#322: Ghost Stories

This week we're getting a head start on our holiday bucket lists, we're sharing more about our favorite subject: Little Free Libraries and we're playing a fun game about which fictional characters embody us.   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. Join Wayfair Rewards today to get five percent back on every purchase. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.   Elsie's Holiday Bucket List: Exploit Christmas Kitchen movie marathon Make cookie boxes Make marbled ornaments Write a new first draft   Emma's Holiday Bucket List: Go on Polar Express Ornaments with the kids DIY Christmas Wreath Make Oreo Truffles and Sausage Balls for Book Club party Hire someone to install Christmas lights   Authors Elsie follows: Ann Patchett Carol Clair Burke Alice Hoffman Brandon Sanderson John Green Christy Anne Jones E.L. Shen Kacie B Keegan   3 Fictional characters that embody them: Elsie - Morticia Addams, Amy March, and Elle Woods Emma - Leslie Knope, Linda Belcher, and Sally Owens   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.  

This week we're talking about how we plan gifts, giving secondhand items and the inevitable "avalanche of stuff" that enters our homes as moms of young kids. We're also answering a listener question about career transitions and one about navigating family relationships after leaving the religion you were raised in.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/MESS Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything   Tips for getting really thoughtful Christmas gifts: Slow shopping Creative gifts Ask and then follow the suggestions Experiences Send the gift early   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.  

This week we're chatting about Thanksgiving dishes, discussing a hot take about why Thanksgiving is the worst meal of the year and answering a question about rugs. We'll also share a book report, so grab your warm beverage and let's get into it.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Head to Oakessentials.com and use code MESS for 15% off your first order at checkout. Get an exclusive 20% off their first order at pendulum.co/MESS.   Elsie's Autumn Senses: Eating and drinking: Apple cider slushies and Baked Brie with pie crust Smelling: Heirloom Pumpkin Watching: East of Eden Listening: Neptune by Sufjan Stevens Wearing: Christy Dawn Dresses   Emma's Autumn Senses: Eating and drinking: Collagen hot chocolate, apple cider, cinnamon tea, royal icing sugar cookies and pumpkin crumb cookies Smelling: Pumpkin candles Watching: Nothing but wishes Bob's Burgers would come back Wearing: Sweater   Favorite Thanksgiving sides: Elsie: Stuffing, Stuffing meatballs, and Shrimp cocktail Emma: Baked macaroni and cheese, Dinner rolls with honey butter, and Green bean cassorole   Book Report: Hollywood Ending by John Green   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.  

This week we're doing our annual reading of listener submitted ghost stories. We're also sharing our review of the movie Verity and a hot take about spoilers in book reviews. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Timeline is offering a 15-day trial of the Mitopure Resurfacing Exfoliator for just $22. 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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

This week is all about fall, what our dreamiest autumn days look like, and what we were like as kids.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. Visit ernesta.com and order five samples for only $10, and you'll get $50 toward any rug of your choice.   Elsie's cozy Fall dream day: Wake up at 5am and work on her novel Paint for an hour and listen to audiobook Take a fall walk Have the best sandwich in town for lunch Paint some more Pick up kids from school and talk with other parents Halloween movie and baking project Family dinner Make popcorn Watch TV show with Jeremy   Emma's cozy fall dream day: Wake up at 6am with kids and have coffee in a Halloween mug Workout/Go on a walk Do paint by numbers and listen to audiobook Wear a cozy sweater Thifting Activity with the kids Make bread with Oscar Read a Halloween book with the kids Make soup for dinner   Book Report: Elsie - The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza Emma - Margo's got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe   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.  

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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

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.   Sign up for Emma's newsletter: https://www.emmachapman.com/   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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.