what a gorgeous bottle!
Portrayal is the penultimate offering in Christopher Chong’s oeuvre (at least I think it is – I know of one other to come but…who knows?). After an amazing 12 year creative run at the vaunted House Amouage, Christopher has left for other ventures and this is a fitting near-farewell. Portrayal appears on the scene at a very… interesting …time in humankind (I am reminded of the Chinese curse ‘may you live in interesting times’) – in the press release it says Portrayal is about ‘breaking free from the cages of solitude society sets around people because their truths are often seen as shockingly unconventional’
That statement is a bit of a Janus mask – we are more connected than ever seen in the history of humanity but at the same time so many people seem to feel so isolated. But I wonder if it’s necessary in order to break through the shadows and come out into the light. Change is afoot and Change can be terrifying – as for unconventional truths, it seems as if we are awash in those, daily; usually very uncomfortable to behold, even though the end result can be a beautiful thing, uncomfortable truths seem to be designed more to be endured than anything. We’re living in extremely interesting times right now – and all I can hope is that it is the precursor to better times. For me, Portrayal is an embodiment of the convulsion of change, as it morphs into better times. It seems to dance – but with an elegant-but- solid footing (I’m reminded of Fred & Ginger dancing to ‘Night and Day’). Portrayal Woman has, at its core, a Craven Tobacco(a traditional British brand) note – and, while I cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke, I LOVE the smell of tobacco! An undertone of Tuberose (along with Vanilla and Jasmine) gives it a lighthearted, sunny feel, without feeling at all jejune. Portrayal is for a woman who’s seen her fair share of sorrow – but who accepts that sorrow is a part of Life, as she navigates through the shadows into the light.
It’s something we could all stand to remember, as we also navigate through the shadows and lights of Life. And if we can smell amazing, so much the better!
Portrayal Man?? Well, it’s is just Fun as Heck! Imagine Aventus bebopping with Good ‘n Plenty! It makes me smile, every time I spritz it! And I’m happy any time I get to smile!
Want to try them both? Tell me a smiley story! I’ll have The Girl (who’s having hip issues but that pawnail is still going strong) pull a winner – and I’ll even throw in an Aventus sample! Because The Girl said so!
A smiley story: the “Good&Plenty” comment reminded me that a couple of years ago I brought a tiny bottle of Arak back from Jordan for my dad. He is a massive licorice lover, but not a drinker at all – maybe a dessert wine once or twice a year, at most. I wasn’t sure if he’d drink it, but I poured him a little glass, and and then put the water in so it turned white and he gasped audibly, and then sat in his armchair just smelling it for hours. I have no idea if he ever even drank it, but every time I walked by he exclaimed about how wonderful it smelled.
I was having lunch at Providore alone and when I dine alone I like to eavesdrop. Well, I always like to eavesdrop. A father and son at the next table were having a heart to heart and dad asks,’so how’s your girlfriend?’ and son replies, ‘just great!’ and dad asks, “yeah?’ and son says, ‘No, really. She’s getting married in November!” I had so many questions. 🙂 Please enter me in your draw!
omg. yes. SO many questions! Prolly almost as many as the dad had, right? Nice that he could chat with his dad about it, though. Poor baby.
(and yes, I LOL’d. Because I am an Evil Beast from HELL! – and it was funny)
xoxoxo
Something in the way he said it implied that he was very excited for her (and her upcoming marriage might not be any impediment to this on-going relationship.) But I may be deducing more than was implied
lol! that’s the fun in eavesdropping, though, isn’t it? I did an entire painting series based on ‘visual eavesdropping’ – the funniest is named ‘Hell, Ben Ain’t Dead’ – I wrote about it yonks ago, maybe will revisit!
xoxoxo
I read about this woman who went into a shelter looking to adopt whichever cat/s had been there the longest and were the ‘neediest’. She wanted whatever final years left to them to be stress free and full of love. She did it with dogs too, often adopting multiples at a time! That is so awesome.
As long time, once a week shelter volunteers, me, my husband and our daughter get to know all the cats, those who’ve come and gone and those that are still there and while we do have our ‘favorites’ nothing makes us happier than to see one getting adopted out to their forever home!
that is an awesome story, Jennifer and KUDOS (MAJOR KUDOS) to you for volunteering! Jane is (we think) 10 or 11 and while it’ll hurt like knives when it’s time to release her, I’m joyful in knowing we’ve made her last years full-up on love (and, I hope, stress free).
xoxoxo
I’m not a fan of tobacco Anita, so don’t enter me into your drawing, but here’s a smiley story for you: we adopted a dog for the first time in February. Our terrier/lab mutt is about 11 months old now, and so funny and cute. He looks very much like the old RCA logo dog. Recently he has developed a new habit. When I have my morning cup of tea, he demands his morning Nubz bone as if it was a cup of coffee. He knows right where they are kept, walks over there and looks at me like, “Okay lady, I need my morning bone. Give it to me!” 😀
Dina, that is adorbs! The Girl has her ritual as well – I feed her, then she waits for her dad to give her a Tbsp of coconut oil. If he’s home and I give it to her, he STILL has to give it to her when he gets up! lol!
Dogs rule. Us. They. Rule. Us.
and they know it 😉
xoxoxo
This story has smiles and also tears and you Musette, are in it! http://delusiastic.blogspot.com/2019/08/perfume-story-farewell-caution-part-1.html
Your story was beautiful and very touching. I remember Tama from perfume blogs years ago. I’m so happy that so many perfumistas made her last days better. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you, Marilynn. I’m so glad you found the story touching.
Nina. Wow. What a loving remembrance of Tama – I am always …not surprised? what word…? …amazed (in a very good way) by how many people’s hearts and minds she touched – and I’m really humbled by the sheer number of people who walked their talk when it came to helping her in her last times. She is forever connected to the gorgeous Carnal Flower (I have her cherished 100ml bottle, gifted to me by her mom and Brooke) and every time I pick it up I think of Tama, with love and affection. We talked a couple of times, before her strength failed, and she was determined to be at the fundraiser – and she was. In each and every one of us who loved and cared for her.
Thank you so much for sharing this!
xoxoxoxo
You’re welcome, Anita. I’m so glad you liked the story. It was actually very challenging to write, but I felt it needed to be done. And I’d forgotten you had Tama’s Carnal Flower! I’m really happy to hear that. By the way, the photograph of you and Donna that I used in the story is, I think, the best photo of perfumistas I have ever seen 🙂
that is a lovely photo! So. Much. Cleavage! Sprayed to within an inch of its life, too, iirc. I need to come out and see you guys. I miss you! xoxoxo
OMGosh, your writing moved me to tears. Such is the power of love, friendship and our shared passion for perfume.
Thanks for letting me know the story moved you, Gail. And, yes, the perfume community is quite amazing!
Nina, I’m wiping tears from my eyes while reading your wonderful tribute to your dear friend. It warms my heart that passion for perfume brought so many people together to honor and support Tama during her illness and death. I can feel your love and appreciation for your friends and perfume. I believe Tama is resting in peace.
I love Amouage perfumes, and after your description now want to sample Portrayal. I wonder what the future will hold now that Christopher Chong has left? I just purchased an older bottle of jubilation 25 for fall/winter wearing.
I babysat an 11 week old French Bulldog on weekend, beyond cute! My 3 year old puppy brain Boxer was over the moon excited.
Give your girl a hug from me. I’m sorry her hips are an issue. I hope you can find remedy for relief for her. xx
Frenchies are LUNATICS!!!! I’m glad you had a good time babysitting. Older Jub25 is…….glorious!
xoxoxo
What always makes me smile is my horse. We have been together for 23 years. He is the love of my life and my partner. When we go on trail rides, I never want to come down. I leave my cares at the door and don’t think about where I came from or where I need to be when I leave. I am completely mindful and in the present moment. He has taught me this, patience, trust. We brought each other back from terrible things. It never gets old, seven days per week for all those years.
omgosh! what a lovely tribute to a great relationship! Thank you for sharing that! xoxoxo
Why yes, Musette, I do want to try them both! A smiley story, hmm. My little Mischief kitten (who is actually an old lady at the age of 11) loooooves bathtub water. She has a water fountain with constant, clean water flowing from it, but she NEEDS to have water from the bathtub faucet, she NEEDS it. So anytime she thinks we might be headed towards the bathroom, she gets a nutso look in her eyes and her claws skitter on the tiles as she desperately runs towards the bathtub. (We actually give her bathtub water maybe 5 % of the time she does this. You know, to keep her wanting it.) But the little girl is eternally hopeful, and I think she will remain so to the end of her days.
How’s that for smiley? It made me smile.
OMGOSH! That made me GRIN! What a lovely little weirdo! lol!
xoxoxo
Hello! Newbie Carolyn here. I love the smell of tobacco because it reminds me of my grandfather, sitting in his favourite armchair, wear an old grey cardigan, and enjoying a good book. I’m a big fan of tuberose, too so I’m intrigued by this new scent. What’s a smiley story?
welcome to the Rabbit Hole! I love your scent memory associated with tobacco.
A ‘smiley story’ is something that will make this melancholic Musette smile, v. some melancholic (or horrific) story that will make me cry. Life hands us plenty of those – but I’m hoping Not Today, Satan! 😉
xoxoxo