Comments on: Guest Post by Melissa Mahanes: Bin There Dump That (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)

By: Barby White

Barby White — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 20:07:51 +0000

I have loved Melissa Mahanes since our Vanderbilt days! So smart. fun and creative…and ALWAYS in the know. She moved to Nashville and informed me of things in this town I didn’t know existed even though I’m from here and had been back living here for years! Melissa- as for your newly organized, enlightened self- you go girl!

By: Elizabeth Hawkins

Elizabeth Hawkins — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 03:25:59 +0000

I read this book with my college-aged daughter last spring and we made it our goal to get rid of everything that no longer “sparked joy” in her closet this summer!! Quite a cathartic exercise!!

By: Julie Frist

Julie Frist — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:02:01 +0000

I can attest to Melissa’s creative talent. She helped me with the Frist Gala several years ago and was wonderful! I always love spending time with her.

Melissa, love your post. Funny (as expected) and inspiring! We all hang on to too much “stuff” (physically and emotionally). This book has been on my shelf for months – I now look forward to reading it.

By: Sine

Sine — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:57:26 +0000

In reply to Patricia E.

LOL, I love the sock party! And think of how much time you’ve saved over the years by not having to match (and agonize over missing) socks!

By: Patricia E

Patricia E — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:46:00 +0000

Melissa – Kate captured you perfectly – I’d add that your reputation for results oriented awesomeness precedes you wherever you go! Agree with you on the socks – the author would probably really be shocked by my self-created sock management method – we dump all socks (everyone’s in the family) into a light portable hamper. No sorting – everyone always knows where they are going to be found and it is easily stashed in a central location. Since the girls and I wear the same size, it’s much easier than running around looking in three rooms. Orphan socks sit in a plastic ziplock in the same bin awaiting a reunion – come to think of it, maybe my socks are having a party! Great post!

By: jenniferpuryear

jenniferpuryear — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:40:19 +0000

In reply to Sine.

Sine!! I am laughing. Keep writing!! xo

By: Sine

Sine — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:27:29 +0000

Haha, loved the passage about the socks, and nice to “meet” you in this way, Melissa, great guest post. I can’t tell you how much I wish I’d had the idea of writing this book (along with Fifty Shades of Grey) and make a boatload of money telling people how to throw stuff away. Being German by birth, I’m a pretty good de-clutterer by nature. I read an article the other day discussing above book and bringing in some de-cluttering consultant in England, and she said that she gets contacted by lots of Germans and is always puzzled why they wanted her advice as their houses already looked pristine. That just as an aside.

As another aside, I’m not sure the above approach to getting rid of everything in my house that doesn’t bring me joy would be a good idea at the moment. Having just read Madwoman in a Volvo (thank you Jennifer for the suggestion, I laughed so hard!), this method would mean I’d pretty much get rid of EVERYTHING in my house, including (and perhaps foremost) all the people.

By: Ridley Wills

Ridley Wills — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:10:26 +0000

Melissa Mahanes is always spot on! Listen to her.

By: Liza Coleman

Liza Coleman — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 11:22:05 +0000

Well said Kate! An excellent description of Melissa!
Thank you for the wonderful post! I have my work cut out for me and can’t wait to dive into this book!