Whether you are practising social distancing or just trying to avoid the crowds, here’s a list of things to keep yourself occupied — and perhaps support local businesses, too!

ATTEND A FASHION FESTIVAL

Curious about what happens at fashion festivals? Here’s your chance to have a front-seat view of a homegrown fashion event, albeit virtually. The Front Row — first launched last year — is back with an impressive line-up of fashion shows, podcasts and interviews with heavyweights from the fashion industry as well as styling workshops and interactive exhibitions, all available in one virtual space.

Viewers can browse and shop for the latest collections of womenswear, menswear, swimwear, jewellery and accessories from around the island and across the globe, as well as learn about new trends in fashion and retail. Regional and international labels participating include Indonesian designer Sebastian Gunawan, Malaysia-based Singaporean designer Celest Thoi, Paris-based Singaporean designer brand Deva&Gabo, and Melbourne-based Singaporean designer Jude Ng.

Viewers can log onto the shows via The Front Row 2021’s official website, starting 27 August 2021 till October 2021, signing in either as guests or logging in using their Facebook or Google accounts. The 360-degree 3D fashion village allows you to move around and be immersed in the environment. Organised by Daniel Boey Creatives and AP Media, the free-to-view event is supported by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board’s Kickstart Fund.

LEARN TO COOK
One thing about staying at home is that you are never far from the kitchen. If your repertoire doesn’t go beyond fried rice, it’s time to take it up a notch with a cooking class. There are a plethora of online cooking classes you can check out, such as Palate Sensations Culinary School (Tel: 6478 9746), Cookery Magic Virtual Cooking Class (Tel: 9665 6831), and Commune Kitchen Singapore (Tel: 8821 4805; info@communekitchen.com)

HAVE A SPA DAYPamper yourself by recreating a spa experience at home. Set the mood with scented candles or diffusers. Local brands such as Hush Candle, Scent by Six, Flo, and Pazzion have beautiful candles and diffusers with uplifting aromas. If you’re lucky enough to have a bathtub at home, make full use of it by soaking in a luxurious bath filled with your favourite bath salts. Suffering from body aches because of WFH policies? Engage an at-home massage therapist to relieve the tension. Aleyda is a mobile spa company that offers this service.

READ A BOOK

As some of you may have discovered in the past year, there are few pleasures greater than losing yourself in a good book. Enjoy a nail-biting thriller? Check out these recently published murder mystery books by homegrown authors: The Arches of Gerrard Street by Grace Chia, Bloody Foreigners by Neil Humphreys, The Flesh Hunters by Jocelyn Suarez, and Manipulation by Ning Cai.

Alternatively, pick up a book that’s been sitting on your shelves or read a classic you’ve been meaning to read forever. Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment, Silas Marner or Grapes of Wrath are a few that come to mind.

ORGANISE YOUR WARDROBE
This is a good time to do a Marie Kondo on your wardrobe. Many of us have clothes we haven’t worn in years. Take out all your clothes and separate them into ‘keep’, ‘sell’ and ‘donate’ piles. Only keep clothes that you love, wear regularly, that fit you now, and that you look great in!

PROTECT YOUR HOME
The roof over your head is probably your biggest asset. More precious, though, are the items within that you hold dear; your address is tied to the notion of home, and is much more than a place you rest your head each night.

That’s why it makes sense to invest in AA HomeCare Plus. An insurance product by AAS Insurance Agency (AAS-IA), it protects your family, your physical home, and the fixtures and fittings within it. With it, you can do all the things recommended in this article — and more! — in your home with absolute peace of mind.