About Me
Good to meet you
Hello! My name is Monica Schwartz, and I am the driving force behind Life Out Of Bounds.
I was born and raised in Italy, but I moved to Hawai'i in 2002. I lived first on the Big Island, then on O'ahu for a total of eleven years, until I came down with island fever and moved to California so I could have more territory to explore.
Though I am currently based in Northern California, I share my time between that and my native country of Italy.
Like most creative people, I wear many hats: artist, designer, photographer, writer....
In my previous life I was a chef/baker, an experience that now translates to recipe developing, as I still love the art, baking especially.
I am also a world traveler - with much more exploring on my bucket list - and aspiring time traveler and teleporter. And wouldn't that be a much easier way to travel!
If I were turning eleven next week, my choice of school would be Hogwarts!
Eventually, I might even get a new photo taken of me. Photographers don't like to be photographed; at least, this one doesn't.
Keep scrolling and you can find out more about me and some of the things I love.
There is no Present like the Time…
ABOUT LIFE OUT OF BOUNDS
It all started with a blog called Food Journey. That was my outlet for sharing recipes and restaurant reviews as a natural consequence of my past as a chef/restaurateur, and then a present as a food photographer (among other subjects).
After a while that was no longer enough, as I wished to share about more than food: things like travel, art, design, nature... That is when Life Out Of Bounds was born (or LOOB for short), back in 2012, while still living in my Honolulu apartment. I still miss that apartment - sigh!
Before long, publishing two blogs became untenable. That is when I merged Food Journey into LOOB, which, by its own name, allowed for all the expansiveness I craved.
These days, LOOB is like a home, a personal container through which I share my personal experiences with all of the above and beyond. It evolves and changes with me.
Occasionally, I bring in a contributor for a while: people of integrity, with good hearts, and who I love and trust, and feel have something to share that has value and is in line with my vision.
Beyond that: it is a one woman show! From the written content, to the photography, graphics, web design, widgets, etc.… I do it all. I cannot imagine it ever being any other way.
Though I have a few affiliate links here and there, I keep it free of advertising because I cannot stand those ugly, annoying pop ups that you see everywhere these days. Besides being unappealing, they also make it difficult to read or view content, especially when browsing from a phone.
I am actually pretty good at coming up with names and titles. I was lying on the floor with notepad and pencil, doodling and playing with words while looking for a name that would be expansive, all encompassing. For some reason the letter O kept popping into my head, and I kept scribbling and trying until I came up with Out Of Bounds. I loved it!
It represented me not just in one, but two levels: I was living outside of my native country (Italy), so I was out of bounds in that way, and I have never loved boundaries and being boxed in. So it was perfect.
Alas, the domain name Out Of Bounds was already taken, so it became Life Out Of Bounds instead.
I also designed the logo, in Photoshop. I love fonts, lettering and calligraphy, and I enjoy playing with those. Over the years, my creative drive has had me fiddling with the fonts a little, but to this day I have had no reason to change the base design, or the color palette.
As you will be able to see while exploring LOOB, I share about all the things I enjoy and am passionate about: travel, design, photography, nature, healthy living etc. And because of my background as a chef and restaurateur in Italy, I also share a lot about food.
My posts include lots of my own recipes from the restaurant years and beyond, which I update periodically as I fine tune my taste and abilities.
I also like to share about good places to eat. However, in recent years - and especially since covid - this has become more frustrating: a good place you find one day, give it a year and sometimes they are no longer there. I try to keep my posts updated and relevant, and it is sad when I have to delete one because things have changed.
Which is why I no longer do single-eatery posts. However, should I choose to write a piece about a particular town or area, and have experiences of good food spots in the area, I will include these within that post and do my best to keep them updated and relevant.
The same applies to those unique shops and galleries. Some are there for years and years, then suddenly vanish. It all changes so fast.
For the web design geeks among you, here are a few logistics:
it is based on Wordpress, with an incredible base theme by Pro.Photo - they also provide the hosting. I have worked with them since 2012 and I am happy to recommend them. If you decide to sign up through this link , you will receive the first month of hosting + theme free.
Any Pro.Photo theme is super customizable in itself, enabling you to create your own designs from scratch if you wish. It can be a bit of a learning curve, but the possibilities are endless. You will find there are lots of clear tutorial videos and, most of all, no coding is necessary. Besides, the Pro.Photo team are always ready to help.
If you prefer, however, you can upload ready-made Pro.Photo-specific designs created by other designers which are available for purchase separately.
As for me, I decided to use the included base design and then customize it all myself from scratch. I must admit: I really love doing this.
All the graphic elements you see around the site, I have also created myself in Photoshop.
My chosen e-mail newsletter service provider is Flodesk. I signed up with them in 2023 and love them. If you are interested, you can sign up through this link with a 50% discount on the first year.
Latest Posts
Follow me on Instagram
Gugelhupf (Bundt Cake) with Orange, Rosemary and Cranberries 🍊
New Curated Recipe 😋
The Holiday baking season is fast approaching, so I am doing my best to release as many curated recipes as I possibly can to help satisfy your baking cravings 😄
My long time favorite bundt cake has been revamped for the Holidays with Orange, Rosemary and Cranberries. Plus a touch of rum because… well, it’s just so good!
A tender, buttery cake that is easy to make and has a winning combination of flavors.
$4 - Available as a downloadable PDF through my shop at the link in profile @lifeoutofbounds
What you will find in each e-book:
🍊 Exact recipes (in grams) that are fine tuned and perfected
🍊 Recipe-specific tips for best outcome
🍊 Overall baking tips (for less experienced bakers)
🍊 Essential steps images as needed
🍊 Steps summary
🍊 Live Amazon links to special ingredients and utensils (just in case)
🍊🍊 Available in either English or Italian
Happy Baking!
M
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#gugelhupf #bundtcake #holidaybaking #curatedrecipe #ciambella
New October ’26 free Calendar Wallpaper 🍁
Of course the fiery colors of fall had to be featured in this calendar wallpaper. Colorful maple leaves to balance out spring’s soft pastels.
Download it for free for all your devices at the link in my profile @lifeoutofbounds 🍁
I hope you will enjoy this new calendar wallpaper and that your October will be vibrant!
Blessings and love
M
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#autumnleaves #calendarwallpaper #mapletree #colortherapy #freebie
New Curated Recipe for the Fall/Winter Festive Season! 🧡
“Festive Maple Pumpkin Bread”
A crowd-pleaser that is tender, moist and rich in flavor. Easy to make, too!
I have been making this pumpkin bread recipe since my restaurant years, and have recently revamped it and made it more festive with the addition of cranberries, pecans and a rum glaze.
$4 - link in profile to purchase the downloadable PDF e-book
In there you will find:
- exact recipe that is fine tuned and perfected
- recipe-specific tips for optimal results
- overall baking tips for the less experienced
- essential steps images
- steps summary
- live Amazon links to special ingredients & utensils (just in case)
AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND ITALIAN
Happy Baking!
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M
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#curatedrecipes #pumpkinbread #bakingforfall #bakingfortheholidays #pumpkinseason
New September ’26 Calendar Wallpaper
I will give into being cliché and say: “Can you believe tomorrow is September already? Because I can’t!”
Don’t get me wrong, I love September - it’s my birthday month after all, and when the weather holds (which it does here in California - though not necessarily in my area of Italy) it can feature a very pleasant, softer summer.
But then comes October, which is still ok, except it’s the beginning of socks and coats weather.
THAT is what I don’t like, as it goes on and on and on and on and on and on….
My ideal weather is Honolulu, by the ocean: 82°F max during the day, 75°F min at night, and trade winds to keep the humidity and mosquitoes away.
Which is why September’s calendar wallpaper looks refreshing and spring-like, with this lovely bunch of chamomile daisies that I could not resist at the store.
I hope it will lift your spirits as it does mine.
Go to the link in profile @lifeoutofbounds for the free download (for all your devices) and have a wonderful September!
xoxo
M
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#calendarwallpaper #chamomile #flowers #daisies #freebie
AUGUST ’26 FREE CALENDAR WALLPAPERS
Have you ever made home-made butter? It is so easy and so good!
Swipe the carousel to find out what you need and the 4 simple steps.
And fresh, home-made butter is featured on the new Calendar Wallpaper for August. And I can’t believe it’s already August, can you? We are already halfway through summer, when I could have summer (though maybe not quite so hot) all year round.
As always the digital wallpaper is available as a free download for all your devices through my links in profile @lifeoutofbounds
I hope you will enjoy it and have a fantastic August…. and maybe make butter (see quick recipe below).
xoxo
M
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What you need to make butter:
1) fresh, heavy whipping cream
2) electric mixer (hand held or stand up)
3) only if desired: sea salt and your favorite fresh herbs for flavoring
Steps:
1) whip the cream till it separates from the buttermilk (about 10 minutes)
2) press together the butter and remove it from the liquid (which you will filter and save for another use), and wash the butter well in iced water (3 times)
3) if desired, season it with salt (go easy on this) and/or herbs
4) make a log and wrap in cling wrap, or place it in a serving bowl, and refrigerate
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#homemadebutter #butter #recipe #homemade #calendarwallpaper
