5 ways to make Mother’s Day (or any day) special for Mom in the time of the coronavirus.
I’ve lost count of the number of days since this circuit breaker began.
We are adjusting to the “new normal”, but I already miss going home for dinner – trading jokes across the table, passing food around, answering my mother’s never-ending questions about our 7 days apart, and the long-winded goodbyes at the gate, knowing we will meet again in the next week or so.
In Singapore, we hardly experience prolonged periods of time apart. Even if you live at opposite ends of the island, you are less than an hour’s drive away from one another. But love in the time of the coronavirus is teaching me new ways of expression.
I’m learning, and it’s time to apply these lessons to Mother’s Day – or any day, really. You don’t need a designated day to thank Mom. After all, she’s there for you always.
A change of scenery is challenging when you have to stay home. But flowers can transform the mood of a room, and give it a breath of life.
The Floral Atelier offers a selection of vases in various colors and shapes to hold your floral selection. You can also add a scented candle or diffuser with a customisable label to deliver your message.
In case you want a bouquet that will last longer, consider Floral Magic’s Omakase Succulent bouquet. It is a gift that grows because these juicy little plants can be propagated and repotted.
If you’re reading this at the last minute, Floraison Studio’s got your back. They release a new bouquet design every day, with the freshest picks. Order before 12.30pm for same-day delivery. You can also opt for a subscription to have a fresh dose of flowers sent to Mom weekly.
Still can’t decide? Choose from a palette of peaches and pinks, or white and pastels, then let Charlotte Puxley Flowers work their magic. Order their Mother’s Day special collection on their website.
See links here
If you’re like me, or many others out there, you might be stocking up on citrus fruit for an extra dose of vitamins. Have some lemons or oranges to spare? Try these Michelin Guide recipes.
You need only three ingredients to make this citrus marmalade. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try this orange cake recipe by 1-star Michelin chef Jacques Passaut.
The good news is, even if you don’t stay with Mom, these would likely stand the test of delivery time and arrive still smelling great at her doorstep.
If you live with Mom and want to give her a day off from cooking but have minimal luck in the kitchen, try these one-pot recipes. Rasa Malaysia’s instant pot recipe for Brown sugar garlic chicken is hard to go wrong with, while Michelin Guide’s recipe for Shakshuka is one good-looking dish that won’t give you a hard time.
Looking for healthy recipes with a twist? Asian Food Network’s Spinach mee hoon kueh or Thai style tri-colored quinoa salad will add celebratory colours too.
Out of fresh ingredients? Have cooking kits delivered to your doorstep. Choose from Pasta Bar’s fresh pasta range that comes with a selection of sauces, or a ready-to-bake lasagna. For a more local flavor, Bee Kee’s DIY Wanton noodle kit equips you with their signature chilli sauce and soy sauce to complement their handmade dumplings and egg noodles.
If you decide to give cooking a break but crave for homecooked goodness, Pang’s Hakka Delicacies serves up Thunder Tea (Lei Cha) rice, along with handmade “abacus seeds” and mugwort kueh.
Or overturn expectations with Restaurant Ibid’s reinterpreted Chinese cuisine – think Shaobing stuffed with wagyu beef, Iberico pork ribs glazed with Chinese BBQ sauce, or Spatchcock spring chicken dressed with sour plum sauce.
See links here
A celebration hardly seems complete without a cake. Many bakeries are shut due to revised restrictions of the circuit breaker, but all hope is not lost.
Paris Baguette and Antoinette are two bakery cafes that still offer a selection of whole cakes for delivery. You can also order bread boxes or sets, so that Mom doesn’t need to fret about breakfast the next day. Two Bakers also has a Mother’s Day special combo of brunch and desserts, with free delivery islandwide.
Pair the sweet treats with some tea. Teapasar allows you to customise a gift package of all things related to tea, such as the “Gift of Immuni-tea”, aptly named for these extraordinary times; while T2 offers gift sets of tea ware and tea leaves.
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Most of my wardrobe isn’t seeing light of day during this circuit breaker. Clothes can wait, but as far as skincare is concerned, time waits for no one.
Going for a facial treatment session might not be possible for now, but anti-ageing treatments that are backed by science and have stood the test of time are sound alternatives. Favourites like Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair and Lancome Advanced Génifique are available on Tangs.com and Sephora.
YSL Beauty’s Pure Shots is a newcomer that has garnered a following not without reason. Pamper Mom with the full range of serums, or choose one that targets her skin concerns.
Or gift Mom the full Korean beauty treatment with Sulwhasoo’s Timetreasure Invigorating set. I don’t know about your mother, but mine binge-watches Korean drama serials and experiments with Korean recipes. So why stop there?
And while we are at it, help Mom achieve the chic bold lip that Korean mothers sport on TV, with Hermès’ lipstick collection. From the shades of rouge to the design of the interchangeable case and the fragrance of the lipstick, every step is a work of pure design. Sold out for a while, they remain elusive, but some shades are currently available for purchase online.
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A woman hardly complains about having too many bags, especially if it is made by Louis Vuitton. Bag the Alma BB in epi leather or a mini Dauphine from their latest collection. Or give Mom an excuse to reorganise her trinkets, and admire them along with these delicate Limoges porcelain plates or William Valet trays that are also available on the Louis Vuitton Singapore site.
One might question the need for another bag when there is nowhere to go, but that’s ignoring how a well-designed bag is a work of art that enhances any room with its curves and lines. Bottega Veneta’s Arco bag is one, and so is the iconic Moynat Rejane; both designs celebrate the modern woman. Instead of web orders, both houses accept orders directly via phone or e-mail. To place your order, call the Bottega Veneta Singapore store at +65 9782 6596. Moynat can be reached via e-mail: singapore_takashimaya@moynat.com . Leave your contact number and their team will connect with you on Whatsapp to process the order for payment via bank transfer, and your gift will be delivered in 5 to 7 working days’ time.
But if a new bag is not in order, then a certain bright orange box never disappoints. An Hermes scarf is a versatile classic that never goes out of style, and the house’s Bearn compact wallet is a happy size that fits into the bags listed above.
And finally, we associate scents with experiences, so why not evoke Mom’s fond memories of your vacations together with this set of 8 Hermessences? The prospect of travel or even going out may be some way off, but you can trigger some nostalgia. Each with a distinctive character, these EDTs are perfect for trying one for every day of the week. Or, she could experiment with layering them on differently – till the time comes when she can take these travel-sized bottles along with her to her next holiday destination.
See links here
Images courtesy of brands featured, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related links:
Stay Home, Stay Well, Stay Sane
The Science behind Lancôme’s New Advanced Génifique
TimeTreasure: The Treasure of Timeless Beauty
Bottega Veneta Arco: A Modern Classic
Moynat: Heritage and Renaissance
