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Here you will find image rich articles about travel, nature, art, design and most definitely food!
You will also find stories about talented people of passion and my own experiences with Shinrin-Yoku and living a healthy, vibrant life.
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Nice to meet you
Hello! My name is Monica Schwartz, and I currently live in the Northern California Gold Country. My two "piglets" (yes the ones in the photo) used to be with me, but alas, they left me for the rainbow bridge in 2022. They are still very much with me in spirit though, and we are still very much a team.
Besides being the driving force behind Life Out Of Bounds, I am also a photographer, artist, writer, chef, forest therapy guide, and dabble a bit in design. I am also a world explorer, time traveler and aspiring teleporter. If I were turning eleven next week, my choice of school would be Hogwarts!
Born and raised in Italy, I moved to Hawai'i in 2002, where I lived for eleven years, until I came down with island fever. That is when I moved to California in order to have more territory to explore in my Mini.
Hawai'i remains the home of my heart.

Thank you for visiting
May you be happy, may you be blessed, may you prosper in all things.
Monica
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Coming soon to a floral shop near you, along with hyacinths and daffodils! The first breath of spring. At least in the Northern Hemisphere.
And this is the new Calendar Wallpaper for February, which I hope you will enjoy.
Download it for free for all your devices through the link in profile.
The year of the Fire Horse is around the corner, and I hope it will bring you magnificent things!
Happy February!
đź©·
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#flowers #tulips #calendarwallpaper #floralphotography #naturephotography fineartphotography
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!
Here is the new Calendar Wallpaper for January, featuring on of my macro images from the garden after a rainy winter morning here in Italy.
I really hoped to feature an image of snow, but 🤷‍♀️ … no more snow since that tiny bit we got in early November.
Download it for free at the link in profile.
I hope you have enjoyed easy and delightful Holidays and a smooth entry into 2026, and I wish you a new year of ease, joy and glory in all aspects of life.
xoxo
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#loob_nature #naturephotography #macrophotography #nature #water #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #calendarwallpaper
The Holiday season is so delightfully bright and colorful that I thought I would share the subtler, quieter side of winter in the new Calendar Wallpaper for December.
Just a few dried leaves left on the oaks now, and the sunset light adds magic and hope or renewal to come.
i hope you will enjoy it!
Available for the screens of your devices, you can download it for free (no sign up necessary) at the link in profile.
Happy December!
xoxo
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#naturephotography #sunset #calendarwallpaper #digitalwallpaper #autumnleaves #wintergarden #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #mygardenrightnow #naturelover #nature #healingnature #mindfulness
Pumpkin Creamed Soup with Cloves & Thyme | Recipe
One of the simplest yet most delicious of soups. Find the full recipe at the link in profile @lifeoutofbounds, go make some and let it warm and soothe you.
xoxo
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#soup #soupseason #italianfood #italianrecipes #pumpkinsoup #kabocha #cloves #thyme #herbs #spices #wintercomfort #comfortfood #mindfuleating #mindfulness
Another special little restaurant I recently visited with friends and that I am delighted to recommend:
LO STORICO Café @lo.storico in the town of Gallarate (VA) in my neck of Northern Italy
We went there for a weekday lunch (see pics), so they had a lunch menu for €14 which featured two choices of primi piatti (these are either pasta, risotto or soup) and two choices of main course.
We also opted for dessert, of course. Everything was truly fresh, clearly home made and excellent.
The friend who picked the place said she’s been going there regularly for aperitivo, or dinner and has also been to a few events catered by this team, and they have always been really good.
The place is small and gets busy, so give them a call before showing up if you can.
Enjoy!
xoxo
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#wheretoeat #travelfood #italy #gallarate #italianrestaurants #italianfood #realitalianfoodinitaly