It’s time for the weekend poll — Aunt Violet: “What’s a weekend?” — and this weekend, we’re scenting the cast of Downton Abbey. Scent as many or as few as you like, and please, there is no need for historical accuracy — Julian Fellowes has not been stifled by such considerations, so neither will we.

If you don’t watch Downton Abbey, feel free to scent a character from your favorite TV show.

I’ve been thinking about Aunt Violet…

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That's right, it's Data Privacy Day.

We're celebrating with the usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the last perfume that made you laugh, the perfume note you're enamored with at the moment, whatever.

Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…

Note: image is Irises [cropped] by dottieg2007 at flickr; some rights reserved.

Answer as many or as few as you like.

1. What fragrance are you wearing (or planning to wear) today?

2. The first fragrance you’d buy after winning the lottery?

3. Do you need to prune your fragrance collection, or expand it? Or is it just right?

4. What book are you reading? or What’s the last great book you read?

5. Have you ever read a really great book because someone on Now Smell This recommended it, and if so, what?

My answers…

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A quick note: the 2012 Prix Eau Faux (our contest to reward creative fragrance writing or “faux ad copy”) will kick off in mid- to late-February. Sharpen your pencils!

Today, the same old open thread routine: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you wish you were wearing today, whatever.

Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…

Note: image is Green Roof by Fr Antunes at flickr; some rights reserved.

Did you make any perfume-related resolutions for 2012? Tell us!

Or feel free to share anything you'd like to accomplish this year. My immediate goal: get my fragrance samples organized (again), and throw out the really old ones that I don't need.

Note: image is Chiocciola by delphaber at flickr; some rights reserved.

Time for another damage poll — confess your sins for 2011 so you can start the new year with a clean slate! Donatella Versace, Our Lady of Scented Overindulgence,¹ wants to know what you bought in the 4th quarter (October, November and December) of 2011.

Update: the poll is now closed!

I made three purchases…

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Happy Holidays! We'll be back on Monday. In the meanwhile, feel free to talk about whatever you like: what perfume you're wearing today, what you're cooking (or eating), anything at all.

Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…

Note: image is Santa_blue_1 by ~Brenda-Starr~ at flickr; some rights reserved.

Today's poll was suggested by reader Lucasai. What was your best fragrance buy of 2011? It could be the biggest bargain, the one you're happiest with, the one you searched for and finally found, the one that garnered the most compliments, anything.

Note: top image is three cookies by blucolt at flickr; some rights reserved.

The usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, how your holiday shopping is going (if you're doing any holiday shopping), the last perfume you smelled and hated, whatever.

Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…

Note: image is Koyasan by aschaf at flickr; some rights reserved.

Our fourth annual holiday gift poll (see 2008, 2009 & 2010). Here are the three questions:

What is the fragrance-related gift you’d most like to receive this year?

Let’s say you were going to ask for just one unsniffed fragrance this year, what would it be?

Are you giving any fragrance items for gifts this year, and if so, what?

My answers…

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