Is less more?

Is less more?

I often ask my myself, how much do we actually need?

Nothing endorses this moreĀ thanĀ when I go to a trade fair and see acres and acres of product. Undesirable stuff, stuff you’ve got no idea what it actually does orĀ what it's used for, flat-out uglyĀ undeservingĀ items of junk. It puts me off wanting anything at all.Ā 

Ā 
How much happier are people with a lot less?
They treasure what they have and make best use of it. Traveling to India as a young girl this one smacked me right in the face, they use absolutely everything. Kids running around laughing using a stick to hit a ball fashioned from scrunched up newspaper. It really looked fun - no need for bat and ball there.
It was a spiritual voyage for me, I was living in Indian ashrams - sleeping in very basic conditions on wood plank beds, having bucket baths and eating rice and dhal.
Ā 
Why Play Is Seriously Important For Girls | SELF
I’d been a journalist in New Zealand and always had great and noble aspirations of being an international correspondent - one with no judgement of other cultures and religions, well versed on their beliefs. For a moment I touched on it working for More Magazine when I was asked to interview one of the leaders of the Hare Krishna Temple in Christchurch. This was the Hindu perspective on who we are and why we are here - fascinating to me.
Ā 
AĀ 1 hourĀ interviewĀ that turned into 3. To say a window opened up for me was an understatement. I’d been given a AFS scholarship and had studied in Thailand and I was very much open to Eastern thought with Buddhism and the monastic way of life. I’d been bought up a Catholic with nuns as teachers, a catholic priest as a family friend and an aunt and uncle that entered the order (later to leave).
Ā 
This interview turned into a pivotal point for me as I was workingĀ then in fashion magazines...don’t ask, I don’t know how I got there either. I was feeling very out of my groove and sitting there as a guest judge of ā€˜the face of 1984ā€ with these young things parading on a catwalk like cattle and I thought ā€œwhat the bloody hell am I doing here?ā€. So within months I left my job, gave away everything I owned (much to the horror of my family) and joined the ashram as a celibate nun and would stay for a number of years. Ā Bet you didn’t see that coming!
Ā 
It did shape me immeasurably and for 30 years I’ve never made mindless junk for landfill. I use natural fibres and natures discards and craftspeople and not machines. You buy and keep it and hand it on until it gives its all and then it will gently return to the earth. Less is more.
March 13, 2023 — Christina Schaffler
Tags: blog reuse
Behind the Door - Sympatico Styling

Behind the Door - Sympatico Styling

Big influencers in the Property Styling revolution is mother and daughter duo Debra and Nicky. Here is behind the door at some of their beautifully curated homes. Enjoy!
February 23, 2023 — Christina Schaffler
Going green, eating clean

Going green, eating clean

How I adapted to the plant-based diet and made my own rules.Ā  5 min read Click to read.
January 30, 2023 — Christina Schaffler
My full circle moment with wreaths

My full circle moment with wreaths

Where I started and how I've had my full circle moment making floral wreaths. 4Ā min read Click to read.
January 12, 2023 — Christina Schaffler
Tidy Tai - Home Tidy Tips

Tidy Tai - Home Tidy Tips

I’ve always been known as ā€œTidy Taiā€.Ā Chaos drives me insane! Click for some tidy tips!
May 27, 2022 — Christina Schaffler
Oh No... Not House Plants!

Oh No... Not House Plants!

Well hello... house plants are back withĀ vengeance! If you're going to do it, do it right...Click here to read.
April 29, 2022 — Christina Schaffler
Herb Tables

Herb Tables

Herbs just make everything taste that bit better don’t they... Click for some Herb table insights!
April 04, 2022 — Christina Schaffler
Tai's Halloumi, Orange and Basil Salad Recipe

Tai's Halloumi, Orange and Basil Salad Recipe

I’m a huge fan of warm salads and have them many times a week - be it with roast vegetables or protein.... Click to see the Recipe!
March 30, 2022 — Christina Schaffler
The Kindness Economy

The Kindness Economy

How many of us really care about where we shop? Is it all about what is convenient and cheap. Mary says it’s divided into 2 different types -Ā Give a f**kĀ orĀ Don’t give a F**k...Ā Click to Read
February 08, 2022 — Christina Schaffler
Holiday Wreath Pavlova

Holiday Wreath Pavlova

A tasty and gorgeously festive desert for your holiday dinners! Click to see the Recipe
December 21, 2020 — Christina Schaffler
Kindness - The New Colour of The Year

Kindness - The New Colour of The Year

No offence to Pantone - but who really cares about the latest colour of the yearĀ ...how about kindness- how’s that working for you? Click to Read
December 28, 2018 — Tai Schaffler
Furry Friends

Furry Friends

One of my great delights in life is talking to dogs and horses. Their perspective is always honest and clear. They have no mixed agenda and are totally open and real with you... Click to Read
September 28, 2018 — Tai Schaffler