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:

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!

Hello There February

February is all about love and marriage at All About the Benjamins. Ross and I have lived through a year and a half of wedded bliss after dating for five years. What does that mean for you as my readers? Wedding and Valentine's DIY's (sans doilies, sorry 2nd grade self, but lots of sparkle), Valentines Gifts and Recipes on a Budget, Winter Date Night Fashion (with what is already in your closet, $$$) and some Post-Wedding Tips and Tricks!

Terra's Kitchen - Our First Vessel

I spend evenings private tutoring once or twice a week after work. This means that I don't usually walk in the door until 7 PM, meaning dinner doesn't hit the table til 7:30 (if we're lucky). Ross knows his way around the kitchen, but most of the recipes we eat are foods I grew up helping cook and the recipes exist in my head. For the last several months, we have been relying on pizza as a staple on my late nights. We call it in and I swing by to pick it up on my way home. This is great, but ultimately expensive and repetitive. Terra's Kitchen to the rescue!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope Santa treated everyone well. Need some last minute recipes to bring to grandma's?

Hello, December!

December to me means fuzzy boots (sing along with me...apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur, the whole club was lookin at her...), peppermint everything especially mochas, twinkling lights (and makeup), and SNOW. Where is the snow?! It was 52° in Denville this morning. Nothing like getting out of bed on a December morning covered in sweat. I don't even need snow, I'm not that high maintenance...maybe just some seasonal temperatures? Lower temperatures will definitely be more comfortable for all of the running around we have to do this month...

Happy Friday! - Planning Wallet-Friendly Weekend Getaways

You can say that again! I'm super infatuated with Friday's in November since half of them are holidays! This coming Friday, we observe Veteran's Day, which is a great opportunity to take a long weekend and explore America. At the end of the month, we celebrate Thanksgiving - another long weekend full of family, friends, and food.

Next weekend, Ross and I are taking advantage of the long weekend, plus a few days, and some awesome travel rates to head out to San Francisco for a few days. I can't wait! Neither one of us has been and we would love to explore a new city with the few days off from work. This is a much better way to spend a long weekend than sitting home doing laundry!

Hello November

November is a busy month in the Benjamin household and across the United States. Over the 6-day Thanksgiving weekend, travel of 50 miles or greater increases by 54%, according the United States Department of Transportation. (It only rises by 23% during Christmas time!) This year, we are not part of that statistic, but we do have quite the month of travel, family and friends planned out...

2016 Fall Wedding Style - Jumpsuit or Jumpdon't?

I spent 2015 concerned with the wedding fashion, ie. bridal gowns, tuxedos and suits, bridesmaids dresses, and apparel for moms, dads and grandparents. Now that I have made my journey from Miss to Mrs, my concern is with wedding guest fashion trends. My background in architecture and design gives me a unique perspective into fashion. I love mixing neutral tones with one big pop of bright color.

Married Life: 1 Year Later

Ross and I have officially been married for 400 days. Our last year has been a whirlwind but in the best way. Now that we have moved (mostly) and finished wedding planning, we have had more free time on our hands than we know what to do with. As a newlywed, this is great, but I can't imagine that I am the only new wife who felt the withdrawals of wedding planning. My new found energy has been thrown into this blog, continuing to travel the world and country with Ross, and exploring our backyard of New Jersey with Ross and friends.

Memorial Day BBQ - Recipes & Cocktails for a Crowd

My husband and I were tasked with hosting a Memorial Day Weekend BBQ for my father-in-law and his extended family. We were happy to take on the duties of hosting. We love a good party, especially a BBQ. Grilling means shared cooking duties for Ross and I and keeps the house cool on warm days (no oven!). And after all..happy wife, happy life. I love to cook, but I do enjoy taking a break, handing Ross the reigns and sharing the responsibility (especially when its his family critiquing). We will be having ourselves plus 10 guests at our home, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, some of which have yet to see our new house. We are excited to show it off a little, even after a year.

Better Late Than Never - Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

2 years ago, Ross and I made a trip out to Las Vegas. On May 5th, we drove out to see the Grand Canyon. At this point, we had been dating for about 3 and 1/2 years and were getting ready to break ground on our house together. The plans were set, our variance was approved by the town and permits were being filed and pulled. The next logical step was getting married and low and behold, Ross had been secretly working on this for months. He proposed at the Grand Canyon and the rest is history. Although we haven't been big partiers, Cinco de Mayo holds a special place in our hearts so it was a reason to fiesta this year.