Hiya Posse Peeps, I’m not sure if I filled you in. In 2024 I’ll be studying to become a celebrant. For over 20 years mates and businesses have been asking me to do the course. I’m not entirely sure why I’ve been so resistant but now it’s costing. What would have taken a month 20 years ago and cost pittance is now a year long course and costs the earth. A regular part of my life is doing things years later than the idea occurs. I’m naturally set to lazy when comfortable and am pretty change averse. It’s getting worse in the autumn of my life. Who would ever have thought this crazy assed showgirl who used to travel the world for glamorous gigs would ever get so staid? Well, it’s a bloody great shock to me.
Celebrant? Scented Celebrant?
Anyway, we are a perfume chatter blog, so I’m taking Scented Celebrant advice.
Right now, I’m thinking there will be two ways they can have mew. Dude mode or Drag Queen mode. It’s all about choice and offering g a little bit extra, eh? Obviously, I don’t want my perfume to be the star of the show but I would like it to be memorable if someone comes close enough for a deep whiff.
So here are a few thoughts for both guises
Dude Mode
L’Eau Bleue d’Issey Pour Homme: I do love a freshie and this 2004 summer flanker is a favourite. Still available to buy for very little and smells good. I like that it’s really present for hours but never overpowering. It just continues to pump its juniper berry water and woods beauty all day.
Rahele by Neela Vermeire Creations: An old and obvious favourite of mine. I wore Rahele to my own wedding and it was a perfect, poised, beautiful, under the radar waft all day. Osmanthus and leather backed by a stellar cast of notes to create a calming aura. Love it.
Silences by Jacomo: Honestly, any of my green floral chores would be a perfect fit for this slot but my eyes landed on Silences and it’s such an easy spritz that lasts and lasts quietly into its cozy mossy, galbanum rich vetiver base. When people talk of dumb grabs, the “I know it smells great all day in a perfectly simple but sophisticated way” spritz? This is one of mine.
Drag Queen Mode
Mitsouko vintage extrait by Guerlain: Why did I choose the extrait? Mitsouko can be a bit of a diva so in my mind the extrait is a much better choice for a celebrant. After the initial showboating fireworks it sits much closer and has so much more chill that either EdT or EdP. Also, being vintage it has the true Mitsouko dry down.
Sira des Indes by Patou: Early on I dismissed Sira des Indes because it wasn’t dazzle dazzle enough. Now I’ve discovered its spicy tropical beauty that sings for an hour and hums for six more is a brilliant low key lovely. The mixing feels flawless and the milky fruits tropical vibe that dries down to sandalwood vanilla goodness fits most moods.
Stash Unspoken by Sarah Jessica Parker: Yeah, yeah! I know you all think Stash Unspoken is rubbish but I love how this simple fruity floral that ends as amber sweet, tonka rich incense wears. It’s got a light, fun, energetic feel that makes me smile. It will never be a big niche contender but was never meant to be. It’s an easy breezy go to that won’t overshadow anyone else and smells fab.
Many of these are available to sample at Surrender To Chance
Do you have any thoughts on beautiful, non bombastic perfumes that might fit the bill for me?
Thanks,
Portia xx
I think this is fantastic! I have a couple of possibilities: Lauder Aliage and a Celebrant needs to have LAVS by UNUM in their arsenal (if it suits, of course).
Thanks Monkeytoe.
I have Aliage and will search LAVS
Portia x
Rahele & Silences would be good for dude or dame. Chanel Cristalle edt would be the same (not either of the latest).
I’m loving the idea of a drag celebrant. If we ever renew our vows, I’d come over & drag DH just for you to take the service
HA! That would be awesome Alityke.
Portia x
Portia, that’s lovely! I think you’ll be a fantastic celebrant. (I also agree with Anita, you’re not lazy, you’re a sybarite!) I want to say Mitsouko but is this for actual ceremonies with clients? I vote Silences or Rahele, both gorgeous and under the radar and won’t try to hog the spotlight like Mitsy.
Oh March! I had to look sybarite up. What a fabulous word.
You’re probably right about the Mitsouko.
Portia xx
Darling … you are NOT lazy (such an inelegant word) – you are indolent – and that’s glamAF!
You can wear any of these to perfection but I think I would plump for the Silences because I love that gal(banum). And vintage Mitsouko extrait is perfection itself!
HA HA HA HA HA! Indolent is such a good word.
Thanks, Yeah, galbanum is QUEEN!
Portia xx
My votes are Silences and the Mitsouko — love both!! I think being a celebrant is a lovely, beautiful side gig and applaud your pursuit of it. I think you’re well suited to it, Portia. Great stage presence and voice, knows not to pull focus at critical moments, has stage craft, etc. After all, wedding ceremonies are a kind of theatre, and they even have rehearsals! 🙂
Thanks DinaC,
Yeah, all ceremony is very theatrical. I’ve just started studying but already it’s made very clear to us.
Portia x
I had to look up celebrant too. You should be great. As far as perfumes go, I’m going to have to think a lot more. It still has to be you regardless of mode.
You did get me interested in Sira des Indes by Patou – enough that I bought a bottle. 🙂 The prices are “give-away”.
Thanks Maya,
Oh yes! On the discounters Sira des India is very bloody cheap. Nice shopping.
Portia xx
I picked up a bottle of Stash Unspoken based on your recommendation and enjoy it (Stash is one of my all time favorites). One of my easy wears is Nicolaï Fig-Tea. Can wear any time of year, fresh but not too. I think you’ll be a fantastic celebrant!
Thanks MMKinPA,
I do have a travel of Fig Tea in my Trivia bag for those times I forget scent. It is such an easy, beautiful wear. Good choice.
Portia xx
That’s wonderful, Portia. You will be so good at it. Perfumes … Dude mode: perhaps Le Labo Iris 39; Drag queen: Diorissimo for sure, but with a light touch.
Oh yes Cinnamon,
I love Diorissimo and so rarely wear it.
Portia xx
I have to admit I had to look up “celebrant”. I figured it was what’s called an officiant here in the states. Very cool- and good for you for covering the bases.
I’d add French Lover to the dude side and maybe Joy (Patou, obvs) on the diva end.
Thanks Tom,
AHHHHH! Good old Joy, perfect.
Portia xx
Jicky would probably be a good choice or maybe a tiny smidge of Estee Lauder Pleasures. Clinique Happy might work too. They are mainstream but nothing too out there for non perfume people. Or maybe Chanel no 19 in edt form would be a good pick.
Love the idea of Jicky and No 19 Eldarwen22, thanks.
Portia xx