Sometimes Vintage shopping can be pretty intimidating when you’re not “in the zone!”

Rows upon multicolored rows of dubiously attractive, seemingly tired looking garments, fighting for attention with mountainous stacks of festy smelling material.

It’s daunting and you have to have an eye for it, which Charlotta – the bubbly owner of Lotta Vintage on Calle Hernan Cortes in Madrid – definitely does.

Her fantastic and approachably edited down collection boasts only the most fashionista worthy treasures, especially unique accessories from the glamorous fifties, sixties and seventies and exclusive one off designer pieces kept in mint condition.

Watch out for her cute little puppy, who watches the door for fashion mishaps!

Hello EUROPE!

As luck would have it, I crashed into their monthly ‘Gal Friday’ – a fun-filled event with a music set by DJ Lee from Sophisticated BOOM BOOM, dancing, punch, sweet pink cakes, eyelash extensions and most important of all, 25% off all TLO goodies!

Elvia Lahman and Hannah Metz (above) started in 2009 as a wholesale business in vintage, particularly focusing on lingerie. It’s success prompted pop-ups, trunk shows and an online store before the setting up of their own space in Pasadena.

They still have an amazing range of lingerie and sleepwear, in particular babydolls from the ’50s, and not forgetting their own vintage-inspired range.

At the moment TLO are carrying the cutest range of high-waisted remake shorts in time for Summer, which would go down a treat with my newly buffed pins, courtesy of MARS.

Just how to get them on with the use of only ONE arm?! Ugh.

The feel of MARS is hushed with oodles of tranquility. Desperate for a manicure, pedicure and waxing, I got an early appointment that allowed me to fit in a facial – my organic treat (they have vegan options too).

Ushered into a silent, airy room with one of those mechanical loungers (below), I had four Japanese beauticians around me! There were two for each leg on the waxing, one for the nails and another for the facial.

I know this could sound like a crowd, but it certainly wasn’t. It was more like a tea ceremony. It was elegant (yes, even the waxing – imagine!) and silent.

To say I have experienced anything wildly similar would only be in a wish. Masako and Kaori were on a mission to leave no part of my leg un-fuzzed. When wax wasn’t enough, it was onto the tweezers. The finishing touches – a wet towel and lotion – were the star treatments my pins have long deserved.

Though there were so many highlights during the whole two and half hour treatment my FAVOURITES were:

1. The no pain cuticle removal (manicure and pedicure).
2. A choice of creams to choose from for the hand massage.
3. An amazing piece of kit, similar to a dentist polishing apparatus, to spread the various oils on nails before the Essie polish.
4. The organic masks that made my fine lines disappear!
5. The Ho Chin tea!
6. All of the massages.
7. The amazingly elegant manicured nails of all the beauticians.

Unfortunately there are only two MARS salons at the moment. There is one in Tokyo and one in Los Angeles. And, although it’s not a budget option, it’s worth every $ for the very best.

Alejandra was patient, even after my four hysterical phone calls. It was probably down to her yoga (she had been in a session before my arrival).

I had perused the look books and was desperate to see, feel and try the shoes, and I had graciously been granted an interview at her apartment.

Alejandra’s study holds a copy of every shoe she has ever designed – in her size. How clever is that?! With three seasons under her belt she has managed to keep her prices down by manufacturing in China, but utilizing Italian leathers and finishes, remnant of her education in Italy with the best. Her prices fall between an affordable $200-$400 a pair.

I adore my motorbike riding boots, but they certainly don’t have anywhere the same appeal as Alejandra’s booties, and they’re comfortable. In fact Alejandra won’t go above a 5.7 inch heel because she can’t wear them and her hidden platform is expressly designed so that your ankle won’t be arched.

With department stores banging at her door and boutique stockists, Alejandra is ready to take on Europe and this July she will be showing in Berlin.

I think we’re ready for her black and white striped soles – one of her trademarks.