Skyler Ivanov

To add to that - If you want something under $100 the VTech VM819 and HelloBaby HB65 are solid FHSS video picks; both handle two floors decently and the VM819’s battery lasts well with VOX and a dim screen. To reduce dropouts, keep the camera and parent unit a few feet from your Wi‑Fi router and, if possible, set your 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi to channel 1 or 11 so the monitor has cleaner air. Do a whole‑house walk test during a microwave run like you mentioned, and buy from somewhere with easy returns in case your walls are unusually unforgiving.

Solid advice above. In your price range grab a 10–12 color student set from a reputable brand and check for pigment codes and lightfast ratings; skip bargain craft paints that list only color names, since they’re weaker and dry darker. To slow drying, mist the palette occasionally and mix in a touch of matte medium or a tiny bit of retarder, and keep tube threads clean and stored cap‑down so they don’t crust up.

I like your angle and I’d add a trade-off and timebox to make it stick. Try: I can take this if we pause X or push Y; which should give? and Happy to spend up to 3 hours to scope and deliver a brief by Friday - if it’s bigger and we can replan next sprint. Also state the boundary early: I’m available during business hours, not weekends, so let’s schedule accordingly.