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The Namesake

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Last night I was browsing my collection for a movie to watch when my eye fell on The Namesake, one of the most exquisite movies of recent times. Beautifully and lovingly directed by the accomplished and brilliant Mira Nair, the movie is based on the beloved novel by the same name by author Jhumpa Lahiri, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 with her debut story collection Interpreter of Maladies.

This moving story, written with Lahiri’s signature depth and grace, follows Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli (played respectively by Irrfan Khan and Tabu) as they move to Cambridge, Massachusetts, soon after their arranged marriage in Calcutta. Barely knowing each other, they are faced with the challenges of a new life and adapting to a new culture while trying to respect the old traditions of their native India. They name their first child, a son, Gogol (played by Kal Penn), in reference to Ashoke’s favorite author Nikolai Gogol. As Gogol grows up an American, the focus of the story centers more around him, while still keeping Ashoke and Ashima in the picture.

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I don’t want to share too many details because I think you should watch the movie, or read the book, or both, and let the story of these extraordinary ordinary people speak to your heart directly. It is a story of family, of clashing cultures, old traditions, and the delicate balancing of parental expectations and the expression of one’s true self. Mira Nair gives visual life to Lahiri’s insightful novel with a masterful and empathetic touch, where no subtle nuance is left unexplored.

The Namesake was released in 2006 and received three awards and six more nominations. It is available on iTunesAmazon and Netflix. In the meantime, you can watch a preview here.

Other exquisite movies by Mira Nair that I have thoroughly enjoyed and can heartily recommend are, in order of release: Mississippi Masala (1991),  Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996), Monsoon Wedding (2001), and Vanity Fair (2004).

For those of you interested in reading more by Jhumpa Lahiri, you might also want to check out Unaccustomed Earth – which I have read and highly recommend – and the more recent The Lowland – which was released this past June and I am looking forward to reading.

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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.