A successful application thanks to Croatia Navigator!
I just submitted all of my documents- and I utilized the help of CroatiaNavigator.com
I would highly highly recommend using their service: I truly do not know how anyone can go forward with an application without their help! Maja was there every step of the way for me, knowing much about the different consulates (LA, DC, NY) as apparently they all run a little differently. She is a Croatian national w US citizenship and a U.S. attorney with a brother attorney in Croatia- together they are indispensable! First they procured the birth records of my ancestors and sent me the official certified documents, then helped guide me with all the rest from what docs to get, knowing which mattered and which did not. They also helped with translation when the translation did not need to be official (like for the CV, family tree, motivational letter, obrazac) and set me up with an official translator in Croatia who did all the official translations and shipped them DHL international. Maja was very available for the few days leading up to my appointment, doing two calls with me to go over the order of everything and made sure I had her cell, stating to call or text "day and night, whatever you need, do not hesitate one minute to call me no matter what the time." My appointment was smooth and organized as a result (unlike another person who was before me but ended up going after me as she was not organized with what she needed. For what Croatia Navigator offers it is an absolute no-brainer to engage their services!