Lang, a veteran of La Cirque and Daniel in NYC and current “meat maestro” of Mario Batali’s Italian steakhouse Carnevino, released this, his second title, as a follow up to his New York Times bestseller and comprehensive guide to outdoor cooking, Serious Barbecue.

BBQ 25, a collection of the 25 recipes “you will use 95% of the time” – is a distilled field guide for any man looking to serve flavorful meals while working with limited resources. Each recipe is designed to maximize results in minimum time. It includes directions that are visual, easy to follow, and contains steps for preparations and cooking method, making the marinade and grilling process equally manageable. The book is chocked full of color photographs and utensil pictorials to illustrate the grilling process and presentation.

Lang’s advice, “Sometimes all you want is instant gratification. Relax, have fun, embrace simple ingredients and make them into something spectacular. Enjoy the stuff that surrounds you, and cook while having a beer, hanging with your family or watching a game with your friends. You want recipes that are straightforward, easy-to-follow and look really professional, with flavors that blow your mind.” Sounds good to us. $12.65

Pink dismisses conventional wisdom that our motivation is always best altered by “carrot-and-stick” methods. By comparing and contrasting history and our evolving culture and business models, he presents a compelling case for improving performance and deepening satisfaction by focusing on:

Autonomy – our desire to be self-directed
Mastery – our urge to get better at what we do
Purpose – our yearning to be part of something larger than ourselves

Whether you have the responsibility of motivating others or yourself, Drive is an interesting and practical read applicable to every aspect of life.

While this may bring dollar signs to mind for some, the reality is quite the opposite. Not only can villas be affordable, but they’re available in most parts of the world and allow you to maximize your trip experience.

A villa vacation is one not bound by the walls of a resort. Typically set in an area with lots to experience (sites, towns, restaurants, beaches, jungles, etc.), the ideal trip offers a blend of relaxing in private, ample space, and the ease of exploring your surroundings when the desire for adventure strikes. Here are five advantages to consider:

Space
Villas give you the space of an entire house including a functioning kitchen, often a private pool and patio/deck area, and sometimes additional services like a car, chef, housekeeper or security. Larger – and more luxurious – villas can be rented for bigger parties, and once split between the guests, the price can be quite reasonable.

Price
In the Caribbean’s off season (April-November), comfortable houses with pools and stunning views can be had for $300-$450 a night vs. $500+ for a single “garden” room at a nice resort. Additionally, larger villas can often be rented as one-bedrooms with corresponding costs, so don’t just search for bungalows.

Food
Villas allow you the freedom to dine according to your tastes and budget. Even cooking your own gourmet meal can save you cash when compared to paying inflated prices for hotel food and drinks. The communal aspect of cooking together is often one of the highlights of our trips.

Privacy
Whether they’re in the room above you or next to you at the pool, why share your well-earned vacation with noisy tourists? Privacy is worth its weight in gold when you’re trying to relax.

Adventure
Renting a villa is more than just a decision on accommodations; it’s a mindset for travel. It’s about getting out on your own and engaging your surroundings, the local people and the offerings of the region. When renting a villa, we recommend you secure a car for the course of your stay. This gives you the mobility to find those hidden gems and memorable experiences.

For those looking for an entry-point into this method of vacationing, here are a few well-known villa rental agencies. While they add a small service charge, agencies ensure a certain standard of home and experience, and prove extremely helpful should something go wrong. CaribbeanWay, Catered To, Wimco.

1. Keep everything in perspective and remember that at the end of the night the key question is “Was it fun?” You’re the host so you set the tone for the evening. If you’re stressed out and not enjoying the night, your guests’ first impressions are already heading in the wrong direction. Be gracious, smooth and agreeable to establish the mood for everyone else. Prepare what you can in advance so you won’t be frazzled at the last minute.

2. The people are the party. Whether it’s a small dinner party or a big bash, you’re providing the setting for people to interact and mingle. When there is a balance of personalities and a mix of old and new friends, people will find each other more interesting. Intriguing conversations happen and a rich community develops when we meet others outside of our usual circles. As the host, keep your focus on your guests and make lots of introductions.

3. Keep it simple, but not ordinary. The average party is, well, average, but you don’t have to have one big expensive “wow” to exceed people’s expectations. Lots of small elements that go beyond the status quo make an impressive evening. Just make the night your own style.

4. Provide quality food. There’s a balance between chips and salsa and Martha Stewart. It doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming or expensive, just tasty. Select four different chesses, some olives, salami and prosciutto, and cut up some French bread to go with a few dips. Add some roasted nuts, fruits and dark chocolate and lay it all out on a big cutting board for everyone to gather around and enjoy.

5. Don’t run out of beverages. It’s ok if your hors d’oeuvres are gone after a few hours, but never run out of something to drink. Always buy 25% more than you think you’ll need. Nothing kills a party faster than empty glasses. As the host, greet your guests with a drink and point them in the right direction for where they can find a refill.

6. Establish the vibe. Whatever tone you’re going for, make sure your music, look and lighting all are in sync. People are generally more comfortable in low lighting so put your dimmers to use. A few candles can work, just don’t overdo it and make sure they are unscented. Make a two or three hour music mix based on a genre and set it on a loop. The music is for the background so people shouldn’t have to shout to have a conversation (unless you’re throwing a dance party). Think about where you want people to hang out and put your food and drink in that spot.

7. Check your room temperature. This may seem like an odd item to single out, but trust us, people don’t think about this factor until it’s too late. If everyone is hot and uncomfortable, all the other elements you worked so hard for won’t matter. Turn the temperature down a few notches about an hour before everyone arrives, especially if you’re having a large gathering with significant amount of body heat.

Courtesy of Brooks Brothers

At some point in your adolescence your father sat you down and said “It’s time to ditch the clip-on,” and taught you how to tie a necktie. But you probably just learned one knot and that’s how you’ve been doing it ever since. There’s no proper way to tie a tie, but certain knots can be a better match for a particular shirt collar and tie fabric. Here are three of the most common knots and a link to step-by-step instructions and photos provided by Brooks Brothers.

Four-in-Hand
The simplest, most versatile, and smallest knot option. Use this one with a tie made of medium to thick fabric and a narrow shirt collar or button-down.

Windsor
The granddaddy of all knots. This one takes a little more time and effort but is what you need when you wear a wide, spread collar.

Half Windsor
A compromise between the Four-in-Hand and the Windsor, this knot works well with almost any fabric and collar while still giving you a triangle shape.