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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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New March Calendar Wallpaper for your devices!
A few days ago I found myself browsing through my images from Hawai’i and I came across this one. I photographed this sunrise at Sandy Beach on the south eastern shore of O’ahu. I used to live just around the corner from there, in an area of Honolulu called Hawai’i Kai.
I felt it was perfect to symbolize rebirth, spring and new life for us in the Northern Hemisphere, and a new cycle for those of you in the Southern one. Besides, Hawai’i is just north of the equator, so about half way between the two hemispheres, and seasons there don’t really change a lot.
I hope you will enjoy it.
As always, you can download it for free (no sign up necessary) at the Link in my Profile @lifeoutofbounds
More to come….
xoxo
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#calendarwallpaper #sunrise #hawaii #oahu sandybeach honolulu
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!
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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