Saturday, February 20, 2016

Norman Joins the Fashion Police



Norman Ortega nearly sent me to the fainting couch with this zinger:

And Bernice, well, she does a good job reporting on city matters, but when it comes to Latinos, she admits to shopping in Westfield. Apparently, downtown Latino and Afro businesses are not good enough for her.

After I finished clutching my pearls, I realized that I have transgressed even further by ... dare I say it? Shopping online!

Is there nothing I will stop at to avoid shopping in downtown Plainfield at Latino and Afro businesses? I expect an army of shopkeepers at my door wielding flaming torches - or at least some wet noodles.

How have I lived here since 1983 without realizing it is mandatory to buy my shoes and clothing downtown? I suppose my purchases at Macy's before it closed were also wrong, wrong, wrong, because ethnicity.
Off The Shoulder Crop Top With Lace And FringeOff The Shoulder Crop Top With Lace And Fringe,BLACK,medium
It will be very difficult for me to give up my turtlenecks from L.L. Bean for some trendy urban wear and, truth be told, I don't think Plainfield is ready for the sight of a 77-year-old in what I see in store windows downtown. I am a down-and-fleece girl at heart, not a lace and Spandex sort. But if pledging allegiance to the Queen City means turning in my Clarks for Timberlands and doffing my chambray shirts for bustiers, let the conversion begin.

Feel free to avert your eyes.

--Bernice

13 comments:

  1. He said "Afro" businesses. He must be referring to wigs. I can see you in an Afro now, Bernice!

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  2. I have lived in Plainfield since 1998 and I have yet to shop downtown. I too prefer online shopping. Also, I don't dress in spandex and don't enjoy showing cleavage.
    I will shop where I please and if others don't like it, then they have entirely too much time on their hands. Don't worry about my household, worry about yours. Mine is just fine!

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  3. uhhhhhhh fashionably challenged here..and I admit it.. I shop at Sears, mostly the clearance racks lol .. Suits at Macy's.. rest at Sears. Find me the clothes I buy at Sears and I'll shop downtown. So I'm a Watchung shopper primarily.

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  4. Ortega is our local Donald Trump, but the people in Plainfield don't believe his outrageous lies. I do some shopping down town, but will not purchase clothing as I have found many stores have substandard, or at least according to my standards, clothing. Norman needs to get a life. I bet he doesn't do all of his shopping. Maybe the grocery stores in town will be knocking on my door as I do the majority of my shopping at Shop-Rite and occasional shopping at Twin City or elsewhere in Plainfield. Norman is a big joke, but he hasn't realized it the way others have.

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  5. Bernice, I love this post. Very witty. Thanks for the chuckle!

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  6. I think you would maaaaaaavelous in a bustier!!!!!

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  7. Hey Norman, show us the receipts. Yours, not someone elses, to show what a grand and exulted local shopper you are. Doubt you can. We would not want to see you in a boustier or spandex for that matter. And based on your comment, are you suggesting she buys her Latinos in Westfield instead of procuring the locally grown Latinos?? Your quote not mine.

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  8. Dear Bernice! What a hoot! I loved this post! You're the best and gave me and Libby a wonderful laugh. Enjoy the weekend in your Clarks.

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  9. Didn't Norman say he Had a discussion with the Mayor of North Plainfield at a car wash in North Plainfield. I guess Plainfield doesn't have "Latino's or Afro" car washes. A pot calling a Kettle a name.

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  10. Fond of you Bernice...you shop where ever your heart desires!"77 year old woman is not the market our city markets for...Thanks for all you do!

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  11. In this instance, to "admit" that you shop in Westfield is a crime? Heavens to murgatroyd! It is interesting that Ortega "admits" he was in North Plainfield at a car wash. Or was the North Plainfield mayor "admitting" to using a car wash in Plainfield? Why wouldn't Norman or the so-called Tri-County Latino organization be attending North Plainfield and South Plainfield council meetings to insist that they get municipal id cards? Is it because they don't care about the Latino communities in those towns, or is it that they are hell bent on criticizing anything good that comes from Plainfield? How come Norman didn't come out and support the earned sick leave which will benefit Latinos, especially women, who are by and large in low-paying jobs that don't have it? Because he is a negative and divisive and hypocritical person.

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  12. Bernice, Sooo funny....!!!! What a great chuckle....perhaps next Halloween we can all dress up in clothes from downtown!!

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  13. Very witty post, Bernice! And the best possible response to Mr. Ortega, who seems reduced to trolling for attention by attacking other bloggers. Plainfield needs an Hispanic leader who truly respects diversity, not "us against them"-ism.

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