Don't Doubt, Just Do!

Follow

May is here (and so are my freebies) and with it comes my same old goal but a new mantra to keep my motivation alive. Putting off studying certainly crimped my plans more than anything else. Here I am a year later...living the "dream". Don't doubt, just do!

I'm still studying my butt off (30+ hours plus a full time job and whatever attention home requires), so my writing is behind to say the least. If you thought my content has been new, I have had you well tricked, but my archive is well stocked and my posts are scheduled. Keep your eyes posted on my Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for shares of old posts, recipes that keep me moving, drink concoctions  I'm trying, the occasional quick update and my resurfacing in July summer. In the meantime, enjoy my May freebies as consolation!

Sorry For What I Said When it Was Winter

Follow

My April freebies are here...better late than never. I'm sorry for the things I said when it was winter...if only winter would just fucking end already. This roller coaster of weather has my emotions doing the same thing. I love the sun one day and hate the frost the next. As I continue to barrage my brain with architecture related bits of knowledge, bask in my latest creation!

I've moved on from construction documents, specifications and contracts, but my love affair continues with planning, programming and project management. Keep your eyes posted on my Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for shares of old posts, recipes that I'm trying, the occasional quick update and my resurfacing in the spring/summer. I've prepped some posts ahead of time and I'm full of ideas, fresh recipes and tips and tricks that have kept me fed and clothed through this journey. Until I get it typed up and shared, enjoy my April freebies as consolation!

Shake Your Shamrocks

Follow

Despite my crazy schedule, I managed to plan ahead and prep some cute March freebies for my loyal lovers. As I continue to barrage my brain with architecture related bits of knowledge, bask in my latest creation!

I'm in the trenches with construction documents, specifications and contracts so don't expect a lot of new writing, but keep your eyes posted on my Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for shares of old posts, recipes that I'm trying, the occasional quick update and my resurfacing in the spring/summer. I've prepped some posts ahead of time and I'm full of ideas, fresh recipes and tips and tricks that have kept me fed and clothed through this journey. Until I get it typed up and shared, enjoy my March freebies as consolation!

Happy Valentine's Day

Follow

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:

All You Need is Love

Follow

Despite my crazy schedule, I managed to plan ahead and prep some cute February freebies for my loyal lovers. As I continue to barrage my brain with architecture related bits of knowledge, bask in my latest creation for the month of February!

I signed up for an intense 10 week study program to really get my butt in gear for the ARE. Overall, don't expect a lot of new writing, but keep your eyes posted on my Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for shares of old posts, recipes that I'm trying, the occasional quick update and my resurfacing in the spring. I'm full of ideas, fresh recipes and tips and tricks that have kept me fed and clothed through this journey. Until I get it typed up and shared,, enjoy my February freebies!

Life is Better with Snow

Follow

December is always one of my worst months for blogging. I set the bar so high and start off strong and as the holidays approach, Christmas shopping, wrapping and eating get the best of me. Although I missed a few goals, I achieved others that weren't on the list.

I managed to crank out the Chaos-Free Christmas Manual for my readers. Check that out as a handy dandy resource for all of your holiday planning. Pair it with My Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Guide for a conquer all strategy before Easter gets the best of you. It's not as far away as you think.

I also churned out 65 unique, handmade Christmas cards. No two cards were alike! They hit the mail a little late, thanks to a bout of the flu, but better late than never.

I signed up for an intense 10 week study program to really get my butt in gear for the ARE. Overall, don't expect a lot of new writing, but keep your eyes posted on my Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for shares of old posts, recipes that I'm trying, the occasional quick update and my resurfacing in the spring. Until then, enjoy my January freebies!

Have Yourself a Merry Little December

Follow

November was jam packed with travel for All About the Benjamins. In the last week alone, we traveled nearly 3000 miles from home to Chicago and back and to Charlotte, NC and back. We walked over 75 miles while we were away!

Despite the chaos, I generally I kept my promises to myself and my readers...I offered an Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving full of party planning tips, recipes and menu inspiration. I've continued working on my social media presence, tweeting, facebooking, instagramming and updating my stories more, to keep my readers satisfied, especially on days that I'm not writing. With my remaining 5 minutes everyday, I sleep until my alarm goes off and I start over again. With a nice back-log of ideas and posts, December should be another month of cozy coffees, gift guides and a Chaos-Free Christmas Manual. I'm dreaming of a Merry and Bright December!

November - Give Thanks & Reflect

October was an awesome month for All About the Benjamins. I kept my promises to myself and my readers...I offered seasonal recipes, festive haunted Halloween freebies and stuck to my writing schedule. I've been working on my social media presence, tweeting, facebooking, instagramming and updating my stories more, to keep my readers satisfied, especially on days that I'm not writing. With my remaining 5 minutes everyday, I sleep until my alarm goes off and I start over again. With a nice back-log of ideas and posts, November should continue to be an awesome month of recipes, Thanksgiving inspiration and fall fashion. For that I am thankful!

October - Dance in the Leaves

Follow
October is here and with that comes (at least in the Northeast) changing and falling leaves as the days turn crisp and the nights get cold. Fall has begun and winter is just around the corner, although with the temperature for majority of the last week in the 80's, you would never know. Finally, this weekend we are getting some seasonal weather and I'm getting inspired to dive into everything fall. That means pumpkin spice (yeah, I'm basic, tell me something I don't know), chai lattes, apple cider, fresh squash and my favorite, mulled red wine...basically, if i'ts not a shade of red, orange or brown, get it out of my face. 

Cricut-less DIY Mother's Day Card

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I've posted a few tutorials using my Cricut to aid in my card making, no Cricut? No problem! Don't let my fancy machine intimidate you from making your own greeting cards. A few everyday supplies are really all you need to get started. If you have paper, scissors, double sided tape or glue and a ruler, you're ready to go. Otherwise, grab your coupons and run to the craft store really quick. I'll be here when you get back!

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

Follow

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.

All About the Benjamins 2015 1st Birthday Giveaway

Freebie Alert!

Today is the last chance to enter the All About the Benjamins 2015 1st Birthday Giveaway. Enter now for your chance to win a batch of handmade birthday cards, like those pictured! Simply click the link, enter your name and email, like our Facebook page (if you have one) and submit our entry. Don't miss out on the last of the birthday celebrations, it takes less than 1 minute to enter. 

Winner will be announced tomorrow! Good luck!

No Bake Beer Can Cake for the Beginner "Baker"

April is a month of birthdays in the Benjamin house. We started the month celebrating Ross' 29th birthday and we'll round it out celebrating All About the Benjamins 2015's 1st birthday tomorrow. Needless to say, I've been busy making cakes to cut into for the all of the celebrations. But not to worry, you do not need to be a master pastry chef to make this cake. Follow my easy instructions for a No Bake Beer Can Cake to wow your guests and guests of honor, in minutes, not hours!

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.

DIY Wednesday: Personalized Mailbox

Last year I personalized our slot of the community mailbox for pennies and received countless compliments from the new neighbors. My parents mailbox was looking a bit rough around the edges. For Christmas, I decided to buy them a new one and personalize it with our street number and name. I am fortunate enough to own a Cricut, making it quick and easy to design and cut my own vinyl decals, like my mailbox design below.

Happy Birthday, Coco!

Ross and I adopted Coco and her mama Chanel when Coco was only 3 months old. She and Chanel were rescued together on the streets in Kentucky when Coco was only 2 weeks old. Before we met Coco, she had been adopted out twice and returned. Although she was old enough to be off on her own, she cried when she was separated from her mama. Once we met Coco and saw the love between her and Chanel, we could not separate them one more time. Instead, we adopted both dogs. To this day, they sleep curled up together, clean each others hard to reach places (ears, tops of head) and wrestle like maniacs.

Halloween Haunted House Party - DIY Troll Costumes

My husband and I love a good couples costume for Halloween, but we love saving money even more. This year we decided to throw it back to the 1980's and dress up as Troll dolls, a tribute to our childhood and a great opportunity to DIY. With the upcoming release of the animated Trolls movie, we were even able to pull our dogs into the mix! Not only did this make a great, budget friendly costume, it is a great last-minute fix too!

DIY Wine Tumblers

Custom tumblers and water bottles have become increasingly popular with the rise of Etsy. I do not argue that they make great gifts and are fun to use around the house. They are an easy thing to DIY with the right equipment and materials and ultimately save time and money compared to ordering online. You can easily get a 100% unique item, suited to your occasion.