Hey Hey Posse! Last year Jin and I got married. It was one of the craziest, most wonderful and terrifying months of my life. We had friends and family descend from over the world. Tara from A Bottled Rose and I did a whirlwind weeks tour of Uluru, Cairns and Airlie Beach. We met friends/family in each spot. Jin and I had a private legal ceremony at the Births, Deaths & Marriages. Then a public ceremony and party for a bunch of people we adore in a local Italian restaurant. Full of family, friends and workmates. It was all so overwhelming we decided not to honeymoon straight away.

Also, instead of gifts (let’s face it we have everything) we asked anyone who wanted to, to give some money towards our honeymoon. People were so relieved. It meant they didn’t have to go looking for and buying stuff. It also meant they could give whatever felt comfortable. We were given everything from $10 to $1000. So Jin has spent this last 9 months crafting the most incredible holiday. We are seeing some places we love and many neither of us have been.

We start in Paris where we meet up with a bunch of mates. Then we drive the Baltic States, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Train to Russia. St Petersburg (we’ve hired a guide that our mates used and loved), Moscow and then trans Siberian down to Lake Baikal. From there we train into Ulaan Bataar in Mongolia where a friend of a friend will be our guide. From there we fly down to South Korea and spend a few days with Jin’s family before coming home.

Honeymoon Fragrance: Jin + Portia

So as always the idea of fragrance is foremost in my mind. This holiday will also be the first time we have used our new 80 litre backpacks. That cuts down the amount of bottles I’ll be taking to zero. O M G! It also means that whatever I buy in Paris will have to be shipped back to Sydney from there.

This is how my mind is working. I should have 5 travel size fragrances. That’s cool, I have quite a selection. In the mix there needs to be a couple of excellent every day wears, one for warmer days, one for cooler evenings and a dressed up glam one. Yet they all must be able to work well in any and all situations. Comfortable scents that smell amazing on every wear.

This is how I’ve rolled. Honesty compiles me to tell you that I’m writing this in advance and on packing night I may change my mind.

L to R: Vintage Miss Dior extrait, Mohur Neela Vermeire Creations, Gravel, Santal Massoia by Hermès, Adjatay by The Different Company

Vintage Miss Dior extrait

One of my all time favourite fragrances. I love to wear it in any weather, for any occasion and I always know it’s going to be a perfect fit for honeymoon adventuring. A long lasting, historic chypre that can make any day a beautiful one.

Mohur by Neela Vermeire Creations

Mohur is my rose. It has every bell and whistle attached but at its heart a dark blooming jammy rose that makes me swoon. Mohur will be my dressed to kill honeymoon fragrance for the most special occasions.

Gravel – A Mans Cologne

Gravel was sent as a GWP with a First In Fragrance order. Produced since 1957, I like its easy going masculinity. Comfortable, serene and a little old fashioned I am hoping to use it as my day to day fragrance. Spritz and go but smell good.

Santal Massoia by Hermès

Cool honeymoon nights will smell gorgeous in the creamy fruit mince and woods of Santal Massoia. Sheer yet present, I love how Jean Claude Ellena gives his take on the classic Serge Lutens ingredients and makes them ultra Hermessence.

Adjatay by The Different Company

Sunshiny honeymoon days will smell fabulous in this white floral leather. Though it will work equally well in the cold I love how the bright citrus and white flowers are set against a backdrop of leather, sweet beans & resins.

What five fragrances would you take away for a five week trip through springtime Europe and Asia?

Portia xx

Portia also writes for Australian Perfume Junkies