A Beautiful Mess Podcast

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: Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Head to Talkiatry.com/mess and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.   Guilty Pleasure Treasure: Emma: Cinnamon dragons Elsie: Watch a period piece while on period   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 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: You can try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm 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. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Start saving money with Dupe.com today Go to brooklynbedding.com and use my promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide 5 Things we want to learn Emma: Learn Spanish Play piano Learn to write microfiction Cooking and recipes Painting Elsie: Water Marbling Writing poetry Classical painting lessons Make 3 Ina Garten recipes Book binding Book Report: Emma - The Cottage Around the Corner by D. L. Soria Elsie - The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 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 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. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Head to Talkiatry.com/mess and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm   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 Always have a candle burning and always make tea with dinner Organize library room Go room by room and clean and organize all the closets and cabinets in her home Work through reading all of her craft book stash Bake herself a birthday cake Elsie Declutter year - eliminate ALL the clutter in her home Paints are always out this time of year Old movie bucket list Start a new photography era 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: Get an additional 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/abeautifulmess 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: Get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com/ABM 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: Try OneSkin with 15% off using code MESS at oneskin.co 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: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Try OneSkin with 15% off using code MESS at oneskin.co   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.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/abm For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code [MESS] at oneskin.co   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: For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code [MESS] at oneskin.co. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MESS today to get started   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.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/abm Try LMNT and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess.   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: You can try OneSkin with 15% off using code "MESS" at oneskin.co.   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.  

This past year Emma and I both spent a significant amount of time off social media after more than fifteen years working professionally as social media influencers and running online businesses. Today we're going to share what we learned offline including the pros and cons and how we want to approach social media moving forward. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Try a sample pack at DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Listen to Episode #247: One Year without Social media with Elise Cripe Pros and cons: Pros: Boredom is a gift, get into the flow easier, more time, learn more about yourself Cons: Feels lonely, FOMO What did you miss? Emma: Catching up with random friends and not being up to date on current events Elsie: Book Tok Anything surprising? How easy it was and how little it's missed Book Report: Elsie - My Brilliant Friend (Neopolitan Series) by Elena Ferrante Emma - Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood 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 tips for cleaning out and curating your closet for fall. We're also diving into Color Analysis and how it changed the way we shop, tips for collecting vintage and how to make a dream closet mood board.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Visit GrowTherapy.com/MESS today to get started.   Book recommendations: The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees Personal Color by Anuschka Rees Wear it Well by Allison Bornstein   Closet Clean Out Tips: Try every single thing in your closet on If you haven't worn it in a year ask yourself why Switch out seasonal clothes and analyze when you bring them back out   Tips for building up a dream closet: Make a mood board Focus on one things at a time   Vintage Tips: Make sure you will really wear it Vintage is great for a special occasion   Book Report: Elsie - The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Emma - The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang   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.