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.

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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

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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.

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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:

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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.

This week we're sharing a guide for how to antique shop inspired by some questions that Candace, one of our listeners, sent in. We promise you that by the end of this episode you'll be itching for a flea market run- or at least we will.

It would mean so much to us if you could please fill out this survey about the podcast: https://abeautifulmess.com/podcast-survey/

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.