Starbuck's Hack: Abby's Apple Pie Chai

I love anything chai when there is a chill in the air. The spices just warm me right up. The apple chai is an old Starbuck's menu item from back in my college days. It was a tasty treat in the fall. It eventually went the way of other seasonal drinks (the Starbuck's Cemetery) but was still available to order if you're barista had any recollection. One day I caught a glimpse of my barista mixing mine up and was pleasantly pissed to see that it was just steamed apple juice with a few pumps of chai. I thought "wtf, I can do this at home without spending $4 a cup." Alas, like most other inventions, Abby's Apple Chai was born out of straight up spite.

Happy Valentine's Day

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Happy Valentine's Day Benjamin Babes. Over the last two years I've written and shared my fair share of Valentine's and couple-related posts.

Here are favorite All About the Benjamin's Valentine's Reads:

"Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me" Organic Citronella Salve

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Spring is in the air...among many other things...ie, pollen and bugs. If you love the green on the trees and the blooming flowers, there is no avoiding these things, but there is relief. Often times we turn to bug sprays and mosquito repellents with chemicals to fight off unwanted friends when enjoying dinner on the porch or an evening by the fire. These are great, but often times they come in aerosol cans that are harmful to the environment or are chock full of ingredients that no one can pronounce. Do we really want to spray these chemical repellents all over our skin to be absorbed or inhaled in the process? Even more frustrating is the price tag that comes with these bug sprays. Although mosquito bites are uncomfortable, is it worth $5 for a can that will probably go missing and expire in the closet by the time I find it again? If you answered no to either of these questions, my "Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me" Organic Citronella Salve is for you.

Finally Mrs. Benjamin - Tips for Changing Your Name

Did you run away in a fit of passion and elope over Valentine's Day weekend? Now you're trying to figure out how to go from Ms. to Mrs. as the dust of your nuptials settles. Did you get engaged over the weekend and you're anticipating what is to come? Congratulations! I am Mrs. Benjamin (yes I said Mrs., that was not a typo. I changed my name successfully and on the cheap) and I am here to say, (1) I figured it out, (2) I did not pay anyone to do it for me, and (3) it did not take very long.

Tips for Killer Valentine's Gifts

Valentine's is like the cheap, cheesy cousin of Christmas. Having just dropped a load of money on Christmas, your wallet is feeling pretty light when Valentine's rolls around. All of the pink and red and hearts have you feeling festive and romantic. The sultry scent of DIY is heavy in the air. Your Pinterest board is probably full of disjointed ideas for your significant other. How do you tie it all together?! You've come to the right place!

DIY Wednesday: Push Pin Map

Ross and I have done a fair amount of travelling since beginning our relationship in 2011. With a fair amount of bargain hunting and penny pinching, we have been fortunate enough to travel to...

• Atlantic City
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Niagara Falls, Canada
• East Lansing, Michigan
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Williamsburg, Virginia
• Cancun, Mexico
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Orlando, Florida
• Long Beach Island, New Jersey
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• San Francisco, California
• Chicago, Illinois

Besides the countless travel photos that adorn our walls, this Christmas I wanted to gift Ross a push pin map to keep track of where we have been over the years. When I started shopping around I was stunned to see a map, mounted on cork or foam-core and framed, cost several hundred dollars. More absurd? Simple maps mounted on foam-core or cork ran near $150. I knew I could do this myself and at a much more reasonable price, especially if I was patient and waited to take advantage of sales and coupons.

Starbuck's Hack: Abby's Peppermint Mocha Latte

Tis the season...for everything minty and chocolatey to disappear from your coffee shop's menu and your money to disappear from your wallet as your credit card bills from Christmas past roll in. Although several years ago Starbuck's decided that the peppermint mocha was worth keeping on the menu all year long, with my hack recipe you can make it at home and save your money for next year's Christmas gifts.

Amazon - Subscribe & Save

A few weeks ago I blogged my Starbucks Hack: Chai Tea Latte post. I talked about getting my chai tea concentrate through Amazon Subscribe & Save. Amazon Subscribe and Save. - a regularly scheduled delivery service provided free of charge to Amazon members. As incentive to set up deliveries and subscriptions, Subscribe and Save users earn 5% off of their delivery haul each month. For deliveries of 5 or more items, that means extra savings - 15% off your haul. Do you have a baby at home - that means 20% off of diaper subscriptions.

Starbuck's Hack: Chai Tea Latte

This morning it was a whopping 1° when I got out of bed. It has now warmed to a balmy 17°. On days like today, sometimes the only thing to take the chill out of your bones and warm your soul is a nice hot latte, but who likes braving the cold to hit their local coffee shop? Here's a budget-friendly, homemade version of one of my Starbucks favorites that doesn't skimp on flavor.

2016 New Year's Eve Hair Tutorial Video

Glamorous Hair in 10 Minutes!

As promised in my 2016 Fall Wedding Style - Jumpsuit or Jumpdon't? post, I have written a follow-up hair and makeup tutorial, just in time for New Year's Eve! Check out my how to video. Step by step instructions and a guide to my favorite products are below. Pro Tip: Bookmark this tutorial for Valentine's Day too. Don't miss the other half of this series, 2016 New Year's Eve Makeup Tutorial!

2016 New Year's Eve Makeup Tutorial Video

Glitzy Glamorous Makeup in Only 10 Minutes!

As promised in my 2016 Fall Wedding Style - Jumpsuit or Jumpdon't? post, I have written follow-up hair and makeup tutorials. Better late than never and just in time for the holidays, the sparkliest time of the year! Check out my how to video. A step by step guide and all of my products are listed below! Once your makeup is done, be sure to check out the 2016 New Year's Eve Hair Tutorial Video!

Coco & Chanel's Christmas (Dog) Cookies

Chanel licking her lips for that cookie!!

I love baking Christmas cookies for Ross and other family members during this time of year, but I always feel like I'm leaving Coco and Chanel out of the fun! After Coco's Birthday Biscuits were such a success, I have tweaked the recipe with a seasonal spin. Next time you're making cookie dough, whip up a batch of Christmas Doggy Cookies for your favorite four-legged friend! When wrapped up right, these make unique hostess gifts for friends and family with a dog. I made a triple batch for my pups, my parents and my in-laws. They are a hit all around. Shout out to my mom for helping mix all of that dough, what a work out!

Bye, November! Holiday Travel & Packing Tips

November was a whirlwind of fun in the Benjamin house. The first weekend was my brothers birthday. The next week, we spent a long weekend in San Francisco. We came home and promptly hosted our Friendsgiving #KikkomanParty - our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. We wrapped up the month by celebrating Thanksgiving with family and kicking off holiday shopping with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. December will be just as exciting and chaotic!

Homemade Pressure Cooker Cranberry Sauce

This past weekend I volunteered to bring the cranberry sauce to our family Thanksgiving. I am all too familiar with the bland, overly-sweet cranberry log. Fresh cranberries run $1-$2 a bag, and for a group of 30, I could make a double batch of my homemade sauce for $4 (since I already had sugar at home). Packed with flavor from the fresh berries, my homemade pressure cooker cranberry sauce was a hit. Ready in under 10 minutes, it's a great go-to for holidays and easy to customize.