Welcome to my World
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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About Us
Meet the team
Nice to meet you
Hello! My name is Monica Schwartz, and the team is a team of one.
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 to have more territory to explore in road trips. Though I am currently based in Northern California, I share my time between that and my native country of Italy.
My two "piglets" (yes the ones in the photo above) alas left me for the rainbow bridge in 2022. They may now be with me only in spirit, but make no mistake: they are still very much with me, as they like to remind me (loudly sometimes) on a regular basis.
Besides being the driving force behind Life Out Of Bounds, I am also an artist, designer photographer, writer, and forest therapy guide.
In my previous life I was a chef/baker, an experience that now translates to recipe developing, as I still love the art.
I am also a world explorer - with much more exploring left on my bucket list - and an aspiring time traveler and teleporter. Aren't you?
Thank you for visiting
May you be happy, may you be blessed, may you prosper in all things.
Monica
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I had forgotten how easy and good Pie Pops are till I made some for a friend’s birthday tea party over this past weekend.
I made extra and put them in the freezer. They defrost quickly and are perfect for when a small sweet treat is “desperately” needed. 😄 Or you can make a bunch ahead for a party, too! Use your favorite pastry, or get mine, which is a classic Italian “pasta frolla”. Use your favorite fillings... or mine.
You can find the recipe by popping up the links in my profile @lifeoutofbounds, scrolling down and selecting Recipes for Spring. Scroll down the page that opens up and you will find it. Have fun baking!
xoxo
M
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#easydesserts #baking #food #foodphotography #piepops italianpastries
Where to Eat in Italy | Varese town and surrounding area | Lombardia, Northern Italy
During my most recent six-months-long stay in Italy I wasn’t able to explore much. However, in the few moments of escape with friends, I have had the opportunity to discover some really good restaurants in my own area, which I am very happy to recommend.
Some I have known for a while, some are new to me. So I decided to gather them into a new blog post - which will be kept updated by and by - and then also into a PDF e-book which you can download for your convenience.
That way, if you are planning to travel to Italy and explore the area of the many, many lakes, you can have it with you for reference and eat well while exploring.
You can find links to both the blog post and the e-book in my profile @lifeoutofbounds
Happy trails and Buon Appetito!
xoxo
M
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#italy #italyfood #travelfood #foodguide #freebie
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@mistamilano @cortedeibrut @cadeisanti @caffe_del_borducan @vareseristorantelaterrazza @grandcafealporto @ilmuretto.gavirate @pasticceria.cardy @gigipizza_induno
NEW APRIL FREE CALENDAR WALLPAPER FOR YOUR DEVICES
A burst of Lilac to celebrate what I feel is the true start of the new year.
I photographed this Lilac (and many other wonderful flowers) in a beautiful Napa garden, where I had the privilege to live for a few months in what feels like last week, but was in fact already a few years ago.
Thank goodness nature (and photos) exist outside the human construct of time.
Just go to the links in my profile @lifeoutofbounds to download the wallpaper as my gift to you.
Happy April everyone!
xoxo
M
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#freebie #calendarwallpaper #lilac #naturephotography #flowers
Yesterday I baked a batch of these….
I don’t think there will be any left by the end of today.
(It’s the dogs, of course, not us 😜)
They are Margheritine di Stresa (Little Daisies from Stresa), my favorite cookie. Deceptively simple, but melt-in-your-mouth bites of heaven. 🌸
Ok, I need another cup of tea now. Earl Grey, of course
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#margheritinedistresa #cookies #baking #foodphotography #biscottini
Some lovely images from various gardens to wish you a happy and easy transition into Spring (or Fall if you are in the Southern Hemisphere), which is happening in just a few hours:
March 20th at 7:46 am California time, or 14:46 GMT 🌸
And if you enjoy photos of nature, gardens and flowers, you will find lots more on my website. See the links in my profile @lifeoutofbounds
xoxo
M
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#springequinox #springflowers #gardenphotography #naturephotography #flowers
