While our little studio mascot, Alan, is a “non-shedding” dog, we love ALL dogs, cats and other fur babies, including the furry-est ones. Pet hair can be a problem in an art studio, where even one random bit of fuzz can mar an otherwise perfect piece.

Our floor mats are great at keeping pet hairs at bay, but we highly recommend that  pet owners/guests de-fuzz themselves before heading out to the art studio. One great way to do this is to use a simple lint roller. An even better way is to keep pet hair from piling up in your home, especially on the furniture where, eventually, it will end up on you.

Here are 3 vacuums that our testers (ie, Phil and our 8 kids/pet owners) have recommended.

​1. Best for Pets: Bissel Pet Eraser Turbo and Hand Vacuum combo: At only $249.98, this is also GREAT for cleaning your cabin, SUV, office or classroom. Buy two and give one to the cat lady in your life!

2. Best Basic Cordless Vac for warehouse and home: Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute (it’s what we use at home and in the studio!)

3. Best Robot vac for home, office, studio or ANYWHERE: iRobot Roomba s9+ (Yes, it is pricey, but think of how much time you’ll save! Regular vacuuming will help you save on carpet cleaning and replacement costs, too. Plus, your mother in law (and your housekeeper) will love you for it.

I love tricycles. I have loved them since I was a child. I also love bikes. But the jump from trike to bike isn’t always a safe or easy one to make, especially for youngsters who look older than their age. Enter: the balance bike. There are many version of this bike, but I purchased this particular one on Amazon for our grandson (age 2, but big for his age). His mom and dad said assembly was easy, and our grandson LOVES it. Dominic is in the top 95th percentile for his age, but this bike was just a bit too big for him at first. I would recommend for age 3 and up.

When choosing a gift for any youngster, it is important to consider the needs, abilities, and interests of the particular child who wil be receiving it. It is equally important to consider how the gift will be used, and to make sure it is a safe, responsible choice. This process can be time consuming and frustrating. The more reviews you read, the more product comparisons you make, the more aggravating the process becomes. It’s enough to drive any adult crazy.

That’s why I am here - to help you find great gifts and purchases without all that trouble. I’ve scoured the web for the best products, and happily share them here with you. Come back as often as you wish. Leave questions. Let me know if you’d like me to help you find something in particular. 

I don’t do this for the fame or the money (that’s a good thing, because I am unlikely to get either of those things!). In a flash of inspiration while in the midst of a late night shopping excursion to find holiday gifts for my grandchildren, I realized that this is more fun for me than scrolling on Facebook, or arguing with my neighbors on Next Door.  

So, here we go. I will continue to add more content and great ideas to this page, seeking to find not only toys, games and resources geared for kids under the age of 10, I’m always open to suggestions. So fire away!  Please keep it clean, though - no swearing, no profanities, no bullying.

I hope we can be friends, co-travelers on this journey to find “that perfect gift.” 

​Star