Book excerpt: "Alligators, Old Mink & New Money" is a celebration of the clothes that capture our memories and imaginations, that leave their indelible stamp on each of our lives. Alison Houttea former fashion model who runs the beloved Brooklyn, New York, boutique Hooti Coutureknows that every article of vintage clothing has a story behind it, and she uses these items as a springboard to explore such universal topics as relationships, self-image, the bond between mothers and daughters, and that elusive thing called style. Whether you're a flea market veteran who savors the thrill of the hunt, a couture shopper with a "Vogue" budget, or are simply drawn to the de rigueur world of vintage, "Alligators, Old Mink & New Money" offers a shopping adventurethrough auctions, estate sales, flea markets, and clothing racks all over the worldto be savored, and inspired by!