Stay Home Must Haves: Top Picks from Singapore Entrepreneurs

On a work from home (WFH) weekday, I keep to a strict schedule and routine like clockwork. I must do a daily 20 minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout using the Ritual Anywhere app. The good thing about having less traveling time is that I have more time for my family, even on busy WFH days!

On weekends, my Saturdays are not much different from weekdays. However, I spend more time on Sunday with the family with bonding activities like an in-house “camping” experience or watch Netflix movies.

My stay home essentials are....

• This Duorest Ergonomic Chair offers unsurpassed lumbar and lower back support for the ultimate WFH performance. Try it and you won’t go back.
• You can't go wrong with any of Scent by SIX's candles or diffusers. Our travel inspired scents evoke memories of destinations around the world and make your WFH experience a scent-sational one. 
• This set of KEF Egg Wireless Speakers, which offer high resolution sound, are a must when I play music during my daily HIIT sessions, for movie screenings and when the family plays kiddy games together.

On a WFH weekday, my morning begins at 830am. I like to start slow with some Nespresso coffee before starting my morning routine of applying sunscreen and drawing my brows to get video-ready for our team’s daily 930am call. I’ll take a break for a short lunch, usually over an episode of The Big Bang Theory because we could use some laughter. Then, there are more calls and work to complete. In the evenings, I’ll walk the dogs to clock some steps and get ready for dinner. After dinner, it is either on to planning for the next day or I will read the news to keep abreast of the situation globally while applying a hydrating face mask on alternate days.  

On weekends, I don’t arrange for work calls on weekends, which gives me the headspace to focus on figuring out bigger challenges. There is then the perennial internal struggle of whether or not to exercise. Usually I try to do two things at once, like ironing while watching Homeland or listening to a podcast. I’ve also been playing the piano more frequently. During my bi-weekly grocery excursions on weekends, I channel my inner “Masterchef”. I will also squeeze in some socialising, like playing Risk or Catan with my cousins or organising Zoom drinks with friends. Most importantly, I will fit in a DIY Home Facial because my skin still needs loving!

My stay home essentials are…

• My husband and I gave each other these Sony Wireless noise cancelling headphones for our anniversary present a couple years back. It has the best sound quality and I use it when I’m playing my Clavinova piano or just for noise-cancellation when my husband gets naggy! (laughs)
• The Porcelain Hydrocare Bio-Cellulose Mask is my skin-saviour. Each piece is a mini facial on its own, and it resets my skin when it's too oily or dry from stress, lack of sleep, having too much wine or hormonal changes. It also prevents breakouts. My skin feels baby soft the next morning, which is an awesome way to start the day.
• From stews to soups and braises, I cook everything in the Le Creuset Signature Round French Oven. It is so easy to wash, cooks very evenly, and you can put it in the oven and dishwasher. It is very versatile and extremely high quality.

On a WFH weekday, because I’m currently under lockdown in London, my days and nights blur into each other. I stay up past midnight so I can give directions to my teams in Singapore and China and then sleep at about 3am. By the time I’m up at 10am, there are hundreds of notifications on my phone and I spend the first two hours or so responding to them in order of urgency. The rest of my day is portioned for exercise, reading, cooking or baking and of course, work. Twice a week, I’ll take an Uber out to Chinatown and my local Waitrose supermarket for groceries and that’s pretty much the only time I leave my home. 

On weekends, I don’t really get days off because I am an entrepreneur. But I’ve been working remotely for a few years now, so I am very accustomed to flexibility and adaptivity. Prior to the lockdowns and border closures, I would fly a few times a month for work and that means my time zones and days are very open concepts. So, there is  not much difference for me between weekends and weekdays right now, although it is pretty evident that it gets noisier and cheerier in the neighbourhood on weekends. 

My stay home essentials are...

• With such limited delivery options for baked goods, I decided to amuse myself and learn how to make all the cakes and pastries I’ve been craving. I bake twice or three times a week, and thankfully have more hits than misses. A stand mixer, like this one by Smeg truly makes a difference, especially if results are what you are after.

• All Ong Shunmugam customers know that when they step in our store, it always smells divine. Aromatherapy can make such subtle but powerful improvements to your mental and physical state. I have several oil burners spread out around my home, and always invest in a selection of essential oils so that I can address a particular mood or feeling. I prefer oil burners because I can adjust the intensity of the aroma by using less or more oil.
• Without access to my desktop at the office, I’m now entirely dependent on my iPad and iPhones for work and play. Most of my reading is now done on my Apple iPad Mini, because it means larger text and less scrolling. I also stream video workouts and prop it up in the kitchen for online recipes. It is just a great in-between size that becomes indispensable the moment you start using it. 

On a WFH weekday, the day consists of a few key events: work, food, eye strain and sleep. The idea of being housebound was initially terrifying, however after a couple of weeks, our family found a new rhythm to our lives and a new joy in slowing down and just being together.

I start my day with meditation and yoga followed by my cup of coffee. After breakfast, the kids start their home based online schooling. I then respond to work emails and fulfil online orders. An organised to-do list helps me keep focused on specific tasks. 

Afternoon cooking and lunch is followed by some binge watching of my favourite Netflix series, listening to podcasts or Zooming with family and friends. Evenings are for runs at East Coast Park. It is basically the only time I’m allowed out of the house so I make sure to enjoy it. I end the day with chats with my kids and sipping my favourite cup of calming tea with my hubby. 

On weekends, we are more chill as the kids do not have morning online classes. Cooking dinner, playing board games together as a family or movie nights and wine with my husband are few of the fun activities we look forward to. We also reach out to our loved ones through video calls to give them strength and reassurance to cope in these times of uncertainty.

My stay home essentials are…

• My Smeg Espresso Coffee Machine has brought coffee culture to our home. It makes a perfect espresso and is my go-to when I need that boost to start my fully packed day.
• Having tea as a family is something I have done all my life and I still continue this tradition of sipping my favourite cup of tea after dinner. I believe during these times it is essential to remain calm and healthy and the selection of teas from TWG ensure I get to enjoy the benefits of this ritual.
• The portable ReFa S Carat is a must wherever I go. It enhances my circulation, the firmness of my skin and improves my skin tone. As it is solar-powered, it never requires plugging in or battery replacement. This has been my best investment.