Friday 9th August 2013

And so… at last… the boarding for Tuscany. The Multis have already mounted the air for Rome, the advance party to open the villa tomorrow afternoon. 1st week in the Multi villa at Montevarchi, convenient for the Prada Factory Shop, as well the warmth and tenderness of the Multis, of course. 2nd week self-villa near Pienza.

Outfits have slid into my suitcase with ease. Only toiletries to go. My world shrunk to a suitcase. Smooth so far and pre-boarding tension not raging. But sock editing went badly. One black foot-covering missing from a new pair. Where could it be? Maddening.

On the other hand, I did manage to re-shoe-lace those Prada clucks. So will have fresh shoe-laces with unfrayed ends for Tuscany.

But my perfumes not to board. Apart from 10ml phial of Isfarkand by Ormonde Jayne. These niche perfumes must not get hot. In previous years Tuscany has wrecked some Creed Green Irish Tweed and an entire bottle of Escentric Molecules.

In fact, it’s been a struggle to get my fumes through this gone heatwave. After a massive battle with Les Senteurs to get them to replace my Sel Marin by Heeney which had lost its efficacy, NOT through exposure to high temp, I then had to molly-coodle it through the furnace. In a drawer, in its box, in my drawing room on the ground floor (oven in my top floor bedroom and bathroom) was the only hope.

Do you know, I’m not sure this bottle isn’t dud too. Despite the most careful preservation. It hasn’t gone off, so not heat damaged. It just doesn’t last.

No I’m through with Sel Marin by Heeney. Come the Autumn I shall re-structure my economy to gain some Geranium pour Homme by Frederic Malle. They do it in travel-sized small phials. So convenient, less expensive (only £60) and less likely to go awff.

A truly poisonous perfume as well.

I’ve just heard: The Photo Multi’s suitcase did NOT gain Rome. It won’t arrive until tomorrow.

My World Shrunk: Two Weeks of Outfits in One Box: By the Way, I’m Reviving the Summer Scarf for Tuscany

Sel Marin by Heeney in its Box in Drawer in Drawing Room, Safe from Heat But Still Not Efficacious for Reasons Not Clear: No Lasting Power: Not Good Enough for £120 a Bottle

Creed, Green Irish Tweed in Drawing Room Drawer for Protection During Heatwave: An Absolutely Reliable Niche Perfume: Hideous Price