#264: Mona Lisa Smile - Comfort Rewatch

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 oneskin.co. 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 clothing exchange crafting nights pool moms Listener Request: What hills will you die on? Elsie The book ending of The Idea of You is the correct ending Extremism of any kind is dangerous. Emma Doesn’t want to ever own a cat Book Report: Elsie- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Emma - We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler 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 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 oneskin.co   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 this movie: Aged Well - acting, aesthetics, ads from 1950s Didn’t age well - making the love interest a man who sleeps with his students   Freezer Meal ideas: Soup Meatballs Cookie Dough Chili Lasagna Pizza Dough   Book Report: Elsie- The Wedding People by Alison Espach Emma - Who’s That Girl by Mhairi McFarlane   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.  

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 Dupe.com today You can try LMNT products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess   What’s gotten done? Garage (mostly) Marigold’s mermaid bathroom Watch Elsie’s update on her kitchen renovation HERE   Plans that have changed? Not doing the addition Not doing the bathroom Not doing the laundry room   Most exciting update? To have the kitchen done Back porch   When will Elsie be done? Hopefully by the end of September   BOOK REPORT: Elsie - Just Kids (Patti Smith Memoir) Emma - Funny Story by Emily Henry   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 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 - The Nature of Witches, Lessons in Chemistry, The Love Hypothesis, and Who’s That Girl Elsie - The Wedding People, We Have Always Lived In The Castle, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Bell Jar, Klara And The Sun, and Little Women   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.

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 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.   Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Try LMNT at DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess   Download your own autumn bucket list here.   Elsie’s Autumn Bucket List: Baking, baking & more baking Re-read Magic Lesson & The Secret History Host a Halloween party Spend a whole week organizing the new kitchen Got to Italy with Emma   Emma’s Autumn Bucket List: Update Hugo’s room Deep clean couch Family Halloween costume Go apple picking Go to Italy with Elsie   Book Report Elsie - Wool by Hugh Howey Emma - Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier  

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 teaching you to become an optimist and convincing you it’s the best way to live life. So get your rose colored glasses ready- this is a topic we’re so obsessed with. It could change your life! 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.