WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING RIGHT NOW:

This margarita is perfect for the late afternoon when the sun begins to take a dive yet the night air still remains as warm as the day.

You'll need:

Highball glass (this is the tall one)

Cracked Ice

2 shots of silver tequila

2 shots of Cointreau

2 Limes

1 Orange

3 Strawberries

1 teaspoon of raw sugar.

Crack your ice in a towel and set it aside. Cut your strawberries in quarters and place them in a small bowl, sprinkle the sugar on them and mash the berries and sugar until they begin to look like jam.

Fill your highball three quarters full with cracked ice. Add tequila and Cointreau. Juice the limes and one orange half in the glass, stir with a spoon (stirred cocktails are becoming quite fashionable and the stirring can blend the ingredients to have more flavor) till the glass becomes frothy. Float the strawberries on top and serve immediately and imbibe!

Finding YOUR Summer Swagger in 10 Steps.

With Memorial Day in just a few days, we sit in the office knowing that in due time the season of lounging, cocktailing in the sun, and bikini-clad ladies is upon us. Yet deep within you and I (being the working stiffs we are) we know we will only get our "fun in the sun" on the weekends, if that...well allow me to tell you that Summer need not be a season of weekend enjoyment; no, no my friends, it is time to add some Summer swagger to your 9-5 and let everyone know you have an inner jetsetter in you, even though you may not even leave your area code at all over the next few months:

1. Leave the "office pallor" to the guys in accounting and start taking your coffee breaks in the sun. Just 15 minutes a day will help you define that Summer tan.
2. White jeans. Keep them classic and pair them up with your blue jacket that you wear to work. You will look like you just swooped in from first class.
3. Lighten up on the ties. Opt for linen and cotton neck wear. Dive in to some poppy colors, this is the time of year to let the freak flag fly-so let the tie be fly.
4. Ditch the socks when wearing your loafers, sprinkle in some Gold Bond and you are off to drinks on the patio.
5.Speaking of drinks, might we interest you in a Negroni or a Pimm's Cup, educate yourself on classic cocktails that will add class to your Summer soiree.
6. Did you buy that cotton suit I told you about months ago? For God's sake, do us all a favor and drop some bills on a suit that you will love when the office AC goes on the fritz.
7. Lighten up the cologne. Splash on something cool and refined. If I may, suggest Eau d'orange verte from Hermes. It's described as invigorating by Hermes.com and sexy by most women.
8. Loose the leather watch strap and go grosgrain. Colored watches are trending, take your classic timepiece and update with a colored strap.
9. Have you had her over for dinner under the stars? Make a salad and pop a bottle of pino grigio. Done. Now go and call her to invite her over.
10. Ditch the screen printed tee's and pick up some solids. I hear the jockey v-neck is a wise choice.

Martinis & Monopoly

I was out at the Beverly Hills Hotel the other night and I noticed a group of people having quite the time as they enjoyed a game of Backgammon and bottle service. The men and women were truly having a blast and enjoying the evening. This made me think...wait for it...we have to bring back board games! However in a very cool manner.

The game night could be hosted anywhere, although a rather posh Dorchester property does aide in making the board game night rather chic.

Your job as the host, is to create an evening that is elegant and fun, almost cheeky, like the title of this blog, "Martinis & Monopoly" or "Black-tie Twister" (I know it's not technically a board game).

Serve cocktails that coordinate with the game you are featuring, the classic highball is a great choice: Seagram's 7 and ginger ale with a twist, serve on Monopoly money coasters.

Make sure you have comfortable seating -one could even bring the party down to another level, set it up on the floor with silver ice buckets and comfortable cushions and pillows (perfect night to rock a smoking jacket).

Ladies love games, so by the end of the night the lucky host may get to pass Go, but I don't think you'll be getting money.