Peace Mix is a national campaign that aims to spread a message of peace and unity to young people through music and therefore the song that will be recorded will be a peace-themed song. Any successful talent will win a place at the national finale as well as visit a free music industry workshop at Future Arts, in Leeds on the 27^th July.

Laura Hemsley, Managing Director of Future Arts, explained: “Peace Mix aims to spread a message of unity to young people through music. Here at Future Arts we are really excited to be part of this national project and help to bring this message to young people here in our region and showcase some local talent.”

Young people from across the region are invited to submit their ‘peace-themed’ lyrics, rhymes, melodies and spoken word online at peacemix.co.uk. The best entries will be invited to join the VIP headliners at the Peace Mix Presents finale, held at London’s Roundhouse on 28^th August 2012.

Linda Quinn from BIG commented: “We want to reach out to young people across Yorkshire and Humberside and give them a chance to promote peace and understanding and make a positive difference in their community. This is a great opportunity for local musicians, lyricists, MCs, songwriters and poets to come forward to showcase their talent and to be part of this national campaign.”

Peace Mix has come together with partners to offer young people the wide knowledge and resources they may need to achieve there full potential. Partners include an education charity Blastbeat, youth engagement agency Livity as well as community groups, voluntary sectors and youth organisations.

Whether you’re a student, or in full time work or unemployed this could be for you. This could be your chance to get your name recognised by some intrinsic people in the business. What’s the harm in entering? Plus here at Leeds Uncut we want to see the talent of Leeds come out and be known!

To enter please visit www.peacemix.co.uk.

Those of you have been to Mint will know what it’s about, after the first major refurbishment since its inception 11 years ago, the Mint Club reopened its doors to the public in 2008. The ceiling lighting panel based on the Watergate Club in Berlin has been installed (it’s the largest of its kind in Europe) is a major attraction to people all over the UK. The thundering new Funktion1 sound system is a massive plus, which when hosting acts such as Maceo Plex and Danny Daze.

Firstly, there will be Maceo Plex who is one of the most popular, in-demand artists in the world right now, Maceo Plex he has stormed on to the scene and taken over. With his debut full length ‘Life Index’ completing his transformation. Tracks from the album like ‘Vibe Your Love’ and ‘Can’t Leave You’, ‘Under The Sheets’ , and huge remixes of Laura Jones ‘Love In Me’ and DJ.T’s ‘City Life’ show the strength and depth of his sexy, soulful production. Mind-blowing performances at Rebel Raves all over the world and a first time assault on the Resident Advisor Top 100 DJ list at number 5 have cemented him as something of a phenomenon. The imprint will feature ongoing collaborations with their second guest Danny Daze and they are hosting the first label showcase in the UK, as well as the Leeds debut of the man himself, the irrepressible Maceo Plex.

To have a listen to what the fuss is about go to: Radio 1 Essential Mix: http://soundcloud.com/maceoplex/01-maceo-plex-essential-mix

Secondly, they will be hosting Danny Daze and he Mint Club has referred to him on their Facebook as having made a similarly dramatic entrance onto the scene. “A studio nerd with a taste for techno, Daze is influenced by his Cuban culture, thus giving him the Latin influence heard in some of his music and DJ sets, which are deeply commanded by Detroit Techno and Italo Disco. His debut track ‘Your Everything’ was a massive hit at last year’s Miami Winter Music Conference, getting heavy airtime from key players like Seth Troxler and Jamie Jones. It was undoubtedly one of the biggest tracks of the summer and propelled Danny firmly onto the map riding the tidal wave of Hot Creations. We welcome back our boy Danny Daze who completes the line up for Teknicolor’s 100th Party.” Get The Curse Podcast: http://soundcloud.com/dannydaze/danny-daze-get-the-curse

The night is currently sold out but they will be selling tickets to the event on the door. If you want to go you must get there early!! Tickets on the door will be £14, it seems steep but it will be worth it as the doors close at 6AM!!

To have a look at other Teknicolor nights have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbu7zr4JiWw

Firstly, I cannot mention Vintage stores in Leeds without really discussing The Bird’s Yard. The hidden three-storey floor has won ‘Best Vintage’ shop and is full of desirable pieces. With the shop having over 60 designers spread over three floors, it really has something for everyone. Located just two minutes walk from Leeds historical Corn Exchange, the boutique is in perfect walking distance from the main chain of high street shops.

Once every few months, the Vintage fair comes to Leeds and leaves all vintage lovers wanting more! Usually changing location the upcoming date is on the 19^th of May and is held at The Corn Exchange, 
Call Lane
Leeds. Even better it is free (usually £5). With the doors open from 10am till 6pm it gives all shoppers plenty of time to go through all the fashion and the Vintage furniture this fair has to offer.

Another favourite amongst Vintage lovers is Blue Rinse on Call Lane. With the range of clothing varying from Men’s jackets to women’s evening dresses. If all your looking for is a simple jumper or a pair of high-wasted shorts Blue Rinse will cater to all your needs. Speaking from experience, you will struggle to walk out of the door without a purchase.

Although well established in Leeds Victoria Quarter Rose & Co Boutique in the city centre, many may not be aware that the beautiful Rose & Co Apothecary also has a clothing and accessories boutique downstairs. Rose & Co Boutique sells reproduction vintage and vintage-inspired women’s wear, lingerie and accessories. The boutique supplies unusual brands such as What Katie Did, Tara Starlet and Stop Staring. A perfect shopping location for party dresses and quirky handmade accessories.

The fantastic boutique The Third Estate, hidden behind Morrisons in the City Centre, stocking stylish and ethical brands such as Fred Perry and Get Cutie shoes for men and women. It is also one of few stockists of Fred Perry for women in Leeds offering a wide range of trendy, quirky and top quality items; a definite must-see for Leeds fashionistas.

There are plenty of hidden gems still to be found in all of Leeds finest vintage stores and sadly I can’t fit in the endless list. I also cannot forget to mention Pop Boutique, Upstaged and various charity shops and boutiques in and across Leeds  City Centre and Headingley.

Pick up your purses guys, there’s some vintage bargains to be found!

From having the previous experience of travelling I have put together a few easy steps to help you along your way and make your plan much simpler.  Firstly it may seem obvious but decide on where and what you want to do. Do you want to go inter-railing around Europe, or Asia and Australia, or South America? All of these are such different experiences and it really depends on what you want to get out of it.

From experience I can suggest seeing Asia and Australia. We chose our flight path and by using www.oneworld.com you can have up to 16 flights as long as you don’t go back on yourself.

This is the perfect way to literally fly around the world visiting those places you’ve only ever seen on TV before. I would suggest going to see a travel agent and for students I found www.statravel.co.uk to be the most useful and there are a few dotted around Leeds City centre. The staff will know all the place’s to go and will give you advise on popular destinations for people your age. This is perfect if you have chosen to go travelling by yourself or with a small group. STA will help you choose the places where you will get the most value for your money, they know you will be on a tight budget and they’ll be happy to work around the pennies you’ve saved up.

As previously mentioned I began my travels by going to Thailand for the ‘full moon party’ if you have never heard of what this entails then click here to find out more.

This has been a craze amongst young travellers for years and is something, that if you choose to go to Thailand you wont want to miss. There are many idyllic islands off the coast of Thailand, that if you have the time, are definitely worth the visit.

We then moved onto Bali and, through our own mistake of not conducting enough research we went during monsoon season. We only stayed for three days although the nightlife in Bali for all backpackers is great fun. Although it rained when I was there I know I will definitely be returning to Bali (at the right time of course).

Next stop was Sydney, Australia. It really is what it says on the postcards. It has something for everyone and you can completely understand why everyone wants to live there. You can have the city life whilst being twenty minutes from Bondi beach. I cannot mention Australia to any student traveller without mentioning the OZ Experience bus. Find out more about it by clicking here.

This will take you to all the stops up the east coast of Australia including the infamous Surfers Paradise and Bryon Bay. Not only is this an amazing way to meet like-minded people but you will also be able to experience things you probably wouldn’t normally. For example there is a compulsory stop at Noosa and here you can herd goats whilst horse riding and jet around on a quad bike.

With the One World ticket (mentioned above) you will be able to travel to other amazing places such as New Zealand, Fiji and any part of North or South America. Of course all of this travelling costs money. If you do your research properly and you plan on being somewhere long enough there’s no reason for you not to get that perfect beach bar job.

I have only given a small snippet of what you can experience if you do decide to go travelling. Remember with the economy the way it is this may just be the perfect time to jet off and see the sights.

Beef Chilli (serves four)

Where would comfort food be without the beloved staple that is chilli? This recipe is so easy to make that any old chap can through it together, even at 2am after a few too many. Beats a burger any day.

What you will need:

• 910g of beef mince
• two chopped onions (putting a spoon in your mouth while cutting these pesky fellows up should hold back the tears)
• four mashed up cloves of garlic (if you don’t have a fancy garlic press then the end of a rolling pin should do the job)
• 15g medium chilli powder
• 10g salt
• 3g mixed herbs (available in any good supermarket)
• 14.5 ounces (roughly four small cans) of stewed tomatoes
• 15 ounces (about one tin) of tomato sauce
• one can of red kidney beans (if you’re feeling especially lazy they are available in a pre-made chilli sauce)

What to do:

1) Throw together your onions, garlic and beef in a pan. Fry until the mince is browned. If any of the fat runs out of the meat whilst it is frying (which it almost certainly will) drain it away. You want to watch your figure after all.

2) Stir in all the herbs and spices and tomatoes. Break up the tomatoes until you have a smooth consistency. Bring to a boil then cover and leave to simmer on a low heat for one hour. Make sure to stir it every now and again so it doesn’t all stick to the bottom of the pan. That’s a washing up nightmare waiting to happen.

3) Stir in the red kidney beans (drain beforehand if they’re in water) and simmer for 20 minutes. You can take the lid off of the pan now as well.

4) Serve over rice with sour cream and tortillas and enjoy a flavour fiesta.

 Hot Chocolate Milkshakes (serves six)

This quirky little beverage is great to enjoy whilst curled up on the sofa or with a few friends after a long day of lectures. You can’t say no to a chocolaty concoction after all. They’re just too darn tempting.

What you will need:

• 200g plain chocolate
• 600ml full fat milk
• vanilla ice cream
• mini marshmallows

Apple Crumble (serves five)

We all have a bit of a love affair going on with apple crumbles. Served with hot custard it transports us right back to our care free school dinner days. And a bit of nostalgia will warm you right up should the heavens decide to open.

What you will need:

• 35g rolled oats
• 35g wholemeal flour
• 20g caster sugar
• 35g margarine or butter
• 400g cooking apples
• 50g sugar (to sweeten the apples)
• 1 tablespoon water

But fear not because with these easy to follow revision tips you’ll feel that stress melting away.

Find the right space

If you have a designated area for revision you’re much more likely to focus on the task at hand. Clear those empty beer cans and stacks of DVDs off your desk. That’s your new work space.

Have everything you need near by so you’re not tempted to wander off at any point. And for goodness sake turn the television off. It’s a recipe for revision disaster.

Use a study method that works best for you

Everyone works differently. Make sure you know the best method for you. If you’re a visual learner then reading through chapters, colour coordinating notes or even plastering your walls with sticky notes will help you absorb that information. If you’re more of an audio learner then why not try recording yourself reading notes then listen to it back? You can even ask a friend to test you.

Changing how you revise will keep it fresh. Reading through a chapter, writing down notes then going through it with a friend will keep you from dozing off. Also, make sure you take regular breaks. It’s easy to try to push yourself but you’ll naturally stop focusing after a short period of time. Try taking a five minute break every thirty minutes or so. That way it’ll be a lot less daunting.

Make an action plan

We all say we’re going to do it and then end up falling into disorganisation. Having a set plan will help take the pressure off. Make sure you start early. Don’t count on learning your entire module the night before the exam. It won’t work out for you. Write out when all your exams are and stick it up on your wall. Also, schedule more time for subjects you feel less confident on.

Do a little revision every day to keep information fresh in your mind. Some people will find it helpful to study different topics throughout the day as well. Don’t neglect your leisure time though. It’s important to stay relaxed.

Stay calm on the day of your exam (and the night before)

A lot of students will want to keep their noses in their books right up until the exam starts. This won’t help and will only leave you feeling more stressed. Have a good night sleep so you wake up feeling alert and prepared.

Make sure you have a good high energy breakfast (or lunch if your exam is later in the day). A banana is high in slow-releasing energy and is a good snack to have beforehand. There’s no worse feeling than being hungry half way through a test. It’s always a good idea to have a bottle of water with you as well.

Leave in plenty of time so you’re not in any rush to get there in time. When you’re there make sure you read through the exam carefully and identify which questions you may struggle with. Write out a plan for longer essay questions and give yourself plenty of time to answer them. Do not watch that clock and, at the risk of sounding like a nagging parent make sure you don’t sit down to the exam paper bursting for the toilet.

Don’t worry yourself when it’s all over

People will stand outside the exam hall waiting to ask you what your answer was to question five and seven and fourteen… Ignore them. They will only end up making you feel anxious. There’s nothing more you can do at this stage so think positively about your result.

Take some much deserved time to relax. Have a good meal and some fresh air. If you have more exams to come then ease back into your schedule and think about how you can improve on your techniques. If it’s your last exam then go out and party yourself out. Your brain cells can take a night off.

For more information on revision tips click here.

Stilton and Cranberry Toasts (Serves eight)

What you will need:

• 1 ciabatta loaf
• 300g fresh cranberries
• Zest & juice of 2 clementines
• 75ml port
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 200g blue Stilton
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

How to make:

1. Cut the ciabatta into thin slices and grill on both sides (using your trusty low fat grill or failing to find one in the back of your cupboard, chuck them in the toaster until golden brown)

2. Throw together the cranberries, clementine juice and zest, port, vinegar, sugar and cinnamon stick into a frying pan. Heat them gently for 5 to 10 minutes until the cranberries soften and a festive fragrance fills the kitchen. Don’t forget to take out that cinnamon stick when finished though.

3. Crumble up some of that Stilton over the pieces of toast. If you’re not a stinky cheese lover then Wenslydale will make a fine substitute. Add the cranberry mixture onto the top and serve warm.

Ready in: 20 minutes

If you have a sweet tooth that needs satisfying then look no further. These tasty treats will tantalise your taste buds and are ready in the blink of an eye.

Chocolate and Ginger Refrigerator Squares (makes 32)

What you will need:

• 300g crushed ginger nut biscuits
• 140g finely chopped crystallised stem ginger
• 300g plain chocolate
• 100g diced butter
• 100g golden syrup

How to make:

1. Line a baking tin with butter, grease proof paper or anything that will stop these tasty treats sticking. Once done mix the biscuits with most of your ginger.

2. Melt that tasty chocolate (and resist eating it straight from the bowl) with the butter and golden syrup. The best way to do this is in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Remember to stir the concoction gently until smooth. Pour over your ginger and biscuits and mix through.

3. Add to the tin and garnish with the rest of the ginger. If you’re feeling daring then you can throw in some cranberries and chopped nuts too. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Then cut into squares and enjoy.

Ready in: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)

This classic Christmas cocktail is perfect for washing down all that grub.

Eggnog (serves five)

What you will need:

• 4 egg yolks
• 4 egg whites
• 60g sugar
• 1pt whole milk
• 235ml double cream
• 90ml whiskey, rum or brandy (your choice)
• 1tsp freshly grated nutmeg

How to make:

1. Beat the yolks until well mixed then chuck in the sugar. Keep beating until the sugar has all been dissolved. Once done add half of your cream, milk, nutmeg and alcohol of your choice and stir it all up.

2. In a different bowl beat the egg whites into soft peaks. Fold in the rest of your cream. Then add the egg yolk mixture and mix well.

Firstly the decorations can be what makes or break the ethos of the party. You want the environment to be somewhere your friends can come to relax and unwind. It may seem obvious but a Christmas tree is a must, it will really help get your friends into the Christmas spirit (as well as being able to show off your Christmas collections.) Whether you are planning a small get together or a large party, decking your home in seasonal decorations will help your guests get that festive feeling. Decorating the house, you can take it one of two ways; you can go for the matching colour scheme, from the tree to the wreath. Or as Christmas is all about colour you can get every kind of tinsel the shops sell and deck your house with an explosion of reds, silvers and gold’s.

Any party hostess will tell you the stress of organising a party is immense. However, if planned and organised correctly there’s no need for all the worry. As we all know during the Christmas period we never have a minute to relax from the shopping and University deadlines; the sooner your invites get out to your friends the sooner you know the numbers to expect and your guests wont be committed to another event. You can send invitations in a variety of ways starting from the old fashioned written invitations in the post or the new and easy Facebook events. For a nice personal touch, use a photo from last year’s party as the front of your invitation.

If you’re working on a budget (as many students will be), you should make it clear that alcohol is not provided and should be brought with your guest for them to enjoy.  It may seem obvious but your guests need a place to go once they’ve arrived at the party and most will want to follow the music. Whether you’ve organised a DJ or set up your own iPod station, you need to make sure your music caters to your crowd. You can’t play the latest house music if your grandma is coming. But if you’ve got a target audience of all friends you will know what the right genre of music will be.

Lastly once the night arrives, you should enjoy yourself. Your holiday party should be for you as much as it is for your guests. Once guests arrive introduce them to others so they’re not left standing there alone. Make sure you mingle with all your guests, after all they’re here to see you.

For Him:

Hip Flask: £9.50

Marks & Spencer

The winter months always welcome a swig of warming slow gin or rum. This 6oz stainless steel hip flask makes the perfect practical gift.

And there’s more good news. Marks & Spencer are doing a three for two offer on stocking fillers so click on the above link to browse some bargains.

Bullshit Game: £10.00

Joy

This fast pace card and dice game makes great end of dinner entertainment. See if you can tell the difference between outrageous works of fiction and surprising facts. It even has a touch of gambling on the side.

Moustache Clock: £9.99

Culture Vulture

Movember may have just ended and the facial fuzz has gone but he can still enjoy a touch of class with this dapper wall clock. It’ll add style to any student halls and there will be no more excuses for running late to those lectures.

Festive socks: £3.00 each or 3 for £7.00

Topman

Socks are often seen as the throwaway present but these charming little fellows will definitely bring a smile to his face. Select from any number of Christmas prints such as; snowflakes, trees, reindeer or even the jolly man himself.

Nostalgic Trinkets

Firebox

Any of this little presents are sure to make him one happy chappy. We love the Special FX Lightsaber. At a staggeringly low £9.99 it includes all the whooshing sound effects and even changes colour when you hit your target.

The Nintendo Mini Classics also caught our eye at only £8.99. These adorable keyrings are shaped as a Gameboy and have real life retro games for you to play. Choose between Mario’s Cement Factory, Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros. A portable piece of his childhood memories.

Finally, have you ever wanted to inject a taste of your geeky side into your parties? Well look no further. This Han Solo in Carbonite Silicone mould tray is perfect for the job and will cost you only £9.99. Make ice cubes, jelly or even chocolate bars in the timeless Star Wars theme.

For Her:

Blonde Monkey Hottie: £8.00

Dorothy Perkins

In the winter chill there’s no better gift than warmth. This little fellow will keep her nice and toasty. Pop him in the microwave to heat up and he’ll release a gentle scent of lavender to tickle her senses. There’s also many other hottie friends to choose from if she’s not a monkey fan.

Shop at Dorothy Perkins before the 4th December and enjoy a fantastic 30% off your purchase. So get down there fast.

Lightbulb Pendant: £10.00 or Blue Sprayed Necklace: £8.50

Topshop

These cheap as chips necklaces make the perfect stylish gift. The Lightbulb Pendant has a simple yet quirky design that will add a touch of character to any outfit. If she prefers her jewelery to make more of a statement then opt for the Blue Sprayed Necklace. An edgy take on a classic accessory.

Golightly Eye Mask: £8.00

Urban Outfitters

Give her sweet dreams this Christmas. This eye mask has Breakfast at Tiffany’s written all over it. The soft padded fabric is finished with a classy gold thread hem. The sewn on eyelashes are a glamorous touch that will make any girl a sleeping beauty.

Chocolate Roses: £9.99

Firebox

Be romantic this Christmas and get her some flowers and chocolates. Better yet get her chocolate roses. These four deliciously sweet milk chocolates are wrapped in red foil with fabric leaves and realistic plastic stems and tied together with a ribbon. A delectable gift.

Relaxing Remedies

After the stress of shopping, wrapping and cooking all that turkey let her put her feet up and sink into a relaxing bath.

La Maison de Senteurs scented candles at Marks & Spencer are Buy One Get One Half Price. At £5 each  that’s worth every penny. Choose between a festive fragrance, fresh florals or a fruity feast for the nose.

We also loved Firebox‘s Spa Lights. These battery operated lights are completely waterproof and can be stuck to any smooth bathroom surface with their rubber suckers, or can be left to float on water. They’re available in a two pack of white, blue or pink for £7.99. Or for just £9.99 you can bag yourself the colour changing version. It’s a sure fire way to add a tranquil atmosphere to that soak in the tub.

And no bath is complete without the addition of one of Lush‘s brilliant creations.  For just £5.95 the Have a Sweet Christmas Gift includes a star shaped bar of Angel’s Delight Soap and Candy Mountain Bubble Bar all wrapped up in pink, festive wrapping. You can’t say fairer than that.