Remember those artsy girls in high school – the ones who won “most unique dresser” senior year because they shopped at Goodwill and Salvation Army stores for cheap, chic, and cool threads while everyone else stuck to the mall? Sorry to say it – but I was one of them!

I have always had the patience to sort through the racks at my local thrift stores for awesome finds, but you may not – and I understand! Vintage shopping is a daunting task that can require a ton of time and energy behind it. You admire the girls who can “pull it off,” but may think that you just don’t have the same creativity to find and wear vintage like they do. But the truth is: You do! [continue reading…]

Have you ever gushed over a piece of animal print – like that awesome faux fur coat in the windows of H&M right now – only to ask yourself, “Wait, is this cheetah or leopard?”

I’ve always wondered what print I was actually wearing, and didn’t truly know the answer until I greased my research elbows and got down to business to reveal the shockingly stark difference between cheetah and leopard prints.

Animal print is undeniably the trend of the season, so it’s only fair that you actually know what animal you’re wearing when someone pays you a compliment.

Read on for my explanation of cheetah, tiger, lion, cow, zebra, giraffe and dalmatian prints. It’s everything you’ve always wanted to know about animal prints, but never knew how or where to learn! [continue reading…]

Europeans called it flannelette. The French coined it Flanelle. And the Germans? They removed that extra “e” but kept the extra l for “Flannell.”

But us Americans? We just call it “flannel.”

From the 1970s through today, American flannel has been seen on everyone from awkward tourists to lumberjacks to hipsters to celebrities to hot tech guys and even high-brow designers with a penchant for the plaid stuff.

So what is flannel, and how is it different from plaid? Flannel and plaid are often used interchangeably, only because flannel shirts — referring to the soft woven cotton used to make the shirt that is “flannel” — are designed using the now quintessential red and black plaid print.

But flannel is not plaid, and plaid is not flannel — rather, they are like a set of twin brothers who may not be the same person, but dangit you can’t help but mix ‘em up because they just share so much in common.

Lets break it down.

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Bed bugs. The general public agrees that they’re hard to get and even harder to get rid of. But with most cases residing in foreign countries and NYC apartments, it’s safe to say that the rest of the country has little to worry about … right?

Wrong! According to experts, bed bugs aren’t just risks at hostels, dirty motels or crowded NYC apartment buildings. Recently, national clothing stores, media companies and prestigious opera houses have fallen victim to bed bug invasion. And then there’s those cases in wealthy South Florida hotels, suburban Los Angeles homes and even in college dorms. Looks like bed bugs are leaving urban mattresses in search of greener pastures.

No matter where they come from or where they’re going, between the hours of 1AM and 5AM these creepy crawly critters want to snuggle with you in the warmth of your bed for a quick bite to eat and an even quicker scamper back to their dark, secret hiding places. They’re spreading their blood-sucking selves into the beds of warm human bodies nationwide, and if you aren’t careful with your shopping habits, you may be welcoming an expensive exterminator along with those new bedmates of yours.

Sure, thrifty finds are unique and cheap, but the exterminator? He’ll need $1000+ to take care of your little creepy crawlies. No need to go into panic mode because fortunately, there are measures you can take to enjoy thrifty finds and avoid bedbugs.

Read on for my advice on how to best avoid bringing bed bugs home with you when shopping thrift and second-hand finds. [continue reading…]

Gorgeous Vintage Dresses for FREE– Sammy Davis Vintage

Fun Tights for Fall– StyleList

Shop What You’ve Got: How to Make the Most of What’s Already in your Closet– The Frisky

Top 5 Celebrity Hairstyle Trends to Try–  College Fashion

100 Fall Fashion Finds Under $100– Vogue

All American Thrift: How to Mix 8 Goodwill Finds for 8 Distinct 4th of July Looks– Sammy Davis Vintage

Sneak Peek! Topshop’s Cozy, Sexy, Cool Autumn/Winter ’10– FabSugar

Testing the Over-the-Top Hat Trend in New York City– StyleList

Style Tips for Hotter-Than-Hell Days– Refinery29

Take a Peek at Madonna and Lola’s New Line– Coutorture

When shopping, you’d never stop to consider whether a piece has tears, holes, stains or snags. But when buying vintage, think again: That one-of-a-kind DVF dress may actually be too good to be true.

I’ve come home from thrifting delighted with my latest finds only to realize that I’ve purchased something that’s only salvageable with some serious investment in a tailor, or with that sewing kit collecting dust under my bed. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather have a ready-to-wear vintage piece, not a ready-to-sew one, instead.

When thrifting, I give each piece a one-minute rundown before I choose to buy. You’d be surprised what you can miss even when trying something on. You’re so excited by the possibility of a great buy that you fail to see the tiny hole in the arm pit ready to burst with one false move, or forget to check vintage fur and come home with a coat that sheds more than your cat. I’ve been there, and it’s not pretty!

No matter where you’re from, there’s a treasure chest of vintage nearby that’s just waiting to be thrifted and added to your closet. The catch: Like picking up a new sport, you need a few pointers before hitting the vintage-hunting playing field.

Read on for my tips on securing the most top quality vintage pieces at your local thrift store and avoiding the pieces that aren’t. With these tips in mind, and some solid practice, you’ll be scoring a vintage-hunting home-run in no time. [continue reading…]

When we rang in 2010 three months ago, the first thing on my mind – besides my looming New Year’s resolutions – was the fact that with the dawn of a new decade arrived the dawn of a new vintage one, too: the 1990s.

Many of us were toddlers of the 80’s, meaning our formative years were spent playing Skip It and sipping Hi-C boxes in the last decade of the millennium. Some of our most personal childhood memories are marked by this decade – not to mention the television shows we grew up watching that influenced the style and slang of our generation.

I admit it: vintage of the 90s is hard to love. The most memorable styles haven’t made a return to mainstream trends, at least by today’s standards. 90s style was varied: Girls rocked anything from baggy Mickey Mouse shirts and stonewash denim (think TLC) to full-body cat suits and fanny packs (think House Party or Boyz in the Hood) to schoolgirl skirts, knee highs and Mary Janes (think Clueless).

But like any era, the few standout pieces are gems, and definitely deserving of a place in your 2010 wardrobe. Here are a few of my favorite 90s TV show or movie-inspired vintage pieces that I promise you’ll learn to love (or laugh at!) all over again. [continue reading…]

How to Look Good in Photographs– StyleList

Gutter Lane Style: How to Look Feminine While Bowling– Sammy Davis Vintage

Lauren Ralph Lauren Virtually brings the Runway to the Web– Second City Style

Gisele Shares her Post-Baby Body and Son Benjamin with Vogue– Pop Sugar

Paris Fashion Week Top Ten– Fashionista

Happy Birthday A New Mode!

One year… I almost can’t believe it. It all started about a year and a half ago. Eric and I were on the phone and I was telling him how badly I wanted to start my own site. I had been talking about it for a while and Eric gave me the courage and motivation to stop talking and start doing. Once the seed was planted, we started brainstorming on ways to create a site that would bring something new and different to a world so heavily saturated with blogs. Exactly one year ago, I told you about our vision for ANM and from then until now, we’ve worked tirelessly to make the site everything we promised it would be. [continue reading…]

I love everything about Valentine’s Day.

No, I don’t love it because I have a boyfriend who wines and dines me on the 14th (although, that would be nice, wouldn’t it?) I love it because it gives me an excuse to buy myself something pretty and shiny and new in honor of this Hallmark holiday. How could you not love that?

Except, since I’m a vintage lover, I don’t often buy myself something new, per say – I lean more toward the pretty and shiny! Sure, vintage is technically old, but that also means it’s unique and one-of-a-kind. What’s the best gift you can give yourself? Something that no one else has!

So no matter what your relationship status is this Valentine’s Day, it’s important to remember that V-day is a day of love – especially for yourself! In preparation for my own day of self indulgence, I checked out some of my favorite online vintage sellers  to see what sweet and shiny pieces they had for sale. What I found: five different options perfect for five different engagements. Date or not, I’ve got something worth buying for a little love this Valentine’s Day.

Read on for my top 5 sweet vintage finds! [continue reading…]

If you’re in New York City this weekend, head over to Williamsburg to check out the Holiday Mini Market brought to you by our favorite closet raiders: In Your Closet NYC & Sammy Davis Vintage, also featuring handmade funky jewelry by Kim Last Designs and delicious soy candles by Stephanie Sendaula of Bakeaholic.

You are guaranteed to find perfect holiday gifts for all your loved ones and – because of this pop-up market’s affordable prices – for yourself as well!

What’s a pop-up market, exactly? It’s a way for local, burgeoning artists and clothing curators to gather under one space to present you with a mini celebration and sale of art, fashion, and affordable prices.

Check out the Holiday Mini Market to experience the popularity of a pop-up sale for yourself.

WHEN: Saturday, December 12th & Sunday, December 13th (12pm-7pm)

WHERE: 103 Havemeyer Street (between Grand & Hope)