Vintage Honeymoon: part 2

The next stop on our Andalucian road trip was the Hoopoe Yurt Hotel, tucked away in the cork oak forest up in the mountains near Ronda. Set in a rolling meadow, each luxury yurt felt totally secluded – ours had two hammocks outside where we spent the afternoons lolling about in the dappled sunlight, gazing at the blue mountains. Lazy mornings were spent dipping in the pool (cleverly designed to resemble a natural rock-pool), ordering fresh juices and a little bit of not-too-strenuous yoga under the trees.

We then headed down to the Atlantic coast for the last couple of days, staying in the pretty town of Vejer de la Frontera - perched dramatically on a hilltop with steep winding cobbled streets and beautiful hidden squares blooming with bougainvillea. Our guesthouse had a gorgeous private terrace overlooking the rooftops and the Moorish influences of the area could be seen in the décor – all white-washed walls, sun-faded colours and blue-green ceramic tiles. We spent most of the day at the beach (and had the place to ourselves between 2 and 5 when the locals went in for lunch), eating fresh seafood at the gorgeous Los Suenos café and watching the sun go down – bliss!

Vintage honeymoon: part 1

I’m not sure a honeymoon can be classed as “vintage”, but the places we stayed in Spain were so full of old world charm and traditional character that they definitely deserve some space on the blog – all hand-picked by Vintage Husband, and a complete surprise to me!

Our first stop after a luxurious night in Seville was Trasierra, a rambling white-washed 16^th century hacienda up in the hills of Andalucía. Run by Charlotte and her family, who has gradually restored the house over 25 years (she bought it when there was no main road and no electricity), the place oozed bohemian luxury and old school charm, and we spent a heavenly two nights there.

The hotel is surrounded by 350 acres of olive and orange groves, while the gardens are filled with grape vines, wisteria, aromatic flowers and huge urns filled with exotic plants. Each room has its own character – a mix of English country heritage the colours of Southern Spain – and there are terraces and secret gardens to lose yourself in. Charlotte has also gathered a hoard of beautiful products from her travels across Europe and India, and sells them in a little shop in the grounds.

Vintage Bride turns Vintage Wife

I must apologise for my absence over the last few days but I was somewhat caught up in a wedding whirlwind! Our day was the happiest of our lives and beyond any of my expectations. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by all our friends and family - seeing them enjoying every minute and supporting us with so much love.

I’ve still got lots of blogging to do – and of course, I will post up pictures of the day and all the vintage details – but for now, I will leave you with a snapshot of my vintage honeymoon wardrobe (inspired by the Horrockses exhibition). See you in a couple of weeks!

Straw Hat, Beyond Retro

50s swimsuit, Camden Passage antiques market

Vintage-style dress, Joules

Polka dot playsuit, Tara Starlet

Vintage dress, Spitalfields Thursday antiques market 

Vintage top, Camden Passage antiques market; Shorts, Beyond Retro

Horrockses vintage fashion exhibition

The latest exhibition at London’s Fashion and Textile Museum put me in a honeymoon mood – showcasing some fabulous 40s and 50s cotton summer frocks, swimsuits and beach attire from the archives of British design house Horrockses Fashions.

Set out in a seaside-themed display are perfectly preserved outfits plus original prints and sketches, alongside anecdotes behind a dress and when it was worn. The graphic print and colour looks so modern, it makes me wonder why they don’t re-launch the brand for today?

The museum is also running a programme of vintage-themed events to run in parallel with the exhibition, including make-do-and-mend sessions for reviving tired clothes.

Vintage hen weekends

If the idea of being dressed up as Joan from Mad Men is far more appealing than L Plates and a pink tutu, then these hen weekend ideas could be your ideal alternative to the usual girlie getaway:

Firstly, Vintage Vacations on the Isle of Wight – where you can bed down in a 50s airstream caravan complete with fabulous retro décor, stay in a quirky beach shack, or spend a weekend in a converted tabernacle where you’d have trouble prising yourself away from the wood burning stove it's so cosy.

An Airstream

The Shack

The Mission

The Bungalow

Up North, there is the bohemian La Rosa caravan park in Witby – a cornucopia of kitsch abodes, from a converted truck and old-fashioned gypsy caravans, to a big top tent - along with plenty of eccentric touches such as an open air roll-top bath in the orchard!

La Rosa

For something a little more luxurious (with prices to match), British homewares company Pedlars has just opened the spectacular Balbegno Castle. Kitted out in their signature heritage-inspired style, it would make the perfect vintage retreat.

Balbegno Castle