A Beautiful Mess Podcast

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 podcast@abeautifulmess.com 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 podcast@abeautifulmess.com 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 podcast@abeautifulmess.com 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 podcast@abeautifulmess.com 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 podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.