My Favorite Words

• Serendipity
• Sparkle
• Hoppipolla
• Love
• Paris
• Destiny
• Bubbles

Orange Goodness

 

Oh, how I love pretty things! I love shopping in stores. When I see a pretty store my heart melts like butter sitting atop warm toast. Anthropologie and JCrew would have to be my top favorites. I am in love. But to tell you the truth, as of late, I am finding myself loving yet another store....Home Depot. Gotta love that bright orange goodness! The smell of fresh lumber, colorful paint chips you can have for free, and walking down isles with people covered in sawdust and paint. I love the general feeling in the store because everyone going into the store has a project that they are working on. They are fixing something, they are making it better, they are making something pretty, they are accomplishing the task at hand. I love hard working people who are just trying to make the world around them better.

Missing the Magic

This year has brought major change. Good change. Life changing kind of  change. I got married. Best day of my life. I married my Mr. Tollstrup. But like I said before, it has brought major change in my life. I am learning to grown up even more. I couldn't go to Disneyland with my family this year. It was so hard to see them go and I wasn't going with them. I miss Disneyland so badly. I just want to walk down Mainstreet, sit under the sparkly castle, laugh with my family, eat churros, and ride my most favorite rides in the whole world. I have made so many memories over the years with my family in that park. It's my home away from home. I can't wait to take my Mr. Tollstrup to my most favorite place and begin memories with him. Disneyland is truly a magical place. I can't wait to walk through its gate again. 

Freckles & Fun

Somehow I have surrounded myself with redheads. My mom is a redhead. One of my best friends is a redhead. And (my favorite), my husband is a redhead. They make up 2% of the population. They are a rare breed. They are different, they stand out, and they are unique. All the qualities I love in a person! Some might remember how Charlie Brown was in love with a little redheaded girl at school. He would always be sitting on the school bench, eating his peanut butter sandwich, and wishing the little redheaded girl would come and sit with him. How cute and romantic. I think once in her life, a woman is entitled to fall madly in love with a redheaded man. And that's just what I did. 

Paper Pages

I love bookstores. A bookstore is one of the only pieces of physical evidence that people are still thinking. And I like how these bookstores break everything down real simply for you. Fiction and nonfiction. In other words, these people are lying, and these people are telling the truth. That's the way the world should be I think. I would say the main competition for a book is a video because for some reason people feel they need to bring home a big rectangular block of something they don't know the end of. But I must say the big advantage of a book is it's very easy to rewind. Close it and you're right back to the beginning. I could spend hours meandering through those isles of pages (and sometimes I do) and find all sorts of treasures. I love the smell of an old or new book, I love the crackle it makes when you open it and start to split the spine, and I love that reading a new book inspires me and teaches me all at the same time. Oh, how I love books! 

  "There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." -Walt Disney

Little Spaces

The movies will always be on of my absolute favorite activities. But to be honest, my favorite part of the movies is going to the movies. You're in the car, trying to make it on time. Maybe you'll snag good seats. Maybe it'll be a good movie. Maybe you'll love it. You don't know yet, and when you're on your way it's still possible. I love that I'm definitely doing something and haven't done it yet. That's a pure life moment. After you get a job and before you have to do it. It's the spaces between life that I love the most.

Freshly Canned

Dinner of Champions!

I don't cook. I do have a kitchen, I've been in it. To me, a kitchen is just a room to hold a toaster and a microwave. That's the way I think of our little place. Bedroom. Living Room. Toaster Room. I wish I could cook these amazing dishes and beautiful meals, but quite frankly, I just don't have the time. And when I say I don't have the time, I really do have the time. I just don't have the patience to spare 45 minutes to prepare a meal and end up with an empty plate. I love good food and I really admire someone who can cook. To carefully add ingredients, time everything just right, and create a beautiful and yummy masterpiece is a work of art. But at the end of the day, I am very satisfied with my bowl of Spaghettio's. 

LIFE

This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't love your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. Stop over analyzing. All emotions are beautiful when you eat, and appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things. And people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, the relationships you make, and the things you create with them. So go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream. And wear your passion. 

Lizzie Love Photography

Hello Friends!! I have finally started my photography site! I love photography mainly because I can dive into the unknown. I can create something new that is fueled with passion and curiosity. When we see through the eyes of imagination, anything can happen. You never know what you are capable of doing until you start dreaming and doing it, I always say. So here goes my new journey of creating myself. Enjoy! New edits will be up all the time. 

http://lizzielovephotography.blogspot.com/

Life's Little Pleasures

Flipping through art books

IMAGINATION

The sound of scissors cutting construction paper 

Putting on clothes freshly from the warm dryer

Laughing so hard no sound comes out

Listening to rain inside a tent

Hitting all of the green lights

When you arrive at your destination right as the good song ends

When the grocery store attendant opens up a new lane

The feeling of rain on my face

The perfect pair of high heels that make you feel sexy if need be

My brother’s big blue eyes

Water ripples

Daring haircuts

Driving at night and rolling the window down to just let the cool air rush past your face

Going out of your way to crunch a crunchy leaf

Rainbow sprinkles on donuts

The crunch sound the snow makes when you step in it

Black straws at fancy restaurants

Dreaming passionately

Spelling words correctly

My best friend who is obsessed with Disney Princesses but listens to Nelly Jay-Z and LL Cool J (among others)

Loving Completely

Manly man chests 

Getting an eyelash out of your eye 

Figuring out how the hotel shower faucet works

Tortoise shell glasses

Finally remember that word that is on the tip of your tongue 

The smell of the coffee isle in the grocery store 

Taking that first scoop from the peanut butter

Letting sand run through your fingers

Glitter shoes

Soft whispers

Tangled Snuggles

The feeling of lightness your feet get after a pedicure

People watching

Being optimistic

Marshmallow mustache from Hot Cocoa

Watching the bubbles rise up from a newly poured drink

The perfect amount of fry sauce on a French fry

JCrew

A long walk with no where to go

Quoting movies

Walking slowly through Disneyland because you’ve done everthing you’ve wanted for a day

ANYTHING Audrey Hepburn (how I wish I was her..)

The cool breeze that is just the right temperature

Peeling that thin plastic film off electronics 

Getting the prime movie seats in a theatre

Licking the cake batter off the spatula 

That one really good pen that never gets lost 

Squeezing through a door thats shutting without touching it 

Tim Burton

Squirting your shampoo bottle and a thousand little bubbles explode out of it

Great Danes  (I will own one some day)

Willy Wonka’s nonsense

Mickey Mouse's giggle

Laughing to yourself and then having people stare at you

Clean & fresh bed sheets

Tripping while walking and turning your half fall into a little jog to cover up the trip

Listening to music that gives you an extra bounce in your step

Hearing a smile in the dark

Old Batman cartoons

Candy colored hair

When the person you love is willing to fight to keep you no matter what.

Sunlight that glitters through the trees

The soft space nestled just between being awake & asleep

Dr. Seuss

Pastel colored nail polish that goes on smoothly the first time

Fluffy flouncy tulle

Old musty books

Natural looking makeup

Umbrellas

Long car rides to get some good thinking done

GENUINE AFFECTION

Helena Boham Carter, James Franco, Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, Steve Carell, Tea Leoni, Jim Carrey, Rachel Weiz, Dustin Hoffman, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock, Merryl Streep

Mini coopers & Smartcars

Jane Austen

Listening to someone speak another language (so beautiful)

Having a crouton is each bite of your salad

One or two finger hand holding that shows you're absolutely comfortable being together

Newport Beach

Getting a wrapped present and its so neatly wrapped you don’t want to tear the paper

Becoming who you are

Finding treasures in unexpected places

Wearing tennis shoes with dresses

Living what you love

Not waiting but doing

The sound sequins make on your clothes when you move

Tasting the salty air when at the beach

Getting everything done on your list

After spending a day with him and smelling him on your clothes

Living your bliss

Colorful balloons

Receiving real Hugs

Black and white movies

Christmas lights

Wrestling/tickle fights

Rocking out to Disney music

Thriller

Getting dirty then taking a hot soapy sudsy shower afterwards

Dancing cheek to cheek

Typography

Random texts that make you smile

Listening to a heartbeat

When the sunlight trickles through the water of a swimming pool

Wishing that one moment would last just a little longer

Saying “I love you” and MEANING it

The spray of water on your face when boating

Sparkly city lights

Clothes wrapped in tissue paper after buying them at a nice store

Slow dancing

Bite sized ice cubes in your soda

Hugs from your mom

The first sip of a newly opened soda can

Knowing its true love when the tiny details about another person, the ones that seem insignificant to most people, seem incredible and magnificent to you

Remembering dreams

Sitting next to someone and not having to talk to fill awkward space because there isn’t any awkward space to fill

Kisses for no reason at all

When he makes me twirl like a circus girl

Perfume bottles

Chocolate dipped strawberries

British accents

Falling asleep and someone covers you up with a blanket

Looking at the little details

Catching snowflakes on your tongue

Eiffel tower pictures

Really soft oversized sweaters

Tiffany & Co.

The first bite on a piece of pizza (the pointy part)

Sparkly stars

Squishing sand between your toes

The crispy sugar layer of Crème Brulee

Uneven old fashioned glass windows

The clicky sound chalk makes when writing on a black board

The perfect pair of sunglasses

The smell of a newly sharpened PENCIL

Living beautifully

Bold glasses

Walking in a museum and getting lost in your thoughts

Opening up a brand new box of crayons

Finding highlights in an old book

Looking at your best friend and knowing exactly what they are thinking

Wandering in libraries reading random books on far off topics

Modern Architecture

Cobble stone streets

Snuggles, nuzzles, and burrows

Lush gardens

Deep conversations

Giving people random nicknames

Feathers and 500 thread count

Listening to Christmas music throughout the year

Taking that most perfect candid picture

Cottages with wild flowers in the garden

Having two different colored eyes

Black and white stripes

The crunch of rocks under your feet while walking

Two straws in a drink

Inspiring music

When he makes my heart go boom boom

Looking past the junk and finding the prettiness behind things

SERENDIPITY (my most favorite word)

How the rainbows of disco balls dance off the walls

Fresh paint

People who honestly love you for you

Seeing an elderly couple holding hands

Flowy dresses that billow in the wind

Imaginary friends when you are little

Seeing old friends and acting as though you havent spent a day apart

Organization with just a hint of chaos

LOYALTY

Full kissy kinda lips

A hand written letter on pretty paper

The perfect pair of jeans that fit your butt so perfectly

The Office

The sound of his deep voice

The smell of wet cement during a rainy day

The sound of clacky high heels on a tiled floor

Girly ruffles

Flowers (nobody can ever be uncheered by a flower)

Big windows that let in the natural light

Putting a pin down on a map of places you will visit

The smell newborn babies have

Seinfeld

Having the exact amount of change when buying something

Real wood floors

Soft pillows

Ridiculously curly hair

Muscley man arms

A good book & time to read it

Crowns

That perfect Little Black Dress

Soft kisses

Spooning

Fireworks that crackle and sparkle like crazy

Unexpected generosity

Number 14 and 2

Beautiful clothes

Mist

My glass fish

Wishes that actually come true

Birthday candles

My iMac

Fluffy clouds

The crackly sound an old book makes when it’s opened

When other drivers smile at you for no particular reason at all

Going to bed with a dream and waking up with a purpose

Creating something new

Rummaging through my dad’s old boxes

Squishing Silly Putty

Hugs from behind

The cool side of the pillow

Making up your own lyrics to songs because you have no idea what the singer is actually saying

Guys holding babies or playing with little kids

Originality

My dad’s postcards

People with no awareness of PDA and you go out of your way to let them know you are right there just watching them

Making funny faces on rides that take your picture

Being able to “fly” when you are underwater

Finding the perfect name for a inanimate object

Multiple visits to Disneyland

When he makes my dopamine levels go all silly

Being able to take care of someone when they really need you

Falling asleep and someone covers you up with a blanket

Watching peoples head's bob when they fall asleep in class

Laughing so hard you snort and then laughing harder till your face cheeks hurt….not those other cheeks..

Exposed brick on interior walls

Fluffy 80s hair

Being told you look "beautiful" "amazing" "gorgeous"

When someone has the job of “Official Spider Smoosher”

Cereal talks with mom in the middle of the night

Listening to a heartbeat

Desperately needing a bobby pin or gum and finding one in a random place

Fortunes in a fortune cookie

Mix matched sheets

When the characters meant for each other on your favorite show FINALLY hook up (Pam + Jim)

Flowers that show up on your doorstep

Surprise notes left on your car and in your lunch bag

Waking up to find that its snowing

Being right on time for something

Reading books you loved when you were little

When your head fits perfectly in that amazing nook between his shoulder and neck

When friends are patient with you and your weaknesses

Catching cheese puffs in your mouth

Roasting marshmallows

The slow drips coming off umbrellas

Feeling the cool water rush past your face when swimming

Charcoaly fingers after drawing

Finding excitement in the mundane

Real smiles from people

Celebrating your Unbirthday

When people are not afraid to wear clothes that truly express who they are

Movie marathons

Fashion and the creativity it offers

Seeming a dream but proving real.

Diving into the unknown

Trying on 20 different perfume samples at once

Alice in Wonderland

Quotes (I LIVE for quotes)

Simplicity, timeless elegance, and the perfection of imperfection.

Listening to Frank Sinatra when missing my dad

When he makes all my saved up wishes come out

Loving puppies and bunnies but thinking zombies are cool, too

Having a torrid affair with my new Nikon camera

Being inspired by things that are not always considered fashionable

Not having a favorite color because it changes everyday

Cracking your knuckles

Slight scruff on a man
Vintage ribbons

Numbers & Color

My Mr. Tollstrup and I are so in love and so alike. We love, like, and enjoy so many of the same things. But he thinks in numbers. I think in color. He is left brain. I am right brain. I stumbled upon these two sayings while surfing the internet. They explain almost exactly how we work and operate. So different but still one soul. I love my Mr. Tollstrup. 

Stuck With Me

Ya know sometimes I compare myself to others. No wait, I always compare myself to others. And I always put myself down in the process. I know that by doing this I become vain and bitter (and i hate that). There will always be a prettier girl than me. There will always be someone who is more creative than I am. There will always be someone who has accomplished more than me. Basically, I need to suck it up. Instead of thinking about what I am missing, or how ugly I am, I need to think about what I do have and what I am blessed with. There is a couple who live in Provo, Utah who are both returning from a nearly fatal plane crash. The wife,(Stephanie Nielson) burned 80% of her body. Her husband,(Christian Nielson) was burned as well, but not as severely. Stephanie looks like a completely different person. She compares herself to Sally on 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and needless to say, she looks very much like her. It is so inspiring to read about this woman and her husband on their blog. They struggle everyday but they look for the positive in everything. She is beautiful. She truly is a beautiful woman. She may look like a stitched up doll to the world, but to her husband, she is the most beautiful thing in this world. He loves her for her. Not her face. He loves her for her spirit. She may not look like Audrey Hepburn or Natalie Portman, but she is beautiful because of her spirit and her faith. And most importantly, her husband is in love with her for being her. Her posts are very inspiring to me. She has taught me that we are not our bodies. We are our spirits. I am learning to ignore my body's many faults, and focusing on making my spirit beautiful. I need to be the best me that there is. I need to love me. I might not be very beautiful or the most talented, but I am me. No one is the entire world can be a better me than me. 

New Chapter

Alrighty, I have a lot to write about. So inhale........and go! So before I get to the big stuff, I'll start with the sweet little tid bits first; This last week I have been seeing heart shapes everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE! From the bubbles in my sink, the burned splotches on my french fries, the cracks in the sidewalk, and even a heart shape in my bowl of cheerios. It was a week full of love! Now on to the big stuff. A new chapter in my book of life has opened. Two days before my birthday (which was over 18 minutes ago) my Mr. Tollstrup of almost 2 years proposed to me! It was a total surprise and I had no idea it was coming so soon! (although I couldn't be more overjoyed) My heart is still pitter pattering. The love of my life wants to spend the rest of his life with me! I could never ask for anything more. Needless to say, I can't sleep much because my mind is jumbled on everything wedding! Love really is better than anything. I am going to start a new blog along with this one to write the next chapters in my and my Mr. Tollstrup's life.  I will have all the delicious details about our proposal story on it, along with engagement pictures, wedding pictures, etc. Stay tuned! Lots of love fellow bloggers! 

You, Always

This has been an amazing day. My Mr. Tollstrup gave me a beautiful bouquet of fresh roses wrapped up in a red velvet ribbon. (I can never be uncheered by flowers I've decided.) He then proceeded to make me dinner and he even hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries. I love him. Plain and simple. I love him. Sometimes I think that we are so fairytale it could make people sick. He just gives me the feeling that people write novels about. I honestly don't know what I thought about before I met him. Love is better than other stuff, really. Happy Valentine's day friends!

Cupids & Hearts

Valentines Day is coming up! The holiday filled with flowers, chocolates, sparkly hearts, and stuffed bears. I never really cared for V-day growing up. I never shared it with someone special. It was just another day of going to school and seeing the popular girls getting bouquets of roses stuffed into their lockers. But now that I have found my other half...well...it's my turn to be wooed. My man was living in Africa last year, but this year I get him all to myself. I don't understand how he does it, but somehow he makes my eyes sparkle, my heart beat just a little faster, and my lips to pucker. I am definitely looking forward to spending Valentine's Day with my cute redhead. On another note; Why was Cupid chosen to represent Valentine's Day?  When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a heart shaped weapon. 

Biting My Own Teeth

Here I am again, tapping away at the keys of a laptop trying to spill out the words swimming around in my skull. So here comes the downpour.... This time in my life is tough. I am trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I am trying to create myself. I know that people often say that this or that person has not yet found himself.  But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates. Everyone tells me to model, and quite frankly I don't want to model for a living. The industry is wonderful and I love it a great deal, but it is also chalk full of stupid little stick figures with poufy lips, who think only of themselves (thank you Edna). It is a very materialistic world. I don't want to be surrounded by that. I want to be around people who love who they are, who don't need people to tell them how pretty they are to value their own self worth. The value of identity is that so often with it comes purpose. I want to have a purpose in my life. I come to the conclusion that trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth. I think at times our Heavenly Father hides things from us by putting them right in front of us. Sometimes I feel like I can reach out and touch what I want to be, and where I want to be going, but then there are times I sit and stare in a stupor, trying to rethink my whole perception of my life. I have a good idea where I want to be, unfortunately, I haven't hit the jackpot yet. I haven't heard the clattering of the gold coins rushing out of the slots of my heart yet. I haven't jumped up and down in joy yet. When I graduated from high school a friend of mine gave me a brown metal bird and attached to it was a light blue ribbon with a tag saying "it's your time to fly". That little gift holds dear to me and I will always treasure it. Unfortunately, it seems to me that I haven't found my wings yet. I know I will find my wings. I'm just hoping that I will be flying happy soon. 

Bob Ross & Happy Little Trees

I remember when I was in Elementary school and even when I was in Junior High, my mom and I would sit down on our green leather couch with our cheese and crackers, and watch Bob Ross from 3 to 3:30 every afternoon after school. We would always giggle to ourselves when we watched him paint. He had a very patient and calming demeanor. Each painting would start with simple strokes that appeared to be nothing more than colored smudges. As he added more and more strokes, the blotches transformed into intricate landscapes. I will have great memories of watching him paint because it was precious time spent with my mom, and precious time appreciating art and how it can influence your life. 

Some of my favorite Quotes of his....

In painting, you have unlimited power. You have the ability to move mountains. You can bend rivers. But when I get home, the only thing I have power over, is the garbage.

Gotta give him a friend. Like I always say ‘everyone needs a friend’. (on painting trees) 

Any time ya learn, ya gain.

Any way you want it to be, that’s just right.

Clouds are very, very free.

Let’s do a little cabinectomy here.

Oh, green water… oh that’s pretty. Boy, I like that, just alive with algae.

People look at me like I’m a little strange, when I go around talking to squirrels and rabbits and stuff. That’s ok. Thaaaat’s just ok.

People might look at you a bit funny, but it’s okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different.

Shwooop. Hehe. You have to make those little noises, or it just doesn’t work.

The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe.

We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.

We’re gonna make some big decisions in our little world.

You can do anything you want to do. This is your world.

I can’t go over 30 minutes, because we have a mean ol’ director with no sense of humor.

Well, the little clock on the wall says we’re just about out of time. Happy Painting and God bless