There’s a doorway into another world hiding in my high street.

Where bewitching aromas and divine fragrances

Welcome you in.

Mysterious bottles are displayed behind elegant glass and mirrors.

Each essence or oil a portal into another world

Of tranquillity,

Of slumber,

Of exotic lands.

The name of this place is Blue Labelle.

It’s the flagship boutique of botanical mixologist and skin care alchemist, Pascale Edwards-Labelle.

Pascale founded her company in 2011 and since then has received countless awards for her ethical,  Vegan, body-loving products – as well as building a far-reaching brand of gorgeousness.

We know that the energy of the maker always infuses the creation,

so, it is no surprise that the balmy tranquillity – so synonymous with the Blue Labelle range – can be felt the moment that you step into Pascale’s boutique.

Trailing botanicals and brightness guide you out of the cold,

into warm lands,

where luxurious oils lure you

and poetic names like Rhassoul, Argan and Rose Oil make your very heart miss a beat.

When I made the conscious decision to make this Christmas one of earth-loving, sustainability – I knew that Blue Labelle would be my first port of call for present buying.

And sure enough, here I find myself lost for choice amongst the skin care, body care and organic, earth-care goodness.

I eventually give in to the whispered invitation to recreate a Hammam Spa at home … and decide upon several Moroccan Spa sets of clay, oils, hemp cloth, bamboo brush and spoon for my loved ones.

Then I scribble my own secret list for Father Christmas …

(which I must remember to leave out for Adam to see).

As if the deliciousness of the Blue Labelle range isn’t enough, the boutique also show cases an exclusive treasure trove of Isle of Wight artistic talent.

There are stoneware and earthenware pieces by  artist and ceramicist, Kerrie Jane Hearn.

Kerrie works from her studio, deep in the rural heart of the Island.

Her work is inspired by creatures and wildlife, including gulls, pheasants, partridge and guinea fowl. I planned to buy my mum one of Kerrie’s vibrant cockerels, but then couldn’t decide on a cockerel or a hen (because they were equally as lovely).

Eventually I knew that only Mum could decide.

She came away from Kerrie’s studio with two pheasants for her garden – so I was completely wrong! Ha.

Blue Labelle’s walls are ablaze with Kerrie’s vibrant paintings …

As well as abstract, handcrafted pieces by multi-award winning artist Jo Hummel-Newell …

And the unique, quirky, characterful work of local artist, Tania Dixcey.

Displayed to the front and side of the Blue Labelle counter, are a festival of Wyatt & Jack bags.

This company, also based on the Isle of Wight (yup, this place is OOZING talent and innovation) create sustainable bags and accessories from upcycled beach deckchair canvas as well as the vinyl pvc from retired bouncy castles.

Frankly, there’s nothing cold, bleak or wintry about this hot, vibrant, summer-loving range of gorgeousness … They echo warm, fun, happy days and would all make The Most Fabulous gifts under the tree for the bellas in our lives.

Whilst having a retail hot flush over *this* cactus bag (see top middle shelf in pic below),

Pascale points out that the orange bag (top shelf to the left) matches

- identically -

the tissue paper ready to wrap gifts on her counter.

Which is a lovely coincidence.

And just how this shop rolls.

If you live on the Isle of Wight and are looking to shop sustainably, ethically and want some seriously nice stuff, get yourself over to Blue Labelle in Ventnor.

If you don’t live here, check out the Blue Labelle website where you can order your body-loving goodies online.

For me, Christmas is all about magic …

the glint in someone’s eye as they give a brilliant gift,

the joy in someone’s smile as they receive an item they love,

the connection between friends and family and people who live their lives together.

When we shop locally, we give something gorgeous to our community of artists, makers, designers and creatives.

When we give these products to others, we’re gifting our loved ones with a unique, heartfelt item that is often high quality and one of a kind.

When we shop ethically, we are wrapping our arms around the one thing that has sustained us since we were born – Planet Earth.

We look after each other.

And, I don’t know about you, but to me that feels pretty magical.

Happy December 1st. xxx