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Behind The Photo | After The Storm, Varese, Italy

Sunset-colors-after-the-storm-Varese-Italy

 

It was late summer. It had been raining in buckets all day, and the whole thing was wrapped up by a major rain-wind-lightning-and-thunder storm. While living in Hawai’i, I have seen major rain storms, and even almost-hurricanes, and I have heard people get excited about a teensy bit of thunder and lighting. Pfft! The hurricanes (or almost) were indeed scary and intense, but the sound and light show… nah! In Northern Italy, so close to the Alps, the thunder and lightning storms are serious deals, and intensely loud, scaring dogs, children and sometimes even adults.

One time (not at band camp), years after this shot, the electrical energy was so intense I could feel the tension even inside the house. I myself was buzzing with it. Until it was released, unfortunately by a lighting hitting my favorite pine tree outside my house. I was going through a difficult period, with lots of hard decisions to be made. The cracking noise was so loud I thought it had hit the house. I instantly felt the tree had taken the hit for me. It lost its top, but did not die, and is now still thriving, I miss it, a lot.

 

Sunset-colors-after-the-storm-Varese-Italy

 

Back to our scene: finally the rain and wind stopped, and I saw this from the window. I rushed to get my camera (my old Nikon F) and clicked, grateful to have some film in it. No filters, no fuss, no post production in a then inexistent Photoshop. Adobe wasn’t even a glimmer in the founders’ eye, who was probably still a child, like me.

 

This was photographed from the window of my family’s home in Varese, Italy, and these are scans from film.

 

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    Good Morning!

This exquisite Classic English kitchen in Southeast London caught my eye as it popped into my inbox a few days ago. 

I have not shared any home design inspiration for some time, for all the same reasons why I had not posted or sent out newsletters for sometime. But make no mistake: my love for interior design and architecture has not dulled one iota. Actually, it is even stronger.

Take a look on the blog (link in profile under Latest Post) for images, story and description of this moody-done-right kitchen.

Wishing you an easy rest of the week!
xoxo
Monica
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#loob_homedesign #kitchendesign #interiordesign #classicenglishkitchen #oldhouseappreciation #homerenovation #oldhouselove #historichomes #houseportrait #kitchengoals #kitchenremodel #georgianhome #kitchendesignideas #kitchendesigner #kitchendesigninspiration #londonarchitecture #kitchendesigntrends #moodyinteriors #moodyinteriorstyle #darkandmoodyinteriors #moodyinteriorsuk #moodyinteriorsdoneright #copper #homedecor #madeinengland #kitchencabinetry #customkitchens #copperkitchen #kitchencolorscheme #kitchencolorsideas 
@devolkitchens
    A lovely tulip from the garden to wish you all an equally lovely Easter Weekend!
May it be filled with lightness, flowers and chocolate eggs.
Love,
Monica
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#loob_nature #Easter2025 #tulips #simplepleasures #beautifulmatters #momentsofmine #springflowers #springtime #deepbreathing #selfcarepractice #mindfulness #mindfulpractice #naturehealsthesoul #earthmedicine #naturemedicine #sacrednature #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #naturetherapy #iheartnature #whywelovenature #gardenflowers #gardentherapy #gardentime
#moodforfloral #inmygardennow #inmygardentoday #gardenvibes #gardenphotography #naturephotography 
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© Monica Schwartz - all rights reserved. Do not reproduce in any way without written consent.
    Good Morning and Happy Saturday!
I am here to let you know that I have published the recipe for my Lemon Cream Crinkle Cookies.

Easter weekend is coming soon and, just in case you are planning some baking, you can find the recipe at the link in my profile under Latest Post. This way you will have time to bake a test batch for yourself first.

Have fun baking!
Monica
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#loob_food #feelingisnpired #thehappynow #theartofslowliving #springmood #springishere #easterbaking #cookies #lemoncookies #lemoncrinklecookies #bakingforthesoul #inmykitchen #thebakefeed #foodgawker #afternoontea #sweettoothforever #bakedfromscratch #bakedfromscratchwithlove #bakersofisntagram #mindfulbaking #softcookies #cookiemonster #cookiegram #teaandseasons #afternoonteatime #afternoontealiving #teatimepoetry #mindfulfoodie #mindfulfood #springrecipes
    One of my favorite sunsets from my winter in Italy to let you know that I have published a new post on the blog about how the garden and the healing power of nature helped me survive a challenging winter.

You can read it (and view the many photos) on the blog, and you can find the link to the home page in the profile. Or you can comment WINTER in this post and I will message you the link directly.

I hope you will enjoy it and find it helpful and inspiring. That is why I share such personal stories, in the hope they will help or inspire even just one person.

Wishing you a wonderful new week!
Love, Monica
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#loob_nature #inspiremyinstagram #simplepleasures #pursuepretty #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #naturehealsthesoul #littlestoryofmylife #gardenphotography #natureinwinter #wintersunset #womenwhoexplore #whatitalyis #vibrationalhealing #mindfulpractice #deepbreathing #selfcarepractice #sacrednature #naturemedicine #earthmedicine #rechargeyoursoul #naturehealsthesoul #naturewalk #yearningfornature #gardenlovers #naturephotography #sunsetporn #sunset_love #inmygardentoday #homesandgarden
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© Monica Schwartz - Life Out of Bounds 20205 - All rights reserved. Do not reproduce in any way without written consent.
    Happy Sunday everyone!

I was finally able to have the time, energy and focus to send out the first newsletter in months. The first of the year, in fact!

You can view it at the link in profile, where you can also find a link to subscribe if you like. Or, if you prefer, comment SPRING below and I’ll message you the link directly. 
I hope you will enjoy it, and that April has been easy on you so far.

🤍🌸🤍
Monica
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#loob_newsletter #newsletter #inspiremyinstagram #pinklove #simplepleasures #pursuepretty #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #naturehealsthesoul #littlestoryofmylife #gardenphotography #natureinwinter #springmood #springweather #springflowers #womenwhoexplore #whatitalyis #vibrationalhealing #mindfulpractice #deepbreathing #selfcarepractice #sacrednature #naturemedicine #earthmedicine #rechargeyoursoul #naturehealsthesoul #naturewalk #yearningfornature #gardenlovers #naturephotography
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© Monica Schwartz - Life Out of Bounds 2025 - all rights reserved. Do not reproduce in any way without written consent.