Everyone Say YEAH!

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!

Eco-Products To Love!

Oy! also has a fab make-up range, perfect for younger skin. It's a bit pricey, but remember, you're getting quality organic products!
Eco-Eye Collection £22.99 - 4 must-have shades, 1 cute compact! Everything you need to create the perfect smokey-eye look using natural colours and ingredients.
Pressed Mineral Powder £19.99 - For a smooth, natural finish, this is the only product you'll need. Great for oily skins and free from any chemical nasties!

Eco-Products To Love!

Oy! - better known as Organic Young, is a range of products designed specifically for teenage skin. Containing organic and fairly traded ingredients, the products have been chosen for their their complexion boosting properties. With cool, quirky packaging, Oy! is at the top of the eco-beauty game and promises that you won't be dissapointed!

Here's my pick of the best...

Cleanse & Moisturise £8.99 - This is a handy 3-in-1 product, perfect for teens on the go! You can gently cleanse the skin to rid it of all impurities, it even works on tough mascara too! Was with warm water, and when the skin is dry, apply it again and it works as a moisturiser.Clever, huh?

Cover & Clear Spot It £7.49 - This clever little product goes that extra mile for you, just when you need it. It's tinted to conceal the spot, and contains zit busting ingredients tea tree oil and soothing green tea.

Face the Sun £10.99 - This little tube should be a part of every girls beauty routine! An SPF is essential to protect your skin from the sun, so it's just as well this goes up to 15! Whilst protecting your skin from the sun, it also has ingredients that accelerate your tan, making for a speedy natural glow. Containing antioxidants to rid your skin of nasty free-radical particles and Omega 3 & 6 for supple smoothness, this really is a 5 star product!

Face It Foaming Anti-bac Face Wash £10.99 - Using this soap-free face wash morning and night helps to keep your skin grime free. With an organic foaming ingredient, it draws out impurities using tea tree and willow bark to help prevent a nasty gunk build up.

Eco-Products To Love!

Lush Lip Scrubs £4.50 each - This cute little lovely is made from the finest Fair Trade castor sugar which has been combined with oils to keep lips soft and smooth. Perfect for ridding your lips of dry, flaky bits, it's bubblegum flavour means it's good enough to eat!

Eco-Products To Love!

Lush Bath Ballistic £2.25 each - This bath fizzer has a yummy vanilla scent which is perfect for a calming, comforting bath. Choose from pastel mauve or pale orange; same sweet smelling fragrance, different coloured water!

The 15 Minute Bedroom Challenge

All you need for this is a messy bedroom and 15 minutes. Got both? Perfect!

Before you get started…

Find your favourite playlist and turn it up LOUD. The more upbeat the better, you’ll be singing and dancing and won’t even realise you’re tidying your room. Grab a couple of empty boxes and bin liners, and have the vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth at the ready. Open your window, let some fresh air in and you’re good to go!

Why not set a timer in your phone or clock for 15 minutes to make it more fun?

15 Mins To Go…

Pick up any clothes lying around and throw them on your bed. Sort through them, fold, and put away. If there are any clothes for the laundry, put in a bag and take out of your room.

12 Mins To Go…

Gather together any items that don’t belong in your room. For example, any cups or washing up and anything that belongs to anyone else. Pop them into a box, and leave outside your bedroom door.

10 Mins To Go…

Pick up any rubbish from the floor and surfaces and throw into a bin bag. You can separate it later for recycling and general waste, but for now place the bag outside your room.

9 Minutes To Go…

Pick up any other bits lying around and put back in their proper place. DVD’s, CD’s and books get ruined easily!

8 Minutes To Go…

If you have any school work or loose papers, stack them in a pile so they don’t get lost. The last thing you want to do is lose your homework!

7 Minutes To Go…

Gather together all remaining items and put in the second box. You’ll probably find odd items, like socks, magazines and hair bits. You don’t have enough time to sort through them properly now, so put the box under your desk or in the bottom of your wardrobe and when you get a spare 5 minutes, sort through it so it’s empty for next time.

5 Minutes To Go…

Using a damp cloth or some furniture polish, wipe down all surfaces so they are dust free. Remember things like book shelves and window-sills!

3 Minutes To Go…

Make your bed. Straighten out the sheets and duvet, and plump up pillows.

2 Minutes To Go…

Vacuum the floor. If you do the main part first, it makes it easier to get into the corners and edges afterwards.

FINISHED! Who ever said tidying your room was boring and took forever never did it this way!

Get Inspired By...Vikki George & Post Pals

No-one likes being ill. It may get you a few days off school, but it’s never fun. For the few days you’re sick, you’ll get looked after by your parents, and your friends will call to see how you are. But imagine what it’s like to be ill all the time. Imagine missing out on all the normal things, like going to school and hanging out with friends. Imagine what it’s like to be so weak that you have to spend all your time tucked up in bed.

That’s exactly what life was like for Vikki George who was diagnosed with a serious illness that left her bed-bound for 5 years. Vikki first became unwell when she was just 11 years old, and it was a few years before doctors finally diagnosed with her with a serious condition called ME. At just 16 Vikki was so sensitive to light that she had to stay in a blacked-out room, and eating just wasn’t an option. Swallowing became so painful and she would have to suck on ice-cubes to make sure she was getting enough water. Eventually things got so bad that Vikki couldn’t even stand or sit up in bed, and her parents had to feed her baby food. For a 16 year old girl, that’s not what life should be like.

A few years later and Vikki is still struggling with her illness, taking small steps at a time that will hopefully lead her back on the road to recovery. Having spent 5 years in bed unable to walk, Vikki can now stand and sit up, and is no longer stuck in bed every day. She has gained enough energy, and is now well enough to venture out in her wheelchair, which is something that a few years ago, she never would have dreamt of.

Whilst Vikki was ill, she said it was the well wishes from friends and family that got her through those hard times. It would be easy to be miserable and feel sorry for yourself in that situation, but spending every day in bed, Vikki had lots of spare time which she put to good use. Post Pals is a website that Vikki set up, allowing members of the public to send letters and cards to other sick children. Most of the children featured on the website have a serious or terminal illness, so receiving letters of support and encouragement helps to make their lives a little happier.

The website works by listing all the children’s names, with their illnesses and then goes on to include a little bit about their hobbies, likes and dislikes and the sort of post they would like receive. Lots of people send hand written letters and cards, emails and even gifts, all of which the children and their parents are very happy to obtain. Vikki has even included the sick children’s brothers and sisters into this, as it must be a difficult time for them as well, so it’s nice to know that no-one is getting left out. The website is extremely popular having had over 3 million hits since 2003, and continues to accept new members or ‘Pals’ as they are known on the site. Vikki has won lots of awards for her charitable organization and it’s her passion for helping others that has seen her recognised as being such an inspirational young person.

I am hoping to feature an interview with Vikki in the near future, but she is currently unwell so I wish her all the best and hope she’s back on her feet very soon. She has brought a lot of happiness into the lives of others and deserves some of her own. Her selflessness and courage are qualities that anyone would be lucky to posses, and just knowing that someone like this is out there is a breath of fresh air.

Put A Smile On A Kids Face
Visit www.postpals.co.uk to find out more about the amazing work Vikki does. Whilst you are there, pick a pal and get writing! You can send emails, cards, whatever you like, just help Vikki in putting smiles on sick children’s faces.