It has come to my attention that some of my readers found it offensive that I posted about the crisis in Haiti in the same post as the “vacation beauty prep.”
My intention was never to offend anyone, but to simply bring to light the fact that I care about what is happening and that the people of Haiti were in my thoughts and prayers.
I am very sorry if the entry offended you, as it is never my intention to offend anyone who reads this blog. Perhaps having the two entries in the same post was a not well thought-out choice. Normally, I just let the negative comments slide, but I felt I had to address this one because people who know me know that I am committed to helping the community in any way that I can- through my work with non profit organizations, through volunteering and through monetary donations.
With that said, I also want to touch on the fact that the charities people choose to donate to are a personal choice and no one should ever be made to feel bad for not donating to a certain cause.
Natural disasters require the help of many people to aid in recovery efforts. Galvestonians in my state are still recovering from Hurricane Ike, even over a year later.
I was very saddened to see the suffering of the people in Haiti. My husband and I chose to make our donation today through The American Red Cross. If you’d like to do so, I encourage you to check out their website.
Thank you for reading,
xoxo,
Veronika.
I am of the belief that those who do not agree with you or only want to poke fun at you should not be reading your blog or your posts on F&B. It is really sad that so many grown women have a need to berate the things that you say or the way that you feel. I, for one, do not feel like you needed to address this with an apology post but I commend you for doing so. Personally, I adore your blog and look forward to reading it every morning. You have always seemed like a really sweet, educated and confident woman and THAT is something that all women should aspire to be! Enjoy your vacation and I look forward to your posts when you return! Take care 🙂
Thank you for your kind words Jennifer, it really means a lot to me, and to clarify, I definitely did not write this post for the haters. I wrote it for my loyal readers who actually enjoy reading this blog. If I offended even one person, then it was worth it for me to write this. It was never my intention to offend anyone.
Having said that, I also think people need to refrain from judging when, how or how much someone will donate to any cause. Just because someone doesn't specify when or how they will donate, it doesn't mean they won't. After seeing the tragic pictures and stories on the news, it definitely compelled me to donate. I don't feel the need to have to justify my timing to anyone, but at the same time, I did want to address the previous entry to make sure I apologized to those who were offended or put off that I had not made them two separate entries.
I am sorry you felt the need to apologize for your post. I do not think what you said was offensive at all. You should not have to defend how you spend your money or what charities are at the receiving end of your donations.
Have a great vacation!
Wow, Veronika, I read that post on F&B. I am sorry that you are being attacked like that. Regardless of what anyone may post, you did nothing that required a flaming. I read your blog post (as I do all the time because I love your style) and I didnt even think anything about the fact that you mentioned Haiti and beauty prep.
It is not anybody's business if you donate or not. Or the amount they donate. If anyone chooses to comment on that, then that is just in poor taste.
I hope you post the things you are taking on vacation! I would love to see that!
Please ignore all the douches that came out of the woodwork today on F&B. Have fun on your vacation.
I'm so sorry for all the ridiculous comments flying around on the F&B board. I'm refraining from commenting on any of the posts there because I don't want to encourage the haters.
I truly appreciate your blog and your views that you bring to the message board. I consider you to be an intelligent woman and I hope you don't let this drama get you down. 🙂
I mostly lurk on F&B but was sad to see the comments people were making. I read your blog regularly and was not offended by the post in question. I had a "stalker" on the nest back when I was pregnant who made negative comments on all my posts so I rarely will post anymore. I'm sorry people seem to be picking on you now 🙁 I agree with previous comments, where you choose to donate your money isn't up for debate. Its a personal decision.
FWIW, I love your posts on fashion and fitness and think you have great taste.
thank you everyone who commented on this post with supportive comments. You can't please everyone all of the time, but when someone feels offended by something I say, I do think I have to try to see it from their perspective. I still think how people spend their money is no one else's business, but I consider myself to be a pretty giving person, and didn't want there to be any confusion.
thank you again 🙂
That's crazy. People think about devastation and tragedy within the context of their own lives. It may not affect you directly, but that's why you mentioned it indirectly. It's life and I'm sorry some can't hack it.
You did the best you can, and at least you mentioned it.
Thanks Sweets. I definitely think I would have gotten flack not having mentioned it considering I will be vacationing on the same island as where it happened, but perhaps I should have made a separate post…though the "vacation prep" post would have directly followed it, so I am not sure how that would have gone over either. I did what I thought was best at the time not meaning to offend anyone or make the issue seem lesser than it is.
Veronika,
I feel bad that you feel the need to apologize. If people are attacking you, they are way out of line. I read a lot of blogs and most all of them are mentioning the crisis in the beginning of their post and then moving on to what they normally blog about. Which is exactly what you did. An apology is not necessary in my opinion. This is a fashion and beauty blog!
Anyway, don't let the internet attackers get you down. You have a fantastic blog and bring cheer to many. Have a great weekend!
thanks Katie 🙂 your comment made me smile!
You have no need to apologize, those ladies suck, flat out. I got the same crap a few years ago when Katrina hit and I chose to donate to the efforts to rescue animals. It was my choice, and they have their own as well. Keep up the great blogging, and have a wonderful HM!
Ditto above (all) but especially Jennifer! Have a good weekend and enjoy your honeymoon/vacay!!!
Julie- thanks for your comment. I agree that everyone should support causes they care about most. As long as people donate to some cause, I am happy. Everyone has different beliefs and things they think are important. For some people it's animals (which I love) and for others it's cancer or teaching or education. No one should be judged for what they support or how much they give to a certain cause.
I don't read F&B during the day when I am at work but had read your blog and then saw a few comments on F&B after work. I think most had already been deleted at the point I was online. The entire thing was ridiculous. Anyone with half a brain can tell that your post was not offensive. I probably shouldn't have wrote my "boo" post on F&B for fear of adding to the drama but I just had to make the point. Anyway, I truly hope you don't feel at all bad. You did nothing wrong and had nothing to apologize about. XO
thanks mrky. Like I said, my post was not meant to be offensive, but I think people will take one thing and just sometimes it gets out of control. Like I said, most people who know me know I am a giving person who always wants to help people in need, so if they read they post they would know the way I had meant it.
I'm sorry things got so out of hand on F&B. your original post was not offensive and I think certain people just like to stir things up creating trouble. Please don't let all the ridiculous comments today hurt you.
Things really got out of hand and no one has the right to judge others donations. Everyone believes in their own causes and to each their own.
Have fun on your vacation!
You shouldn't have to apologize- This is your blog. Write what you want- I get so angry with commenters, ESPECIALLY anonymous commengters, who obviously come to your blog for a reason and end up writing stupid, critical comments about something they don't like. People in this world take things way too damn seriously and look into things Waaaayyyy more than necessary. Get a life.
Love YOU! 🙂
Sweetie, you do you and don't stress over this. People might have read it wrong, people might not agree with you, or think it was awkward to talk about Haiti and vacation in the same post – but who cares? You know what you meant. You know your intentions. That's what matters. Calling you out in such nasty ways on F&B was tasteless and obviously done by people who misjudged your intentions. You seem like a really sweet person and I know you didn't mean to offend. Have a GREAT trip! 🙂
You are an idiot! all you care about is your mani pedi and a bikini wax.
are you kidding me? I can't believe that people would say such mean things…are we in high school? I understand that people see what's going in the world as more important than fashion updates, but why aren't they watching the news instead of posting on a fashion blog? Who are they to say that you don't care about world issues? We come to your blog to read up on the sweet deals you scored and your reviews on the greatest products…I go to CNN.com for updates on Haiti. It was sweet of you to recognize your trip as bittersweet…that thought wouldn't cross the minds of 95% of the population. Keep living your life.
I lurk on FB and read your blog from time to time, but I really had to comment on this. You seem like a really nice person with great style. You have a fashion and beauty blog and post on a fashion and beauty board! Its supposed to be light and fun, not serious. In my opinion those people who gave you a hard time are probably jealous of you in some ways. They really should lighten up or choose a more serious forum to express their views! Don't let it get to you.
I didn't find anything offensive with what you posted here or on F&B board. I think you portrayed yourself honestly and without being too preachy at others who came to a Fashion blog or board. I think people are being a ridiculous and are quick to pass judgment on others. I really enjoy reading your blog and like pp said…don't let it get to you.
Veronika,
I also didn't find anything offensive about your last blog entry. I often read your blogs because I too am a fashion, beauty and celebrity lover and I find your blog to be fun and very "girly" and there is nothing wrong with that. I too am very much saddened by what has happend in Haiti and all the suffering that is happening but, I do feel bad that you feel that you had to apologize about the way others decided to take your posting about this issue. I believe that your heart was in the right place and just for you to touch on the issue at the very least was important and no one should judge you for it. I am sure it was hard on you to feel judged and I do hope that you know that those of us who look forward to reading your blogs because we feel we can relate to you would never judge you. I hope you have a wonderful trip sweetie you do deserve it and keep up the good work!
*Leah*
Girl! dont feel like you said anything wrong!! There are so many "LURKERS" there is bound to be someone that has something smart to say!!
You dont need to feel guilty! This is a beauty blog and its yours so you can say whatever you want! If someone dont like it they should stop following….:) by the way you are a Beautiful Person inside and out!:)
thank you everyone for your amazing comments and for taking the time to write them to me. I really appreciate the support, and I think most of my regular readers would know that my intentions were good.
people are so ridiculous! i love reading your blog and getting inspiration from you! you had nothing to apologize for… ignore them! ♥
Oh Veronika! Those people were being silly. They would have complained had you not mentioned anything, too. There were so many things I wanted to say to those girls, but it all gets so confusing on a message board.
Also, I have a 5 month old baby and due to being busy and not leaving the house too often (I also work from home), I found myself not putting as much time into my appearance. Your blog (and F&B) have helped me to re-connect more with taking care of myself and not losing myself in my new role as Mom. I am slowly learning that I can do both (be a good Mommy and look cute doing it). Yor blog renewed my interest in fashion and makeup.
Chrissy- I am truly touched by your comment. I really am. I don't even believe that a blog like mine can do that for someone, but i am so happy it has.
That's the thing- women can do it all, and that's the philosophy I live my life by. I think a woman can be intelligent, respected, powerful, sexy, attractive, a mom, a sister, a wife etc…I think you can be all of those things at once. You don't have to sacrifice one thing to be another. As a mom, the best thing you can realize is that you can be all of the things you want to be at once- women who take time for themselves too are happier.
I think some people still live in the mentality where if someone is into things like fashion and beauty, that they're not smart or don't have other interests, which simply isn't true. It's about balance and doing things that make you feel good.
Veronika,
I'm a F&B lurker and follow your blog, but I just wanted to say that I think it's really nice that you care that people know your true intentions. I think you have been nothing but sensitive, I liked that you mentioned Haiti. Your blog's subject is fashion and beauty, you didn't have to mention it at all, so I commend you for doing so. I hope you shake off posts that describe you as shallow. You write about fashion and beauty, not your personal life. No one on the internet can say something meaningful about you as a person, they don't know you! You know who you are, so do your thing! Your blog is wonderful, it's my girly fix :).
-Ashley
thanks Ashley 🙂
1. love the dresses
2. love the hat!
3. you are going to look gorgeous on vacation
and as for my pre-vacay rituals, I do a pedi and a mani if its a beach place but have never done an air brush tan for it (after a couple hours of being in the sun, no matter my strength of sunscreen, I tan like crazy!) I also don't ramp up my work outs before I trip, I just stick to my usual 5 day a week schedule.
And yeah, whoever your anonymous friend is that always posts such helpful comments should stop hiding behind anonymity – if you feel that way about Veronika 1. maybe don't read her blog? and 2. just own up to who you are! what are you afraid of?
have a fun & safe trip!
Oops I obviously made this comment in the wrong post!
but I don't think you should feel bad about your other post. There really is nothing wrong with it. This is a fashion blog and I don't come here to read about all the sad stuff going on in the world, and thats not why you write this blog, anyway – the fact that you even mentioned Haiti was thoughtful. I understand why you posted about it in the same post – you are going to vacation on the other half of the island that was so devastated! If other people couldn't see the logical connection then maybe they need to pull out a map and figure out that Haiti and the DR is the same island.