Hidden Hearts Accessories Range

The release of our collection is drawing closer and closer! Last night I released photos of the accessories up for grabs in the Hidden Hearts collection in an album on our Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in some of the pieces, so far the reception has been great...I always love to know what you do and don't like! I know you are all eagerly awaiting the release of Hidden Hearts, so to become one of the first few people to see photographs of the pieces going for sale on Friday, be sure to become a fan of our Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bijou-Vintage/129480813738949?v=photos#!/pages/Bijou-Vintage/129480813738949

All Bijou Vintage followers receive instant updates about whats happening within the business, making them first in the know.

With the weather so gloomy the past few days, all I have wanted to do is lay in front of the gas heater and read my magazines...but there has been so much work to do it has almost been impossible! I certainly hope that when you finally get the chance to view the Hidden Hearts Collection in it's entirety on Friday (Thursday for our Facebook Fans) it meets all your expectations :)

I will leave you with a snippet of some of the pieces featured in the Hidden Hearts Accessories Range, I'd love to know what you all think.

Rachel xx

Ps. Just for fun I have added a list of my Top 3 Picks, Enjoy!

1. Vintage Straw Boater Hat

I guarantee that you will be seeing plenty more of these vintage boater hats as we move into the Spring/Summer Season. This piece is perfect for an afternoon picnic, or even lunch with your girlfriends...the fact that it is also completely practical is just an added bonus ;)

2. Leopard Animal Bracelet

There is no denying that this bracelet is oh so gorgeous! Not only is this bracelet an incredibly unique vintage find, it is a piece that will finish off any weekend winter outfit. Pair it with a simple black ensemble and you're set!

3. Brown Buffalo Leather Bag

This bag is perfect for the upcoming festival season. Not only is it constructed from buffalo leather making it increadibly durable and resistant to the harshest of surfaces, it is also increadibly practical. With an adjustable strap and hidden compartments for your phone, money and bank cards, this bag is big enough for all you'r goodies, making it the perfect accessory for anyone's wardrobe!

To view the complete Hidden Hearts Accessory Range visit

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=18969&id=129480813738949

{Pale Pink Flower Ring}

{Black Leather Bag with Detachable Strap}

{Black and Gold Egyptian Inspired Necklace}

{Engraved Silver Oval Ring}

Everything Happens For a Reason

You can't help but love this phrase. When everything around you seems to be going all wrong and your on the verge of a complete breakdown, these simple five words just seem to restore every ounce of faith you once held for the future...whatever it may be.

'Everything Happens For A Reason' seemed to be soundtrack playing to my life this week. When I first launched Bijou Vintage just a few short weeks ago, I had such a strong vision as to what I wanted to achieve; blog twice a week, take amazing photographs everyday, have a collection up for sale within the first two weeks...the list goes on. It is not until 'life' (that being my two jobs!) got in the way, that it seemed impossible for me to achieve the goals I had set for myself in such a short period of time. After failed attempts at shooting pictures for my eBay store, my world broke and reality seemed to hit. There was no way I was going to be able to show you all my collection yet, it isn't perfect...I would just have to wait until next week.

Although I am devastated at the fact the release of Hidden Hearts has been delayed, I can't help but think that this may have happened for a reason. Maybe I will stumble across a single vintage piece that will top off this already stunning collection. Perhaps I will be inspired by something that will encourage me to produce even bigger and better things...who knows? But that's just the beauty of it really.

I'd like to thank the person that made me see clearly this week. I hope that they know that the future holds endless possibilities for wherever they may dream to go. As for me, I'd like to think that this will be the longest I will ever go between blog posts, so stay tuned for all the latest updates from Bijou Vintage in the upcoming week.

Rachel xx

Hidden Hearts

The release of Bijou's first ever collection 'Hidden Hearts' is inching closer and closer with each day...and I couldn't be more excited!!

Why the name Hidden Hearts you may ask? Well for those who don't know, the name 'Bijou' (meaning jewel) is of Parisian influence and has fuelled the story of the girl behind the Bijou Vintage brand. The Bijou girl is not only a dreamer, but most literally a 'hidden jewel'...so when you stop and think about it, there is no other title that could be more appropriate for our first collection than this one.

After days and nights spent altering and restoring pieces from the collection, I couldn't help but utter a sigh of relief when I went to shoot the Lookbook for Hidden Hearts. For some reason, I am finding myself obsessed with blazers this season. Regardless of the colour or style, there is no denying that a good blazer makes a winter outfit, so I hope it serves as no shock to see the amount of blazers I have going up for sale in the upcoming week!

{Red Pocket Blazer, Navy Button Down Blazer & High Waisted Boat Short}

On the afternoon of our shoot, the sun peaked through the clouds just long enough for Mitchell (my very patient and very wonderful) boyfriend to take some amazing photographs for the Bijou Vintage Lookbook. Not only did he do an amazing job of capturing the striking scene that surrounded us on Friday afternoon, but he also managed to encapsulate the raw beauty of the Bijou Vintage brand with each click of his camera. :)

Serving to feature my pick of key looks, this Lookbook is one of many that will be released with each collection Bijou Vintage brings to you. In Hidden Hearts my favourite piece is undoubtedly the black lace jumpsuit that I was so lucky to find on one of my shopping adventures. I hope you love it as much as I do.

{Black Lace Jumpsuit & Cropped Fur Jacket}

{Vintage Black Leather Bag & Sheer Blue Button Down Shirt}

To view the complete Hidden Hearts Lookbook visit
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bijou-Vintage/129480813738949?ref=sgm#!/album.php?aid=18344&id=129480813738949&ref=mf

Rachel xx

comp

When the Sun Came Out to Play

In the midst of the cool winter days we have been experiencing lately, I couldn't help but jump at the chance to shoot for our first ever giveaway when the sun came out to play today. To mark the launch of our facebook page I have handpicked two gorgeous pieces to giveaway to the lucky winner of our competition; a cropped white tee with pattern detail and an engraved silver disc ring.

To enter our comp, follow the link to our page and become a fan! All you have to do to be in the running is suggest our page to all of your friends and leave us a note on our wall saying how many friends you have suggested...simple huh? Don't forget, the more friends you suggest, the more entries you have!!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1627540135&v=wall&story_fbid=113493048696872#!/pages/Bijou-Vintage/129480813738949?ref=sgm

Now with all the awkward self promotion out of the way, I just want to say a huge thankyou to all the people who have become a fan of Bijou so far. I have to admit, I had major butterflies in my stomach as I sent out all my friend requests last night, but the reception has been lovely so far. There are plenty more surprises to come before the launch of our first collection in July, so be sure to keep following!!

So to mark the launch of Bijou Vintage, I'll leave you with some happy snaps that I shot in my backyard today...when the sun came out to play :)

Rachel xx

And So The Story Begins...

It's kind of funny where life takes you. This time last year, I was finishing up my HSC and had big plans to study at University, finish a three year degree, and leap head first into the big wide world. Twelve months on, it seems my life has taken a completely different path. It turns out that University wasn't really for me (well at least the course I was studying!) and my aspiration to head straight into the workforce isn't as strong. For those who know me, it's kind of obvious that a lot about me has changed over the past year, however one thing has always remained constant- my love for all things fashion.

I have always umm'ed and ahh'ed at the possibility of opening an online store, after all 'what would people think?'. But being the dreamer (and shop-a-holic) I am, the even bigger voice in my head kept saying 'Go for it!'. If there is one thing I will never forget from school, it would be a comment made by one of my old friends

'You may never have a lot of money Rachel, but you'll always have really nice clothes'.

(If your reading this, Thanks Annie!)

For some reason, amongst the chaos that is life, this has always been something I have never forgotten. So if this was in fact true, then why not share it with the rest of the world?

So after years of collecting fashion magazines and months of dreaming big, here I am today, starting a little something I like to call Bijou Vintage. Although it's inception is only in its early stages, Bijou Vintage is an online boutique, specialising in the highest calibre of vintage pieces and pre-loved labels. My pieces will be handpicked with love from the streets of my local area, Sydney and wherever my travels may take me.

The possibilities are endless, and so the story begins...

For as it's name suggests, Bijou is simply a hidden jewel, waiting to be discovered, admired and loved by all.