A Beautiful Mess Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#320: Emma's Book Querying Journey Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

In this week's episode, Emma is telling the story of her querying journey and the path to traditionally publishing her romance novel. It's a great story, and we are very excited for you to get to hear it. We're also going to answer a listener question about holiday decorating and a hot take about potlucks.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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

Receive 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/MESS.

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

On holiday decorations:

Elsie - complete but likes to buy 1 thing every year for fun

Emma - Adding to her collections

Check out The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Check out Query Bootcamp by Lauren Kay

What goes into a query letter:

A hook (very short one paragraph what your book is, don't give away the ending)

A synopsis

Some comparable titles

1-2 paragraphs about yourself

what your writing goals are

https://reedsy.com/

Tips for navigating rejections:

Talk about it with others

Find inspiration books

It's ok to feel sad

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.

#319: Finding the Good Stuff Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

This week's episode is a treasure-hunting guide — how to actually find the best antiques, vintage and handmade stuff online and off. We're also sharing our tips for starting and maintaining a Little Free Library.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Head to Oakessentials.com and use code MESS for 15% off your first order at checkout.

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

Tips for buying art on Ebay:

Put in the type of painting

Keep the words "vintage" or "antique" in the search to weed out all the new stuff

Be consistent

Give it good and different kinds of search terms

Find the fanciest stores that sell vintage

Tips for buying on Etsy:

If you are looking for art, you have to have the word original in your search

Go down your own rabbit holes

Save your favorite shops

Tips for a Little Free Library:

Check out littlefreelibrary.org

Clean out your library every once in a while

Book Report:

Emma - The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

Elsie - Understory by Chloe Benjamin

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.

#318: Old Houses, New Chapters Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode we're chatting about the pull of old houses and hometowns — the charm, the challenges and what it actually feels like to move home.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

Timeline is offering a 15-day trial of the Mitopure Resurfacing Exfoliator for just $22. Give it 15 days and see how your skin looks and feels. Go to Timeline.com/MESS to try it for $22. Ready to make it part of your routine? Go to Timeline.com/MESS20 to shop the full-size Timeline Mitopure Resurfacing Exfoliator and save up to 20%

Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code MESS to get 40% OFF your order.

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.

#317: Autumn Traditions Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

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.

Thank you to this week's sponsor:

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

Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.

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.

#316: Fall Bucket List Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

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.

#315: Our 3 Style Words & Tattoo Talk Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

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.

Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase at Wayfair.com

Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code MESS to get 40% OFF your order.

Start your free trial at SHOPIFY.COM/abm

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.

#314: Enjoying Summer (Ew!) & Favorite Old Houses Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

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.

#313: What We Love about Writing Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

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.

#312: When Your House Doesn't Feel like Home Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

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

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 additional 20% OFF plus Free Shipping with our code MESS at Jiyuskin.com

Mentioned in today's episode:

Grandma Moses: An American Original

Julie Blackmon: Midwest Materials

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.

#311: How to be the Ultimate Host Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

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.