Taking a break from somber topics of health and medicine, I wanted to share a fun experience — I participated in my first “Clothing Exchange” party last month, hosted by the fabulous women of Exurb Magazine.

It was a chance to make new friends, catch up with old ones, clean out my closet, update my wardrobe, and help less fortunate women. The hosts provided drinks and appetizers, all of us brought clean, ‘gently-used’ clothing, and we got to know each other while we picked through the offerings. At the end, our hosts took all that was left over (and there was a lot!) to a local women’s shelter.

It’s always fashionable to reduce, reuse, recycle…and reinforce other women’s acts of courage!

[Those interested in hosting may want to check out these guidelines for a children’s clothing exchange and modify as you wish.]