We’ve all about Quality Vs. Quantity but have you ever thought about the quality and quantity of your clothes? It’s become so cheap and easy to get the most up-to-date, fashionable clothes that no-one really cares about the quality of them anymore. These days it’s all about quantity and being on trend 24/7. Because there are new styles and trends happening almost every week, shops are making sure we don’t want to keep the stuff we bought last month, let alone last year! This means that we’re throwing clothes away because they just aren’t cool anymore, not because they’re old and unwearable. The fashionistas and those in-the-know call this ‘Fast Fashion’; because to keep with the latest in fashion you have to be fast!
But what’s so wrong with any of that?
The problem is the quality of the cheap, fashionable clothes you’re buying. You might think, ‘Wow! That top is really cheap!’, but have you ever stopped to think why it’s so cheap? You probably haven’t and it’s not your fault; the top will be advertised in such an attractive way you won’t think of anything apart from snapping it up! Start by looking what it’s made from. Most synthetic, mass produced fabrics are really cheap which is why companies opt for them over more expensive fabrics. Then ask how the fabrics are made. Fabrics like cotton are natural and sourced from the ground, whereas fabrics like Polyester and Nylon are formed from chemicals.
And it’s not only the type of fabric your clothes are made of that you have to worry about either: it’s where they’re being made and whose making them. Poor countries such as
How You Can Help To Make A Difference...
Touching your Face – Every time you touch your face, you’re transferring dirt and grime from your fingertips onto your skin, and it’s that that causes spots, so stop!
Playing with your hair – This is a fast track to split ends and greasy hair which no-one wants, so next time you want to twiddle your hair, try tapping or clicking your fingers instead.
Licking your lips – Licking your lips actually makes them drier, so keep a lip-balm handy and apply whenever you need.
Rubber bands as hair ties – Using rubber bands as hair ties isn’t good for your hair, it snags it and causes it to break, so only use fabric covered hair ties.
Rubbing your Eyes – The skin around your eyes is very thin and delicate so stop rubbing them, it only makes them red and sore!
Picking spots – When you pick a spot, you risk spreading infection and scarring your skin! Try dabbing on a bit of toothpaste before bed as this will help dry the spot out.
Using heated hair appliances – Think of the damage you’re doing to your hair every time you blow-dry, straighten or curl it. Lots! For gorgeous hair, wash it and plait it before bed and then when you wake up you’ll have stylish, wavy hair: no curling tongs needed!
Sharing cosmetics – Although sharing things like nail polish and hair products is alright, things like lipsticks and eye make-up isn’t. Infections can be passed from person to person, and sharing make-up brushes can do the same.
Late Nights – Not getting enough sleep leaves you looking, and feeling tired, so start having a few more early nights. Lavender is calming, so try popping a few sprigs under your pillow- you’ll be in the land of nod before you know it!
Turn your old jeans into shorts or crops by chopping the ends off. The length is up to you!
Grab an old vest or t-shirt and get some iron-on transfer paper. Go on the net and find a design you like, or, if you’re feeling creative make your own. Cut out and iron onto the t-shirt, and there you have it, your own cool Graphic print top which is totally unique!
Jazz up some old bangles by covering them in fabric or ribbon. No-one will ever know that they’re not new!
Using all your old, odd buttons, arrange them into a design on a plain t-shirt. They look really cool grouped in a corner! Sew on or stick with fabric glue for a retro, embellished look.
For an over-sized, rocky t-shirt take one of your Dad or Brothers old tops. Cut off the neck, sleeve and bottom seams to create a frayed effect. You can take this one step further by cutting into the arm holes to make them bigger. Always wear a vest underneath – the rock look is all about layers and texture.
Got a belt that’s too small? Simple! Instead of wearing it round your jeans, wear as a waist-belt instead.
If you want to take your tights from winter to spring, chop off the feet and wear as leggings.
Next time your Mum is having a clear out, have a look through her old jumpers and cardigans. Oversized woollies are great for cold weather and look amazing teamed with leggings! And when people ask where you got it, just say ‘it’s vintage, darling!’
Scarves as Pashminas are really versatile. They can be worn round the neck, shoulders, as a skirt…the list goes on! Try out different looks and see how many new ways you can come up with!
Nail It!
Most Nail Polishes contain harsh chemicals that get into the atmosphere and damage the air, but not water-based polishes! They use less chemicals and dry in 3 minutes. What a result!
Play Squash
When you get rid of rubbish, try and compress it down and make it as small as possible. By squashing all packaging and waste, you are making room for more, which means less bin-bags to go to land fill.
Both 
Sides To Every Story
When using paper, try and use every available bit of space. Write on both sides and avoid starting new pages if you can help it. Draw a straight or wiggly line across the page before starting something new to separate different subjects and pieces. After all saving paper = saving trees!
Stop Running Away
Leaving the tap running whilst you brush your teeth is the biggest (and easiest!) way to waste water without realising. Turn the tap on for a brief moment to wet your tooth brush and again when you want to rinse your mouth of toothpaste. To see how much water you are wasting, put the plug in and leave the tap running like you normally would. Only do this once though - you’ll never want to waste water like this again!
Ladies Who Lunch
Instead of buying lunch out all the time, save your purse and the planet and make your own. At the beginning of the week, buy a few staple items and then have fun mixing and matching them for the rest of the week. That new exotic fruit you’ve been wanting to try? Now’s the perfect time! Excessive food packaging is needless and causes litter, plus, food always tastes better when you’ve made it yourself!
Money Talks
Be loud and proud and make your cash statement heard…by not spending any for a whole day! Pick a day and vow not to spend even a penny; you’ll find yourself trying new things and the earth will be very grateful. No bus journey to the shops, and no carrier bags at the checkout – imagine the results if everyone did this!
Re-cycle Your Friends
Not literally, but next time it’s someone’s birthday, use re-cycled gift wrap! Save gift wrap from your own presents, as well as bows and strings, and use them instead of sticky tape. For even more fun, why not try and make your own? Save newspapers and magazines and decorate them for a totally unique finish!Switch Off
Turn your computer monitor/screen off next time you aren’t using it. Even if it’s only for 10 minutes while you have a quick break, it will save on energy.
Pet Rescue
Is your family thinking of getting a new pet? Before you head to the pet shop, check out local Animal charities and rescue centres – all animals deserve a good home and you could be just the person to give it!
Data Transfer Complete
Does your friend want a copy of all the photos you took together on your day out last week? Instead of copying them onto a CD or disk, try emailing them or save them to a USB flash drive. These little sticks are portable and fit into every computer, so spending hours burning disks is now a thing of the past.
To Buy, or not To Buy?
Next time you’re out shopping and have a basketful of goodies, ask yourself if you really need them. Whilst new shoes for school might be essential, that funky pencil case might not be. Even if you’re only putting one thing back, you’re doing the environment (and your purse!) a huge favour.
Litter Picking
Try and pick up at least 1 piece of litter every day. Lots of plastic bags and packaging aren’t bio-degradable, which is bad news when left littered around in the great outdoors. Although 1 piece may not seem like much, it’s 1 less piece harming planet earth.
Tlk 2 U L8r Babez!
Everyone wants to have the latest and greatest mobile phone, and with so many to choose from it’s no wonder you forget what you did with your old one
A few years ago wherever Errey was, his camera would be there too. Whether it was snapping pictures during the weekends, or being the designated photographer at friends’ birthday parties, Errey and camera would both be present. How do I know this? Well, he lives a few doors down from me and is a pretty good friend. The sort of friend you can loose touch with for a while but when you re-connect everything's as it once was. Perfect. Anyway, it’s safe to say that his passion for photography and creativity has led him down many a route; his mind forever buzzing with innovative ideas. He now works at a college passing his love and knowledge for everything photography onto others, feeding their imaginations like his own once was.
But that only scratches the surface. As a young photographer, Errey knows the difficulty entailed in finding a platform from which to launch creativity - something his latest project strives to change. YEAH is an independent, quarterly theme based magazine that gives creative people a place to showcase their work, allowing anyone to contribute and get involved. In just 2 years YEAH has come a long way, blossoming from idea to reality - it's now into it's 6th issue and has been ordered as far afield as Brazil and America!
Sound exciting? Let's talk to Errey to find out more about YEAH and how YOU can get involved!
Where did the idea for YEAH come from?
"I wanted to create something where people could get together and make something exciting, mutually beneficial and brilliant. As a photographer I used Flickr to network my images, and while I was at college I tried various things. I knew I wanted to do something, but it was only really the last 6 months of 2008 that I got my ideas down."
Why do you think creative people are so keen to share their work?
"It's in a creative persons nature to share ideas and collaborate - all types of art should be seen and shared! Often the main reason people want to share is to gain exposure, because exposure can lead to work, which in turn can lead to money. That's what YEAH is all about; promoting peoples' amazing talents and getting them out there for everyone else to see!"
Although YEAH was your idea, you now have a partner and co-editor, Stevie. Talk me through the early YEAH days...
"Stevie came on work experience from her university to the college I work at. It was whilst I was working on the first magazine, and I twisted her arm and got her to help me out with it a bit. Since then, we've become inseparable where the magazine is concerned! When we started work on the second issue of YEAH, I asked Stevie if she would like to co-edit it with me, and now we are both directors of YEAH Creative Limited."
Have there been any significant changes to YEAH since it began 2 years ago?
"The whole process has been, and still is, one massive learning curve. We've made a lot of mistakes but are learning from them as we go and growing all the time."
Where do you take inspiration from?
"I get inspired by so many people! I worship ID and Dazed & Confused magazine! Rod Stanley (Dazed & Confused editor) is a lovely guy and a total genius, he told us we have a nice little publication in YEAH! Rankin (famous photographer and founder of Dazed & Confused magazine) even though everyone always says Rankin! He did what we're trying to do with YEAH which shows that it is possible, even though he started off with loads more cash! And Stevie really inspires me. It's amazing that she can do so much at once and be confident all the time, and she really helps me with YEAH. If it wasn't for her, I don't think YEAH would be still around!"
Is the magazine a profit or non-profit project?
"YEAH stands for it's contributors. We aren't just doing it for the cash, if we were, we'd pretty disappointed at the moment! We haven't created the project for fame or to get rich quick, we just do what we do, helping ourselves and many others along the way."
What is the best and worst thing about having your own magazine?
"The best thing is hearing all the good comments and positive feedback from people. The worst is worrying about where the next lot of cash is coming from to keep the mag going. But that's getting better all the time."
What does the future look like for YEAH magazine? Where do you see it in 10 years time?
"I want it to grow sustainability and work even harder on it. We want to help as many people as we can by networking and supporting other companies doing cool things. In 10 years we will hopefully be a nice sized, stable project. The magazine will be the main platform of YEAH Creative Limited and I want to be working on numerous side projects, generally just doing cool things."
Erreys Top 5 Tips to see your Creative Idea Through
1. Have a great idea and run with it
2. If you need funding, get it from wherever you can
3. Network like crazy!
4. Have fun with everything that you do
5. If you're Mum or Dad is a multi-billionaire...just have fun!
Click here to visit the official website where you can get involved and get your very own copy of YEAH!
