October in Dubai feels like a gentle exhale. The air cools down, the light softens, and suddenly the city becomes bearable again, even magical. It’s sunset season. The time when the sky paints itself in gold and rose, and you remember why you live here in the first place. For me, this time of year always brings reflection. Maybe it’s the golden light, or maybe it’s just that pause after the summer heat, but it always feels like the right moment to ask myself: What’s next?
If there’s one word that has followed me all my life, it’s reinvention. I’ve done it so many times, sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance. New countries, new homes, new projects, new dreams. And each time, I’ve learned that reinvention isn’t a one-time event. It’s a quiet, ongoing evolution.
That’s how From Tapas to Towers was born, out of one of those in-between chapters. What began as my personal story of starting over became something much bigger. Writing that book reminded me how many of us — especially women — keep reinventing ourselves quietly, gracefully, and often without realizing how strong we truly are.
And then, of course, Dubai had another surprise waiting. It’s here that the idea for the Reading Retreats was born. I wanted to create something I myself had been craving; space to pause, read, and reconnect with life in a slower, more intentional way. Not a typical retreat, but something more soulful. A place where inspiration and rest could coexist.
I knew exactly who to call. Nathalie, my calm counterpart and longtime friend. We’ve organized events together before, always with care and warmth. So building the retreats together felt natural, a continuation of everything we both love: connection, creativity, and good company.
So now, as the weather softens and the sunsets grow longer, a new chapter begins once again. The Next Chapter Club, our Reading Retreats, are ready to unfold. So here we are, once again beginning something new. The book that started as a story of reinvention has now grown into something that helps others find their own reset.
As the Dubai evenings turn golden again, I’m reminded that starting fresh doesn’t always mean changing everything. Sometimes it just means creating room for what feels right.
Read more about my journey in From Tapas to Towers and for those who love discovering more about life in Marbella and Dubai, you can find me on Instagram or visit fromtapastotowers.com
– by Jasmina
