The Stori Dori Summer Social (2017)
August 2017. I held the first — and what ended up being the only — Stori Dori Summer Social, right in my home.
I’d wanted to create something special — a creative social gathering with heart, where sisters could come together, journal, connect, and share a proper, joy-filled afternoon. What I ended up with was a house full of plants, handmade journals, Turkish food, laughter, and women who flew in from abroad just to be there. It was Craft Buffet on another level.
The theme was Tropical Botanicals, and I went all in. Plants and florals filled every corner of the house — the kind of transformation that made you stop and breathe a little slower. It felt like stepping into a little oasis.
We kicked things off with journaling — a good old-fashioned play session using the Summer of Self-Love kit I’d just launched. There were no rules. Just tables filled with ephemera, stickers, washi, and bits to decorate with. Some guests were new to journaling, others had been at it for years — but everyone dived in with the same energy. The pages were personal, colourful, and full of feeling.
To ground the session, I invited two dear friends to share a few reflections. Sumayah Hassan from Recite & Reflect and Iman Illustrated gave short presentations that gave us pause — gentle reminders about self-worth, spiritual reflection, and the beauty of simply showing up for yourself.
summer social slides
Of course, no event in my home would be complete without food. I laid out a full spread — köfte, börek, a few mezze dishes, and fizzy mocktails that went down far too easily. We shared food and stories, and something about that mix — creative play, meaningful conversation, homemade Turkish dishes — just worked. It was soft, intentional, and joyful.
I had big dreams for the Summer Social — I wanted it to become a yearly thing. But between making journals, running Stori Dori, homeschooling, and just trying to keep up with life, I never managed to organise another one.
Still, I carry that day with me. The energy, the conversations, the women who showed up — some from right down the road, some from halfway across the world — it reminded me of what’s possible when you open your doors and create from the heart.
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