Given Take Boutique Event Set For March 18

Given Take Boutique, the East Atlanta-based, eco-friendly shopping/social get-together, is having a clothes and accessories swap event March 18 at .

Founded last year by Adrienne Tankersley and Meg Richards-Boeff, Given Take centered on new moms.

"Originally, it was a small group of us moms who had our first children," Tankersley told East Atlanta Patch.

Those moms realized that some of their clothes didn't fit exactly right after they had their children or didn't fit their lifestyles, she said.

So they decided to have a swap meet of sorts, albeit well-heeled, to share and exchange pieces, hence the name "Given Take."

Gradually the events got to be so large that they began holding them in empty homes in the Village that were for sale.

The swaps work this way: Participants donate clothes, shoes and accessories they no longer want — a minimum of 10 pieces — and purchase a ticket to attend the event.

They can take as many pieces as they want, Tankersley explained.

"We're looking for clothes in good condition," she said. "Clothes you'd lend to a friend and look to get back."

The events feature food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and extras such as massages and hair stylists who come to pamper the moms.

All the while, the clothes are presented in a way that's designed to resemble a boutique.

And because there's a green and eco-friendly approach to the boutique, there is a focus on environmental issues, and keeping things local, such as serving food from neighborhood eatieries on reusable serving ware.

Sunday's event, scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., is a first for the organization, being that it will be in a business and not a private home currently for sale.

With a nod to the not-so-seasonal weather we've had these last few months, Sunday's event is known as the "All Seasons Fashion Swap."

Anything not taken will be donated to Dress For Success Atlanta, a non-profit organization that gives interview suits, confidence-boosting techniques and career development to low-income women, Tankersley said.

If you go:

• Tickets are $35.
• Clothes you wish to donate must be dropped off in advance at the , 468 Moreland Ave., on March 14 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Everyone will receive their ticket at the drop-off, but if you can't make it, then contact Given Take for alternative arrangements. You may pay for your ticket in cash or check or on the group's homepage via Google checkout. (You'll need to bring your receipt to the drop-off and exchange it for an official ticket.)
• Hodgepodge, which is hosting the event and is located at 720 Moreland Ave., will give a voucher for one free cup of coffee at a later date to any participant who donates a coffee mug.