses for reading and usually there is a book with me but they aren’t unpacked yet and I have already finished the three I kept out for reading. Life has been a little too hectic to go to a book shop and so I await a book bought at Book Depository. What I did have in the bath was my phone and I played Words With Friends for half an hour. It was pretty blissful.
      Isn’t it interesting how beautiful some of the cheapy fragrances can be in bath and body products.
      Portia xx

  • Lisa D says:

    As somebody who’s house always has at least one room undergoing some sort of renovation, I can fully rejoice in the completion of your tub area. Congrats, Portia! Live long and soak luxuriously!

    • Portia says:

      Hey LisaD,
      How do you stand it? Constant upgrading would get me very stabby. How do you cope with the dust?
      Portia xx

      • Lisa D says:

        I was going to say that the perpetual upgrading makes me feel overwhelmed, irritated and frustrated, but “stabby” says it so much better! I’m going to borrow that term, if I may, and use it to respond to people in casual conversation when they ask me how I’m doing. “Me? I’m a bit stabby – better stand back a few feet.”

  • Jaime says:

    Congrats on the new tub! I must be living under a rock because I never knew shower gel could be added to a bath to turn it into a bubble bath — this is very exciting news for me!
    I love an epsom salt soak with various essential oils added (lavender or coconut). And when I’m feeling it, a couple drops of Youth Dew bath oil bloom wonderfully in the water (smells better than me wearing the drop straight up as a perfume).
    Enjoy your new tub — the set-up sounds perfect.

    • Portia says:

      Hi there Jaime,
      We have an Epsom Salt soak called Radox here in Australia. I used to soak in it every Monday after big weekends of partying, nowadays it’s after long dog walks. How times have changed. I love that you add fragrance to it, clever.
      Portia xx

  • Tiara says:

    Gotta tell you, I got a kick out of the picture. So nice to see someone with a smile on their face and obviously happy (cranky morning around here). Never thought about using the amost full bottle of Old Spice in the bath! My sons say there is a reason it’s called “Old” Spice–they think only 80yo men should be using it–but it smells great on both of them and yet they refuse to wear it. Now it won’t go to waste.

  • Queen Cupcake says:

    Congrats, Portia, on the new tub! You look like you are really enjoying it. I’m more of a shower gal myself, but my hubby loves the tub. I’ve got to try that Truth or Dare Bath & Shower Gel–ordering right now! XO

    • Portia says:

      Hi there Queen Cupcake!
      There is a lot to be said for showers too. Everyone should have what they like, where possible.
      Enjoy your Truth or Dare. It smells REALLY expensive.
      Portia xx

      • Queen Cupcake says:

        Hi Portia! I purchased the Truth or Dare shower gel, body lotion and eau de toilette on eBay and it came today. I am testing the edt, and so far, I like it! Looking forward to using the shower gel later today!

  • finanna says:

    I am so jealous!!!! I want a tub too! My current shower ritual includes the rose version of the Bonacure oil miracle shampoo, Ormonde Jayne Ta’if shower/bath gel and a very boring supermarket conditioner that does miracles for my hair (maybe I should transform it to my almost empty Amouage Lyric shower gel container…) I feel like a Queen of Sheba for 1.5 minutes until the toddler begins to bang the bathroom door.

    That photo is making me very nostalgic about my UK years, with freezing cold bathroom, lovely tub and cuppa (occasionally spiked). Enjoy!

    • Portia says:

      Hey there Finanna,
      Jin very kindly put those heat lamps in the roof. Even in winter the room is toasty warm. MMMMM
      Portia xx