Photograph courtesy of Reidel

To get the most out of a bottle—no matter the size—consider decanting it. With young reds in particular, the rush of oxygen helps the wine express itself. According to Erin Sullivan of Acme Fine Wines, a Napa Valley boutique, the inkiest reds—Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Nebbiolo, and the like—can take hours, even days, to fully open up. Most wine, though, should come around in an hour. (Pinot Noir, a notoriously fickle grape, is an exception, because too much air can kill its flavors.) And while a fancy decanter looks great, a large pitcher does the job too. Rob Wiley

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Photograph by Andrew Bettles. Styling by Janine Trott at M.A.P.

There are times when you want your clothes to command attention, and then there are times that call for a more understated sensibility—the kind epitomized by these gray suede sneakers. Everything about them—from hidden laces to a barely perceptible white top stitch—is inconspicuous, but they are far from boring, which is why they're ideal for right now. Courtney Colavita

Sneakers ($345) by Collection by Creative Recreation

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Photograph by Andrew Bettles. Styling by Janine Trott for M.A.P.

For a lot of guys, the search for an off-the-rack dress shirt that fits perfectly can be a frustrating business. The 16/32 that pinches in one store may hang below your knees in another. And when you do find a brand that fits, they go and change the cut on you. Until now, made-to-measure seemed like a prohibitively expensive option, but a handful of new do-it-yourself online shirt shops are democratizing what was once a sartorial luxury. Here, three of the best. Courtney Colavita

1. BESTCUSTOMSHIRT.COM

Price Range: $49 to $169
Go There For: An almost overwhelming range of traditional options, from modestly priced weekend button-downs to classic boardroom dress shirts.
Be Prepared To: Make some decisions—and know your measurements. This old-school shop can work with three but encourages you to give many more. A representative will flag any inconsistencies and follow up with you by phone.

2. INDITAILORED.COM

Price Range: $80 to $95
Go There For: Affordable quality—although fit and design choices are comparatively limited.
Be Prepared To: Answer a series of intuitive questions about your body shape and the sizes you currently wear. The site's proprietary technology then figures out the right shirt for you.

3. ALEXANDERWEST.COM

Price Range: $95 to $150
Go There For: Craftsmanship and an extensive selection of fabrics and patterns for both casual and business needs. An easy-to-use interface changes in real time with your choices to show you exactly how your finished shirt will look.
Be Prepared To: Fill out a thorough measurements form—here, too, if anything looks off, someone will contact you to review your order.

THE ONLINE CHEAT SHEET

With options as low as $49, you no longer have to compromise on the fabric, collar, cuff, pocket, or even placket you desire.

Measurements: Measuring yourself involves a mirror, patience, and the flexibility of an Olympic gymnast. Though most of the sites provide detailed instructions on how to map your coordinates, play it safe and ask a tailor for help.

Selection: The design process can seem like a daunting task, so go in with a game plan. Study your favorite shirt, and do some basic research. Be prepared to answer questions like "Barrel square cuffs or French round?" And know your point collar from your spread.

Fit: It may take some trial and error to get your shirt up to Savile Row specs, but returns and adjustments are easy, and once you get it right, you're off the hook. Your data is stored in a "digital closet," so the next time all you'll have to do is pick a color and click.

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Peter Coffin, Andrew Kreps Gallery

A group of small new galleries started trading in young talent in the late nineties. Now that those early artists have found stardom, here are the places ushering in the next Marcel Dzamas and Elizabeth Peytons. Monica Khemsurov

1. Andrew Kreps Gallery (New York, pictured above)
A bastion of edginess, Andrew Kreps Gallery scored big this fall when one of its artists, Goshka Macuga, became a finalist for Britain's Turner prize. Damien Hirst won it in 1995, and you know what came after that.
525 West 22nd Street, New York, 212-741-8849

Agathe Snow, Maccarone. Photograph by Thomas Muller

2. Maccarone (New York)
Even before its prized artist Nate Lowman made headlines for dating an Olsen twin, Maccarone had a reputation for showing New York artists like the buzz-worthy Oscar Tuazon and the legendary Paul McCarthy.
630 Greenwich Street, New York, 212-431-4977

Dan Colen, Peres Projects

3. Peres Projects (L.A. and Berlin)
With spaces in Berlin and L.A., Peres Projects has been able to take the careers of Dan Colen, Terence Koh, and Dash Snow from zero to 60 in record time.
969 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, 213-617-1100, and 26 Schlesische Strasse, Berlin, 49-30-6162-6962

Lothar Hempel, Art:Concept

4. Art:Concept (Paris)
The pieces at Art:Concept are global, but they have a tongue-in-cheek sensibility that's distinctly French: bicycles drowning in bike locks, coconuts wrapped in Chanel scarves, glaringly fake copies of The Scream.
16 rue Duchefdelaville, Paris, 33-153-60-9030

HOW TO BUY FROM A GALLERY

Alexis Hubshman's scope Art Fair plays host to some of the most influential small galleries. Here, the founder shares his tips for doing business.

1. Shop strategically. The powerhouse events are in April, May, September, and October. If a gallery commits its space to a first-time solo show during those months, it's got high hopes for that artist.

2. Get to know your gallerist. Pick a place you like and ask to see the drawings on file to learn about the gallery's artists—it indicates you're serious. Then, once you're ready to buy, ask the dealer to tell you when a painting by that artist comes up.

3. Purchase what you love. Don't buy anything you wouldn't want to live with. The art market has given better returns in the last five years than any other market, period, but you never know.

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Photographs courtesy of Mister Freedom

What does a popular vintage store know about making clothes? If it's Hollywood's Mister Freedom, a whole lot. The West Coast emporium recently teamed up with Japan-based Sugar Cane Co., and the result is MFSC Naval Clothing Tailor. The name may be clunky, but the clothes, inspired by a fictitious naval merchant, are anything but. For winter, Mister Freedom owner/designer Christophe Loiron has put together a kind of high-seas survival kit: reengineered scarves with frayed edges, dark-denim workman-inspired trousers, rumpled chambray shirts, and thick wool jackets with hook closures and blanket linings. Rugged and utilitarian, these clothes, which are selling out at places like J. Crew, look like they come with a built-in history. Katie Hintz

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Warren Zevon, Warren Zevon: Collector's Edition [Rhino]

Our rating: 4.5 out of a possible 5

Zevon crafted black-hearted songs, and his 1976 second album—produced by Jackson Browne—offered a booze-and-irony-soaked alternative to breezy California rock. This edition contains 15 unreleased tracks, including mournful versions of "Frank and Jesse James" and "The French Inhaler" that prove how powerful a singer can be alone with his piano—and maybe a fifth of vodka. Matt Hendrickson

A Warren Zevon photo montage set to "Carmelita"

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Photograph by Ian Dickson/Retna Ltd.

Thirty years after the late, great Fela Kuti and his sweaty blend of jazz, funk, and conga rhythms had their heyday, the Nigerian innovator's sound is reshaping the mainstream music scene. Indie bands from New York—like Yeasayer, Vampire Weekend, and Dirty Projectors—have adopted Kuti's drum-heavy mix. The reigning American Afrobeat band, Antibalas, has joined TV on the Radio on their second and third efforts, and the U.K. youngsters the Foals on their debut, Antidotes. Kuti's sons, Femi and Seun, are gaining popularity, and now the Afrobeat pioneer himself is getting a tribute: The musical Fela! is rumored to be coming to Broadway early next year. Hopefully it'll show visitors to the Great White Way that there's more to African music than The Lion King. Matt Hendrickson

Fela Kuti performs "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense."

EL GUINCHO'S AFROBEAT PICKS

Here, a starter collection from Barcelona musician El Guincho (a.k.a. Pablo Díaz-Reixa), whose sample-heavy debut, Alegranza, helped fuel Afrobeat's international resurgence.

Fela Kuti, Expensive Shit
"I'm into the American jazz guys, so there's something familiar here: the horns. But Fela's band, Africa '70, has its very own sense of rhythm."

Various Artists, Ghana Soundz Volume 2
"I love the drums on Marijata's 'No Condition Is Permanent.' Play it on a huge sound system and you'll be blown away instantly."

Blo, Phases 1972-1982
"I'm really into the vocals in here, but my favorite thing is the reverberation and the wah-wah guitar. They sound dark and sweaty—very alive."

Alhaji K. Frimpong, Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu
"This might not be what you'd call classic Afrobeat, but the drums on 'Susu Ne Wonka' are crazy!"

Ephraim Uzomechina Nzeka, Zombie
"This album has a disco-y feeling that I love. You can play the whole thing, a massive hit, at every party."

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Photographs courtesy of G-Star

A guy can't live in five-pocket jeans and washed tees alone­—at least, that's what the brains behind G-Star believe. This month, the Dutch brand introduces a new collection, Correct Line, that explores motifs beyond its trademark raw denim. The debut offering consists of tailored blazers, sharp asymmetrical jackets, and contrast-trim button-down shirts. "We wanted to make the ultimate mini-wardrobe," says G-Star design director Pauline Barendregt. The best part: You don't need to abandon your favorite pair of jeans. The line's items are designed to look as good with denim as with a pair of gray flannel trousers. Courtney Colavita

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Photograph by Craig Cutler

A one-a-day multivitamin habit is a good first step toward better health, but to get the real payoff you need more than a magic tablet—even if it is shaped like Fred Flintstone. Here, a guide to what supplements to take, depending on your goals. Katie Hintz

GETTING AHEAD AT THE OFFICE

Daily Doses: High-potency multivitamin/multi-mineral (4-6 capsules), coenzyme Q10 (50-100 mg), phosphatidylserine (1-3 100-mg doses), ginkgo biloba (120-240 mg)
How They Work: To avoid sick days and the 4 P.M. slump, you need a high-potency multi­vitamin—the kind you take four or more times a day. "They can even make some people sleep better," says Shari Lieberman, a nutritionist and the author of The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book. The natural stimulant CoQ10 provides an energy boost. The phosphatidylserine and ginkgo biloba may improve concentration and memory.

BEATING YOUR Y CHROMOSOME

Daily Doses: Saw palmetto (320 mg), fish oil (2-3 g)
How They Work: Saw palmetto is your prostate's best friend—it can alleviate the enlargement issues that appear in 25 percent of men aged 40 to 50 without causing impotence, like many of the alternatives. To protect your heart, say hello to fish oil. "Research shows it's the No. 1 preventative of sudden death from cardiac arrest," Lieberman says. "It's superior even to a defibrillator."

STAYING SLIM

Daily Dose: Green-tea extract (1-2 capsules before each meal)
How it Works: Weight loss is never as simple as popping a pill. "All fat-burning supplements work better when you exercise," Lieberman explains. So how much does green tea help? According to a 2008 study, men who were given the extract and did an hour of cycling burned 17 percent more fat than those who were given placebos. And though the jury's still out on the full benefits of a cup of green tea, both have been shown to help prevent heart disease, cancer, and wrinkles.

PERFORMING IN THE SACK

Daily Doses: L-arginine (2-4 g), zinc (25-30 mg), ginseng (follow directions on bottle)
How They Work: "They call L-arginine the poor man's Viagra," Lieberman says. In addition to increasing the frequency and staying power of erections, it gives your sperm count a boost—a nifty benefit of taking zinc, as well. Use the ginseng to help jump-start your libido while building your body's resistance to stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

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Dreams of a Robot Dancing Bee by James Tate [Wave Books, $14]

When he turns to prose, this Pulit­zer Prize-winning poet exhibits a surprisingly uncomplicated style. The reissue of his 2002 short­ story collection includes 44 oddly moving tales about vacationing spies, sour video-­store managers, and creepy gynecologists. Timothy Hodler

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Photograph by Jennifer Livingston

DMX's hypnotic "Ain't No Sunshine" blasts through the jumbo speakers at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, as middleweight champion Anderson Silva makes his way to the Octagon at October's Ultimate Fighting Championship 90. Under the glare of a single spotlight his tall, lithe frame looks severe. His face, though, is relaxed, and his eyes fearless. He demolished his previous opponent in less than 45 seconds.

The capacity crowd, primed by the nine fights on the undercard, including a bloody, fast-paced middleweight brawl that left the mat looking like a crime scene, wants this matchup to make it past the one-minute mark. In the center of this orchestrated mayhem stand Reed Krakoff, the unassuming president and executive creative director of Coach; his petite wife, Delphine; two publicists; and Mandy Moore, who became a friend of Krakoff's after he shot her for a Coach ad campaign.

A UFC fight—at which most guys in the crowd look like Turtle from Entourage and most of the women look like the girls Turtle would like to bed—is probably the last place you'd expect to see someone so firmly entrenched in the worlds of fashion, art, photography, and design. But after years of following the mixed-martial-arts scene and months of photographing the UFC's top competitors for his latest book, Fighter: The Fighters of the UFC, Krakoff is as comfortable near the Octagon as anyone on the circuit.

Photograph by Reed Krakoff/Courtesy of Viking

"These guys don't fight out of anger," Krakoff says, nodding to Silva and his challenger, Patrick Cote, a muscular French-Canadian. "There's an incredible amount of technique involved, and they have an incredible amount of respect for each other."

Respect is evident in the rules of combat (no eye-gouging, no fish-hooking, and no attacks to the groin) and in the pre- and post-fight handshakes, bows, and occasional bro hugs. Respect, though, isn't what's made the UFC the phenomenon it has become. For all the talk of discipline and sportsmanship, inside the ring very little quarter is given. Each fighter has an arsenal of combat styles, from jujitsu to judo, boxing to wrestling. Just as quickly as a combatant can throw a right hook he can be slammed to the ground and find his head squeezed between his opponent's knees. The fighters not only make for entertaining viewing (fights broadcast on Spike TV over the past year have occasionally outdrawn Monday Night Football and Nascar in the all-important 18-to-34 male demographic) but have proven rich subjects for Krakoff, who, over the course of 14 months, photographed dozens of them.

Krakoff snapped all the athletes in their final days of training, when many of them were cutting weight, sometimes sweating off eight pounds in 48 hours. At times there was little interaction on the set—some fighters wouldn't even speak to Krakoff. He kept his instructions simple, asking the fighters to be themselves—no menacing faces, no fist-up poses—and he kept his day-job credentials to himself. As Krakoff puts it, he didn't want the fighters to know he "designs lady purses."

Photograph by Reed Krakoff/Courtesy of Viking

The black-and-white portraits not only highlight the fighters' enviable physiques and artful tattoos but also reveal hitherto unseen sides of their guarded selves. Silva, somber in the Octagon, appears jovial in the book. Dan Anderson, his nose flattened by years of wrestling at the Olympic level, says he thinks he looks "goofy" in one of the pictures. "But everyone liked it, so I'll take their word for it," he adds. Other fighters, like Josh Koscheck, who rose to fame on Spike's Ultimate Fighter reality series, and James Irvin, seem pensive, while UFC welterweight champion George St-Pierre looks content in one image and anguished in the next. "Once I started photographing the fighters I realized they were just a bunch of guys, like ones you would find in any office," Krakoff says. "There was the aggressive guy and the funny guy and the emotional guy."

One night this fall, many of the fighters got to see Krakoff-the-fashion-designer on his home turf during a book signing at Barneys New York, which filled its Madison Avenue windows with life-size examples of his UFC work. "I didn't get punched in the mouth," Krakoff says with a chuckle, "so I was happy about that."

Cote, the challenger in tonight's main event, can't say the same. After trying for the better part of 15 minutes to engage Silva in a full-on brawl, the Canadian goes down grimacing in the middle of the third round when his right knee gives out. Silva, the winner on a technical knockout, takes the mike and apologizes to the booing crowd for an underwhelming ending. Krakoff shakes his head, gets up from his ringside seat, and as he walks out of the arena into the cold night air reflects on how the sport has become a kind of antidote to his high-stress life in fashion. "I prefer this kind of fighting to more subtle violence," he says. "It's still honest and honorable." Courtney Colavita

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Photograph courtesy of NBC Universal

Got a minute? Television host Carson Daly talks about his gig hosting NBC's New Year's Eve, his TRL days, and being a massive tool.

Q: Looking back on many years of hosting New Year's Eve festivities for NBC and MTV, does any particular memory stand out?

A: Well, at MTV it was just a party—literally it was just a party on the air. But one of my favorite memories at MTV was when Green Day performed.

Q: And at NBC?

A: Last year Alex Rodriguez and his wife were just making out on the stage right next to me. A-Rod! What a difference a year makes!

Q: Which musical guest will you kiss when the ball drops: Katy Perry, Ludacris or T.I.?

A: Definitely Ludacris. I'd have a better shot of kissing one of the dudes. Katy Perry would probably smack me before I made a move. I don't get the whole kissing at midnight thing.

Q: Speaking of being smacked, who do you think would win in a fight: you or former TRL host Damien Fahey?

A: There is no reason on the planet that would happen. If it did come to that, I'm just a much bigger guy. I think I would destroy him, actually. But it would only happen on Celebrity Death Match.

Q: What was the reason for the two black fingernails you sported during your TRL days?

A: When I used to do radio, I would color coordinate my nails because I was engineering six different microphones. So I actually wore nail polish for a reason. There was a technical reason behind it, but it was pretty dumb.

Q: Since you just talked about the party atmosphere at MTV, who was the drunkest at the TRL finale?

A: Kid Rock had a very very healthy buzz going on. And then I'd say me.

Q: How did it feel to parodied on SNL? And by Jimmy Fallon, no less.

A: Jimmy's a good friend, he used to come into my office all the time and practice his 'I'm Carson Daly and I'm a massive tool.' To be parodied on that show is fuckin' awesome! Vanessa Rothschild

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