#269: Ghost Stories 2025

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

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 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.  

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.