its been a while since we have shared photos from one of our events, so just wanted to show you these details from a wedding we did late last year.

the bride is a helpless romantic, my favourite kind. she loves lace, wood and “cannot have too many candles”, and the groom, let’s just say, he completely adores her, her wish is his command…

here’s a small glimpse into their special day at a hidden gem, high hope estate, in st. ann’s bay…

photo credit: tiffany lue yen (c)

photo credit: tiffany lue yen (c)

photo credit: tiffany lue yen (c)

photo credit: sandor panton (c)

photo credit: sandor panton (c)

photo credit: tiffany lue yen (c)

photo credit: sandor panton (c)

photo credit: sandor panton (c)

never too many candles, indeed. a beautiful ambience, and a little candle light glowing on your face, never hurts. *wink*

have a glowing day!

xxx

there is something about sundays… without a doubt, its my favourite day of the week. its family day…its a day that melts away the pressures of a work week and eases me into the next week, beautifully…so its no surprise that this is the day i was able to focus and get the exhibit ready for you. like the last time…it had me smiling, singing and feeling the power of Love in me, around me and you, and everywhere…

the song for the slide show is one of my favourite feel-good songs and i hope it has you rocking in your seat, or even nudges you to get up and dance in your living room *confession* or in your office (if you can *smile*). don’t be shy, be like me, turn your speakers up, way up, and enjoy the Love that keeps us all afloat… and flying.

…i feel good…

wishing you more love, more fire in every single, little or big, thing that you do, living each each moment in gratitude, and from a base of Love. and on that note, stephanie rowena’s blog is live and i guarantee it will fill you up! so go there for your daily dose of all things beautiful…

thanks so much for sharing this special time with us and sharing pieces of you with pussbackfoot…you make us do beautiful things! of course, saying an extra special thank you to those who shared their photos.

as usual, every moment of 28 days of love has been rich…see you at this spot, same time next year!

remember to turn up the volume*smile*

more love,

Its been crazy busy this week getting quotes and concepts out, so I need just a few more days to complete the photo exhibit! So please be patient with me.

It is going to be

AWESOME!

more love,

She is respected world wide as a master culinary expert with undeniable flair and personal style. She was one of the people in the events industry, anywhere in the world, who inspired me and excited my passion for beautiful and memorable events. She had a burning fire that death nor passing time will not put out. Jamaica has lost the infectious laughter one of its best, but pieces of her brilliance live on in many ways. We want to honour her here during “28 days of love” because she was excellence personified, fuelled by fiery love for her country and for her art.

photo credit: rosemary parkinson

The first time I worked with her was for the christening of the first of my daughters (she naturally did them both!) I left our meeting excited at this fantastic menu selection she prepared that completely captured what I had in mind for brunch, being a little tired of the usual escoveitched fish and boiled banana brunch menu. She spoke of mushroom ragout, berry stations, cheese stuffed fruit and breads, citrus segments soaked in Cointreau and cassis-infused sparkling wine libations. Yummm!

But I didn’t fully appreciate what she had in store. When we arrived home after the christening, the aroma was heavenly and the food tables were dressed in large bird of paradise leaves and other leaves and flowers from our yard, and we were greeted by handsomely dressed servers in ties that matched the decor. It was a feast to behold, in taste and presentation, where everyone went back as often as they could for more.  My absolute favourite was the strawberry tree that sprouted flowers and leaves from the top. Seeing that strawberry tree sparked something inside me that made feel comfortable with wanting to shake things up in the ways we celebrated here in Jamaica.

photo credit: sandor panton

photo credit: arrianne williams

So that was a little of  Norma and I, but we spoke with one of her best friends and the person who introduced us, Pat Wright, to give us a closer look.

A Conversation About Norma
How were you introduced to Norma’s cooking?

Hearing that this woman had come from New York  to  open a restaurant on Belmont Road, I went for lunch with a foodie friend, Janet Morgan. This was back in the 1980s. She served baked crab backs and different kinds of salads, which was then brand new to Jamaica and so, very exciting. Lunch became a weekly occurrence and soon we became fast friends and the rest is history.

In a word how would you describe her?

PASSIONATE

And how did her love for cooking shape her life?

Made her complete…

Aside from enjoying her friends she did nothing else but appreciate and inhale food…all kinds of food!

She could be described as having a fiery personality. Would you say that it contributed to her success?

NO! People who didn’t understand passion couldn’t understand her ‘fire’ for excellence. It was often mistaken for simple misery by many people. She felt Jamaica was getting very mediocre.

In what other ways/areas did you see her fire?

Her fiery personality made her not suffer fools or lack of excellence…she believed everything you did was to be done with class.

What did she do to keep her fire going?

She read and watched movies.  She needed to quell her fire, not ignite it.

What would you say is the one thing about her that Jamaicans should never forget?

Her passion for food…and not only food but  Jamaican and Caribbean food as a whole!

Can you share a favourite recipe of hers with us?

What I liked about her food was how simple it was.  For instance, otaheite apple stuffed with feta cheese, meant the most delicious apples and the best feta cheese…that was all there was to the recipe but the taste was divine. It was like she had magic in her fingers!

photo credit: rosemary parkinson

Another of everyone’s favourite was the Smoked Pork Chop soaked in Beer.  Apart from the beer and her favourite herb which was thyme (on everything!), it was all about the blend of flavour emanating from the beer and the pork chop itself. She was a master at blending flavours.  There was very little  salt and pepper. She hated anything done with my favourite, scotch bonnet. She felt that highly seasoned food, especially with the use of pepper, masked the flavour of the food, and food was to be tasted.

photo credit: rosemary parkinson

photo credit: rosemary parkinson

Don’t you feel hungry now? *smile*

We are so happy to and feel privileged to be able to honour Norma Shirley. A big thank you to Rosemary Parkinson and Pat Wright for contributing to this post.

More love,

What’s your first memory of your fire for beautiful design?

The very first memory is not clear but somewhere circa 1991 a little girl said she wanted to be an interior designer. Somehow the system of traditional schooling put out that fire, but when, 12 years later I got engaged to my love the beautiful things around took on a new brilliance and meaning in my life. I returned to my self.

When was the Pussbackfoot fire first ignited?/What ignited the fire for you to launch Pussbackfoot?

Again, kind of fuzzy, because pussbackfoot, I believe, has always been a part of me. The things that you were meant to be and the things you were meant to do seem to find you. That’s how pussbackfoot came to life. In the craziest time of being a new mom and also being pregnant with another beautiful daughter, I found myself turning 30 and feeling more comfortable in my skin than I can ever recall. So we planned to celebrate in a big way, and this celebration became an obssesion, my coming out party! I wanted to celebrate and celebrate people special to me, in a way people hardly ever do, in ways they don’t expect, and it all just came together beautifully. My guests named my company, and they don’t even know! The dress code was “dress to pussbackfoot” and then after the party everyone had had such an unbelievable time, they named their photo albums and spiced up their comments with “pussbackfoot”. And I went a-ha, this is it!

How do you feed the fire for each new Pussbackfoot design/experience?

The fire really comes from my clients. I spend the first meeting with them doing a lot of listening, watching their facial expressions, reactions and interactions. I get to know them as best as I can, individually and as a couple, what inspires them and delights them. Then, I honestly try to become them in the moment of the biggest day of their life, and from there the design concept is born, completey unique to them.

From being around you constantly, I’ve seen the way you look at your husband, Sandor. Sometimes all it takes for you is seeing his photo … how long have you guys been on fire?

Feels like my whole life, cause the details before him are blurred and are ever fading. Meeting him was a defining moment for me, not just in love, but in growth as a person too. And being married for almost 8 years I know that fire takes on many forms, sometimes its sizzling, sometimes its steady, some times its wild, but its always always always there. His smile, the one that is just mine, melts me all the time, just like that, no. matter. what.

*All this said of course with the sweetest, most complete smile on her face*

I won’t ask you anymore questions about Sandor. Although you blushing uncontrollably is enjoyable. But I’ll move on. We know from conversations with our male and female friends that sometimes the fire in a relationship fades. Can you make some fiery suggestions to keep the fire going ?

Creating a space for honesty. For difficult conversations. For raw emotions. That is where we grow closest.

Breaking the rules. Realizing that there are no rules. There is just love.

Touching. Touch each other everyday. There is irreplaceable energy and power in the slightest touch.

One of my favourite things that we do:
Taking drives to no where. Once he picked a spot on the map, and we set off, having no real clue where were going. There was so much fun, unpredictability, adventure, laughter, intimacy in a simple trek to anywhere, as long as we were together.

*sigh*

Think that’s enough from me…. *smile*

Aiesha and pussbackfoot is truly love on fire!

Please remember to share your fire with us. Submit your favourite photos of love for our photo exhibit! Some of them have left us speechless…can’t wait to reveal!

More love,

Stephanie

We came up with three different designs for three very different kinds of women. Though different in design, each of them we thought would touch the souls of our lovely ladies, as it would reflect beauty in the way they viewed the world and the way viewed themselves. So we decided to crown this year’s feb 14 limited edition collection :: chic florals for “that kind of woman”.

Our pussbackfoot love concierge desk reached out to a small list of equally chic and charming kind of man who were very interested in making the love of their lives blush. The sweetest part for us was seeing the care with which these men selected their design choice for their love. The way they were excited by the way it would make her feel. These men realize that valentines day is not just a commercial day, it is what you make it. And they chose to take the opportunity to make their love feel especially cared for. They know that to feel loved is priceless. And their efforts did not go unnoticed, so much so that some of them called to let us know “how we set them up” and some of their ladies even expressed surprise at what we “pulled off”! We got glowing words and surprised smiles with every floral delivery made. It was an amazing way to spend the day. Our hearts were warmed and made full.

The other thing that we’re very proud of is that the wooden box and the tree trunk vases were also made right here in Jamaica, by our talented team to boot! With every event one of our goals is to be as local as possible, and so, increasingly, we custom make our design elements, our chic florals are no different.

So now, meet our kinds of women below…

the sassy siren
main design elements :: red roses, black glossy vase, black beaded fringe

the blushing romantic
main design elements :: red roses, wooden box, wispy feather, cotton lace trim and brooch

the eco-sophisticat
main design elements:: white roses, tree trunk vase, wisps of grass

And here is the good news, you don’t have to wait till vday 2012 to order chic florals from us. The service is now available throughout the year!

More love,
Aiesha + Stephanie

Why More Love More Fire?

Well the blog really came about because of my personal obsession with communication and connection.

Ever since I was in high school I found myself scrapbooking and collecting things I loved that were beautiful, surprising, or believable.  So More Love More Fire is just an electronic evolution of that obsession of collecting things that I connect with and captures my attention … its feelings about the human experience …. which could include just about any subject … I like to call it proofs of love.

Those proofs are in romantic, innocent & sweet love, passionate fiery & adventurous love or wounded, lifeless & medicinal- tasting love … i really believe it’s all love … that all of us as men and women can appreciate fully.

So why the name More Love More Fire?

More Love More Fire is one of the terms used in Jamaican dancehall  that the DJ shouts when the music is really really good … and the crowd is having a good time ( like I know anything much about dancehall ).

Falling in love with the  combination of words was easy …  because I believe it … the more love, the more soul, the more connection you have in the different spaces of your life… the more fire , the more passion , the more risk-taking … you will encounter.

The name just felt good and appropriate

Where do you find your inspiration for the blog?

Everywhere … I have a bit of a gypsy spirit … constantly exploring … maybe not physically that much but certainly in my imagination …

Inspiration comes from other blogs … reading … travel escapes … movies … conversations with friends … Jamaica … experiences with love … Pussbackfoot … yoga … experiences with work … lots and lots of music … indigenous and mythical stories … Sunday dinner … design … Usain Bolt … my little cousin excited because he’s the new class monitor …  Spanish-influenced anything …  cozy spaces … my parents … my grandparents …. just everywhere .

It’s hard to determine specifics I’m inspired by simple and huge moments in life

What do you want more love more fire to be to your audience?

Hmmm … it’s a very weird question for me to think about … the word audience makes it sound so substantial and somewhat serious  … *lol* … this is far less serious and more pleasurable feeling…

So I just feel like right now we should refer to the “audience” as guests … in my space … my intimate gallery exhibition  of which I am the curator of other artists work … the guests can come and go as often as they like to enjoy what’s there.

Maybe More Love More Fire will become something else one day … right now its occasional blogging … whenever I feel to … very spontaneous

Has more love more fire lived up to it’s name?

Yes. *big smile, sparkle in the eyes*. Come on Pussbackfoot I will not be sharing those details here or on the blog.  Seriously though, I have never really felt short of love in my life … neither in the giving or receiving end … I feel really really lucky that way.

——-

More Love More Fire is about love and that expression of Love, captured in images, in different spaces and in different ways, much like the heart of our Photo Exhibition.

We are excited to be having the 28 days of love photo exhibition once again! Looking forward to your submissions (see guidelines below) To launch the 28 days of love exhibit More Love More Fire shares a few favourites:

Definition of Love

Heart Opening

Disclaimer: The images above do not belong to us. Please email us if you are the owner and would like it removed.

Photo Submission Guidelines:
1. email photos to love@pussbackfoot.com. multiple submissions are allowed. all photos must be clean, work and family safe.
2. JPEG format. higher resolutions preferred.
3. captions describing the moment must be submitted with photo.
4. closing date is Wednesday, February 23, 2011. the Exhibition will be published on line for viewing of all photos on Friday, February 25, 2011.
5. by submitting, you grant Pussbackfoot the right to publish the photo for the 28 Days of Love Exhibition only
6. thank you!

So I know some people are valentine’s scrooges, but you know what, they are missing out! I agree that we should show love everyday, not just on valentine’s day, but I don’t mind an excuse to show love in an extraordinary way. And the other truth is that most of us aren’t showing as much love as we would like to because life has gotten in the way. So this year I say make it extra fiery!

Here’s my idea of an amazing fiery valentine’s night.

Most of the times we reach for candles. Admittedly, not many things are as beautiful and romantic as dozens of candles all aglow, but let’s switch it up this time. Let’s welcome less light and more intimacy. So, turn off all the lights. And don’t turn them on for any reason at all. The only light allowed is a lamp in your living room. Change the bulb to a peach or dusty pink coloured bulb. (You can find them at a hardware store or you can spray a regular bulb yourself). That gives you an extra dreamy glow. Place the lamp on a table in the far corner of your room.

If you have an oil diffuser burn a romantic scent like fig, ylang ylang, jasmine or something spicy like nutmeg and pimento. If you don’t have a diffuser you’re allowed to burn that one scented candle. A delicious fragrance is always necessary.

In the living room, spread your must comfy blankets on the floor, one on top of the other for extra softness. Use your bedroom pillows too and just lay there for a while. If you have the privacy of your own backyard this is even better under the stars. You can play sultry music if you like, but I prefer the sounds of the night, of our voices, of our breathing, of our hearts beating. Give your souls a chance to find each other and dance.

Feed each other with your hands only or with your mouths if you prefer – small foods, like grapes, berries, orange segments, marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate (love nutella). Write promises with your fingertips to each other in your palms. Use the melted chocolate to mark your territory, with your fingers. The rest I’ll leave up to you.

Some other useful tools for a fiery night: dripping candle wax, wispy ostrich feathers, flirty lace lingerie….whatever you like!

The most important thing for a fiery night is to shut out everyone, everything and just be. Basking in the moment and enjoying each other for a while.

Maybe you can share some suggestions of your own. But no more reading tonight….

Enjoy,

Pussbackfoot’s 28 days of love 2011 is here! We’re off to a bit of a late start, but it promises to be even sweeter this year. Plus, I have an excuse : ) Last week we were busy getting ready for the wedding of my beloved brother and his wife! We weren’t blogging, but we did create a magical setting for a very beautiful love celebration. It was A-MAZING! And yesss, we will share some of those moments with you too.

This year’s 28 days of love is all about Fiery Love. The love that excites and moves you in ways you can scarcely describe.

Of course, 28 days of love 2011 brings back your favourite, the love photo exhibition. So get your photos ready!

We’re also honouring one of Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s best, most admired and respected culinary masters, the late Norma Shirley. She personified fiery love for her art of cooking and for her country. She encouraged me to be bold and chase my dreams, my loves. She continues to be an inspiration to me.

I am also extremely excited to introduce my friend, brand development strategist and business confidante Stephanie Rowena as a Guest Editor this year. She is also the curator for her own blog More Love More Fire (coming soon). There are few people I know that exude love, all kinds of love, in the most beautiful and honest ways. She is one of them. But you will get to know her on your own very soon!

There is so much more in store. But what fun would there be if i told you every thing now!

Remember to sign up on our blog to be sure you receive your weekly dose of pussbackfoot love in your inbox.

If you are new to the pussbackfoot blog, you can take a look at the 28 days of love 2010 installation here.

Love and be loved.

you have no idea how excited i am to finally launch this new pussbackfoot service. it has been months in the making to bring some pussbackfoot glam into your intimate soirees at home, on the beach, in a garden, on a mountain top; wherever you choose to play. we are so thrilled to introduce our new chic rentals.

yes! you now have the chance to rent specially selected items from our design trove, that are as unique, as they are beautiful, as they are you.

the first collection that we are sharing with you is our glass vessel selection. so, if you are having a small lyme at your home and you don’t have enough vases for flowers, or planning a romantic night and you just don’t happen to have the 50 votive holders you need to cover your room in candle glow, we do! and we’re sharing them with you!
and it wont stop there, you can look out for more collections of our favourite design elements like wood and sea life!

but no more from me…look and get excited for yourself…
click here to view our beautiful glass vessel collection and find out how you can rent them now!

xoxo