Designing a Beautiful, Sustainable Life

BY BOBBI LYNN GAUKEL

To Thrift: to shop for or buy used goods especially at a store that specializes in secondhand merchandise.

me to introduce myself: I’m a homeowner, graphic artist, and AVID second-hand treasure hunter. In this new column, I’ll be exploring some tactics I’ve developed for finding some of the coolest, most interesting items I own. As someone who’s been buying secondhand since the early 2000s, I’m glad to see that thrifting has finally come into vogue as a great way to save money, while also saving the ‘good stuff’ from the landfill. Here in the Midwest, there are an abundance of ways to incorporate thrifting into your life, so let’s start by digging in and discussing some thrifting basics.

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Mixing in thrifted items with trends will most likely give you an eclectic style that’s all your own. And that’s a good thing.

Commit To a Bit of TLC

Thrift Like You Mean It

If you’re new to thrifting, the first thing you should do is your homework. Although much of what you’ll find when you start thrifting is up to timing and a bit of luck, it’s a good idea to make a list (or even a Pinterest board) before you head out. For instance, I’m always on the hunt for vintage ‘60s or ‘70s décor such as original art, studio pottery, brass and crazy graphic patterns and colors. It helps immensely to have a mental picture of the kinds of things that work together for your particular style. You should shop with an open mind and low expectations, if that makes sense. For me, a typical weekly ‘haul’ might look something like this:

One important thing to remember when thrifting is that not all second-hand items are the same as far as condition. Some things are new-with-tags, some are a little bit worn, and some are a LOT worn. Personally, I may choose items from any of those categories when I’m thrifting. I don’t want to buy clothing that needs a lot of repair work, but if a piece of furniture needs an overhaul, I sometimes like the challenge and effort that restoring an item takes. In any case, a worn condition on items is not always a deal breaker. Most thrift finds can (and should) be washed or cleaned in order to bring them back to their former glory.

Learn to Spot the Good Stuff

Are you into brand names for things like apparel or jewelry? You might be surprised at what you’ll find at your local thrift store. It’s probably not wise to spend money and time shopping for things that can be found at any discount store, but if you start checking labels and researching as you go, you’re going to get the most bang for your buck. Personally, I used to avoid buying second-hand footwear, until I realized that many donated shoes have rarely or never been worn by the previous owner. And every so often, I’ll find something that I would never justify the price for if I were buying new (well, HELLO, vintage Red Wing logger boots).

Stay on Trend, or Don’t

While you might be used to shopping at national chain stores for trendy things, realize that trends usually repeat with time. Some of the things you find today in stores might very well also be living at thrift shops or garage sales, because they were popular in another era. And while keeping your style modern and trending is good, sometimes you need to go with your gut when deciding what you really, REALLY like.

Make Thrifting a Destination Sport

Another thing I’ve learned is that thrifting buddies and road trips go together naturally. The truth is you can get tired of shopping the same stores over and over. Part of the joy of thrifting is the happy discovery of treasures you don’t see every day. A perfect Saturday in my world is grabbing a friend, a coffee and some cash and hitting the road for a little thrifting adventure. Don’t be surprised if you spur each other on to buy something you normally might not … and be sure to save room in the car for All. The. Things.

Plan For the End Game

Finally, and probably my best tip about thrifting is to try and think ahead about how you’ll style your thrifty finds. Like many impulse purchases, the ‘very neat thing’ you see might not fit in well once it’s in your home. I admit I do often buy things randomly, but as a designer, I can almost always work a unique piece into my home décor. Unless you have that knack, it makes sense to know where your treasure will live before you buy it (especially important with big pieces like furniture – my basement is a home for revolving extra chairs). Here’s an example: a few years ago, I was hoping to replace an outdated loveseat with something more to my liking. I spotted THIS beauty at a local thrift store for $40, and heard her calling my name (actually, I called her name – Blanche – because of her Floridian/Golden Girls vibes). A few years later, my 1950s ranch home’s sunroom has evolved around Blanche, and I still love her as much as that first day!

Moving forward in this space, I’ll be sharing where I find things both locally and on the road, and the plans I have for styling my well-loved goods, so please stay tuned!

Bobbi Gaukel spends her workdays as a freelance graphic designer and her free time as a thrifter at Bobilu Vintage: instagram.com/bobilu

BY JIM MATHIS

There’s a scene in the Hulu series “The Bear” where Uncle Jimmy tells Tiffany about the chocolate covered bananas he used to get with his dad, and how the sight or smell of a banana brings back that memory every time. In Remembrance of Things Past, Marcel Proust wrote about a man who took a small bite of a madeleine dipped in tea and was transported on a journey through his memory. That sensation has since become known as a “Proustian moment;” that unbreakable connection between our senses and memory. Lately we’ve been finding tastes that transport us not only back in time, but to far away places, our own “Proustian moments.”

Neither my beloved or I have ever been to Brazil, but on a recent Friday night we tried out Roots of Brazil, a relatively new restaurant in the old flat iron building at Eighth and Weber. Only a few of the dishes looked familiar, but we’d come looking for culinary adventure! After consulting with the server who was used to newbies asking lots of questions, we settled on a grilled cheese appetizer, Kara ordered the red snapper, and I had the jerk chicken.

When our entrees arrived, we left Sioux Falls. The odd thing is we went to different places. The fish reminded Kara of a fantastic meal we’d had on the beach in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, along the Riviera Maya. We were served fish tacos made by a beautiful old woman who spoke no English, but showed love through her food. Back on Weber Avenue, the fish was perfectly cooked, served with black-eyed peas and rice. But the smell and the flavor pulled us back to the beach.

My jerk chicken took me to another beachside meal, this one in the Bahamas. The spice of the collard greens, the subtle but persistent heat of the jerk seasoning, it was familiar and foreign at the same time. Reminiscent of that little shack in the Bahamas. For the price of a moderate dinner out, we were able to relive some wonderful vacations from the past.

On another recent Friday, we went for an early nosh at M.B. Haskett; Mike and his team have started offering wine specials and sputini (Italian for snacks) in the late afternoon. We thought we’d give them a try. One offering was a crostino with salt cod and cucumbers. A very simple looking dish, but one bite of the cod and I was wearing flip-flops and shorts in a beachside shack in the British Virgin Islands. That was my first-time trying salt cod, and it’s a memory that was hiding deep in the recesses of my brain. But one bite brought it right back.

The link between tastes and memories is not just coincidence. Scientists believe that the connection between food and memory originally came about as a survival tactic. They call it “conditioned taste aversion.” Our cave-dwelling forebearers would sample a mysterious plant, become ill, and then forever remember to avoid that plant in the future. That conditioning was passed down from generation to generation as we learned what foods to avoid. Basic survival instinct.

On a more positive note, a 2014 study found a direct link showing that taste is associated with memories of being in a location where something positive happened. For instance, a bite of an oatmeal cookie may remind you of grandma’s always-full cookie jar, or a bite of fish can take you back to the beach because you have happy memories associated with them.

So the next time you find your plate filled not just with food, but with memories, know you’re not alone. Those bites can have a serious (and scientific) connection to your past.

Do yourself a favor, eat something good today!

When Jim is not reliving memories through an Italian Grinder or pork tenderloin, he and his beloved run ADwërks, an advertising agency here in Sioux Falls.