#266: Fall Books, Movies & Decor
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we're sharing our recommendations for a fall reading list, movies to watch and decor ideas to get into the festive spirit. We'll also share design decisions that we regretted. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with today. Top 3 Fall Books Emma by Ira Levin by Jennifer Claessen by Kate O’Shaughnessy Elsie by Alice Hoffman by Rachel Harrison by Sarah Penner Top 3 Fall Movies Emma Harry Potter Twlight Knives Out Elsie (what's playing in my kitchen) Hocus Pocus Practical Magic The Nightmare Before Christmas BONUS:...
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#265: How To Start A Book Club
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
Today we're gonna share the benefits of being a part of a local book club and creative ideas for starting your own. We get a lot of questions about how to make adult friends and hands down a book club is the best way to get started! At the end of the episode we're also sharing the hills we'd gladly die on. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MESS at . Dream Book Clubs: Elsie - All year round moody book club Emma - Host it and have a theme based on the book What about ideas for gathering that don't involve reading? writing group...
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#264: Mona Lisa Smile - Comfort Rewatch
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we're dissecting a favorite comfort watch movie for decor and home inspiration. This one is perfect if you need something to get into that autumn mood. This is an ongoing series for us, and this week's selection is Mona Lisa Smile from 2003. We'll also be sharing a book report and our best ideas for freezer meals. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Try OneSkin with 15% off using code [MESS] at Decor inspiration: The campus during fall time 1950’s wedding Little house that Julia Robert’s character lives in The dormitories What aged well vs what did not in...
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#263: Renovation Updates
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
It’s time for a big renovation update. Both the things that have gone well and the things that didn’t go as planned. I’ll also share my tips for renovating a kitchen as a parent to two young kids and what we’re excited to finish next. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with today You can try LMNT products and support our show by going to What’s gotten done? Garage (mostly) Marigold’s mermaid bathroom Watch Elsie’s update on her kitchen renovation Plans that have changed? Not doing the addition Not doing the...
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#262: Reading & Writing Updates
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we’re sharing updates on we’ve been writing AND reading so far in 2025. What have you been writing? Emma- Finished first draft of her new novel, The Wedding Photographer and updating her other novel, Cloud Nine Elsie- Rewriting novel, The Surrealist and working on 2nd novel What have you been reading? Emma - , , , and Elsie - , , , , , and You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#261: Autumn Bucket List
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
We are back for our fall season with weekly episodes beginning with our traditional Autumn Bucket List episode. In this week’s episode we’ll plan our seasonal list of fun things we want to try and do during the upcoming fall season. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at . Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Try LMNT at Download your own autumn bucket list . Elsie’s Autumn Bucket List: Baking, baking & more baking Re-read Magic...
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#260: Comfort Things
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we’re sharing our lists of comfort things including fragrances, movies, books, snacks and even travel locations. We’ll also share our ideas on memory keeping for those of you who need to print of some photos from your phone. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#259: Listener Questions
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we’re sharing listener questions we collected from a recent survey. Thank you to the more than 1000 of you who took the time to respond to our survey. In this episode we’ll share answers to questions in the categories of business, art and writing, home decor, family lifestyle and unhinged personal questions. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#258: Our Brick & Mortar Business Story
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we’re sharing the story of our first brick and mortar business including the highlights, the low points, why we ended up closing it up and if we would ever open a local business again. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#257: Summer Bucket Lists
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
This week we’re sharing our Summer Bucket List. With the last day of school just a few days away we can’t believe we’re already here. In this episode we’ll share things we’re planning to do this summer as sell as an embarrassing story and an update on Elsie’s remodel. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
info_outlineThis week we're sharing our recommendations for a fall reading list, movies to watch and decor ideas to get into the festive spirit. We'll also share design decisions that we regretted.
Thank you to this week’s sponsor:
Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with Dupe.com today.
Top 3 Fall Books
Emma
- The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
- The October Witches by Jennifer Claessen
- The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Elsie
- Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
- Cackle by Rachel Harrison
- The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Top 3 Fall Movies
Emma
- Harry Potter
- Twlight
- Knives Out
Elsie (what's playing in my kitchen)
- Hocus Pocus
- Practical Magic
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
BONUS: Horror: Susperia 2018 (remake of 1977) and Funny horror movie: Companion 2025
Top 3 Fall Decor Ideas
Emma
- Halloween bats
- Giant stuffed skeleton
- Spooky village
Elsie
- Asylum for criminally insane women (mirror from Etsy)
- Halloween Lego sets
- Kitchen decor (black ribbon, candles, a jar of candy corn or trail mix)
Listener Request: Have you ever made a design decision you regretted?
Emma - Painted kitchen cabinets a butter yellow color and cooper backsplash
Elsie - Too much shiplap
Book Report:
Elsie - The Raven King Series by Maggie Stiefvater
Emma - Memoirs ****of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.