A Beautiful Mess Podcast

Today's episode is about the rituals, recipes, and rhythms that make Autumn the coziest season — including traditions we repeat every year and the ones we're trying for the first time.

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Favorite Annual Autumn traditions:

Elsie: Kitchen movies, decorating the house, and making fun recipes

Emma: Halloween sugar cookie decorating, decorating the house, and Halloween movie night

New Autumn traditions:

Elsie: Boo baskets and Halloween cookie boxes

Emma: Thanksgiving cookie box

Autumn traditions that flopped:

Elsie: Trying movies (keep trying theme very year)

Emma: Weather related activities (have a backup plan)

Autumn non-negotiables:

Elsie: Baked brie, decorating, and neighborhood witch's weekend

Emma: Orea truffles, pumpkin decorating, and wagon walks

Book Report

Elsie: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Emma: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our Fall Bucket Lists and giving you ideas to make your own. We've also got a spooky season debate and a decor hot take that we're so excited to rage about.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess.

Get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/mess

Halloween manifestos:

Elsie - Do what feels good to you

Emma - Loves fall

Elsie's Fall Bucket List:

Halloween Mouse House

Apple Cider Slushies

Pink House (Witch Theme)

Social Media Challenge (100 days)

Finishing my novel revision and query

Emma's Fall bucket List:

Family Halloween Costume

Fall/Halloween Activities with kids

Apple picking

Bake seasonal treats

Query children's picture book

Book Report

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

Today we're figuring out our three style words, trying to convince a skeptic that cookbooks are worth it, and giving our best tattoo advice to a listener. Plus we'll share a hot take on gender reveal parties.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Download the Bilt app and join the membership for where you live, at joinbilt.com/mess.

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Check out Allison Bornstein: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbornstein6/

Elsie's 3 style words:

Cozy

Vintage

Goth

Emma's 3 style words:

Weird

Colorful

Mom

Tips for buying cook books:

Something that fits your diet and your needs

Buy your kids a cookbook and let them pick out some recipes,.

Tips for getting Tattoos:

Start with 2 tattoos

Fine line is the quickest

If you want a small tattoo, go to someone who specializes in fine line

Choose one style

Don't overthink how it's going to look in 20 years

Research your tattoo artist

Speak up for what you want

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

Today we're helping our fellow autumn souls survive the remainder of summer heat and we're reminiscing about our favorite features from old houses that we still miss. We're also debating whether painting brick homes white needs to stop.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Get an extra 20% your first order when you go to Pendulumlife.com/mess

Receive at least 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/abeautifulmess

Visit ernesta.com and order five samples for only $10, and you'll get $50 toward any rug of your choice.

Tips for surviving summer:

Collect everything that you love about summer

Start shopping for Autumn home decor

Miss from previous old houses:

Emma - Black exterior

Elsie - The secret library, theater room, and pool

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

Today we're chatting about what we love about writing, our different privacy boundaries, a fun hot take and a brand new ghost story that happened in my bedroom recently.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Be prepared to save yourself a ton of time and money — just go to dupe.com and tell it what you're looking to buy.

Visit ernesta.com and order five samples for only $10, and you'll get $50 toward any rug of your choice.

What's in Emma's cauldron:

A smut book

Crochet sweater

Frank Sinatra CD

What's in Elsie's cauldron:

A novel that made her cry with an artsy cover

Designer dress that looks witchy

A paint set or camera

Book Report:

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

Today we're discussing what to do when your new home isn't speaking to you, and you aren't sure what it needs to feel cozy. We're also discussing whether we think modern design has lost its charm, and we're sharing a few of our favorite home decor books and art books

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Mentioned in today's episode:

Mud Witch

Berek

Poshmark

Papier

Grandma Moses: An American Original

Julie Blackmon: Midwest Materials

Robert E Smith

Mothers and Children

A Tale of Interiors

Island Hopping

Sarah Sherman Samuel

Memories of Home

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're discussing the best parties we've ever thrown, tips for hosting that will save you a little sanity, and we're debating a hot take about Doctor Seuss.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Extra 20% your first order when you go to: Pendulumlife.com/mess

Best party they have thrown:

Halloween house warming party

New Year's party

Nova's Survivor theme birthday party

Wine pairing dinner party

Clothing exchange party

Wine ranking party

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

Today we are sharing how we play our days to stay productive and also happy. We are also debating hot takes on the controversial topics of astrology and raisins.

Planning Styles:

Emma - Uses paper planner for meals and notes app for daily to-do list

Elsie - Only appointments go on her digital calendar

Project Management:

Emma - Make a roadmap and seasonal bucket list

Elsie - Checklist

What makes a productive day:

Emma - Activity with the kids and play time for her

Elsie - Reading with kids for an hour, one household chore, and reading or watching TV before bed

Book Report:

The Hotel Nantucket by Ellen Hilderbrand

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're digging into all kinds of interesting topics listeners emailed us about from body image and the glow up to being the best aunt and even some home decor topics. It's random but it's fun!

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Be prepared to save yourself a ton of time and money — just go to dupe.com and tell it what you're looking to buy.

Questions we answer:

What are you doing for a "Summer Glow Up"?

Has retiring from influencing affected your relationship with the way you look?

Do you have any tips on how to be a great aunt?

What do I do with an heirloom crib that I'm no longer using?

How do I renovate without losing the history of my house?

If your life was a sitcom what would your genre tags be on Netflix?

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're chatting about creating a dream life schedule that includes routines and rituals that work together to create a highly customized DREAM LIFE. We love this subject and I think it's something that can really help us through this current season of life and can help a lot of our listeners. Consider it a group project.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Download the Bilt app and join the membership for where you live, at joinbilt.com/mess

Get an exclusive 20% off their first order at pendulum.co/MESS

Designing a dream life:

• Declutter phase
• Brainstorming and trying out dream routines
• Experiment until it's perfect
• Make small tweaks each season.

Book Report:

Emma: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

Elsie: The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're chatting about small, free or inexpensive comforts you can employ to fix a bad day.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

You can try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [MESS] to get 40% OFF your order.

Mini Comforts:

Elsie:

• Making garlic parmesan noodles.
• Watching Knives Out or another comfort movie.
• Watching Twilight with my kids (has to be raining).
• Wandering a Flea Market
• Taking a walk to peep the Little Free Libraries (or drop books off)

Emma:

• Bake something
• Going thrifting
• Get outside
• Clean something out
• Do a random art project

Book Report:

Emma: Shark Drunk by Morten Stroksnes

Elsie: Whistler by Ann Patchett

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing all things Disneyland and Disneyworld with children including our best advice for keeping magical vibes, favorite traditions, special foods and things we've learned from almost ten years of visiting Disney with small kids.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Favorite things to do/ traditions:

Small World

Get every kind of snack possible

Bibbidi bobbidi boutique

Meal with characters

Book Report:

Emma: Her Body and Other Parties By Carmen Maria Machado

Elsie: Famesick by Lena Dunham

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing stories from our past businesses, updates on our current ventures and dream business ideas we're still saving for the future.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Get 57% Off and a Free Gift with code MESS at FirstDay.com

Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.

Businesses we talk about:

Emma's Cupcake / Bubble Tea Shop

Elsie's Scrapbook Product Line

Emma's Bar

Querying

The Golden Bakery

Book Report

Emma: First Person Singular by Haruki Murakami

Elsie: The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our Poolside book recommendations as well as Elsie's favorite hot takes.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Get at least 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/abeautifulmess

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Elsie's Pollside Books:

The Paper Palace By Miranda Cowley Heller

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Emma's Poolside Books:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Things you Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

The Vacationers by Emma Straub

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our favorite date night ideas including date nights at home and a listener topic about the trend of romanticizing everything.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm

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Elsie's Favorite date nights:

Movie

Double date

Concert

Weekend getaway

Emma's Favorite date nights:

Fancy Dinner

Festival

Mini golf

Book store

Ax throwing

Karaoke

Elsie's Favorite date nights in:

Movie Nights Fancy takeout at home

Sitting on the porch

hot tub or night swim

walk around the neighborhood

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing the top places we've visited as well as places we thing might be overrated and a listeners hot take on faux plants.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

You can try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Elsie's Best Places:

1. Paris
2. New Orleans
3. Venice/Florence

Emma's Best Places:

1. Norway
2. Iceland
3. Switzerland

Elsie's Overrated Places:

1. Nashville
2. LA

Emma's Overrated Places:

1. Mexico

Elsie's best trip before kids:

Palm Springs

Emma's best trip before kids:

LA

Elsie's best trip with kids:

Disney

Emma's best trip with kids:

Costa Rico

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're discussing comfort objects- little things that bring inordinate comfort into our lives. We're also sharing our cozy rituals and ideal way to spend a day.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Go to Biologica.com/MESS and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today!

Use code MESS to get up to 57% Off at Firstday.com

Elsie's comfort objects:

1. Hoodies and quilts
2. A blank journal
3. Books / Library ladder

Emma's comfort objects:

1. Cardigans
2. Bedside books
3. Couch blanket

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing what's on our Summer bucket list and discussing a hot take about shoe-free rules in homes.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Get 15% off at Masterclass.com/ABEAUTIFULMESS

Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy

Elsie's Summer Bucket List:

1. Family vacation to New England
2. Summer Reading Goals
3. Teaching kids basic skills
4. Establish a family movie night
5. Draft a new novel

Emma's Summer Bucket List:

1. On Sabbatical
2. Family night in Branson
3. Make a digit collage project
4. Take a trip with her husband
5. Clean out kids' toys and books

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're discussing Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and taking a quiz on what kind of genius we are. We'll also chat about a listener hot take on whether or not kids should be taught euphanisms.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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The 6 Types of Genius:

Wonder

Discernment

Invention

Enablement

Galvanizing

Tenacity

Feel Something, Make Something by Caitlyn Metz

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we are joined by our bestie Katie Day who is here to share the five minute practice that changed her life. We'll also discuss a hot take about white tennis shoes.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Katie's 5 minute practice:

1. Get water

2. 3 things you are grateful for

3. First person goal

Connect with Katie:

https://www.instagram.com/ohkatieday/

https://ohkatieday.com/

Go to https://ohkatieday.com/habitlab to join the Habit Lab with discount code MESS

Shailey & Katie's Lemonade Stand Podcast

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Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're getting honest about what it's really like working with family. We've been working together since our early 20s and people always ask how we do it so today we're spilling the tea. We're also discussing what we're reading and a hot take about long vs short books.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Biggest Pro: Time spent together

Biggest con: More risk to the relationship

Book Report:

Elsie: Lincoln in The Bardo by George Saunders

Emma: Lights Out By Navessa Allen

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're talking about the books that genuinely shifted how we see the world — not just 5 star reads, but the ones that rewired our thinking and books we still find ourselves talking about years later.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Make sure to go to Biologica.com/MESS and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today!

Just use code [MESS] for 15% off the Premium Starter Kit at BranchBasics.com.

Elsie's books:

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Station Eleven by Emily Sr. John Mandel

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Emma's books:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Nonfiction Bonus:

Elsie: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

Emma: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Book Report:

Elsie: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Emma: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're entering a world in which there are no iPhones, no internet, no apps, no online shopping, no social media no steaming and no smart tech of any kind. Yes: We're traveling to a land where you get advice from magazines, information from encylopedias and to speak to someone you must pick up the phone and dial numbers.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Things we miss:

• magazines (specifically at Borders bookstore)
• malls in the 1900s
• AOL chat
• maps
• phone books
• phone calls on land lines
• listening to an album start to finish on the day it came out
• scheduling your entire life around your favorite tv show
• no one being about to reach you
• Toys R Us (is an amazon childhood)
• computer lab

GUILTY PLEASURE TREASURE

Elsie: Traitors

Emma: Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're talking about how to develop your creative palette and style without being derivative. This is a subject that applies across different creative practices from art to writing and even how you dress or decorate your home.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Steal like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Steps to develop your creative palette:

Step one: Develop your taste (Be a fan! Appreciate art!)

Step two: MAKE DERIVITIVE WORK (keep doing so until your own style emerges)

Step three: Keep developing, keep growing, keep making (to infinity & beyond)

BOOK REPORT

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

In this week's episode we're diving into how to make vision boards and 5 year plans. If you're in the mood to think about your goals and dreams, you're in the right place. We're also answering some listener questions and engaging in a Hot Take Debate about whether romantic comedies are actually the worst.

How to make a vision board:

Create different categories for your goals (family, work, fitness, etc)

Write in present tense

Get pictures from the internet or magazines

"We overestimate what we can do in a day, but we underestimate what we can do in a year."

Check out Remit Sethi's books:

I Will Teach you to be Rich

Money for Couples

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

In this week's episode we're sharing our Spring Bucket List since it's officially the first week of Spring. It's still pretty cold where we live, so a lot of this is wishful thinking, but it's fun to plan things to look forward to. We're also sharing an extra hot Hot Take Debate about kids and iPads.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm

Head to Wayfair dot com right now to shop all things home.

Elsie:

1. Get new hair & general glow up for the joy of it
2. Read all the Brontë novels
3. Start buying fresh flowers & practicing making little arrangements
4. Paint all the time
5. Finish our Mouse Mansion!

Emma:

1. Easter baskets
2. Decorate entry way
3. Refresh fairy garden
4. Start walking outside again
5. Wallpaper the kitchen

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

In this week's episode we're talking about the highs and lows working from home and how we balance our career dreams with raising young children. We've got several great listener questions to cover and we'll share an extra hot Hot Take Debate.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Go to brooklynbedding.com and use my promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide

Just use code [MESS] for 15% off the Premium Starter Kit at BranchBasics.com

Our home work spaces:

Elsie - Uses her sunroom as her art studio and moves around to different spaces in her house with her laptop

Emma - Extra bedroom is office, sometimes works from coffee shop or library

Pros and cons of working from home:

Pros - Good way to keep life balanced

Cons - Lots of distractions

How you deal with distractions:

Set timer to get tasks done

Time boxing

Use a reward system

Book Reports:

Elsie: The Prestige by Christopher Priest

Emma: Twisted Love by Anna Huang

HOT TAKE DEBATE Anne: Here's my hot take: we don't need any more movies based on books. They're different mediums! Let books be books and movies be movies. I want to see more movies that were written to be MOVIES and tailored to that medium, written to take advantage of all the cool things you can do onscreen. Same for books: I want more authors to take advantage of the cool things you can do in a book that you CAN'T do onscreen. I've read books that felt like they secretly wanted to be screenplays. Play to the strengths of your medium! No more crossing the streams!

A Joke & A fact with Nova.

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week, we're talking about mindset shifts that changed our lives. Sometimes, before your life can change, your perspective has to change first. We're also doing a rapid fire hot take debate with a bunch of listener submitted hot takes.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Mindset Shifts:

1. What's the best that could happen?
2. Why not me?
3. Cheer for yourself like you would others
4. Practice being an optimist
5. We overestimate what we can get done in a day but we underestimate what we can get done in a year
6. Learn to see patterns, possibilities and opportunities

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're talking about the inevitable experience of failure and how to hone the skill of starting over. Setbacks can be crushing, but they only turn permanent if you quit. In this episode, we're sharing our own vulnerable failure stories and the things that have helped us to get back on our feet.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Mindset shifts:

Sometimes you have to quit

no one owes you anything

BOOK REPORT

Emma: Uprooted By Naomi Novik

Elsie: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing winter comforts that reliably get us through our least favorite season of the year.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Winter Comforts:

Elsie: Books in bed!

Emma: Snow Suit

Elsie: Hot water - tea, coffee, apple cider, hot toddies, hot tubs, and bathes

Emma: Daydream, redecorate, and organize your house

Elsie: Go out with friends. (get out of the house!!)

Emma: Game of fire, cozy life

Guilty Pleasure Treasure:

Elsie: Christopher Nolan movies

Emma: Turkish Delights and Vanilla powder from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Book Report:

Elsie: The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maas

Emma: The Ministry of Time

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week, we're watching the 1995 classic Empire Records. We're also doing a hot take debate about technological advances, and we're bringing back our segment guilty pleasure treasure.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide

Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.

Guilty Pleasure Teasure:

Elsie - American Funyuns

Emma - American Oreos

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we are discussing core values. We'll share our results from the Values Bridge quiz, as well as our thoughts on how defining core values can improve your life. And in our hot take debate, we're discussing separating art from the artist and rounding it out with whether or not we refrigerate our butter. All the important things that you need to know.

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https://thevaluesbridge.com/

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In honor of Emma's 40th birthday, this week we're doing an official midlife crisis episode. Our experiences didn't go exactly like the movies, and we have a lot to discuss. It's going to be fun!

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Guilty Pleasure Treasure:

Emma: Cinnamon dragons

Elsie: Watch a period piece while on period

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We get a lot of questions from people starting on their very first novel. So in this week's episode, we're giving you all the advice that we wish we could time travel back and give ourselves on the day we started our first novels. There's so much writing advice out there, and no matter who you are, it's not all going to work for you. So in this episode, we'll share things to think about and consider as you plot and plan to begin a draft of your very first novel. And the bottom line is, you can do it, and we are here to cheer you on.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home

Tips for new writers:

Give yourself a writing assignment

Just write your first novel

Immerse don't tell

Read

Get really comfort drafting unpolished

Be a joyful student

Invest a lot of time in ideation

Learn about the business of publishing

Your writing routine matters

Resources:

Show Don't Tell by Sandra Greth

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Write your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell

The Author's Publishing Playbook by Carly Watters

https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're discussing big and small things we want to learn. This episode is a great space for brainstorming. If you've been thinking that you'd like to pick up a new hobby. We're each discussing five big and small things that we'd like to learn in the near future. And we're also doing a hot take debate on the topic of plastic treat bags at children's birthday parties.

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5 Things we want to learn

Emma:

1. Learn Spanish
2. Play piano
3. Learn to write microfiction
4. Cooking and recipes
5. Painting

Elsie:

1. Water Marbling
2. Writing poetry
3. Classical painting lessons
4. Make 3 Ina Garten recipes
5. Book binding

Book Report:

Emma - The Cottage Around the Corner by D. L. Soria

Elsie - The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

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This week we're talking about Elsie's new newsletter, why newsletters are sometimes even better than blogs, and our advice for how to make your newsletter stand out if you're starting your own. We are also going to be debating a listener hot take that's about homeschooling.

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Check out Elsie's newsletter: https://www.elsielarson.com/

Check out Elise's newsletter: https://www.elisejoy.com/

What will the newsletter be:

Cozy

Curious

Photos of crafts and things she's making

Stories and essays

Life updates

Entertaining

What the newsletter won't be:

Writing DIYs

Not written by AI

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our winter bucket lists (aka how to survive the cold season if you live in a region like we do). We'll also be debating a hot take that personally makes Elsie's blood boil. Let's jump in!

Check out https://ramonamuselambert.com

Emma

1. Always have a candle burning and always make tea with dinner
2. Organize library room
3. Go room by room and clean and organize all the closets and cabinets in her home
4. Work through reading all of her craft book stash
5. Bake herself a birthday cake

Elsie

1. Declutter year - eliminate ALL the clutter in her home
2. Paints are always out this time of year
3. Old movie bucket list
4. Start a new photography era
5. Thrifting and flea markets (going more frequently this year)

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

We just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas or holiday, and we decided to put together a supercut of all of Nova's meditations, just for fun, because they bring us so much joy. Thank you for being here all year, and we're so excited to keep going into the new year.

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our goals for the new year and our process for creating tactile vision boards. We'll get a little woo-woo and share our experiences with manifesting and debating a literary hot take.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Emma's goals for 2026:

• Query The Wedding Photographer
• Write first draft of Sundaes are for Lovers
• Write first draft of "Icon"
• Do a quarterly visual art project
• Cook her way through a cookbook

Elsie's goals for 2026:

• Query The Surrealist (hoping to get a fiction agent and then sell the book)
• Complete "Project Lighthouse"
• Launch my weekly newsletter: The Lost Arts - sign up at elsielarson.com
• Be active on social media (have a professional relationship with it)
• A lot of small goals like create mini routines, take photos every day, get nails done, read 52 books and go on walks

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're recapping the goals we set for ourselves for 2025, what we accomplished, what we didn't and anything that we're keeping on the list for 2026. We're talking about what makes a good goal and our personal goal setting criteria. We're also sharing our weekly book report and beginning a new segment where we debate listeners hot takes at the end of every episode!

The goals we set in our 2025 NY Goal episode:

Emma:

Get a minivan - No

Ambitious food blogging list - Had to pivot in April

Pitch cookbook idea - Did pitch but not working on right now

Emma's romance (outline and write half) - Yes

Elsie:

Write every day - No

Query my novel - Yes

Write second novel - Started it

Launch art website and sell art - Did sell art but didn't make a website

One renovation to rule them all - Yes

Most proud to have accomplished in 2025:

Elsie - Got passports and taking first trip

Emma - Finishing her novel

Unforeseen project you spent a lot of time on in 2025:

Elsie - Rewriting her novel

Emma -Hugo

Accomplishment that wasn't on the list:

Elsie - Retraining for a new career

Emma - Celebrated 40th Birthday

Book Report:

Emma - Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Elsie- The Uncool by Cameron Crowe

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're recapping our favorite things from the past year, including movies, books, purchases, favorite memories and new things that we tried.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Favorite movie:

Elsie - Weapons and The Italian Job (1969)

Emma - Wicked: For Good

Favorite book:

Elsie - The Wedding People and 100 Years of Solitude

Emma - Lessons in Chemistry, Funny Story, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Favorite purchases:

Elsie - Louise Carmen Journal and her kitchen

Emma - Lavender Birkenstock Clogs, pastel lime green sweater, blue sweater, scarfs, and new tattoo

Favorite memory:

Elsie - Going to italy

Emma - Hugo walking and going to Italy

Favorite new thing you tried:

Elsie - Water color painting

Emma - eyeglasses and eating raw fish/sushi

Favorite candle:

Elsie - Walmart Fresh Cut Frazier

Emma - Bath and Body Works Leaves, Burlap Bag, and Thistle Farms

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're doing a Comfort rewatch episode for a holiday movie that we love, The Family Stone from 2005 and we're dedicating this episode to Diane Keaton.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess

Cozy interiors:

Front room with the Christmas tree

Entryway

Favorite moments:

Emma - Love story between Amy and Brad, when the sister can't get the engagement ring off her finger, and the mom and dad in bed when they show she's had a mastectomy

Elsie - Bar scene, opening scene of Diane Keaton looking at Christmas tree, Judy Garland scene, and when she spills the egg mixture on the floor

Moment you cringed the hardest:

Emma - From the beginning when they are really mean to Meredith

Elsie - When he goes for her sister

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we are riffing about our favorite Christmas cookies to make every single year, and we're updating you on our novels. So two of our favorite subjects, cookies and novels!

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Top 3 Christmas Cookies:

Emma - Butter cookies, Snowball cookies, Peanut butter Blossoms, and Puppy chow

Elsie - Sugar cookies, Gingerbread cookies, Thumbprint cookies, and Oreo truffles

Novel Update:

Emma - On third draft - still need to have it proofed one more time

Elsie - Rewrote entire novel after getting feedback on it

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're going to share ideas for putting together advents, unique ideas, low cost or free holiday gift ideas, epic personalized gift ideas and neighborly gift ideas. And we'll also share our book report.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

40% off your first month at Ritual.com/ABM

Adult Advent Ideas:

Books

Lipgloss

Hair oil

Dutch oven

Water bottle

Small treats

T-shirt

Kid Advent Ideas:

Reuse old toys

Cookies

Candy

Snacks

Creative Gift Ideas:

Watercolor post cards

Fancy set of watercolors

Journal

Low Cost (or free):

Used book that you loved

Pictures

Epic personalized gift ideas:

Leather bound of their fave book

CD player with CDs

Record player with records

Go on Etsy

Jewerly

Recipe engraved on cutting board

Quilts

Fancy food

Snow outfit (for kids)

Art

Neighborly gifts:

Teachers - Have kids make cards with picture and money inside

Jar of baking ingredients

Free library

Book report

Elsie: Piranesi by Suzanna Clark Emma: Apprentice to a Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we are talking all about holiday traditions, things we do for Christmas, things we do for Thanksgiving, anything cozy, interesting or quirky. And at the end of the episode, we'll also have a book report.

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Themed Thanksgiving Ideas:

Greek

Ralph Lauren Polo Bar

Indian

Dim sum

Chinese

Mexican

Book Report:

Elsie - Audition by Katie Kitamura

Emma - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Alma Cuervo

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing all the details of our recent trip to Italy, specifically Florence and Venice. If you're planning to travel to one of those places, or if you're in the mood to just travel vicariously through our stories, it's gonna be a big story time episode today.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Florence:

What we did :

Art museum

Combo movie theater/book store

Perfume shop

What we ate:

Cacio e pepe

Squash blossom

Gnocchi

What we bought:

Got tiny tattoos

Emma - silk scarf, stove-top espresso maker charm necklace

Elsie - moth and butterfly platter, Italian translation of The Secret History, 3 toys for Oscar, marbled journal, tiny marbled books for kids

Venice:

What we did:

Canals

Peggy Guggenheim collection

Gondola tour

What we ate:

Pizza

Pasta

Sign up for Elise's newsletter at elisejoy.com

Book report

Elsie: Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico Emma: Secret History by Donna Tartt

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our holiday seasonal bucket list and how to make your own. If you're like us and you get a little overwhelmed by the long to-do list this time of year, we definitely recommend creating a bucket list to keep the magic in your schedule during the busiest season.

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Elsie:

Polar Express

Cookie baking marathon

Christmas movie marathon

Be extra thoughtful and creative with gifts

Put favorite books in her free library

Emma:

Polar Express

Sunday night dinner and treats

Make Hugo's first hair ornament

Holiday Movie Night

Take Oscar to paint pottery

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our stories about how we're changing careers in our thirties and forties. What led us to this point and the logistics of making it happen. If you are in a similar position or dreaming about starting a new career, we hope that this episode will be helpful and encouraging for you.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Visit GrowTherapy.com/MESS today to get started.

When approaching your second act:

Give yourself every bit of training you would give your kid

Invest in your education

Form a business plan in phases

Interview other people who are doing what you want to do

Start small

How to find support during this time in life:

Find groups of people doing the same thing

Talking to a therapist

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing the story of how we became influencers and why we decided to retire from it over the past few years. There are so many pros and cons to this career path that we don't hear talked about often enough. In this episode, we'll share our experiences as well as any advice for anyone considering going into influencing.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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Pros of influencing:

• Working with favorite brands
• Getting paid to craft
• Pairs well with other jobs

Cons of influencing:

• Mean comments
• Risky career
• Not a steady paycheck

Tips for being an influencer:

• Think of your business like a table - it needs a lot of legs to stand up right
• Invest your money
• Build something you can keep later
• Have a newsletter

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're sharing our annual tradition Ghost Story episode. Every year we read listener submitted ghost stories and it's so much fun. If you're easily scared, don't worry most of the stories are typically pretty cute but we'll give a warning if anything is going to be scary.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

You can try OneSkin with 15% off using code "MESS" at oneskin.co.

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.