Schengen Visa Application

Never in my life have I imagined that applying for a visa to Europe is easy, especially for someone who does not hold a "strong" passport.

A little backstory. I have been planning to go home since forever. However this new job - more like employer - immediately shot down my plans for a month long vacation this December. Plans of resigning just to go home went out of the window when I realized that resignation and burning bridges are not the way to go. I decided to just suck it up in order to build my professional career. I mentioned this to my best friend whom I was supposed to meet this December in our home country. Long story short, she got approved, while I got denied. We started having this joke of a conversation of me visiting her in Europe. Well, jokes are indeed half-meant.

What started as a joke, turned into reality. I purchased my ticket a month ago, and that's how the ball started rolling. But we're two busy individuals so our plans only got finalized a week prior my appointment at the embassy.

Anyway, here are the things that I have prepared prior my visa application:

• Certificate of employment
• Bank statement (proof of income)
• Airline ticket / train tickets
• Itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Hostel reservations
• Passport
• ID photo
• Prepaid express envelope 

Regarding travel insurance, some health insurance also have travel insurance. Mine has, but only for a couple of days so I have to purchase travel insurance for the whole duration of my vacation.

I applied at the Austrian Embassy. Austria is not my point of entry, but I will be staying there the longest. 

During the interview I was asked the following questions:

• Purpose of travel
• Where will I be going? 
• And, where will I stay the longest?
• Am I meeting someone?

After which, they took my finger prints and passport with visa will arrive at my doorstep in 5 business days.

Travel Bucket List

My friend texted me that our local airline is currently holding a sale. Fvck! My broke ass can't relate. I have to rain check on two of three trips that I'm cooking with two other friends this year because I don't want to go overboard on my expenses. Plus, I need to prepare myself for a huge travel plan next year.

Yes, I said "yes" to Europe. I actually have no plans of going this year, but this joke between friends turned into a fucking a reality. My original plan is to go to Cuba and enjoy the sun. But since I can't find somebody to go with me, Europe it is! It's going to be my first time. You bet I'm excited, but also shit scared!

DIY Brush Cleaner Trio

I used to be not so keen with DIYs because I'm such a lazy person. But after knowing the real value of money, I'm all about DIYs and saving. The more I save, the better. However, I still choose which products are worth the sweat and which ones are worth the buck. In this instance, these projects are worth the effort - it's very minimal though, and you won't even break a sweat.

By the way, I don't have "artsy hands" so how my projects ended up are rather not the eye-candy type so I'd rather not show them. I'll be posting links instead in case you wanted to make one for yourself. Oh, and by the way, expect my long ramblings.

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Stockpile

Imagine getting your hands on this beautiful lipstick vault from Urban Decay this Christmas. Yasss, I know! I love hoarding collecting lipsticks and this beautiful Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Stockpile is such a dream. It comes with a whooping price tag of $325. I know it's pricey, but for $325, you'll be getting 30 lipstick shades ranging from Mega Matte, Comfort Matte, Cream, Metallized, Sheer and Sheer Shimmer.

The UD Vice Lipstick Stockpile is a limited edition lipstick vault. Order yours at Nordstorm, Ulta or Macy's.

Le Correcteur -- UD, Smashbox, Algenist, Amazing Cosmetics, YSL, Sephora Collection

I browse beauty products from time to time. I find great joy in finding new great treasures to be added on my collection. As I was browsing, I noticed that there's a lot of new color correctors in the market. And I find it funny - in a satirical way - that the universe seems to know that I badly need one. I'm suffering from breakouts recently and I'm finding it harder and harder to conceal them with my good 'ol BB Cream.

Anyway, here's the list of the shiny new color corrector concealers in the market:

1. Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid ($28) is a collection of high-tech, color correcting formulas that blur the look of imperfections. Comes in 5 colors - Mint (reduces redness), Yellow (correct dullness), Peach (masks circles/spots), Lavander (balances sallowness) and Pink (brightens dark areas).
2. Smashbox Color Correcting Stick ($23) is a collection of buildable, creamy skintone-evening sticks to transform the complexion. it comes in 4 colors: Green (reduces redness), Lavander (brightens sallowness/yellowness), and Peach (for light skin) and Orange (for deeper skin) are for illuminating skin to conceal dark circles and hyperpigmentation. 
3. Algenist Reveal Concentrated Color Correcting Drops ($38) is a weightless serum color corrector featuring microalgae and pigments to treat uneven skin.
4. Amazing Cosmetics AMAZINGCONCEALER Corrector ($29) is a dual-sided color corrector that eliminates the appearance of dark circles, spots, discoloration and uneven skintone. It comes in three variants: Fair/Light (light orange/green), Light/Medium (yellow/orange) and Medium/Deep (red orange/dark orange).
5. Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ECLAT Neutralizers ($38) is a highlighter that targets and neutralizes color imperfections. It comes in three shades: Green, corrects blemishes, conceals redness for an even skintone; Bisque, corrects dark crcles and dark spots, illuminate; and, Violet, corrects yellow dull skin for a healthy glow. 
6. Sephora Collection Bright Future Color Correctors ($14) is a lightweight, gel-serum color corrector with brightening properties. It comes in 7 colors: Green (neutralizes redness), Yellow (combats dullness), Pink (promotes brightness), Peach (promotes brightness and evens skintone for light complexions), Melon (promotes brightness and evens skintone for medium complexions), Lavander/Sallowness (neutralizes sallowness) and Orange/Deep (promotes brightness and evens skintone for deep complexions).