OMG can I just tell you the day I’ve had? (And after that ask for the big fat hug I need?!) So basically last week my amazo* manager Mike Melli tells me that I’m going to wait for it.. BERLIN (!) to attend one of Europe’s biggest fashion extravaganzas known as Bread and Butter (how delightfully Ghetto of them to call it that btw) courtesy QVENDO (this spanking new online private shopping club to hit India #awesome) so I can get a first-hand view of the QVENDO way of shopping and take YOU along for the virtual ride! HOW FABULOUS IS THAT?! But first comes the *sigh* paper-work. Lots of it. (I’ve documented THAT somewhere down this post and you’ll see my whole Indian-passport-Visa-trauma* yet again, R.I.P IFFA.) But of course QVENDO’s crew; Reema, Oliver and Priya are just amazing and sorted me out for flights, hotels and pocket-money in a flash. I cannot believe I will be on a flight to Berlin on Monday just after midnight (what’s that called? Reverse Cinderella?!) I hope you’ll join me on my Desi Girl Traveler jaunt to the land of Schnitzel and Mercedez Benz Fashion Week!!! But first it’s time to earn my bread and butter 🙂 xoxo
*Amazo: new word we invented to describe things that are beyond amazing, try it out! (Sorry Sujie)

Visa Power

Mike: “So Malz guess what, you’re going to Berlin next week with QVENDO!”
*Jump up and down with joy*
Google “German Embassy Visa India” find this: www.mumbai.diplo.de
Painstakingly review all the “Visa Requirements”
Fill out the online form (using N/A where “Not Applicable”), Submit.
Get a Java script error
Try again this time without the “/”, Submit.
Get a Java script error
Finally notice this, “Due to technical reasons, the Online Schengen  Visa application form is not available.”
Print and fill out the form
Hunt for passport photos that don’t look like jail bait, find none. Settle for jail bait passport photos.
Panic a little that the Visa application timings are only 8-11am, set my alarm.

Wake up at 8am
Print out QVENDO’s invitation & sponsorship letter
Print out my mandatory health insurance
Run to HDFC to get a demand draft for 4,000rs
Run back from HDFC for my MissMalini Publishing Pvt. Ltd. rubber stamp which I need to issue the demand draft from my business account
Realize that since HDFC opened at 10 and the Visa office closes at 11 it’s not going to happen today
Decide I deserve self pity spa time and run into Reema and Priya at Jean Claude Biguine
*Jump up and down with joy*

Wake up at 7:00am (after the Vogue.in Anniversary/Blue Frog & Olive late night, ouch)
Look in the mirror and realize I actually look like my jail bait passport photo, cry a little.
Print out media accreditation for Bread and Butter
Get a *kiss* goodbye and several brownie points from the fiance (who is pleased I’m up so early, for a change)
Run to the Visa office at Nariman Point
Smile a lot at the super-friendly German Consulate guards and get bumped up the queue (yay girl power!)
Notice it says “Covering Letter and Bank Statements” in the checklist I’m handed and panic some more
Wait for my turn and hope like made the girl at the counter reads my blog!
Turn in my papers and explain my purpose of visit
Told (super nicely though) that I need a covering letter and bank statements too, surprisingly don’t panic.
Run to HDFC and beg for them to let me in before 10am
HDFC comes through (and after a mild heart attack about “statement not downloading”) run back to the Visa office
Papers approved I return home with a token to collect my passport between 1 and 1:30pm on Monday afternoon.
MissMalini 1, IPVT* 0
True story.

That’s right, I don’t go anywhere without my VISA Power. Lol! 🙂

But now that I’m set, I’m going to finish blogging this and go stare at my dresses till they convince me who makes the cut for the trip. Oh and then I’m going to PVR Phoenix to watch Delhi Belly (The Hinglish version) at 6:40pm. I’ve earned it, right Bournville?
P.S. I love you, Qvendo. xoxo

FYI QVENDO brings a world of  international trends, must-have brands and never-been-seen-before boutique labels at discounted prices to India. So stay tune for in-depth interviews, round-the clock coverage, after party antics and a host of fashionable people! xoxo

website: www.qvendo.com
Facebook: QVENDO
Twitter: @qvendo