Coffee With Harriet Hastings
of Biscuiteers

Harriet and husband Stevie co founded Biscuiteers in 2007 after the success of their catering company Lettice. Hand crafting each individual biscuit, using the best ingredients, their aim is to make handmade gifting easy be it a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday or just to say thank you.

With four children and two successful businesses, they juggle their time between their houses in London and Suffolk.

We had a coffee with Harriet to find out what inspired her to set up her own business, dig deep about her shopping habits and discover where she likes to shop online.

What inspired you to create Biscuiteers?
I suppose it really came from helping my husband at Lettice and spotting an opportunity to create great gift food. Biscuits at the time were incredibly underdone but they had the potential to be a perfect gift because you can send them in the post and be creative at the same time.

We put Stevie’s catering experience and my PR & marketing skills together and Biscuiteers was born.

What were you doing career wise before you set up?
I spent ten years managing the consumer brand division of a PR company. During my time there, the Dot.Com revolution went into overdrive so we were working closely with online brands and I suppose that gave me the confidence to create my own.

What makes your product unique?
The handmade, individual quality, the fun and wittyness of the collections and the overall presentation of the tin. Plus they taste great!

How do you get a good work/life balance?
With four children it’s pretty hard but I’m lucky enough to be able to escape to Suffolk at the weekends. When we’re there it’s family time and work is left in London.

What’s your best selling tin?
Our Bootylicious Shoe Tins do really well. We always keep them up to date and each tin is heavenly influenced with what’s going on in the fashion world at the time.

We’ve recently added our city collections to the site and we’ve been amazed at how successful they’ve been.

How would you characterise your fashion style?
Now I work for myself I’d say my style has changed considerably. These days I’m usually in jeans and a staple white shirt/tee with lots of accessories – shoes, scarves, jewellery etc

I cycle everywhere in London which sets certain limitations on what I can and can’t wear, but I've mastered the art of cycling in heels!

Who is your style icon?
Always and forever, it’s been Audrey Hepburn. So much so that I even had my wedding dress copied from the one she wore in the final scene of Funny Face.

Who are your favourite designers?
Max Mara, Velvet and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Where do you shop on the high street?
Whistles and Jigsaw.

Heels or flats and where do you buy them?
I’m a heels girl through and through. Christian Louboutin, Prada, Westwood... you name it, I’ll wear them!

What are you lusting over this season?
A pair of Church’s Brogues.

What’s your signature fragrance?
Antonia Flowers.

What are your three must-have make up products?
Bobby Brown Long-wear Gel Eyeliner, Benefit Dandelion Powder and BADgal Mascara.

How would you describe the style of your home?
In London it’s light and open plan with lots of colour and in Suffolk it’s the complete opposite. It’s a 16th century Suffolk longhouse full of beams and much more rustic.

Where do you buy your furniture and home accessories?
I actually buy a lot from eBay - if you know what you’re looking for then you really can’t beat it - and Dibor for gorgeous country accessories online.

Other than that I bizarrely do most of my furniture shopping when I’m on holiday because I find it’s the only time I have to browse.

I once brought fibreglass chairs home from New York - there was no shipping but I somehow managed to get them in a big box and bring them back on the plane with us.

What did you last put on your credit card?
I’m currently saving as opposed to spending as I’m taking a (much needed!) break to New York in November.

And finally, any other favourite online stores?
They’re not particularly glamorous but I literally couldn’t live without Tesco and Amazon.

When you’re busy working and trying to run a family the world of online shopping for the essentials is a lifesaver!

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