#311: How to be the Ultimate Host

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.  

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

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

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

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: Mud Witch Berek Poshmark Papier Grandma Moses: An American Original Julie Blackmon: Midwest Materials Robert E Smith Mothers and Children A Tale of Interiors Island Hopping Sarah Sherman Samuel Memories of Home   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 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 [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

Today we are sharing how we play our days to stay productive and also happy. We are also debating hot takes on the controversial topics of astrology and raisins. Planning Styles: Emma - Uses paper planner for meals and notes app for daily to-do list Elsie - Only appointments go on her digital calendar Project Management: Emma - Make a roadmap and seasonal bucket list Elsie - Checklist What makes a productive day: Emma - Activity with the kids and play time for her Elsie - Reading with kids for an hour, one household chore, and reading or watching TV before bed Book Report: The Hotel Nantucket by Ellen Hilderbrand   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 digging into all kinds of interesting topics listeners emailed us about from body image and the glow up to being the best aunt and even some home decor topics. It's random but it's fun!   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.   Questions we answer: What are you doing for a "Summer Glow Up"? Has retiring from influencing affected your relationship with the way you look? Do you have any tips on how to be a great aunt? What do I do with an heirloom crib that I'm no longer using? How do I renovate without losing the history of my house? If your life was a sitcom what would your genre tags be on Netflix?   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 creating a dream life schedule that includes routines and rituals that work together to create a highly customized DREAM LIFE. We love this subject and I think it's something that can really help us through this current season of life and can help a lot of our listeners. Consider it a group project.   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 exclusive 20% off their first order at pendulum.co/MESS   Designing a dream life: Declutter phase Brainstorming and trying out dream routines Experiment until it's perfect Make small tweaks each season.   Book Report: Emma: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler Elsie: The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis   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 small, free or inexpensive comforts you can employ to fix a bad day.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: You can try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [MESS] to get 40% OFF your order.   Mini Comforts: Elsie: Making garlic parmesan noodles. Watching Knives Out or another comfort movie. Watching Twilight with my kids (has to be raining). Wandering a Flea Market Taking a walk to peep the Little Free Libraries (or drop books off) Emma: Bake something Going thrifting Get outside Clean something out Do a random art project   Book Report: Emma: Shark Drunk by Morten Stroksnes Elsie: Whistler by Ann Patchett   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.