2025 asked a lot of us and probably of you too. It was successful but it was also stressful and demanding. Truth be told, it was hard!

As we step into 2026, Tropical Escapes at Home turns one year old, and this first episode of the new year is not about pushing harder or planning more. It’s about exhaling. It’s about stepping back to look at last year to see what worked and what did not. It’s about resetting and making changes where needed.

In this episode, we pause to acknowledge what it took to get here, offer a few tips about much-needed vacation planning, give some important updates about a new service I am offering, how volunteering at a local thrift store creates a change of pace (and how you can find some cool stuff for your tropical escape there!), and how to just gently reset your pace for the year ahead. Think of this episode as a quiet beach at sunrise - no agenda, no urgency, just space to arrive and rest.

This Episode Is For You If…

• You’re proud of what you accomplished in 2025, but you’re tired
• You want 2026 to feel calmer, slower, and more satsifying
• You’re redefining success to include rest and presence
• You love the idea of the tropics and want to include them in your life
• You want to set a softer, more intentional tone for 2026

As you listen, allow yourself to stop striving. Don’t try to fix anything or stress about how you are going to optimize things. Just imagine warm tropical air, gentle ocean waves, and the feeling of finally arriving somewhere. You are safe and unhurried. That’s the energy we’re carrying into year two of this podcast.

In 2026, Tropical Escapes at Home will focus on:

• Softer rhythms, self-awareness, and de-stressing
• Meaningful at-home escapes and ways of living that fit real life
• Tropical inspiration as restoration, not escape-from-burnout
• Creating space for joy, creativity, and rest, without feeling guilty about it

Links mentioned in the show:

Shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops and estate sales

Angel's Attic on Poshmark

Cypress Assistance Ministries in Houston

Cerulean Bay's Online Market

Cerulean Bay

Thank You for Being Here!

Whether you’ve been listening since the beginning or you just found the show, thank you for helping make this first year possible. Your presence is part of what makes this space feel like home! Here’s to a slower, warmer, and more deeply rooted year!

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In his final episode for 2025, Tom talks about the importance of slowing down during the busy holiday season to reflect on how this year really was for you and what you can do to make next year even better without relying on new year's resolutions. He offers suggestions for how to make 2026 a more tropical year for you!

Tom also recaps his year and how there have been the good things and the bad, and how he plans to move forward into 2026 with some great new ideas for you and Cerulean Bay. From his home to yours, he wishes you a truly Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

The Cabana Lounge Newsletter is moving to a new platform! It will be available again here soon!

Tom's podcast episodes from 2025! Lot's of great stuff here!

If you love the symphony and love planetary science, be sure to listen to his episode with special guest, Amanda Lee Falkenberg, creater of The Moons Symphony!

Check out the really great deals for tropical home decor in the online store!

For some great faux plants, check these out!

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In this episode, we sit down with Kacper Staniul (pronounced "Kasper"), co-founder of My Architect AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of architecture and interior design. From accelerating client workflows to unlocking entirely new creative possibilities, Kacper offers a front-row look at where the industry is headed, what architects and designers need to know to stay ahead, and how they can retain and even expand their creativity with the right AI tools.

Today we dive into:

• How AI-powered rendering tools are revolutionizing architectural practice, allowing architects to quickly generate high-quality visualizations for client proposals.
• Why the quality of inputs matters more than ever and how vague, text-only prompts not only limit accuracy but actually create useless digital garbage.
• The real difference between simple prompt-based generators and dedicated AI design platforms built specifically for architecture and interior design.
• How designers can use AI to gather inspiration, explore styles, and refine concepts with more control and precision.
• The pace of change in the AI ecosystem and how My Architect AI is continually evolving in response to new technologies and competitive innovations.
• Kacper’s perspective on the future of design, and what architects, interior designers, and everyday creators should prepare for.

Whether you're an architect looking to streamline your workflow, an interior designer exploring new tools, or a creator curious about the future of visual design, this conversation offers an inspiring and practical glimpse into what's possible and what to avoid!

Visit MyArchitectAI and contact Kacper with any questions!

Other tools mentioned in this episode which are not affiliated with MyArchitectAI:

Mid Journey

SketchUp

The Cabana Lounge Newsletter is moving to a new platform! It will be available again here soon!

Send me a text!

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