About Emma Chapman

Hi there! I’m Emma. Nice to meet you. In case you are pressed for time here’s the short version:

I live in Springfield, MO with my husband Trey and our two dogs. 

I graduated from Missouri State University in 2007 with a degree in Philosophy that I have never once used but I’m still glad I got it. 🙂 If you want to read what happened next in my “career” click here—spoiler I failed at a few things before I got here. 

Currently I am a life style blogger and serial entrepreneur. My most recent venture has been opening a bar called The Golden Girl Rum Club with some friends in my hometown. 

I have opinions and all sorts of other aspects of my life that you won’t find on my blog, including my thoughts on both religion and politics. The blog is just one part.

What else? Maybe it would surprise to know that I am a bit of an introvert. My theory is that lots of online people are, since the internet gives us a way to connect without having to actually talk to large crowds of people. (I’m only half joking.)

I am very, very close with my family.

I own a few companies with my sister, Elsie. She is also a serial entrepreneur but with very different talents from me so we make a great team. We don’t always agree, but we do make a lot of things happen. I’m glad I found my biz soul mate with her. 

I’m also very close with my brother, Doren. He’s an animator and graphic designer (among other things). I like him. 

My other partner in crime is my husband Trey. He is the business development manager at A Beautiful Mess and also helps to manage and maintain all of our apps. Before that he was working in advertising and living in Nashville, TN. But then he fell for me and the rest is history. (Just for the record, I fell for him too.)

We married in June of 2013 on a pond near my grandmother’s cabin/home. I’m sure everyone thinks their wedding day was magic, and I am no exception. 🙂 Since then we bought a house together and we are currently transforming it into a home. And in early 2016 we opened our first business together, the bar. 

As you can see, I have no problem doing business with my family. People often ask me if this is hard or a good idea and the truth is I have no idea what it would be like for others, but for me it works and I couldn’t imagine doing things any other way. 

You should also know that I take myself and everything I do VERY serious. That is why there is 0% sarcasm or jokes on this page. That just wouldn’t be appropriate. 

Something you should know about me is I have WAY too many interests. But here’s some things at the very top of the list:

I love photography. I mean, I really love it. I’ve been taking pictures for 10+ years for fun and professionally. I love that it feels like there is still so much more to learn and try. My very favorite things to photograph currently are food and landscapes.

I love making things. Yes, I’m crafty. I like to dabble in a little of everything so I probably wouldn’t describe myself as a master or expert of any one skill. Last year I got more into sewing, the year before that it was crochet. I take pottery classes on and off. I like to make things out of wood sometimes but I think I could get better at it. I love making things to decorate my house with. Just feels all the more homey to me. 

I love food. Elsie and I are currently writing a cookbook (due out in 2017) and it’s a total dream come true for me. I own SO MANY cookbooks so the opportunity to get write and photograph my own just feels amazing. Opening a bar was another venture that probably started in part because I am obsessed with all things food. I love cooking, baking, photographing food, EATING, and entertaining. It’s all good to me. 

I love small business. I think the challenge is thrilling and I love that there is so much more to learn and to try. It’s an absolutely humbling experience, owning a business. And I’m completely addicted to the whole process. 

I really enjoy traveling. I love seeing other cities or even other countries. This world is so big and I doubt I’ll get to see all of it before my time is up but I’ll take whatever I can get. When I travel to bigger cities I tend to focus my trip around good places to eat and drink. When I travel to more remote spots I love to hike and take photos. And if I can fit some live music or a read-my-kindle-at-the-beach day in there then I’ve really done it. 🙂

Maybe you need some clickable, more digestible lists? I love lists. Here you go-

We’ve written two books and we’re currently writing our third. 
A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book
A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home

We’ve created three apps:
A Beautiful Mess
Party Party
A Color Story

I love interior design and am currently working on giving our new house some TLC. But before we moved I shared our last house room by room:
Livingroom
Diningroom
Kitchen
Bedroom
Guest bedroom
Home office
Video tour

Here are a few of my favorite blog posts:

Lavender Creme Brûlée
Five Tips for Evaluating a Business Idea
Mineral Photo Display
Epoxy Resin Coffee Table
Vegetarian Tikka Masala
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies
10 Tips for a Productive Life
DIY Brass Side Tables
Warm Brussels Sprout Salad
10 Tax Deductions for Small Biz Owners
Cheesy Apple Pie
Lobster Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Emma’s DIY Wedding Dress
How to Transfer a Photo to Wood
Mojito Jello Shots
DIY Tree Stump Side Tables
Brown Sugar Baked Fries

And some personal things too:

Our Engagement Photos (1 / 2 / 3)
Our Wedding Archives
Our Honeymoon

I cannot thank you enough for taking time to check out our blog. I hope you like reading it half as much as I love writing it! If you ever see me out, or if you ever come to Springfield, MO I hope you’ll say hello because I’d love to meet you in “real” life too. 🙂 xo. Emma

PS. You can follow my personal Instagram here.