December Beauty Favorites

  Hello, friends! How are you doing today? Did you have a great holiday season? Let me know in the comments below! It is now time to tell you guys what my beauty favorites for the month of December are! 

Revlon Colorstay Foundation: I just bought this this month to try it out. I've heard a ton of great reviews for this product from my friends, and it seems perfect for oily skinned me! This is some heavy duty stuff! This foundation lasts all day and gives really full coverage. Believe me, getting foundation to stay on my skin is no easy task! However, this definitely gets the job done. I don't wear this daily, as it is pretty heavy, but it's great when I know that I'll need full coverage for long periods of time. 

Tip: Apply this with a damp beauty sponge. It can get cakey, otherwise! Also, blend quickly! It dries fast.

Revlon BB Cream: This is another Revlon product that I've been loving this month! It gives light-medium coverage and lasts a decent amount of time. I also really like how light feeling it feels on my skin, while giving sun protection with it's SPF of 30. 

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in New York Scene: This product is awesome! It's really moisturizing and gives great color pay off. I love the color, as well. It's a gorgeous raspberry color that is perfect for this season.

Benefit Coralista: I cannot say enough great things about this product! It's a beautiful shimmery coral color that highlights the face and gives a glowing appearance. Unfortunately, the product shattered in the pan. I still use it, though!

Vanilla Bean Noel: I actually got this product from my sister for Christmas, but I have used it many times before. It smells like a sugar cookie and has this amazing warmth to it! I just love this product, and I've been wearing it pretty much everyday this month.

Avenue Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer: This has been my day and night moisturizing this entire month. It leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated, which is great for the dry winter air! I also love that it gives sun protection.

Garnier Fructis Marvelous Oil: I recently purchased this product, and I really love it. It gives extra hydration to my hair and leaves it silky and shiny. It's great to apply in just washed hair. In the past I used the Organix Coconut Oil, which is really hydrating, but it left my hair feeling greasy. However, this product doesn't leave that heavy greasy feeling at all! I just love it!

CVS Brand Eye Cream: I believe this is the knockoff product for the Loreal eye cream, but it works just as well! My under eye area is really dry, while the rest of my face is oily, which is very strange. Though, this product is very moisturizing and I've noticed a great change in my skin.

Alright guys! This is my last favorites post of the year! 2015 is going to be here in a couple days, which means a fresh new start for all of us! Thank you for being part of this blog and supporting Love Ling! I love you guys! See you next year! 

-Love Ling

(P.S. Here's a sneak peak into future blog posts in 2015! The next post is going to be a big one, so get excited! )

December Non-Beauty Favorites

Hello, friends! December was another month that just flew by! Now that the new year is ringing in, it is time to reflect on what I loved in the last month of the year!

• Christmas music: I listened to so much Christmas music this month! I listen to it in the car, mostly, but I don't mind playing a bit of Michael Bublé when I'm in the shower.
• Take Me to Church by Hozier: I have been listening to this song non-stop this month! I absolutely love the soul/gospel vibe it has. Though, I'm not quite sure if I should peg it as a religious song...Anyways! The link to the song is on the right!

• Fame: Fame rehearsals have been up and running this month! I've been having a ton of fun rehearsing with the cast and discovering my character. 
• Ingrid Nilsen/Vlogmas: Ingrid Nilsen is my absolute favorite YouTuber of all time. She is so adorable and fun to watch, and I especially love her vlogs! Throughout the month of December, she has been vlogging everyday until Christmas, and I looked forward to watching them daily in December. 

Here is a link to Ingrid's channel! Definitely check her out! 

https://www.youtube.com/user/missglamorazzi/featured

• Christmas season: I really love Christmas, and being in the Christmas spirit this month has definitely been a favorite of mine! Christmas really is the season of giving, and it's been very rewarding to be able to give to other this season. 

I hope you enjoyed my non-beauty favorites for the month of December! Expect a bunch of new posts coming your way! 

-Love Ling

Post Holiday Mini Haul

  Hello, friends! I hope you had an incredible Christmas! If you don't celebrate it , that's totally fine! I hope you're having a great week! I had an amazing Christmas filled with family, friends, and a lot of joy. For me, Christmas is more than a day. It's an entire season, and I just love it. 
  It's a tradition in my family to go shopping with our newly received gift cards. Today, we stormed the mall to see if we could get some after holiday deals. I just wanted to show you some of the things I got today and share the deals that are out there! I will say that I had a mini panic attack shopping. The malls are so crowded! With the lights, music, and people surrounding me, it can be very overwhelming, so be careful when you shop! Bring a buddy and eat before you go! 

  Alright! These are the things that I bought today. Bath and Body Works is having their semi-annual sale, so everything there is on a discount! If you go there, definitely take a look at the holiday scents and the discontinued scents. I picked up "Sensual Amber", which is my absolute favorite scent that was discontinued a while ago! I bought the triple moisture body cream, as well as the body wash. I love the scent, because it's very mature, but warm. It's my favorite!

  Here's the link to the Bath and Body Works website: http://bathandbodyworks.com

  I also picked up some dark wash Hollister jeans! The jeans at Hollister are $20 each right now, which is an amazing deal. Usually they're $50! I have fallen in love with Hollister jeans, recently. They're really good quality and are so comfy! I just picked up some dark wash jeans today. 

  Here's the link to the Hollister website: http://www.hollisterco.com/shop/us

  I hope you enjoyed this post! I will talk to you guys in a bit!

-Love Ling

My Day: 12/20

  Hello, friends! How are you guys today? I hope you have had an amazing day full of joy and holiday fun! Today I'm going to give you a run down of what went down today, so let's get started!
  I had a performance this morning in which I sang and played piano at a local nursing home. I performed a couple holiday pieces, and it went really well. I really enjoy going to nursing homes and brightening the days of the residents that live there.
  After the performance, I went to Five Guys for lunch, where I had a delicious burger! That place is so great, so if you haven't tried Five Guys, you definitely need to. For the rest of the afternoon, I ran some errands around town and did some shopping. I also got in some Christmas wrapping! I'm really happy that I was able to wrap all the gifts I'm giving, because that knocks off one thing on my list of things to do! 
  This evening, I had dinner with my family and baked some cookies afterwards. I will give you the recipe of the cookies I baked later, for sure! 
  I hope you enjoyed this blog post of my day, and I will talk to you later! 

-Love Ling

Fame Update

  Hello,friends! I just wanted to give you guys an update on how Fame (the show I'm in) is doing. The past week has been full of rehearsals, which has been so fun! I was actually sick all last week, so I wasn't 100% at every rehearsal, but I think a lot got done. We did a bit of choreography, where I had to do a bit of ballet and hip hop. I realize now that my body isn't meant to do hip hop. Watching me "get down" is pretty hilarious. Anyways! We are making a lot of amazing progress in this show, and I am loving every bit of it. The cast is so awesome and kind, and they all work so hard! I just love them! Rehearsals are going to be taking a break until January, but I just wanted to update you on how the show is going!

-Love Ling

Christmas Season

  Hello, friends! The Christmas season is one of the most wonderful times of the year. However, it is also very stressful. There's this internal list of everything that needs to be done by Christmas. Of course, there's buying presents for everyone in the family which eventually leads to a Starbucks driven, painstaking trip to the mall. Don't even bother with Bath and Body Works. Some of those women in there will fight you for the last Vanilla Bean Noel. Then there's setting up the Christmas decorations and holiday-ifying the house, which is always fun. Don't forget the hours of baking in the kitchen! It's really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but it's important to remember the reason for the season.
  I know that not all of my readers are religious, and that's fine. I happen to be religious, and believe that the core of the Christmas season should be Jesus. Others may believe that the core of the season is to give or to be with family, which is great! Christmas time is really special. There's nothing quite like it. I just ask you to remember the why you're setting up the tree or waiting in long lines at stores. Don't let the stress of the holidays deter you from living out the true meaning of Christmas, whatever this is to you.

-Love Ling

Daily Essentials

Hello, friends! My makeup changes from day to day, but there are some products that I just have to have! These are some of my everyday essentials!

Loreal Butterfly Mascara: You guys know that I just love this mascara. It gives my lashes a ton of volume and makes them thick, without being gloopy. The formula is long lasting, so my lashes will still look amazing at the end of the day!

Loreal Gel Eyeliner: I forget what the shade of this liner is, but it's basically a brown color. Having black liner is really popular, but I like how natural brown liner looks. This liner is so easy to apply and the formula is really nice and lasts forever!

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit: I know I've talked about this product a ton, but I just love it! It's got everything you could possibly need for your eyebrows. It comes with a pearly highlighter, two brow shades, a sponge applicator, an angled applicator, and tweezers. I have been using this for a really long time and I use it everyday.

Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer: I wear this primer almost every single day. It feels really light on my skin and really helps my foundation to adhere to my face throughout the day.

Covergirl 3 in 1 Foundation: I really like this foundation. It has medium to full coverage and blends really nicely. I've noticed that it lasts for a pretty good amount of time, which is nice. This is definitely an essential of mine.

Clinique Blush in Sunset Glow: I would like to say R.I.P. to this blush, as it shattered into a million pieces recently. This blush was a beautiful rosy color with a hint of a golden sheen. It was the perfect fall color, and I wore a ton. 

I hope you enjoyed listening to me ramble on about all of these beauty essentials! I will see you all in my next post!

-Love Ling

My Everyday Makeup Routine

  Hello, friends! I have started wearing a very simple, clean look that gets me out the door while feeling like myself. This is the my everyday, fresh face makeup look!

Step 1: Face
I first apply my Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream all over my face. This product gives me lightweight coverage, as well as moisturization and sun protection. I love it so much, and it feels so light on my face.

After applying BB cream, I might go in with a stick concealer to cover up any blemishes peeking through. Most of the time, I just ignore them and apply powder. The powder I use is the Loreal True Match Powder. It's super easy to use, mattifies pretty well, and provides a tiny bit of coverage.

Step 2: Eyebrows
I love filling in my eyebrows, because it gives me a more polishes look. I use my Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit to define them. I don't need much, just a bit to fill in the sparse areas.

I like to set my brows with a clear mascara to keep the hairs in place. For this, I use the Maybelline Clear Mascara. I've used this for a long time!

Step 3: Eyes
Like I said, I keep the eyes very simple. I don't have time for eyeshadow, and lately, it's just been too much! I just smudge a bit of my UD 24/7 Liner in Bourbon on my top and bottom lash line for some definition.It's just a nice, shimmery brown color. I love that this liner is über pigmented, glides on easily, and doesn't smudge throughout the day.

After liner, I curl my lashes to prep them for mascara. My mascara switches on a daily basis, but I tend to go for products that will make my lashes full and long. I apply my mascara of the day on my top and bottom lashes.

Step 4: Cheeks
If I feel like it, I'll add a light flush to the cheeks. I usually go for a light pink blush to brighten and freshen my face. My favorite is "Classic Pink" by Covergirl.

If I'm feeling extra snazzy, I'll take a light pink lipstick and blend that on to my cheeks for a more natural look.

Step 5: Lips
I don't tend to wear lip gloss or lipstick. I usually just moisturize my lips with some Rose Bud Lipsalve or a balm. Pretty simple, huh?

I hope you enjoyed my natural, "Tris Prior" inspired look. I like that it lets my natural features shine through and is super quick. I hope you enjoyed this look! Let me know if you would like to see any more Divergent blog posts!

-Love Ling
  

Tropical Smoothie Recipe

Hello, friends! No matter what the weather, I like cold drinks. I love Frappucinos, iced coffee, and smoothies in the winter time. It's honestly the weirdest thing. One of my favorite smoothies to make is inspired by a Blogilates post that I saw on Instagram which is a "Healthy Orange Julian" smoothies recipe. This is very simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. 

Ingredients

1. 1 clementine
2. 1 banana
3. 3/4 C milk
4. 1 C of ice
5. 1 tsp sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Peel one clementine and break it apart slightly. Place it in the blender.
2. Follow up the orange with a banana broken into chunks. Place the banana in the blender as well.
3. Use a measuring cup to measure out 3/4 of milk (any kind is fine) and pour it into the blender.
4. Reuse the measuring cup to trap 1 c of ice and put it in the blender.
5. Blend the mixture together until an icy, smooth consistency is achieved.
6. Add a little sugar if you like a sweeter smoothie. If not, go au natural and drink it as is.

This is a really refreshing and delicious drink! I hope you try it! If you do, let me know in the comments below! See you all later! 

-Love Ling

Day 1 Of Rehearsals!

Hello, friends! Today was our first rehearsal for Fame, and I think it went really well! The cast and crew is comprised of 65 people, which is awesome, but it's definitely going to take a lot of teamwork to pull off this show! On our first day of rehearsal, we went over theatre etiquette to make sure that everyone knew what was up. Afterwards, we go into the script! For me, this is one of the most exciting moments, because I get to dive into what the show is about. The cast did a read through of the script, and I think it went really well. The show is really funny, and we have a ton of really talented actors! I'm so excited to get to be a part of this show! I will report back to you guys later with another updated about Fame. Have a great day!

-Love Ling

Big News!

  Hello, friends! I'm sure many of you guys know that I have a passion for theatre and I do shows quite frequently. I just auditioned for "Fame The Musical" last week, going for the lead role of Carmen Diaz. 
  Well, the cast list was posted today and...I got the role! Thank you so much to everyone who was thinking of me and keeping me in your prayers. I'm really excited to be in this show and go on this four month journey with the rest of the cast and crew! I will definitely keep you updated on all that's going on with "Fame" on this blog,as well as giving you a bit of insight into the theatre world. This is going to be so exciting! I can't wait to share this experience with you! Thanks for your support!

-Love Ling

Every Day Makeup Routine

Hello, friends! Today I'm going to be showing you my everyday makeup routine for a look that I would wear on a typical day. It only takes ten to fifteen minutes to do, which I love! I don't wear this look every day, but this is a solid look that covers all the bases of makeup. I hope you enjoy!

Before applying makeup, I clean my face and moisturize with the Aveeno Daily Moisturizer. I usually wait about five to ten minutes before apply face makeup so that it stays on longer.

• Primer: I first apply a primer to my face  so that the makeup I apply will last longer. The face primer I use is the Smashbox Photo Finish Light. It provides a really nice base for the foundation, makes it last longer, and creates a flawless look. I just apply this to my T-zone.
  
• Eye Primer: I then apply the NYX HD Primer to my lids so that it can have time to settle in before using eyeshadow. This is my favorite primer and keeps my eyeshadow in place on my super oily eyelids. This is very comparable to the Urban Decay Primer Potion. It's amazing.
  
• Foundation: The foundation I use changes day to day, but the foundation I've been using lately is Revlon Color Stay. This foundation provides really full coverage and lasts all day long! I apply this with my Real Techniques Beauty Sponge to create an even complexion. This foundation can be a bit heavy, but using a sponge helps lighten it.  
  
• Powder: After foundation, I apply the Revlon Color Stay Translucent Powder to keep my foundation in place. I don't like this powder very much, because it's really chalky and makes my skin look weird. I'm almost done with it, though.
  
• Eyebrows: I always use my Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit to fill in my brows. The dark brow shade is perfect my brow color. I use an angled eyeliner brush to fill them in so that my face can look more put together. Filling in your eyebrows really make a world of a difference.
  
• Eyeshadow: It's shadow time! I don't have much time to get ready, so I'll usually just do an all over the lid shade or a matte look. For this look, I chose the Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush. This is a beautiful shimmery rose gold color, and it's super pigmented! I love this eyeshadow for an every day look.
  

• Eyeliner: After eyeshadow, I apply eyeliner to my top tight line. I use the Maybelline Master Drama Liner in black. I only apply this to the top, because as soon as I blink, it transfers to my water line. I really love how black and pigmented this liner is, but it tends to smudge on me.
  
• Mascara: Now it's time for lashes! I love my Loreal Butterfly Mascara, which is just amazing. It creates really big, long lashes that look amazing throughout the day. I love this product!
  
• Blush: Lastly is blush! I love my Benefit Coralista Blush, which gives my cheeks a tint of a pink/coral color and adds some life. It's also very bright and helps highlight my face. I love it!

Well, folks! This is my everyday makeup routine! I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know what products I should try! Place your suggestions in the comments below!

-Love Ling

My Day!

  Hello, friends! This post is basically going to be a ramble post, where I shall recount my day for you. Hopefully I can make it seem like you were right there going through the day with me, but we'll just see how this goes. 
  The day started at 5:30 in the A.M., which was quite terrible. I actually wake up at that time everyday and am out of the house by 6:45. Terrible, isn't it? Anyways! I went for a simple look today, so I conquered Friday in jeans and a white tee shirt. 
  For breakfast, I had a cup of coffee with peppermint mocha creamer and oatmeal with banana. I love starting my morning off with a cup of coffee and some sort of breakfast with a ton of protein. It gives me energy for the rest of the day.
  After breakfast, I left to carry on with the duties of the day. The majority of the day went by really quickly, and was good overall. At 2 o'clock, I actually had a callback for a show that I auditioned for yesterday. I had a lot of fun at callbacks, where I got to do a bit of flamenco dancing, acting, and singing. For those of you that don't know, I'm what you would consider an "actress" on the side. You'll frequently hear about shows that I'm working on, and right now I'm working on "Fame, The Musical". I just auditioned for the role of Carmen Diaz, and I will find out how everything went on Monday! Exciting! 
  When I got back home, I hung out quite a bit. I love YouTube, so I caught up on some videos and chilled until dinner time. For dinner, I made myself a hearty pasta dish. It had some sautéed onions, steamed broccoli, chicken, pasta, and seasonings. I must say that it ended up being quite delicious. After dinner, I had another cup of coffee, which is quite strange, but I needed it. 
  I finished up the night by watching more YouTube and "The Nightmare Before Christmas", which I find to be a perfectly appropriate Christmas movie. I watched it for the first time this Halloween, and I really like it! It's a cute, yet dark movie. Way to go, Tim Burton. I also worked on a ton of new blog posts for you guys, so expect those in the next couple of days! I promise I will not skimp out on you! 
  Well folks! That was my day today. I hope you enjoyed hearing all about it and have a great week!

-Love Ling

Winter Skin Care Routine

Hello, friends! Winter time brings cold air and dryness, which makes my skin freak out a bit. I change up my skin care routine during the winter so that it doesn't flake off and fall in puddle around me. That's just wrong. Anyways! Here is my current skin care routine.

Background Information: Where I live, the air can be pretty cold and dry, so dry skin is expected. I have combination skin, with dry cheeks and a really oily T-Zone. 

Cleanser: For cleanser, I use Noxyma. I love this product so much, and always pull it out in the winter! Though my skin can be greasy, I shy away from using my typical gel-acne cleansers in the winter. This is a solid cleanser that you scoop out of the tub and combine with water to get a milky consistency on the face. It washes off all the oil and dirt from your face, while lea



ving it nice and soft. It's very moisturizing and can be used day or night.

Eco Tools Konjac Sponge: I use this every morning and night with my cleanser. It adds some extra exfoliation and smooths out my skin. Though it exfoliates, it's gentle enough to use daily.

Moisterizer: To bring some hydration back into my skin, I slather the Aveeno Daily Moisterizer onto my face morning and night. This has SPF 15 in it, which helps protect the skin and fade dark spots. It can be a bit greasy, but it does a great job of moisturizing my skin.

Eye Cream: I just recently got into eye cream, which I use morning and night. My under-eye area is very dry, so I want to make sure that it gets moisturized. I use the CVS brand eye cream, which is comparable to the one that Loreal makes. It's thick and buttery, which has really helped in moisturizing my under-eye area. I've definitely noticed a significant difference in my skin because of this product.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Expect more winter beauty posts in the future!

-Love Ling

November Beauty Favorites

Hey, friends! These were the beauty products that I loved during the month of November.

Real Techniques Beauty Blender: This sponge is absolutely amazing! It's super plushy and blends my foundation like a dream. I also love that it has a special edge for larger parts of the face and a pointed side for smaller areas. This is extremely comparable to the Beauty Blender that costs $20. This is only $6!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner: In the winter, my hair gets really dry, and this conditioner has been great in helping my hair stay moisturized. I leave this in  for a couple minutes in the shower and rinse to reveal really soft hair. I love this product!

Calvin Klein One Mascara: I got this mascara at the beginning of the month from Ulta for free! It was the birthday gift at the time, and I'm so happy that it was. The cap twists so that the shape of the wand changes, which is super awesome. It's also long wearing and makes my lashes really thick and full.

Freeman's Cucumber Peel-Off Mask: I use this mask a couple times a week to revitalize my skin. It has a really nice, gently formula and leaves my skin feeling refreshed. The best part is that after applying it and letting it dry, you can peel it off! 

Eco Tools Konjac Sponge: This is a new discovery for me, and it's starting to get a lot of hype in the beauty community. I got this sponge from Target, and it's made out of the Konjac Root. I use it with my cleanser to exfoliate my face in the morning and at night. It's really helped my complexion by making it really smooth and clearing up my breakouts. I highly recommend it! 

Make Up Forever Lipstick in "Rouge Artist Natural": This is my every day lipstick. It's a gorgeous rosy shade that matches my skin tone perfectly. I think it would match anyone's skin tone, quite honestly. It's super moisturizing and adds a beautiful sheen.

I hope you enjoyed my November favorites! I made a lot of new beauty discoveries this month, and I hope this post gave you some inspiration on products to try! I'll see you in my next post! Have a great day!

-Love Ling

November Non-Beauty Favorites

  Hello, friends! How are you guys today! I feel like it's been forever since I've blogged, but it's actually been like 4 days. I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. I definitely did. It was so great to be able to see my family and hang out with them. Today I have my November Non-Beauty Favorites to share with you! Expect my November Beauty Favorites in the next couple of days. 
  I would also like to let you guys know that I am going to blogging a whole lot more this month as my gift to you! I won't be blogging every single day, but expect to see a lot more blog posts. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you can be notified whenever I post a new blog! Enjoy!

Music

• Shakey Graves: I have been obsessed with the artist, Shakey Graves. I discovered him in October, but I've been listening to his album, "And The War Came" a lot lately. The music is a nice blend of blues, rock, indie, and folk. I absolutely love it, and his voice and acoustics are amazing. I love the songs "Dearly Departed", "Hard Wired", "Pansy Waltz", and "The Perfect Parts".
• Taylor Swfit 1989: I have been listening to this album constantly this month! I have been a fan of Taylor's for a long time, and I totally support her in her transition from country to pop. I love every single song on the album. She really hit the nail on the head with these new songs. I love "I Know Places", "Welcome To New York", and "Blank Space". You have to check out the album!
• Hairspray: I've also been listening to a lot of the Broadway Hairspray album with Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schue from Glee!) this month. The vocals are so much better than in the movie version, and I love how upbeat the songs are!

TV

• New Girl: Of course I've been watching New Girl! This show is my absolute favorite and makes me laugh so hard.

Movies

• Gone Girl: I saw this movie earlier this month, and I loved it. It's definitely racy and inappropriate at times, but the plot is so suspenseful. The movie makes you want to keep on watching and watching.
• Jersey Boys: I finally got Jersey Boys on DVD, and I'm so excited! This is one of my favorite movies, and I love the music in it. I definitely recommend you watching this movie. Even if you don't like musicals, you will like this. 

Food

• Tea: I've really been into tea lately! I used to hate it, but I really like it now. It soothes my throat and makes me feel all warm and cozy. I've especially been loving "Throat Coat", which tastes like licorice and helps my voice heal after I sing for hours. I also love Chai Tea, which adds the perfect amount of spice for the cold weather.

Inspo

• I start my morning off with a bible verse from this daily verse app on my phone. It's really helped in getting me through each day and has given me something to think about everyday. I really enjoy using this app, and I highly recommend it!
  

These are my November Non-Beauty Favorites! I hope you enjoyed it! I shall talk to you guys later!

-Love Ling

Thanksgiving

  Hello, friends! I hope you guys had an amazing Thanksgiving. I know I did! Remember to be thankful for what is around you and appreciate the little things.  Thank you for reading about what I was thankful for each day and going on this Thanksgiving journey with me. Have a blessed day!

Beauty Cleanse

Hello, friends! When I went to church last week, my pastor had a great sermon on contentment. It's important to be happy with what you have and not be worried about new things. I know it's very popular in the beauty community to always have the next big thing and to buy, buy, buy. I used to take that approach, but I've slowed down a bit over the past couple of years. Sure, it's nice to buy yourself the occasional lipstick or mascara, but having six of the same product in different colors is extremely excessive. 
  The other day, I took the time to go through my cabinets and draws and rid myself of any and all beauty products I deemed to not be beneficial to me. I threw away old mascaras, lip products I never use, face products that I don't like, etc. I got rid of anything that I didn't immediately use. I don't need clutter to cramp my space. It was really refreshing to get rid of a ton of products that I didn't use and focus on products that I know and love. I think it's better to have a couple key products to rely on, than a bunch of other crap that doesn't do anything other than take up space. 
  I encourage you to look through your belongings and rid yourself of things that aren't helping you. Get rid of the old eyeshadows that "You swear you're going to use someday" or the hairspray that "Isn't great but it's there just in case". Trust me, you'll be better off.

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 13

Hello, friends! Here's what I was thankful for today/yesterday. I'm so sorry! I was late on my post!

1. My family: I'm really thankful that my family coming in for Thanksgiving wasn't delayed on their flight.
2. Coffee shops: I took my family on a tour of the city I lived in, and showed them my favorite coffee shop. They make such good coffee, and I'm really thankful for it. 
3. Mini cheesecakes: I have some left over mini-cheesecakes from my party last weekend, and they are so delicious! It's basically a little cheesecake triangle covered in chocolate. Ahhh!
4. Blow-up mattresses: I gave up my room for my aunt to sleep in, so I'm really thankful for the blow-up mattress that I ended up sleeping on. It was that or the floor.
5. Nice waitresses: My family and I went out to dinner at this local Italian restaurant. The waitress we had was so nice and made the whole experience really enjoyable.

This is what I was thankful for on the day before Thanksgiving! I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving, you guys! Eat as much as you can and remember to be thankful for what you have.

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 12

Hello, friends! Here's what I was thankful for today:

1. Not being late: There was some really bad traffic this morning and I managed to get my destination without being late. Thank goodness!
2. Coffee: On my way home, I stopped to get a coffee at a local coffee shop, and it was really nice to treat myself. I like to treat myself to a coffee once a week.
3. My grandparents: My grandparents came to visit me for Thanksgiving, and I'm really thankful that they got here safely.
4. Tea with my grandma: I got to drink tea and have a nice conversation with my grandma this evening, and it was really nice to sit and talk with her.
5. My dogs: For those of you who don't know, I have two dogs and I'm really thankful for them. They're soft, cuddly, and loving. I just love them!

I hope you enjoyed what I was thankful for today! Only two more days until Thanksgiving!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 11

Hello, friends! Thank you to those who have clicked on this post to know what I was thankful for today. Here's what I was thankful for:

1. My car not being frozen: A lot of times when I get out to my car, it's completely covered in a sheet of ice. That was not the case today, and I'm really thankful for that!
2. On point Pandora: It's always a good day when my morning Pandora station plays good music. Way to go Pandora, way to go.
3. Gorgeous weather: The weather was so gorgeous today! Instead of being completely dreary, the weather was sunny and warm. What is up Mother Nature...
4. Caramel Apples: I had a big ole candy apple covered in chocolate and caramel today for a snack. It was one of the most delicious treats I've ever tasted.
5. Fireplaces: I sat by the fire and did some work this evening and it was really nice. I'm really thankful for it.

I hope you enjoyed all that I was thankful for today, and that you can find something in your day that you were thankful for! Thanks for being awesome.

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 10

Hello, friends! Here's what I was thankful for today:

1. Church: I went to church this morning, and I felt like it was a good service overall, so I'm thankful for the opportunity to go to church and learn about my faith.
2. Swedish meatballs: After church, I got lunch at Ikea and had Swedish Meatballs. Let me tell you, if you've never tried their meatballs, you are missing out. They're delicious.
3. I found a monologue!: I've got auditions for a show coming up, and I'm thankful that I found a good monologue to audition with. This way, I can be prepared and worry more about performing it than finding once auditions draw nearer.
4. Cake pops: I had some cake pops left over from the party last night, so I took full advantage of them today. They were delicious.
5. Broadway music: I was listening to a lot of Broadway this evening, and I just love it. I'm really thankful for that kind of music.

This is what I am thankful for today!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 9

Hello, friends! I'm so excited that Thanksgiving is almost here! Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. 5Ks: I actually ran a 5K today! My neighborhood put one on, and I'm happy to say that I completed it without having to stop, so I'm very thankful for that.
2. New Girl: I was watching a really funny episode of New Girl today, and it just brightened my day.
3. Performing: I'm currently directing a Cabaret right now, and I got to show off my cast with the community and have them perform at a nursing home. I don't know how they felt about it, but I hope everyone had fun.
4. Baked Ziti: I had a party tonight, so I ordered a huge thing of baked ziti that I plan on eating until the day I die. It will take me so long to finish it off, but I'm very thankful for it.
5. Party: I hosted my birthday party tonight, and I invited a bunch of my friends over to celebrate with me. I'm really thankful that it went so well and that it was a great time!

Thank you for reading this post! Have a great day!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 8

Hello, friends! Here's what I was thankful for today:

1. Friends getting smart phones: One of my best friends just got a smart phone, and I'm so happy for her! I'm thankful that she got such an awesome phone!
2. Zaxby's: I'm so thankful for Zaxby's. I'm so sorry if you don't have one where you live, but it's the best chicken fast food place with the most amazing chicken and fries. I went there for lunch today with some friends, and it was the bomb.com.
3. Good conversations: I love being able to have good conversations with people. It's nice to get to just talk to people and catch up.
4. Target: I went to Target today to pick up some stuff for a party tomorrow, and I'm so thankful it! Target one of my favorite stores and has a ton of Christmas decor out right now. Score!
5. Christmas music: I know that we haven't gotten past Thanksgiving yet, but I'm just so excited for the holiday season! I was listening to Christmas music in the car today, and it made me so happy!

I hope you enjoyed this post! I'll see you guys tomorrow!

-Love Ling

What I'm Currently Loving About Fall

Hello, friends! As you all know, fall is one of my favorite seasons. There is so much to love about it, and I'm going to be describing these things to you today!

1. Chilly weather: I love that the weather isn't scorching hot, but it isn't freezing either. The fall weather has a bit of a nip to it, and I love it.
2. The trees: I just love all the trees in the fall! They're so beautiful with their red and gold colors.
3. Riding boots: I love wearing riding boots in the fall, and it's totally acceptable to wear them everyday. They're really comfortable, and they keep your feet warm.
4. Cozy blankets: Now that the weather has cooled down, I'm finally able to snuggle up in my favorite cozy blanket. Forget what you know about cozy blankets. The blanket I have is the softest, most wonderful blanket in the world, and I am loving it for fall.
5. Dark lips: This is a beauty essential! I'm usually pretty conservative when it comes to lip color. I'm pretty boring when it comes to wearing lipstick usually, but in the fall I like experimenting with dark red and rasberry colors.
6. Dark nails: I only wear dark nail colors in the fall time, and they make me really happy. I feel very fancy and sophisticated with a dark red on my nails.
7. Coffee and tea: I love drinking hot coffee and tea in the fall time. It's the perfect way to feel all warm and cozy while enjoying a delicious drink.
8. Indie music:I feel like fall time is the perfect time to listen to raw, acoustic indie music. It must be the change of the weather or the nature, but it's the perfect music to listen to right now. I've been listening to Shakey Graves a lot lately. I definitely recommend listening to him if you haven't.
9. Pumpkin everything: I love pumpkin with a burning passion. I will use pumpkin anything, and I can't get enough.
10. It's a busy time of the year: I know that there's so much going on in the fall, with sports events and festivals, but I love how busy it gets! I think people come together in fellowship more in the fall and it brings people closer together.

I hope you enjoyed this post about my adoration for the season of fall. Feel free to leave what you love about fall in the comments! Love you!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 7

Hello, friends! Welcome to day seven of Thankful-ling, where I am here to tell you what I was thankful for today!

1. My car not being icy: Yesterday my car was basically a giant icecube. I'm really thankful that when I left home today it was not frozen. I didn't even have to defrost it!
2. Pandora station: I was listening to Pandora all morning, and I was so happy with the music today! It put me in a good mood for the morning.
3. My trench coat: I wore my trench coat today, and I'm really thankful to have it. Not only is it fashionable, but it keeps me so warm! It's definitely needed in the frozen tundra of an environment I'm living in. Just kidding. It's only like 20 degrees.
4. Sunshine: Though it was really cold today, what made it somewhat bearable was the gorgeous sun. I love it when it's sunny, because it makes me more productive and in a better mood overall.
5. My best friend: I'm so thankful for my best friend, Savannah! I know I've mentioned her a thousand times on my blog, but I just love her to death! She is auditioning for a spot in a prestigious band today, and I'm thankful that she received this opportunity. Please pray for safe travels and strength for her! 

I hope you enjoyed what I was thankful for today!

-Love Ling 

Judgement

  Hello, friends! I am coming to you today with a problem. There are a lot of people in this world that want to tear you down. They want you to feel bad about yourself, so they'll tell you certain things about yourself that you don't want to hear, analyzing every movement that you do. Let me tell you, it sucks. Being judged all the time sucks. I should be able to dress the way I want, say what I want, and simply do the things I want without being questioned. How can you judge someone or criticize them when you're not perfect yourself? If you are not perfect, then you have no right to criticize someone for being who they are. Set your judgements aside, and accept the fact that not everyone is going to do what you want. People will be themselves, and if you're not okay with who they are, you need to do some soul searching. Friends, I tell you that judgement must come to an end. The times when I worry about what people think of me must come to an end. The times when I am criticized for the music I listen to must come to an end. The times when I am rebuked for the words that I say must come to an end. I ask that you put forth more love into the world and less hate. Let me tell you, it's about darn time that the negativity and crappiness ceases. 

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 6

Hello, friends! Today was a bit of a rough day, but here's what I was thankful for

1. Monologues: I'm auditioning for an upcoming show, and I found a really good monologue to use for my audition! I'm so thankful that I found a good one!
2. Throat Coat: I just discovered the beauty of "Throat Coat", which is a tea sent from the heavens for singers. It's made out of licorice, and has a very sweet flavor, without being overpowering. My voice always feels better after drinking it.
3. Shane Dawson: I watched a bunch of his videos today, and the man made me laugh so hard! I'm thankful for his joy and goofiness.
4. My mom: I love my mom! She made me pasta tonight, and I'm really thankful to have such a caring mother.
5. Car defrosting spray: I needed it this morning! My car was absolutely frozen! I'm really thankful that I have this now. It's definitely going to make my life much easier.

I hope you enjoyed what I was thankful for today!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 5

Hello, friends! Here's what I was thankful for today

1. Productivity: For the first part of my day, I feel like I worked hard and got a lot done. I'm really happy about that.
2. Almond milk: It's just so delicious. It's the perfect way to start off the day.
3. Chikfila: I was able to eat there for lunch today, and it was absolutely delicious. I always get the chicken sandwich, because it's the best!
4. A good laugh: I laughed a lot today, and that makes me happy, because I love laughter! It's healthy to have one of those good laughs where you can't control it and it keeps coming back!
5. My dad: I'm so thankful for my dad. He's one of my favorite people in the world, and I think he's great.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! I'll see you tomorrow!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 4

Hello, friends! Here is what I was thankful for today:

1. Protected Green Lights: If these lights were not in my favor when driving, I would be late to everything. I am so thankful to be able to have the right of way at a light when I am in a hurry!
2. Productivity: I like to think that today was a pretty productive day. I'm thankful for all that I got accomplished.
3. Laughter: I reckon that I laughed a whole lot today. I love to laugh and I'm grateful to be able to do that a lot. The people I surround myself with just bring me a lot of joy.
4. Friend Tire Guys: I had to get my tire air checked today, and the guys working at the tire place that I go to are just so friendly and so nice. No matter when I go in, I always receive the sweetest service and they always brighten my day.
5. Chai Tea: I just had a chai tea latte tonight and it was delicious. I'm so thankful for it!

I hope you enjoyed reading what I was thankful for today! I love you!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 3

Hello, friends! Here's what I was thankful for today:

1. My dad coming home safe: My dad was recently out of town for a business meeting this week, and I'm very thankful that he came home safely.
2. Pot luck lunches: It is a good day when my church has a pot luck lunch! I love eating a plateful of comfort food with no shame.
3. Movie days: It was really nice to just sit back and relax today. I watched "Father of the Bride 2" and "17 Again". Zac Efron, guys. Zac Efron.
4. Hot Chocolate: I had a nice hot cup of hot chocolate tonight and it was wonderful. I used unsweetened cocoa powder, water, and a hint of chili powder to give it a kick!
5. Warm PJs: As I'm writing this post, I'm wearing the warmest of pajamas that I'm so thankful for. It's crazy to think that there are people in this world that would be lucky to have a flip flop, rather than warm Forever 21 PJs. I'm thankful.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Check back tomorrow to see what I'm thankful for!

-Love Ling

Thankful-ling: Day 2

Hello, friends! Here are 5 things I was thankful for today:

1. Good friends: I got to spend most of the day with my best friend, which was really nice. I love her to death!
2. Getting to perform for residents at nursing home: Today my friends and I went to a local nursing home and played some music for them, which was really fun. It's always good to give back.
3. Getting your package in the mail: I love getting a package that I ordered! I got surprised today with a facial sponge that I ordered from Target. I'm so excited! I'll review it later!
4. Character shoes: I went to a party tonight wearing my character shoes that I wear in theatre. Not only are they cute, but they're functional. I danced for four hours in those babies!
5. Parties: I'm so thankful for the party I went to tonight! I danced the night away and  hung out with some awesome people.

I hope you enjoyed the five things I was thankful for today! Remember to give thanks for your gifts!

-Love Ling