Graduation Party Décor Ideas

Used books as décor (used books that had an educational feel to them - shakespeare, titled harvard, ambition, obama etc.)  and stacked them at different heights around the living and dining room.

How to decorate your home/living room/dining room for a graduation dinner without breaking the wallet. 

Here are the key ideas to the look I pulled together just last year for my own graduation. (captioned under the images)

Used scrabble letters to spell out phrases like 'Class of Twenty 11', 'Exce11ent' - our class's phrase, and 'Graduation'

I kept the theme to a classic and sophisticated black and gold. So I gathered bits and bobs of décor from around the house. This included christmas baubles, gold floral like decor.. (above image) - I used a simple glass to hold it as it was the perfect height/size and didn't have vase that fit to that criteria.

 Graduation confetti (bought from a party store). 

Other miscellaneous décor included clear candle holders with plain white tea light candles, UNO cards in spelling out the '2011' - almost like the numerical version of what I did with the Scrabble letters!

And finally, one wall was covered with my favorite pictures and polaroids of my friends and I from senior year. Great memories!

All photos are by Ferwa Chevel for LVP and are copyrighted. Please credit them if used.

Benefit Middle East Launches: Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW!

A couple weeks ago I was invited to an event from one of my all time

favorite make up brands, Benefit (Middle East), to their launch of the

Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Foundation!

Although unfortunately I couldn't make it, I still got all the scoop for you guys and all the details

about this new product!

So as its name sake, this product was built for flawless looking skin. Why?

Well let's begin with the biggest feature of it's amazing formula. The Hydrating

Complex instantly hydrates your skin leaving it looking luminous and radiant!

Additionally, it has a natural finish that will leave your skin looking flawless

without you having to put layers of 'cakey' looking foundation on your skin,

and it's available in 9 shades, catering to all skin types!

Unlike other foundations, Benefit's Hello Flawless leaves a great luminous effect,

but yet it's oil free (oh and fragrance free), so it it's great for all skin-types

(hydrating for dry, oil-free for oily)

Exclusive features include:

- helps to boost cellular respiration for a 'plumping up' effect on skin

-  helps to protect against environmental stresses

- contains vitamin C & E derivatives known to prevent signs of aging

& it prevents sun damage with broad spectrum SPF PA+++

Oh and then to top it all off, the packaging as some great features too;

- the 30ml bottle gives you up to 3-4 months usage

- secure cap ensure no leakage

- airless pump protects the sensitive formula & ingredients

- airless pump also provides hygienic benefits, and

- the pump dispenses just the perfect amount every time!

The product is now available at all Faces and Sephora stores within the GCC & selected Areej and Debenhams stores in the UAE

It is priced at AED 165 or 12.50 KD, or alternatively at approx. $41

Here are some of the pictures from the event:

The gravity defying foundation was launched in galactic style, naturally...

Guests enjoy the thematic event...

Like 'Benefit Cosmetics Middle East' on Facebook, and follow @BenefitBeautyME on twitter!

Disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post

All photos and product information provided via Benefit Cosmetics ME

Chicago Botanic Garden Styled Engagement Shoot

Enjoy the eye candy, and get inspired with this styled engagement shoot 

spotted on Style Me Pretty. Balanced hues and cozy twist to an otherwise 

pink and elegant affair. averyhouse makes this décor versatile enough for a 

chilly summer evening event or a fall-time engagement party. Wether you

look at it as a dressed up makin-s'mores get together, or a cozied up formal 

affair, this is one to to walk away from, being left inspired