Should I Buy My New Guy a Gift? | Everywhere

Should I Buy a Gift for the Guy I Just Started Dating?

Ask the Office Guy No. 33

If you start dating a guy around the holidays, the question is bound to arise: Do you buy him a present — or is that weird? In this Ask the Office Guy, Dan gives you his own invaluable gift: advice on the matter at hand.

Got a question for our office guy? E-mail him at theofficeguy@dailycandy.com.

Photo: Aaron Jacobs / Flickr

Next Video: DIY Micro Floral Print with Mr. Kate

DIY Micro Floral Print with Mr. Kate

The L.A.-based crafter shows us her easy method

You’ve put one too many birds on it (thanks, Portlandia). What’s next?

Flowers, as inspired by the micro florals on the fall 2012 runways at Suno, Paul & Joe, and Band of Outsiders, to name a few. In today’s Easy Does It video, we asked L.A.-based DIY expert Kate Albrecht (a.k.a. the beautiful Mr. Kate) to show us how.

All you’ll need is fabric paint (in four or five fall-ish colors), a fabric pen, tinfoil, and a surface in need of sprucing up. We did shirts in the video, but feel free to use totes, pillowcases, etc.

We’d never want you to feel pigeonholed.

For more DIY ideas or info on Mr. Kate, go to mrkate.com.

Next Video: Inside Story: Heidi Merrick

Inside Story: Darlene and Lizzy Okpo's Brooklyn Apartment

The designers' living space pulls double duty

Darlene and Lizzy Okpo regularly respond to emails at 5:30 a.m.

The Bronx-born and -raised sisters behind clothing line William Okpo (named for their father) are readying their first-ever solo presentation for New York Fashion Week, and sleep is not in the cards.

In today’s Inside Story video, we catch up with the women during preparations. They show us around their Brooklyn apartment/studio (where the living room floor subs as a pattern-making table), let us peek at mood boards for the upcoming collection, and tell us how it all came to be.

As if they aren’t already inspiring enough, Darlene and Lizzy are just 25 and 22, respectively.

Which might further explain why their sleep habits resemble those of babies.

For more information, go to williamokpo.com. To place a custom order (before the line hits Opening Ceremony in October), email info@williamokpo.com.

Next Video: Inside Story: Lela Rose's New York Abode

Inside Story: Heidi Merrick

The L.A.-based designer shows us her home

Los Angeles is full of secrets, from who’s gone under the knife (everyone) to what really happened that fateful night (which one? Exactly.).

Tinseltown designer Heidi Merrick has nothing to hide. For today’s Inside Story, she lets our cameras into her idyllic home, anchored deep in the Silver Lake hills.

What did we discover? Her cherublike daughter, Hiver, jumping on her canopy bed; an Ikea piece she transformed with bright blue paint; and enough light to make sunglasses an indoor necessity.

The place is as much outdoors as in, which is one reason people live in L.A. anyway.

That’s public knowledge.

Shop Merrick’s fall collection (and the pillows you see in her house) at heidimerrick.com. To ogle more homes, check out Lela Rose’s dog elevator, Rebecca Minkoff’s Zen den, and Kaelen Haworth’s DJ booth.

Next Video: He's So Swede

Inside Story: Lela Rose's New York Abode

The designer shows us around her Tribeca home

For most of our New York-based staffers, a dishwasher is a source of pride.

For designer Lela Rose, it’s an elevator in the shape of a Monopoly house for her dog, Stitch.

The gracious Texan-turned-Tribeca resident shows us around her unlike-anything-we’ve-seen apartment for today’s Inside Story video.

Her home, which she’s lived in for three years with her two children and husband, has tables that come out of the floor and ceiling (to accommodate 66-person dinners she hosts for Edible Schoolyard NYC), a room lined entirely in gray felt, and a closet that, well, you have to see to believe.

Rose even has a cavernous space in her basement dedicated to tasting tequila (we hear Mario Batali’s gotten comfortable there a time or two). Alas, it was too dark for us to shoot.

Which is, perhaps, for the best. Because someone might’ve ended up in the dog elevator.

Channel Rose’s elegance at lelarose.com. To learn more about Edible Schoolyard NYC, go to esynyc.org. For more home porn, check out designer Kaelen Haworth’s downtown dream loft and designer Hillary Taymour’s DIY decor-flanked pad.

Next Video: Bigger Is Better

He's So Swede

A culinary nod to his new autobiography, "Yes, Chef"

We love a good rags-to-riches story, especially when it’s true, well deserved, and recounted by the convivial and talented Marcus Samuelsson.

His autobiography, Yes, Chef (out yesterday), starts with the journey to live with adoptive parents in Sweden after losing his birth mother to tuberculosis in Ethiopia and ends with the opening of Red Rooster Harlem, the restaurant where Obama digs the cornbread.

In honor of the moving tale, we asked Samuelsson to make his favorite childhood dish: the tastiest gravlax (cured salmon) sandwich this side of Scandinavia, just like his adoptive grandma used to make.

It’s a lunchtime treat.

And ensures your afternoon has a happily ever after.

Yes, Chef is available at amazon.com, $16.

Next Video: How to Look Good on a Webcam

Bigger Is Better

Our third annual Start Small, Go Big Contest starts today

Contrary to popular belief, the greatest part of working at DailyCandy isn’t brainstorming Michael Fassbender puns, weird cubicle decor, or morning Scotch tastings.

It’s getting the word out about fledgling businesses — and watching them take off. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our third annual Start Small, Go Big Contest.

Through August 3, enter your small biz idea for the chance to win a trip to New York City, website and email write-ups, callouts on our social networks, and a spot at the DailyCandy Academy, where you’ll get advice from big shots like Spanx founder Sara Blakely and designer Jonathan Adler.

We’ll choose a winner in the categories of food and drink, fashion, health and beauty, home, and digital and tech. We can’t wait to spend hours going through the entries.

You might even call it a (Fass)bender.

Enter now at dailycandy.com/startsmallgobig.

Next Video: Inside Story: Kristen Arnett's Beauty Closet

How to Look Good on a Webcam

Photographer Matthew Rolston gives us his tips

If the saying “the camera adds ten pounds” is true, then we have a new one: A webcam adds fifteen, plus about 50 shades of creepiness.

To find out how to look more like ourselves (and less like an online predator) over Google video chat and Skype, we ask L.A.-based photographer/director Matthew Rolston for tips. In today’s video, he tells us how to sit, position the camera, and light our face for maximum attractiveness.

We’re in good hands with Rolston, who was discovered by Andy Warhol in the early ’80s. He’s photographed everyone you can think of, from Angelina for the cover of Rolling Stone to Alexander Skarsgård in the buff, covered in fake blood.

That’s the kind of creepiness we can get down with.

For more information on Rolston, go to matthewrolston.com. Then watch our video on how to pose for a still photograph.

Next Video: Inside Story: Chrissie Miller's Vintage Rock Tees

Inside Story: Kristen Arnett's Beauty Closet

The makeup artist shows us her favorite ecofriendly essentials

If we had a penny for every time we purchased makeup and used it just twice, we’d be rich enough to hoard more junk.

To help simplify our needs, we enlist eco-conscious makeup artist Kristen Arnett. In today’s Inside Story video, she shows us her personal beauty closet, including the five daily essentials you need in your cosmetics bag (and nothing else). Not only are they effective, they’re free of harsh (to you and the earth) chemicals.

Arnett knows her stuff: She’s been powdering famous faces — from Jude Law to basically every model you can think of — for years, using the most natural items on the market.

Instead of every item on the market.

For more information on Arnett, go to greenbeautyteam.com. Want to keep watching? Check out designer Chrissie Miller’s collection of rock ’n’ roll tees, nutritionist Kimberly Snyder’s fridge contents, and designer Kaelen Haworth’s New York apartment.

Next Video: Inside Story: Carrie Imberman's Personal Collection

Inside Story: Chrissie Miller's Vintage Rock Tees

The Sophomore designer shows us her collection

At 16, our prized possessions included a crush’s Drakkar-soaked scarf, “going out” pants from Express, and Antonio Sabato Jr.’s autograph.

Chrissie Miller, designer of downtown-based clothing line Sophomore, however, had good taste from the start. In today’s Inside Story, we peek through her rock ’n’ roll-inspired wardrobe, from a jean jacket she bought in high school (and still wears) to a vintage tee collection she’s been accruing since she attended a Madonna/Beastie Boys concert at age 8.

Miller also shows us a few of her favorite mementos — Woody Allen’s autograph, for one — and the first records she ever owned. You’ll feel cooler just by watching.

Enough to cancel out years of silk camisole tops.

For more information on Sophomore, go to sophomorenyc.com. Want more Inside Stories? Check out a jewelry maven’s personal stash, fashion designer’s NYC apartment, and nutritionist’s refrigerator contents.

Next Video: Make a Date with Destiny

Inside Story: Carrie Imberman's Personal Collection

The Kentshire curator shows us her artwork and jewelry

After a quick poll of family traditions, we found that every Christmas one editor’s mom tops Jell-O with birdseed to honor her grandma, who did it by accident years ago.

On the less weird (but just as charming?) side: Kentshire’s Carrie Imberman, whose grandfather started the NYC-based antique jewelry and furniture powerhouse in 1940.

In today’s Inside Story, in which we peek inside our favorite people’s homes, Imberman shows us some of her collection of artwork and gems — from a secret society’s symbol-filled drawing to faux diamond earrings from the 1840s.

If you’ve ever perused Kentshire, you know it’s something special; if you haven’t, it’s like an online museum, and you should check it out.

It’s not just for the birds.

For more information, go to kentshire.com. Want to keep snooping? Check out designer Kaelen Haworth’s NYC apartment, nutritionist Kimberly Snyder’s fridge, and actress/writer Mindy Kaling’s closet.

Next Video: Amadou & Mariam Perform at DailyCandy

Make a Date with Destiny

Dedicated Video: "The Lucky One"

Plans this Friday? If not, make a date for romance.

What: The Lucky One, the new movie based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook; Dear John) about a U.S. Marine (Zac Efron) in pursuit of the unknown woman (Taylor Schilling) from a photo he finds while abroad. When he returns home and shows up at her door, a steamy relationship develops against the odds.

Why: Destined love that endures well past the credits.

When: In theaters Friday.

Where: Find locations and showtimes online at theluckyone.warnerbros.com.

Learn more about The Lucky One online at theluckyone.warnerbros.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Amadou & Mariam Perform at DailyCandy

The duo sings "Cherie" from their new album

A few weeks ago, we introduced you to a fake band who lip-synched about Twitter trends while playing video game controllers and cowbells.

To make up for our April Fools’ shenanigans, we bring you a truly special (and real) On the Couch performance by Amadou & Mariam, a blind husband-and-wife duo from Mali.

In the back of our office, they play “Cherie” from their new album, Folila, out yesterday. We are moved by their sound in person, and the album, featuring collaborations with Santigold, TV on the Radio, and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, is just as incredible.

This is the first time the French-speaking pair, who now resides half the time in Paris and the rest in Mali, have performed the song in the United States.

And unlike “I’m Trending,” by @#, we hope it’s not the last.

Folila is available online at amazon.com, $12. Want to keep listening? Check out our videos with Freelance Whales, Lily & the Parlour Tricks, Karen Elson, and Christina Courtin.

Next Video: Behind Closed Doors: Kaelen Haworth

Behind Closed Doors: Kaelen Haworth

The designer takes us on a tour of her ridiculous apartment

We know it’s not healthy to feel jealous of other people’s good fortune.

Line up your shrink for when you see clothing designer Kaelen Haworth’s ridiculous East Village apartment. For this edition of Behind Closed Doors (in which we take a peek in our favorite people’s home, closets, cabinets, etc.), the cool 27-year-old gave us a drool-inducing tour.

We’re green with envy over her in-house turntables and vintage record collection, her bohemian-inspired bedroom (the Love, Adorned dream catcher is a nice touch), and — most of all — her little lump-on-a-log French bulldog, Lola.

The mismatched chairs, bunting of antique photos, and overall eclectic taste can easily be emulated, regardless of your pad’s square footage.

Since we all know size doesn’t matter. (Right.)

For more information on Haworth’s collection, go to kaelennyc.com. For more Inside Story videos, check out designer Hilary Taymour’s DIY treasures, Mindy Kaling’s swoon-worthy closet, and nutritionist Kim Snyder’s fridge.

Next Video: @# Performs in the DailyCandy Office

@# Performs in the DailyCandy Office

The indie band sings their hit single, "I'm Trending"

How many indie bands does it take to change a lightbulb? It’s too obscure. You wouldn’t get it.

Here’s an under-the-radar group you should get: @# (pronounced “at hashtag”), whose futuristic beats and melodies have us dancing. The Brooklyn-based foursome’s been generating buzz for their hit single, “I’m Trending,” and we dig it.

Lucky us: The band agreed to come to our office and perform the song, armed with nothing but their iPhones, an iPad, a tiny synth, a glockenspiel, video game controllers, a cowbell, and really tight jeans. Their delightful snobbery made us love them even more.

They’ve already booked dates for Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, CMJ, Pitchfork, and SXSW 2013.

Do you even understand? Whatever.

For more information, go to the band’s Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, Pinterest, Tumblr, Draw Something, Instagram, Foursquare, Highlight, Spotify, Kickstarter, and VYou pages.

Next Video: Behind Closed Doors: Hillary Taymour

Behind Closed Doors: Hillary Taymour

The Collina Strada Designer's Cool Brooklyn Pad

Here’s what we’re not looking for: shark-filled tanks, drop-top Mercedes collections, and people who say “This is where the magic happens” when you enter their bedrooms.

What we are seeking: character. Introducing our new video feature, Behind Closed Doors, in which we go inside our favorite people’s abodes and snoop around — from a nutritionist’s refrigerator to a starlet’s closet.

In today’s edition, we tour Collina Strada designer Hillary Taymour’s curiosity-filled Brooklyn apartment. Her DIY creations are inspiring, and we expect nothing less from the creative whose just-launched clothing collection — comprising machine-washable suede pieces — makes us swoon.

Did we mention her 4-month-old puppy, PowWow?

Now that is where the magic happens.

To see (and buy) Collina Strada’s new collection, go to collinastrada.com.

Next Video: The Right Way to Do a Sit-Up

The Right Way to Do a Sit-Up

Anna Rahe from GST Body Demonstrates

Oh, to have the confidence of Angie’s right leg.

We’re working our way to full exposure (not J.Lo’s kind, mind you) with help from GST Body, an L.A.-based studio that’s stretched and strengthened us in ways we didn’t think possible.

In today’s videos, GST Body founder Anna Rahe, whom we’ll call “The Body,” shows editor Lauren Lumsden a few simple exercises: the correct way to do a sit-up (above); deceptively hard arm raises to tone shoulders, back, and abs; and leg lifts that’ll whip your butt into shape.

Rahe — excuse us, The Body — uses a Kinetic Traction Strap, but you can easily substitute a dog leash or jump rope.

Just don’t be an exhibitionist about it.

For more information and exercises or to order the Kinetic Traction Strap ($50), go to gstbody.com.

Next Video: How to Massage Your Dog

How to Massage Your Dog

Buddha Dog's Canine Masseuse Shows Us the Proper Technique

Dear Mom,

You think it’s easy dozing most of the day, begging for biscuits, nipping at your heels, and barking at squirrels?

Okay, it is. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want a massage, like the one certified animal masseuse Pam Holt gives to our L.A. editor’s best friend, Agnes, in today’s video.

All it takes is a little kneading and gentle stretching on your part to give me improved flexibility, energy, and overall happiness. Plus, it’ll help my anxiety. (I know I sometimes get a little cray cray when you leave.)

Also, can I have a treat? Please and thanks.

Love,

Spartacus Brownie Von Lickety Jones Jr.

P.S. I accidentally humped the cat yesterday.

For more information about Pam Holt and dog massage, go to buddhadog.com.

Next Video: Magician Jeff Grow Performs in Our Office

Magician Jeff Grow Performs in Our Office

He Shows Us a Few of His Finest Parlor Tricks

This past Friday the workday disappeared before our eyes. One second it was 4 p.m.; the next, closing time.

The man behind the miracle: magician Jeff Grow, whose awe-inspiring office performance made the weekend arrive early. Hoping for time to fly on repeat, we captured it on video.

Limes inexplicably transported between cups, roses appeared out of nowhere, and insane card tricks kept us captivated. Even when we watched the footage in slo-mo, we were puzzled.

Grow, who looks like the lovechild of Michael Bublé and John Mayer, first learned magic from his grandfather in Upstate New York. Since then, he’s performed for audiences of four to 1,000. He even showcased his insane juggling skills in a Progressive commercial.

And that’s no hocus pocus.

For more information, go to jeffgrow.net. For more videos filmed on our office couch, check out music videos with Lily & the Parlour Tricks and Eliza Doolittle.

Next Video: Behind Closed Doors: Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder's Fridge

Behind Closed Doors: Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder's Fridge

She Gives Us a Tour (and Lots of Tips)

It’s nothing to laugh about: Doritos addictions are real. One whiff of nacho cheesiness and, suddenly, you’re at four (snack) packs a day.

Time for an intervention. In today’s video, nutritionist Kimberly Snyder gives us something to aspire to by showing us what’s in her home fridge — and why. Since she specializes in beautifying foods, each item she stocks (from kale to almonds) has qualities that improve hair and/or skin.

Plus, she reveals her recipes for a Greek-inspired millet salad and her favorite protein smoothie, as well as instructions for what she calls “energy in a spoon.”

We’re thanking our lucky stars for Snyder, who works with too many celebs to name, because the how-tos and advice in her book, The Beauty Detox Solution, have done more for our skin than pricey face creams.

She’s way cooler than Cool Ranch.

The Beauty Detox Solution is available online at amazon.com, $11. For more nutrition tips, recipes, and information on Snyder, go to kimberlysnyder.net.