To celebrate the launch of the latest trend in coffee, Kenco Millicano, we’ve teamed up with actress Keeley Hawes to tell us about her favourite things and to help us track down the UK’s top Taste Setters.
When she’s not treading the boards or starring in hit TV shows, actress Keeley Hawes loves catching up with girlfriends over a cup of Kenco Millicano coffee, soaking in her antique bath and practising her accents on her tablet computer - amongst others things. Keeley spills the beans on some of her favourite things from knitting with friends to dark gothic-style nail varnish.
As a busy working mum Keeley Hawes knows the value of relaxing so it’s no surprise that after a long day at work she loves nothing more than a soak in her new luxurious old-fashion tub. “We have one which is so big the whole family often ends up getting in! It’s a Victorian-style bath that now sits very proudly in our bathroom. It’s pure heaven”, she says.
Knitting is another love of Keeley’s who was taught the skill by her grandmother. “It was a great passion of my Gran’s so I love that it’s been passed down through the generations. I’m still learning but I’m determined to get there.
“I now encourage my friends to knit with me as it’s a great excuse for us to catch up over a cup of Kenco Millicano, our new favourite coffee and spend some quality time together.”
Keeley loves to fill her house with vintage objects and it’s a passion that extends beyond her four-walls. “My favourite old-fashioned item is definitely my vintage-style pushbike. It has a wonderful basket on the front and I love riding it on lazy Sunday afternoons. My husband gave it to me as a present one year and I absolutely love it.”
As a huge fan of the Queen, Keeley likes to collect items from the Coronation. She says: “We’re doing up our house at the moment so I keep discovering lots of wonderful pieces I’ve collected over the years including mugs, biscuits tins and plates.” Keeley might have a love of beautiful vintage objects, but she couldn’t live without a very 21st century piece of technology - her tablet computer. “I’m not sure how I coped without one quite frankly - it’s a life saver. I love the fact I can record myself. I’m always practicing different accents so it’s great to be able to hear how I sound. I play an American woman in my new play, so my tablet computer has been wonderful.”
Handbags are an indulgence for Keeley who says she couldn’t leave home without one. “I love handbags of all shapes and sizes and end up filling them to the brim, whatever size they are.
“I also can’t leave home until I’ve had a cup of coffee. I’m loving new Kenco Millicano right now, it’s the perfect way to start the day. It’s the closest thing to proper coffee in an instant and I thoroughly enjoy having a cup at home before my busy day gets well underway.”
When she’s travelling, Keeley can’t live without a scarf she brought from Mauritius. “It’s huge so can be used as a blanket to keep me warm, a wrap to keep the sun off, a pillow, an accessory, every day I find a different use for it,” she says.
“It’s beautifully hand-embroidered in gorgeous taupe and pink silks.”
When it comes to her beauty regime, Keeley heads online for inspiration. “Many a time I’ve dived online and downloaded a tutorial before doing my own make-up.” And Keeley has her own beauty tip: “Dark-coloured, gothic-style nail polish is definitely an iconic beauty product in my opinion. I personally love it and feel it has really stood the test of time.”
