Cocktails or: how I learn't to stop worrying and love Christmas

You may not be aware of this, but I'm possibly the most pessimistic of the Playful Promises team. And by the time Christmas rolls around I'm one big ball of grump. While the idea of doing nothing but eating thrills me more than words could say (see above: me last Christmas), I am soon reminded of just how long I can sit in the same room as my Grandmother and her notorious gum-chewing. 

And this is when delving into your drinks cabinet is a good idea. Those last drops of blue liqueur, decades old vodka and that stuff you can't even pronounce that smells like paint stripper... they can all come to good use in that wonderful cocktail shaker. 

Here is my little list of must-haves to tide you over until the new year!

Why Santa has a naughty list

You may notice that I'm a sucker for cocktails with silly names. I'm also a sucker for sweet cocktails!

• 30ml Amaretto
• 30ml Gin
• 30ml Liqueur, banana
• 15ml Grenadine
• Lemonade

 Use a long glass for this, adding crushed ice first, then your gin and amaretto. Top up with lemonade while adding grenadine slowly, then layer the banana liqueur on top.

Snowflaketini

• 40ml Alizé (Passionfruit liqueur)
• 30ml Vodka
• 1 splash Cranberry Juice
• 1 wedge Lemon
• 2 sprinkles Coconut

An easy one - chuck it all into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle the coconut on top and sugar rim the glass if you are feeling fancy!

 The Grinch

• 60ml Midori (melon liqueur)
• 15ml lemon juice
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Representing the change that came over the Grinch, this super sweet cocktail is another easy shaker. Pop everything in a shaker with ice, shake and serve in a martini glass with the cherry for garnish.

Cranberry Cutie

For those good girls and boys that like their drinks untainted! 

• 60ml red cranberry juice
• 60ml apple juice
• 15ml honey
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Shake and pour into a martini glass, garnish with cherry.

Christmas gift review: I Dream of Genie

When I first delved into Playful Promises Autumn Winter collection, Genie was the line I was most excited about. The delicate lace was what captured my imagination, the sweet bows and the opaque fabric giving glimpses of flesh was ideal.

 

I realised I had to wait a longing four and a half months before I could get my hands on these beauties as they weren't in store yet! Oh the broken heart I experienced!

In these four and a half months I tactically planned which Genie set I would get first. It would have been pure gluttony to have strolled into our boutique and demanded all three colours with both bra styles. No I had to be cunning and patient.

I decided the mauve Genie was my ultimate favourite, a stunning colour, perfect for the Autumn season. I would get the mauve brief and underwired bra first, and then gradually build up the collection, investing in the black Genie and then the nude.

Luck fell upon me; I was offered the mauve Genie underwired bra two months in advance of it being in store! It was just a sample, slightly washed out, but perfect. I wore this every day at the Playful Promises trade-shows. It was noticed by several buyers and perhaps even sealed the deal on some occasions.

Finally August was upon us and the Autumn Winter collection was imminent.

I skipped down to the Playful Promises boutique and the green eyed monster took over me an I purchased the Black and Nude Genie in the same transaction! I chose the black underwire bra and matching brief, and the nude triangle bra and matching brief.

Damn – I forgot the mauve brief!

 

The underwire genie bra is one of the most comfortable bra's I've ever worn. I can never feel it's there, it can almost be unnerving to stop and wonder whether in my haste each morning I actually bothered with the bra.

But it's there. The ruched  bra straps are actually very subtle under clothes and  offer a cheeky glimpse of what lies beneath.

The underwires fit perfectly, a really comfortable cup, that clearly I can't feel. I personally don't require much support, however after adjusting the straps I feel I am sturdily strapped in and that the bra provides as much support as a lacey bra can offer.

The brief is stunning. I love the gathered detail on the back, it's very subtle but really finishes the brief. The back is a comfortable satin and the front is the matching lace to the bra and soft-cup bra. The brief is cut a little risque, not quite Brazilian, however I feel the cut is flattering on my shape. The black and nude brief could be matched to so many more lingerie sets, classic pieces and must-haves in your lingerie drawer.

The triangle bra is perfect for bumming around the house. Very saucy, again this soft-cup bra is comfortable and fits like a glove and cheekily offers glimpses of what lies beneath.

This classic collection of lacy bras, soft-cup bras and briefs is ideal for anyone in need of a new bra and brief set. Comfortable and well-fitted this set will take you from day wear, sitting at your desk in the office, to official events giving you confidence in how you look all the way to after work dates – the cheeky inviting lace promising fun in the boudoir with your chosen mate.

A Playful Christmas

We know, we know, November has only just sprung into action, but looking at the last shipping dates for Christmas it is definitely time to get into the holiday spirit before it's too late! 

This year we want to make it as easy as possible for you to treat your loved ones (and yourself!) to gorgeous lingerie, classic clothing and adorable stocking fillers. We have a few treats lined up for you, including:

• The 12 Days of Knickers: From the 1st to the 12th of December we will be highlighting one collection each day with 10% off anything in the set

• Gift guides/Grab the look guides

• Something for the fellas: a man's guide to navigating knickers

• Reviews: Playful Promises staff and friends will review various items, giving you an insight into how our products work in the 'real world'!

• And lots more!

We are so excited we have already set up new shop pages full of gift ideas and stocking stuffers!