The Leah Bell trio at the Maurocco bar Friday 1st July.........

Hey if your in town on Friday July the 1st come on down to the Maurocco bar in Castlemaine and check out my trio! The trio consists of Russell Smith on Keys, trumpet & guitar...Russ has had along career as a musician in Australia Playing with Kate Ceberano, Renee Geyer, Ruby Carter, Vince
Jones and Diana Kiss(he hates it when l tell people these things).....Also the amazing Matthew Saunders on lead guitar Matt also plays in local Ska group King Stone nice.....and myself on vocals and guitar...it will be laid back blues, jazz, reggae,country that about covers most genre's doesn't it?

Post cards from the Edwardian era.......

I picked up these old post cards the other day. I just love the roses in her hair l want my hair to look this everyday, so sweet...

Whoa that's alotta back combing....

Miss Edna May has such a pretty dress ruffles, lace and chiffon and that hat!

They make pretty cute collage on my shop wall.....

Leah X

It's our birthday Sat July 9th........

This year has gone so quickly from small beginnings starting with just a 3 racks of clothes and a few nick knack's. This time last year we were on our way to Sydney (driving) and we got about half way when we had to return home....feeling pretty flat l was driving out to see a friend and saw a for lease sign on the old original Castlemaine bakery shop. So l quickly jotted down the number and called the owner and 6 weeks later Bell's Belles Vintage was born. I have to say l feel privileged to be able to do what l do every day so to thank you we will be running birthday specials, discounts, prizes and more...all promotions will be posted the week of the party so check back to see the amazing offers! Look forward to seeing you....

Leah X

Long weekend trading hours....

We're open this weekend sat,sun,mon 10-5 so plenty of time to shop! We would love to see you so do drop in.

Tea tastes better in a kitty cat teapot.....

We have been looking around for a teapot to make our English breakfast tea in as until recently we only had a Japanese stoneware one for green tea and the like. It was love at first sight with this tea pot.  I think tea from a china teapot gives a much more delicate flavour.

and l just love his little blue bow...

New stock dresses.....

Here are some new arrivals just in today! There are about 16 in all mostly 1950's with a couple of 60's and 80's era's as well. I just love a good dress it makes me happy to see the prints the cut and flow of a great dress and l especially love to see them go to a good home! So if you see one you love contact me via phone or email as these beauty's won't last!

This dress is perfect such great condition ribbon and floral print iconic 50's.

You can strike gold at Bell's Belles Vintage he he he.....

Electric blue with rosettes. In the 4th series of MADMEN Joan wears a dress this colour and l loved how it looked on a red head also she had matching blue eye shadow.....

This is much more stunning in the flesh it is silk/velvet blend, classic 50's style!

The colour is better in this pic and shows the luminosity of the fabric, truly gorgeous.....

Here they all are together! The black sequins at the front is a stunning wiggle dress with a rosette on the bust...at the back there is a hot pink 50's silk dress which did'nt photograph too well but is really lovely.
Thanks for looking.
Leah X

New arrivals....

This a beautiful 1940's crepe blouse great pin tuck detailing and hand stitching but what about those buttons l lost my breath when l saw them....

1950's teal satin dress (small)

Love this dress it's late 50's early 60's beautiful quality cotton (small)

I love this scarf with this dress l think it would look great wrapped around your vintage do...

Novelty prints l can't get enough of them......this is a late 40's beautifully made dress with a side closure (small-med)

This is a curious little number it would have originally had a jacket...but it was the lace on the neckline that caught my eye so sweet....

Really love this houndstooth jacket the contrast on the button. collar and pocket....(med-lge)

Also love this 1950's jacket the sleeves are so unique check out that stitching....(med-lge)

Who said bat wing sleeves were invented in the 80's?

How l do rag curls......

Whenever l rag curl my hair lots of people ask how to do it so here is how l rag curl my hair...


Things you will need: Sectioning comb, hair tie, cotton strips approx 20cm long and 2 inches wide(use an old pillow case or the like) & some light hair spray or holding product


#Step 1 Dampen hair, l usually wash mine and then towel dry it to absorb excess moisture.


#Step 2 Part hair in position you want to wear it. l have tried this as a middle part and a side part either works well. Section hair, start with the front sectioning from the crown to the top of the ear secure back section to keep from falling forward.Now you should have the front part of your hair separate from the back at this point l usually do 3 or 2 rag curls on either side depending on whether l use a side part or a middle part so take about a thumbs worth of hair using your cotton strips place the strip across the hair start at about a third of the way from the bottom of the hair holding in place with your pointer finger then wrap hair around strip and finger making sure to smooth and straighten the end bits because you don't want sticky outy bits. 

#Step 3 From here remove your finger and roll the curl up to desired height. If you are wanting a vintage look don't go any further than the top of the ear. Most hair was set at this point because ladies wore hats of course!

#Step 4 To secure just tie the two ends together and viola you have a rag curl

Hair is side parted and sectioned with the front ready for rag curling...

#Step 5 After finishing the front,  l section the back in half horizontally, so top section and bottom section. Secure the top piece with your hair tie or comb and work with the bottom first. Usually l do about 4 curls across the bottom and about 5 up the top. You can play with this depending on the size of curl you like!

Pop on a do rag or fancy scarf if you need to drop down the street....

#Step 6 I usually do my hair at night and then sleep on it so it is ready to take out in the morning. The time it takes to dry will depend on how wet your hair is and how much hair you take in your curl.

After you take out your rag curls you will have tight bouncy curls a little like Shirley temple, cute but not quite the look l'm after....

So all l do is lightly run my fingers through the curls separating them enough to create volume and then give it all a light spray with Cedel to help hold the style....

The end result is curls that actually last, my hair is dead straight no curls no kinks and this method l find is really effective on my hair and much easier than pin curls...