How we dress matches our personalities and it’s in fashion to be an individual. Now more than ever before many feel that they must dress to impress. It’s not so much fun running into a perfect stranger in the street who is wearing the exact same coat that was on sale the other day at H&M. Therefore we look to vintage and charity stores for unique outfits.

So shopping in charity and vintage stores like Edinburgh’s Armstrong’s is becoming widely popular. We favor shopping in stores where we are almost guaranteed to find something completely different to the norm. So many clothes and accessories from the past are constantly coming back into fashion.

Vintage shops are full of fur coats, sundresses, tweed jackets, cashmere cardigans and sweaters as well as nostalgic hats, jewelry, satchel bags and purses. The selection in vintage and charity stores is much wider than in any mainstream store. If you put some effort into it you can find some truly exciting looks.

Charity shops can have some treasures hidden amongst the racks. It is also environmentally friendly to shop in charity stores. Instead of buying new clothes from fashionable mainstream stores it is better for the environment to favor second hand clothes, which can be just as fashionable and have a more special look to them. Also you can find massive amounts of floral prints, silk and denim for half of the price it would be bought new from Topshop.

The vintage look is appealing. We admire the beautiful styles of the 20s, the 50s or the 70s. We all have our favorite decade that appeals to us from the past. So many of us probably secretly think we were born in the wrong time.

We want to look like our idols. Many of us admire the old black and white movies and the stars like Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe. And it’s not just the clothes we love it’s the makeup they wore. The general feel and style of a specific era appeals to us and we get to try and capture that shopping in vintage stores.

Styles have changed so much but with vintage clothes being in fashion we can reinvent that nostalgic look and be admired for it. Having so many decades to choose from we get to play around with different textures and colors and be daring when putting together an outfit. Color blocking is the new trend next to vintage shopping.

Girls especially take great pride in their appearance. When you’re not completely comfortable in your own skin you tend to dress up how you think others will find you safe fashion wise. Not many of us can leave the house wearing just a hoody and cottons. Some girls will even find it hard to be in front of their boyfriends without makeup.

Do we really need to put in those expensive hair extensions and mascara just to run to the shop? We find it silly to get dressed up for a simple errand but do it anyways. If we are comfortable sitting in trackie bottoms in our own living rooms why do we automatically feel uncomfortable wearing the same clothes in front of other people?

It’s almost like we need to have a mask on when we leave the house. We are ourselves indoors where it’s just us and the people we trust and let see us for who we are, but when strangers are involved we feel compelled to look our very best.

We also judge others for not looking their very best, we criticize celebrities in particular. They wear normal comfy clothes as well doing everyday chores, they don’t see a need to always leave the house dressed ready for the red carpet; but when the paparazzi gets pictures of them dressed less than perfectly we will instantly have criticism at the ready. We wonder how they could have let themselves go like that.

Shouldn’t comfort be something to aim at? Even in fashion. Season’s trends prove that comfortable is also fashionable. In the autumn and winter clothes trends get comfier. We dress up in big chunky knit wear, warm knee high socks and thick wooly hats; comfortable and fashionable outfits!

As it gets colder fashion doesn’t go out the window it just changes into something more accommodating to individual comfort. Duffle coats and parkas are coming back into fashion and we have begun to favor snoods and cardies. We should remember that comfort and fashion can go hand in hand just like the trends have shown us. There is no need to over think outfits for simple errands.

What people view as fashionable will obviously always vary; fashion is personal and subjective. There is no “right fashion” and no general accepted norm, but people will always look to season’s trends to get ideas for outfits and often when it gets colder comfortable clothes win and we can dress more freely without having to worry about strict fashion rules. Almost anything knitted and woolen is acceptable as soon as the temperature drops. So let’s not feel too much pressure to impress and aim to be fashionable and comfortable at the same time!

For many shopping online is just easier than actually going to stores and spending hours browsing without finding anything good. Many will argue though that half of the fun of shopping is the browsing, going into different stores, trying clothes on in changing rooms and having a coffee or lunch break before you carry on.

Some stores like ASOS are solely online and have amazing deals and discounts. It is just so easy to shop online but isn’t it also equally effortless to go completely over the top? You can Google so many shops online at the same time and because of that spend so much money in just a matter of minutes. It might be easier to watch your spending in the stores than it is when you’re paying for it all in one huge lump.

However in stores you can always go to the changing rooms and see how that dress really fits you. With online shopping there is always a danger of ordering beautiful clothes based on how they look on the model and in reality it was just the completely wrong style for you. Most online shops do still have return policies, although it can ruin the experience having to repackage everything and stress about sending it all back.

Topshop, H&M and New Look are some of the most popular stores commonly used in online shopping to name a few. Shopping online is a comfort. It is so much easier to get all that you need with just one click on your computer. You don’t have to deal with any of the queues and crowds, and it eliminates the hours you spend hunting for that dress you saw in a magazine or the top you admired on your friend. Online, you can just go into that section of the page or search for it and in seconds it’s at your fingertips and even if it’s not the exact same top or dress, you are guaranteed to find something just like it.

It’s not an issue to worry about being judged by the other shoppers. So many people who have self confidence issues and are insecure about their bodies can be free to pick clothes online that they would be too scared to try on in shops. Some plus sized women might feel like they are being judged when they pick up a pair of denim hot pants but when we get to shop online nobody will have to deal with disapproving looks. You don’t get put off by picking up the same pair of jeans as that stick thin, model type girl and thinking they just won’t suit you.

Online shopping allows us to be daring and fashionable while sitting comfortably in our homes. It allows us to put together ideas and looks with minimal effort. So even though it eliminates the experience we enjoy with our best friend online shopping allows us to be braver with our clothing choices and spend some quality time by ourselves. Online shopping really is retail therapy at its best.

In the past people have thought that in order to be a successful model it would be required to suffer for beauty. This year Finland’s Next Top Model is changing these outdated thoughts by having two girls in the TV show who represent a more common size for women.

A new season of Finland’s Next Top Model will start next Monday the 12^th of September. This year’s top model does not necessarily need to fulfill the ideal tiny model measurements as long as she has an interesting personality. Even a plus sized model can go far in this competition.

As a TV show the Next Top Model has always been widely popular. More than a few girls all around the world fantasize about becoming a part of the glamorous fashion world. This year for the first time Finland’s Next Top Model has two contestants who represent a normal size of a Finnish woman. Out of the twelve girls Veronica and Helen are both a healthy Scandinavian size 38.

The show wishes to make a point about the fact that it is not so much the size of the model that matters but the charisma and personality of the girl. Although it’s not guaranteed that there is as much work out there for a plus size model as there might be for a model that fills the normal measurement requirements. To make it as a plus size model the girl in question has to have something special to offer.

This will be the fourth season of top model in Finland. Even though this year features plus sized models the requirements were anything but undemanding in the selection process.

This year Finland’s Next Top Model is searching for a girl who can tick off more than just a couple of the ideal qualities looked for in a perfect model. The girl who will ultimately win must be charismatic, unique, have a fresh look and also be able to commandeer the stage. Measurement wise she should be at least 175 centimeters tall, have a certain confidence in her look, a passion and fire behind her eyes. As always it is considered important what she looks like on stage and how she can carry herself. She must have good control her body and be elegant.

Finland’s Next Top Model is going to be visited by a guest star well known from America’s Next Top Model hosted by Tyra Banks. Noted photographer Nigel Barker will be making an appearance on the show. Finland’s Next Top Model is hosted by ex model Anne Kukkohovi who is accompanied by two other judges; model and TV personality Saimi Hoyer and photographer Sakari Majantie.

Is it true that nobody really knows anything about Finland? This quiet northern country may surprise those less inclined to believe that there is anything worth seeing apart from pine trees, lakes and piles of snow.

As far as countries go it is by no means one of the biggest or most influencal societies in the world and therefore automatically not so important in the grand scheme of things. When discussion arises about Finland stereotypes naturally pop into the minds of those who have no idea where it even is let alone what the culture is about. But Scandinavia is thankfully becoming better known abroad. Many acknowledge that Finland has exceptional education standards and is a birth place of famous architecture, art, interior design and music amongst other things.

Originally the town of Turku was the capital of Finland and is bursting at the seams with history and culture. It is no wonder that it was elected the culture capital of Europe 2011. Out of all the cities in Europe Turku may seem like an unusual choice for culture capital but even though it may not be so widely know it has loads to offer and many would certainly benefit from knowing a little more about this Scandinavian city.

Throughout the year Turku offers exceptional art, exhibitions, plays and shows to those who are interested. There is much to see all around the city that will surely catch the eye of tourists as well as the inhabitants. Right now, if you’re lucky, you might run into some seals in the streets of Turku. Hackman’s “Hej Hylje” (Hello Seal) campaign was inspired by the Elephant Parade London 2010.

As fun as it would be if they were the real thing these statues are actually a funky example of the kind of art that you are likely to run into whilst walking around the city. There are 40 2 meter high seals located in public areas like town squares, railway stations and shopping streets. They all have plaques on them with information about the North Sea.

These seals have been designed by artist Stefan Lindfors. But 40 different artists have painted each seal in their own particular styles. Even though many of the seals have been painted in bright positive colors they are a daily reminder of the deteriorating condition of the North Sea and the pressing need to protect it.

The seals will remain decorating the streets of Turku until mid September after which they will be auctioned off at a charity event to make money for the North Sea. The other half of the proceeds will be given to the artists involved and used to document the project.

Elephant Family, the organization known for protecting endangered Asian elephants and other animals living in their habitats, is hosting this charity event called Jungle City. Tigers, orangutans, crocodiles and hornbills have been decorating The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and will now be unleashed all over the city during September. All of the statues will go for sale during this month and the goal is to raise £1 million to better the natural condition of these animals.

Some of the animal statues will be covered in jewels and therefore placed in safer places indoors like at the Harvey Nichols store. Some tigers will for example be encrusted with Swarovski crystals and one hornbill will receive a ruby headdress. But mainly this event is an outdoor art exhibition and jungle animals can be found on shopping trips, sightseeing tours and casual walks around the city.

The art exhibition here in Edinburgh has so far already sparked the attention and backing of quite a few big names; HRH The Prince of Wales, Goldie Hawn, Jack Vettriano, Professor Gordon Murray and Sir Brian Ivory. All of the proceeds that come out of this outdoor charity event will go to the Elephant Family and five other conservation organizations.

Most of the statues now decorating Edinburgh will for many be collectable pieces due to who has designed them. The figures have been decorated by different artists, designers and celebrities including Geri Halliwell. Having some big names designing the statues will definitely help raise money for the cause. People are always interested in what celebrities do, say and think. In Edinburgh one of the artists involved in the project is Henry Kondracki.

Parades such as these that are based on charity goals have already been seen in Finland, Germany and London. Elephant Family was the same organization that hosted the art event Elephant Parade London 2010. Finland used seal statues to educate people about the deteriorating condition of the North Sea and Berlin was the first city that housed bear statues (United Buddy Bears) in 2002 to spread the message of peace, international understanding and tolerance among the nations, cultures and religions of this world.

These art exhibitions have always been a fun and engaging way of bringing current issues to the awareness of the public.

Wed 28th Oct 2009

Charities go without crucial funding as donors, including councils, cut back on charity grants

Many Scottish charities have been left without vital funding following recession driven cut backs at Lloyds TSB.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation, which lost £6 million funding from Lloyds TSB bank, works on turning applications into financial awards for charities.

One Livingstone based charity has been left with a funding gap as a result. Manager of Braid House Day Centre, Anne Forrester, told The Journal: “The cutbacks have affected us already. We applied for additional funding in June and were turned down completely in August.”

The organisation offers the older community a place to meet and socialise. Their mission is “to provide a high quality of day care for the older people of Livingston, and to enable them to have the opportunity to enhance their way of life”.

As a result of funding cuts, the foundation’s work has been suspended and their grant application process has been closed.

Ms Forrester said that they normally receive about £22,000 per annum. This year they only applied for half the amount to cover the salary of a part time administrator amongst other things.

Lloyds TSB Foundation is not the only source of income for the Edinburgh charity. They receive £230,000 from West Lothian Council annually and are planning to ask for additional funds, as their current amount barely covers salaries and utility bills.

However, the council is also imposing cutbacks and Forrester says that they are prepared to be disappointed.

With only 16 people taking care of the entire community, Ms Forrester stated: “Work can be quite rough, with people getting sick and coming holidays to worry about.”

Fortunately, the loss has been easier on some Scottish charities. East Lothian’s Carefree Kids organisation told The Journal: “Cutbacks will not affect work.”

Representatives from different political parties criticised Lloyds’ move to stop the funding for the charities.

MSPs are protesting against the decision and are hoping for a solution that will allow the charities to stay open.

MSP Robert Brown, the Liberal Democrat justice spokesman, said: “What needs to be remembered is that ordinary people and charities are suffering as a result of the greed culture at the top of banking.”

Wed 3rd Feb 2010

The National Student Survey 2010 has opened with Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Napier hoping for improvements on last year’s disappointing results

The National Student Survey 2010 (NSS) was launched last week with Edinburgh’s universities hoping to improve on last year’s poor results.

In the 2009 survey, institutions in the capital recieved poor results for feedback in the exercise which gathers final year students opinions on the universities at which they study.

When asked about the quality of feedback on their work subjects the results were as low as 34 percent for Edinburgh University and only 56 percent for Edinburgh Napier University.

Vice-president of academic affairs at Edinburgh University Students’ Association, Evan Beswick, told The Journal: “I am not happy at all about last years’ results. This year we have tried to give the university some breathing space in order to give them time to improve the results rather than being negative.”

More active measures have been implemented in order to rectify the lack of feedback from courses.

“There will be a campaign later in the year to encourage students and staff to engage in dialogue about the feedback. Hopefully discussions will take place and big improvements will be made,” said Mr Beswick.

Herriot-Watt, Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier universities all took part and did well when students were asked about the overall quality of the course receiving over 80 percent satisfaction rates.

In previous years there has been a disappointing response rate meaning that actual conditions are not presented accurately.

Mr Beswick continues: “Even if huge changes do not take place I hope for at least some improvements. If not it will demonstrate a lack of management and we will have to be more forceful in the future.”

This is the sixth annual NSS but Edinburgh Napier University only participated for the first time last year.

According to Napier Students’ Association’s campaigns & representation officer Stuart Campbell: “Our response rate was just below national average and obviously this year we are aiming for a much higher response which will allow for a much more detailed and representative set of results.

“We have been working with the university to create a more consistent approach to feedback provision, to raise the quality and timeliness of feedback to all students.”

NSS targets students who are in their final year of their course at university. The feedback will be published on the ‘unistats’ website in August.

Wed 17 Feb 2010

Edinburgh University marked the launch of their ’10:10′ campaign with a ‘Green Week’ organising a series of events and visitors across the campus.

The week included a wide range of activities to raise awareness on the carbon footprint, with the goal to reduce the university’s CO2 emissions by 10 percent.

The event was organised by Transition Edinburgh University (TEU). A member of the team, Joseph Farthing told The Journal: “The amount of people who have attended the green week so far has been very encouraging, many people have signed up for the week.”

Having already cut CO2 emissions by 10 percent over the last five years,  they have set themselves the ambitious target of cutting them by the same amount again by the end of the year.

Student and event organiser for people and planet Ruth Cape told The Journal: “Many of the people taking part of the week are already up on the issues brought forward.”

The work of the TEU staff is funded by the Scottish government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

Mr Farthing said: “We have a total of £3000 for the whole week, which includes the wages of the staff members. We receive a good chunk of funding for our projects each year, a total of one third of a million pounds.”

The week began with several hundreds of people attending the event ‘Back to the Future: How old will you be in 2050?’.

“We were very happy with the healthy number of people attending this event,” said Mr Farthing.

The week saw speeches, films and hands-on workshops and ended with the unveiling of a three metre wide 10:10 sign made out of recycled aluminium from a scrapped Boeing 747 named “The City of Edinburgh”.

Transition Edinburgh University is just one of the groups organising the green week at Edinburgh University, other groups include the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh University Students’ Association.

Wed 15th Sep 2010

Lothian Buses are attempting to improve the timings of their services and avoid another fine by installing the latest technology in their vehicles

After receiving a £10,500 fine from the Traffic Commissioner in July, Lothian Buses have installed new technology devices to warn them if they are early.

All Lothian buses been installed with a device which, when running over a minute early, advises: “Slow down, you’re early.” The message is accompanied by a warning buzzer which has been incorporated into the device.

The first warning comes two bus stops before a timing point and if the bus continues to run ahead of schedule a second warning is triggered which says: “Wait your time, you’re early.”

Lothian buses’ operational manager Alan Black said: ”The system upgrade to include the audible alert and messaging was relatively straightforward and so far has been working very well.

“We have had full co-operation from drivers and union officials, who think the installation is a great tool to enable them to provide the highest level of service punctuality and reliability for our passengers in Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

The new installations were developed with the help of INEO, the French based real-time passenger information specialist. The company has worked closely with Lothian buses for the past six years to ensure that all their buses were installed with the latest AVL equipment. The City of Edinburgh Council has also contributed to the development of the automatic vehicle location (AVL) system.

Lothian buses were fined after an investigation was held after just one complaint was made. Inspectors monitored several buses in Edinburgh between February and March and found that one in seven services were running ahead of schedule.

The investigation discovered that in Edinburgh, the company carried around 350,000 passangers everyday and therefore it was imperative that the correct standards were exercised when there as it was concluded there was no excuse for early running.