Day in the Life: Etc Personal Management Director (and Toddler + Beagle Mama) Tania Tulen

What does your daily routine look like, mama? Today we hear from someone so organized, she helps manage other mamas’ lives!

Have you ever wished there was someone who could take care of all those annoying little daily tasks that seem to fall to mamas? Buying birthday party presents…filing an insurance claim…scheduling dentist appointments for the whole fam. Meet Tania Tulen! After 15 years working around the globe as an Executive and Personal Assistant, she launched her own consultancy, etc Personal Management, last year.

Tania is a whiz at keeping track of all those little details that so often seem to fall through the cracks, and can seriously do everything from running errands, to helping out with your business’s financials, to planning your family’s next vacation. On top of all this she somehow also finds the time to hang out with her oh-so-sweet 2-year-old daughter, Ivy, and her Beagle, Buckley, who just might be the world’s most adorable dog. While we would normally grit our teeth in envy at someone who seems to manage everything with such ease, Tania is so lovely and unflappable that you can’t help but love her!

Read on as takes us through a day in her super busy and unpredictable daily routine. Here’s hoping some of her organizational skills rub off!

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I wake up before the rest of my family when it’s still dark outside, and use the quiet time to have a coffee, check emails and catch up on any client requests that have come in overnight. Some of my clients regularly travel globally so I often wake up to a lot of tasks to action! My husband bought me this Eames Lobby Chair for Christmas last year from Hotlotz auction house. It’s decades old, and is my most prized office possession. It makes my solitary work time much more comfortable!

The rest of the house wakes up and I take Buckley, our Beagle, for his first walk of the day. We live on the East Coast, and I love how peaceful it is early in the morning. Just Buckley and me strolling along. (Also, I feel the need to mention that I don’t usually wear sunglasses on our walks… but I don’t usually take selfies at 7am, either!)

My husband works long hours, so this is a great chance to have some family time together during the week. We all laugh at whatever toddler babble our daughter has to tell us. It usually involves princesses and scary monsters (I think she just likes roaring actually). Today she appears to be stealing most of my husband’s breakfast.

I love this time of day. My daughter plays on the bed while I get ready and chats to all her toys and tries to put on my makeup and jewelry.  I think the look she’s going for today is “ninja princess warrior”.

I meet with my colleague, Fiona, to update her on client tasks and upcoming projects. Fiona joined me at the beginning of this year and has very quickly become an invaluable asset! She assists me with client workload and is so efficient, friendly and fun. I always enjoy our meetings. Also it usually involves coffee. Did I mention how much coffee I need to get through the day?!

I work from home a lot, but often I catch up with clients in person, too. Today it is Louise Hill, a wonderfully talented artist (and mama of twin boys!). We always have productive meetings and get a lot of work done when we are together (usually a lot of laughing is involved too – she’s hilarious).

Read more about Louise (and see her gorgeous artwork and Sentosa home) here!

I run all sorts of errands for my clients; personal shopping is very popular as often-busy professionals don’t have time to do it themselves. Kids’ party gifts, grocery items that require a specialist shop, jewellery / shoe / watch repairs… anything you can imagine. I love the challenge of sourcing things! But today it’s a fun one… a bit of personal shopping with the very helpful April at Ferragamo in Paragon. Although most days I can just as easily be found at Spotlight or Mustafa!

I arrive home just in time for Ivy to wake up from her afternoon nap. We enjoy a bit of playtime together. I usually arrange a playdate with friends, or we go to a class – or just have some playtime at home. Today it’s swim class with the other little cheeky girls!

Sometimes Ivy likes to play “Mummy work” and she sits on her little chair (which was mine at her age!) in my office, playing with her toys and chattering away. She’s a very good office companion. We read a story together in her bedroom, and as soon as I’ve popped Ivy in bed, I catch up on emails, plan the next week’s work and action anything outstanding from today. Maybe a cheeky coffee if it’s required…

My husband is home! Occasionally we sneak out for a cheeky mid-week dinner. I find it’s quite refreshing if I’ve had a whole day working from home. It’s hard to switch off if your office is only a few feet away! Tonight we decide to head Bruno’s near our condo. Red wine, bruschetta and a catch up is needed after a busy day. Cheers!