December 4, 2010

Mean or Hilarous.....YOU DECIDE!

Its gotten pretty cold in Jax this week, and Finnegan has been suffering through the weather change. He's a big fan of his sweater, but tonight, after he had a bath, I put him in footie - trap-door pajamas.

So, the question is - Mean or Hilarous?





Hope you enjoyed your trip to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!

November 8, 2010

Well...by personal request...here's the update you've been LONGING for (hehe!)

1. Get a job that I love and that pays me well. (CHECK!) Between accomplishing this one, continuing a relationship in two different cities, volunteer commitments...well....you'll read on. I LOVE what I'm doing and couldn't be happier. Now for just a bit of balance with the rest of my life.

2. Keep up with the blog (1 post each week) - Not doing so well with this one. If you have any tips on being better with this, send them my way. I think I just always want to give you a treat with something funny or insightful...and sometimes, there's NADA!

3. Attend Church Service at least once a month - going well!

4. Take a wine tasting class. - I took a beer-tasting class...I wonder if that counts!

5. Visit the Cummer Museum

6. Visit Dottie Beard in Annapolis - haven't done this one yet, but I did get to see her at Grandma's 80th birthday extravaganza. Maybe my next blog post should be how Dottie became an honorary member of our family.

7. Attend a Jacksonville Art Walk (planning on this one in December)

8. Pick a volunteer project and get started. (I’m leaning towards signing up as a mentor or volunteering at the Florida Theater, but that may change.)

9. Lose an unspecified amount of weight

10. Go to a Good Shepherd Chamber Music Society concert

11. See the sunrise from the beach - I tried one day....and I missed it, by about 15 minutes CRAP!

12. Clean up media on iPod

13. Get car back in garage

14. Go somewhere special for New Year’s Eve

15. Cook at least three meals at home each week. - this one is going pretty well....I should fill you in on what we're eating.

16. No more library fines – and only check out books - I have MISERABLE FAILED AT THIS ONE.

17. Visit Helen, Georgia during Octoberfest

18. Go to a Jacksonville Seminole Club event

19. Take a Photography Class

20. Plan Day-trip from Jax and Gainesville (Neil’s current home-base) to somewhere I haven’t been in at least 10 years.

21. Get Savannah art framed and hung (CHECK!) Actually I can claim no credit for this one - Neil had it beautifully framed for my birthday

22. Update the reading list – include authors with actual merit rather than reality television fixtures. This is going well. I'm currently reading Piper Kerman's Orange is the New Black, My Year in a Women's Prision. It's FASCINATING.

23. Take more pictures of myself and with Neil. (So far so good) See below

24. Go to the Planetarium - I may be getting this one checked off next month - stay tuned.

25. Find an obedience class for Finn.

26. Plan and take a road trip to Nashville - Because of some of the awesome air fare deals on Southwest, this one may have to be a flight this year....but I'll let you know!

27. Wash and clean out my car once a week - going well.

28. Go kayaking with Neil

29. Start a wine log

30. Go to the beach at least once each month (So far so good)

31. Go to Ikea in Orlando

32. Make homemade Mayonnaise and Pesto sauce


So there you have it. I think I need to focus a little more on this list if I want to accomplish it before the year is out.

September 16, 2010

Well, that worked out well.

Yes, I am aware that the week after I posted that my goal was to post once a week, I left Mollywood for a month! But the truth is, I was working on the Dirty Thirty-two!


So, I think you deserve an update....


1. Get a job that I love and that pays me well. (CHECK!) Getting this one accomplished is why Mollywood has been so lonely! I started last Tuesday and now I have to get up and out in the morning and remember how to work in an office!

2. Keep up with the blog (1 post each week) - yeah, so this one has turned out to be a little harding in leiu of number 1 being accomplished. I get back in the groove though.

3. Attend Church Service at least once a month (So far so good)

4. Take a wine tasting class.

5. Visit the Cummer Museum

6. Visit Dottie Beard in Annapolis

7. Attend a Jacksonville Art Walk

8. Pick a volunteer project and get started. (I’m leaning towards signing up as a mentor or volunteering at the Florida Theater, but that may change.)

9. Lose an unspecified amount of weight

10. Go to a Good Shepherd Chamber Music Society concert

11. See the sunrise from the beach - I tried one day....and I missed it, by about 15 minutes CRAP!

12. Clean up media on iPod

13. Get car back in garage

14. Go somewhere special for New Year’s Eve

15. Cook at least three meals at home each week.

16. No more library fines – and only check out books

17. Visit Helen, Georgia during Octoberfest

18. Go to a Jacksonville Seminole Club event

19. Take a Photography Class

20. Plan Day-trip from Jax and Gainesville (Neil’s current home-base) to somewhere I haven’t been in at least 10 years.

21. Get Savannah art framed and hung (CHECK!) Actually I can claim no credit for this one - Neil had it beautifully framed for my birthday

22. Update the reading list – include authors with actual merit rather than reality television fixtures.

23. Take more pictures of myself and with Neil. (So far so good) See below

24. Go to the Planetarium

25. Find an obedience class for Finn.

26. Plan and take a road trip to Nashville (So far so good) Started talking to Mysch about this one fingers crossed!

27. Wash and clean out my car once a week

28. Go kayaking with Neil

29. Start a wine log

30. Go to the beach at least once each month (So far so good)

31. Go to Ikea in Orlando

32. Make homemade Mayonnaise and Pesto sauce

About three days after I originally posted the list - Neil took me to St. Augustine for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. That weekend really made me realize how lucky I am that I found him. We had an incredible time - he's so much fun! And I'm looking forward to all of the adventures we're going to have in the future (I KNOW HOW I SOUND - BEAR WITH ME!).
All these people around me have found this (or at least I hope that this is what they've found) and I always thought they were full of crap!
So, St. Auggie was awesome, though INCREDIBLY hot and humid (obviously, because I look melted in this photo).
Survivor
A quick PS - I accidentally caught the new season of Survivor last night - and Jimmy Johnson is on the island. Super Bowl winning coach, Jimmy Johnson. And its not celebrity Survivor, its regular people Survivor. HE'S AWESOME!
Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...I'll catch you soon!

August 18, 2010

Namaste

Well...I may have joined the revolution 15 years too late, but I'm here.

I am starting Yoga. In a given day, I follow a variety of Blogs....well I won a contest from the fabulous Allison Winn Scotch http://www.allisonwinn.com/ during the launch of her most recent book. Hooray for internet contests where I win $25 to Amazon.com!

Well, I've also become a closet fan of Bethenny Frankel....I KNOW! So, I've been doing some research, checked out her first book from the Library and was curious about her exercise video, available exclusively through....you guessed it....Amazon.com.

Well, once I got my gift certificate, it was the first thing I purchased, and the bonus is it came with an optional video download....so I could enjoy right away before my DVD arrives. And. It. Kicked. My. Ass. Its mostly Yoga with a mix of basic weight training and some butt sculpting. And the best part? It was free (if it wasn't free, it was a paltry $12.99).

My goal is simple. I'm going to try to follow it every week day for the next week. Experts say if you really want to make a habit and make it stick, you should commit to 30 days. I know how short my attention span is. If I can commit to a week, and then another week, maybe I can be on a new path to enlightenment along with the Dalai Lamma.

Hopefully this is the start of a whole new me!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...I'll catch you soon!

August 17, 2010

Dirty - Thirty (two)

My birthday is this week. And once again I am finding myself without a job for my birthday. But this time, I've decided to turn things on a positive ear. So, aside from my daily affirmations "I have a job that I love and that pays me well," which a dear dear friend tells me helps turn the universe in your favor, I've come up with a to-do list for this year.

Thirty-two things to do while I'm thirty-two. (I'd like to claim I came up with this on my own, but I stole it from my friend Erin and her blog A Girl and Her Mutt) So, here goes, big and small, we love them all and the project is going to be to attempt to accomplish them all - and I'll report back periodically on how its going.

1. Get a job that I love and that pays me well.
2. Keep up with the blog (1 post each week)
3. Attend Church Service at least once a month
4. Take a wine tasting class.
5. Visit the Cummer Museum
6. Visit Dottie Beard in Annapolis
7. Attend a Jacksonville Art Walk
8. Pick a volunteer project and get started. (I’m leaning towards signing up as a mentor or volunteering at the Florida Theater, but that may change.)
9. Lose an unspecified amount of weight
10. Go to a Good Shepherd Chamber Music Society concert
11. See the sunrise from the beach
12. Clean up media on iPod
13. Get car back in garage
14. Go somewhere special for New Year’s Eve
15. Cook at least three meals at home each week.
16. No more library fines – and only check out books
17. Visit Helen, Georgia during Octoberfest
18. Go to a Jacksonville Seminole Club event
19. Take a Photography Class
20. Plan Day-trip from Jax and Gainesville (Neil’s current home-base) to somewhere I haven’t been in at least 10 years.
21. Get Savannah art framed and hung
22. Update the reading list – include authors with actual merit rather than reality television fixtures.
23. Take more pictures of myself and with Neil.
24. Go to the Planetarium
25. Find an obedience class for Finn.
26. Plan and take a road trip to Nashville
27. Wash and clean out my car once a week
28. Go kayaking with Neil
29. Start a wine log
30. Go to the beach at least once each month
31. Go to Ikea in Orlando
32. Make homemade Mayonnaise and Pesto sauce

Wish me luck! I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood! I'll catch you next time!

July 22, 2010

Stella & Dot - New Collection Highlights

What's up people? Its an early Thursday edition of Mollywood! Just a few more highlights from the new collection before we have the Friday edition FULL of statement necklaces. If you know anything about me, you know, I'm ALL about the statement necklace!
Lady Bug Stud Earrings – E112G - $24.00
Its the hand-set pave ladybug studs from one of my favorite Stella & Dot motifs. You’ve seen it flitting on our bloom flower and around other pieces.

Sloane Enamel Bangle – 134I - $59.00
Hand-painted ivory enameled bangle is scalloped with our signature pattern and handset stones. Fabulous alone or layered. 2.5” inner diameter. Hinge closure.
Matching Hoop Earrings – E118I - $39.00

Jolie Cocktail Ring – R107M - $79.00
This eye-popping semi-precious stone ring is a virtual piece of pop art. LOVE IT! This is one of those pieces that will continue to make a statement with this beautiful array of blue, red, green and gold.

Maltese Brooch – Coral – BR107C - $44.00
Part of this year's La Coco concept. Faceted stones add splashes of color and dimension to this Maltese cross interpretation in a brooch. Pin it to a lapel, a fedora, or clip it to a La Coco chain. Available in coral or green. Watch the video below for styling ideas.



And last but not least......

Owl Charm Pendant Necklace – N137 - $44.00
Wise, wonderful, whimsical. Our vintage owl pendant on gold plated link chain is for the woman with a playful style. Approximately 18” length with 1” extender. Lobster clasp closure.

I have a feeling EVERY Chi Omega I know will want to add this to their collection.

Don't forget, you can order these pieces today! Visit www.stelladot.com/mollywood and click on "Find your hostess" in the upper right corner. I'm your hostess for the online summer pre-sale, so search for Molly and you'll enjoy discounted trunk show shipping prices rather than regular online prices.

Email me at molly.c.wahl@gmail.com if you have questions!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...hope you enjoyed your visit! I'll catch you soon!

July 21, 2010

Stella & Dot is Back for Fall!

There's been a lot of things in my life that got put on hold the first part of this year. Mollywood was one of them, and I'm trying desperately to get my readers back! If you're back...I'm not shy about wanting the blog love!

The second thing that got put on hold was Stella & Dot. S&D started for me as something to help me get out and about while I was working from home and help add to my schedule and keep me busy. Making a little money and getting a bunch of free jewelry for me, was a BONUS! An excellent Bonus! And you know what I've discovered, I miss it!

I miss getting to share the FABULOUS jewelry with you. I miss getting to play with the jewelry and with you all....and I miss helping my hostesses earn FREE jewelry.
Coincidently, the new Fall/Winter 2010 Stella & Dot line launched this week (come on, you don't really believe in coincidences do you?) So, here's what. I'm going to post a preview of the new pieces (and some Summer Sale stuff too!) in the next few weeks. If you see something you like, I'm hosting an online trunk show until August 20th. Just visit www.stelladot.com/mollywood and look in the upper right corner, where you can choose your hostess (ME!). Also, ordering through a trunk show gets you show shipping (which is $5.95 flat) rather than the sliding scale for regular online orders!


The Jewels


Alright...this is now officially the longest blog post in America. Oh well...lots to share with you! We'll start with the Summer Sale. It seems that lots of pieces that I've been coveting over the last year are now available at a reduced price...lucky for you! Here's a few of my favs:
Della Triple Strand Necklace - N1002 - ON SALE $73.00
Oh, I've wanted this necklace for so long. Its one of those wardrobe staples that looks good with a black tie dress, a suit or jeans and a t-shirt (I've tried it on with all three, I promise!)


Kelly Cuff in Red - B811R - ON SALE $67.00
also in Black - B811 - ON SALE $67.00
(This should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe. It turns into a great statement piece and every time I wear it, someone mentions it!)



Palm Necklace with Starfish - N111S - ON SALE $73.00
(This necklace, and its sister the Boca Necklace with the Bee, N109G, are SO Lilly Pulitzer is not even funny. I'll be wearing this one with my Lilly Jellyfish dress!)


Audrey Cluster Bracelet - B122 - $69.00
This is from the new line, and I have a feeling its going to become a Holiday staple. It matches with so many things that its going to be hard to NOT own this one.

Remember, see anything you like, www.stelladot.com/mollywood - and I'm the party hostess.

Check out the Fall Line and the Summer Sale, you won't be disappointed when you do!

Next time we'll talk about the Girls line and the Foundation bracelets along with more highlights from the Fall line!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!

















July 14, 2010

Sadly Selling Dave Matthews Band Tickets

You may or may not know, I'm obsessed.

I am obsessed with going to see Dave Matthews Band in a live show. I've been to something like 12-14 shows (I can't remember) and each one is different and better than the last.


Two years ago, my friend Tonya and I decided that we'd start combining the DMB summer tour with our vacation schedule. We pick a show that's somewhere we want to go on vacation and set off.

We've been to Charleston, SC; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN and were planning to go too Washington, DC this summer. And since the Band has announced they aren't touring next summer, this was an even more exciting trip for us.

Yup...those are the plans you make when you're working and have a job.

Now that I'm a job hunter, I don't have the resources to travel, and well....its not such a good idea.



I think I'll miss Dave dancing "Crazy Legs" most of all. If you've never been to a show before, you really don't know what you're missing.

My other favorite part of the shows? Boyd Tinsley ROCKING out on the violin. Seriously, I LOVE that there's a guy with a violin just wailing on a stage in front of between 20,000 and 50,000 people. Its absolutely incredible.


So, this summer's tickets are for sale! If you're interested, I'll FedEx them to you in time for the show....they're listed on StubHub for $170 a piece, but the special MollyWood price is $150 each (that's a $40 discount for being a MollyWood follower!)

Ticket Details:

The tickets are Section 204, Row J, Seats 5 & 6.

The Show is Friday, July 23rd at 7pm at the Washington Nationals Stadium.

Even better - the opener is the Zac Brown Band.

Shoot me an email if you're interested. molly.c.wahl@gmail.com


Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood!

June 30, 2010

Do I Smell like Crazy?

Well..its official...I'm using a travel deodorant because I was almost out and the stupid man at Target scanned my new deodorant and DIDN'T put it in the bag....grrr.

Which makes me wonder....do I smell like crazy?

I started thinking about the crazy people that I seem to attract and the stories they produce...here's a hint of some of the greatest hits.

Kitty Litter Necklace

So, in at least part of my career, part of my job has been to interview and hire new staff. If you've ever done this...you know how particularly entertaining this can be. If you haven't, I highly reccommend you try it at least once...it is a PARADE of people watching for your disposal.

On one such occasion, I had a young woman come in for an interview. As, we work in fundraising, I asked her about walking into a situation and how she networked. She was dressed professionally enough (you wouldn't believe some of the outfits I saw) and picked up her necklace from her neck and said, "I usually just use this necklace. This necklace is like kitty litter for old people....they're just attracted to it. So I would just go to meetings and gatherings and wear this necklace. The people will just come to me."

Needless to say, I continued interviewing additional candidates.

I'm not crazy....and I don't need this dress.

About six years ago, I lived in a one bedroom apartment (the last one I lived in by the way). It was on the third floor in a large complex, and in the spring and fall...it was really nice to sleep with the windows open and know that noone would be able to get in. At about 7 one morning, I heard a ruckus outside.

"Hey! Hey!" This continued at pretty regular intervals for about ten minutes.

So, I got up and walked to the window. Where I saw a woman, wearing shoes and walking, well, stumbling around the parking lot, completely naked. And yelling.

"Hey! Hey! I'm not crazy!"

Now, at this point, I need to interject. If you're truly not crazy, there's no need to broadcast it to people who aren't asking.

About 10 minutes later, the police department came and escorted home.


More crazy to come....this was just your first taste!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood....catch you soon!

June 27, 2010

Keep the Big ones High and Dry!

So, part of my focus this summer has been cleaning out the three closets and two dressers in my house the contain my clothes. I know, I know, but listen, I'm working on it!

Well, one of the things that I've discovered is that I am in desperate need of new bras. Well, lo and behold, Lane Bryant, perveyor of fine larger sized underpinnings was having a sale. What's that? A sale? And I found it....I don't know how I do it!

Every time I think about buying bras, I think of Bette singing about them in "Beaches." Enjoy.



An aside. I am not a size two. Its sometimes a challenge to find fashionable clothing that doesn't look like a mumu. Seriously, its easy to find larger brassieres, but they generally look like they are (1) made for your grandma and (2) they are white or beige. Maybe black, but that's a long shot.

So, I set off this afternoon. And grabbed a few that I liked, and headed to the dressing room. Where I made an incredible discovery. It has been a while since I've bought myself new bras.

With this knowledge in hand, I headed back to the floor to grab a variety of different sizes and headed back in. And then I came out again. I had a few good ones...but the sale was buy two get two free (that's about $70 or so in free bras!)! At this point the woman working there became suspicious. She approached...kind of like a zoo worker. She was in my peripheral vision for a few minutes, and she sort of skidded around, but then, she pounced:

Saleswoman: "Is there a certain size you're looking for?"

(now, at this point I was almost sitting on the floor to get to the rack on the bottom of the stand to try and find my size in the jungle of satin and lace.)

Me: "Nope, I'm just trying to find my size. Do you know if they would be anywhere else?"

Saleswoman: "Now, you've got a variety of sizes, are you sure you know what size you wear?"
And with that, she took the measuring tape, pink of course, that was hanging around her neck and lasso-ed me with it.
"You know, most women are wearing the wrong bra size."

Me: "You don't say? Now, can I have my breasts back?"

And this is when she felt me up, grabbed two bras of the rack, and sent me back to the dressing room. She then knocked on the door "Can I see how it looks?"

Now, I don't know about ya'll...I'm not all that modest, but I don't need a 50-something sales woman in my dressing room, feeling my bra to make sure it fits right.

Here's what I do know.....4 bras and 5 pairs of panties (thanks to the chick in line behind me who had an extra coupon....$74! I am a shopping rock star.

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood!

June 25, 2010

A touch of Random-ness...

Here's just a touch of the random-ness that is Mollywood!

(1) My house looks much like a tornado has come through my house. My entire house. I think being gone the last three weekends has done me in. Its slowly but surely coming back together, but a month worth of sloth takes a while to clean up.


(2) Have you ever tried to teach a dog how to do tricks? Seriously. We mastered "sit." It took a while. It took a long while. He'll now sit WITHOUT me having a cookie in my hand. I consider this a victory.


But then we added "down" to the repitoire. He's got that one down cold. Except he confuses "sit" and "down." I'll say "sit" and he'll lay down and look at me like I'm nuts. And sometimes, if there's a cookie involved, he'll just go straight to laying down, because he thinks that will get him the cookie faster.

Now we're adding in "shake" and the biggest problem there is, Finn doesn't like it when you touch his legs and feet. This is going to be interesting.

(3) My DVD player remote has gone AWOL. Now, I realize that this might have something to do with the MESS that is my house...but I spent the better part of this afternoon cleaning up this sty, and it is no where to be found. I'm afraid that the $20 DVD player is going to have to be replaced......HEAVENS!

(4) I just saw the first feature on ABC's The Bachelor Pad...so I checked out the show's web site....http://abc.go.com/shows/bachelor-pad?cid=showsitelinks_search. Now, most of you know I'm a HUGE fan of the Bachelor and the Bacheloretter. I've been watching since the first season and if you haven't yet checked it out....Lincee Ray's IHateGreenBeans.com blog is FABULOUS! This is going to be a train wreck of epic proportions.

(5) Since Neil and I are sitting on my couch, both of us laptops in laps (we are such a 21st century couple!) I think we should go work on the disconnected-ness. EEEWWWW...Dirty Mind! I meant we should go spend some quality time together!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...hope you enjoyed your stay!

June 24, 2010

Disconnected like a light socket...

I'm feeling very disconnected.


So, what you may or may not know is Neil and I have been in a really good place, and we're moving forward.


I think what's exciting is that we were never that white hot fury that has faded. I think all along we've had an incredible relationship that's just gotten stronger over the past few months.

And then, he got a new job. And its exciting! And I'm so happy for him and proud of him. He deserves this job - its exactly what he wants to be doing and he's getting compensated appropriately.

But he had to move to Gainesville.

Now, it was bad enough that he lived on the almost opposite side of Jacksonville from me. Seriously, on a good day, it took 20 minutes to drive to his house....on a bad day FOR THE LOVE OF GOD...it took over an hour!

So then he moves to Gainesville. Now, I realize that as a Gator (I know, I know....WHAT am I thinking!?!?!) this for him is like me moving to Tallahassee. But, as a self-respecting, Seminole loving, Garnet and Gold bleeding woman, I have a hard time driving into HogTown on the weekends.

And while we're on the subject....this is where my disconnectedness is coming from.

I need more than two days a week. I'm so used to seeing him that I'm having a hard time, and this week, its starting to show.

I feel disconnected from him. I need your help. All my married folks....how do you do it? How do you manage to have a career, outside activites, family, friends, traveling, pets, etc. and still seem connected to your person? How are you keeping yourself connected when there's seemingly nothing much to talk about?

We're only a month in to this long distance (ha) thing, and I'm struggling this week.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you later!

June 11, 2010

Mollywood is changing tack....JIVE HO!

So, its been a while since I've been inspired to write....Inspiration...FOUND!



Its been found in the form of a new friend....who I think is fabulous. You should check out her blog too...http://www.princessofrobinia.com!



So this blog isn't about her...but she's the catalyst for my new-found blogging. I realized out at drinks last night that she is just as busy as I am, and still has time to blog almost daily...and there's no reason I can't do it.



Some of this blog will stay the same...you'll still be getting the "Smart People of the Day" awards, a touch of Random-ness, and my other observations on life, but instead of my dating adventures...you'll get to read about the adventures of what happens after you find prince charming.



So that's what you've missed, I guess. Mollywood has fallen in love....I know, right!?! More on that to come in more blogs.



Back to the "Smart People of the Day." For this week....there's a few...but in only one category!

Jacksonville Drivers. Why am I the only person in this town that knows how to drive? I can't understand why following the posted and learned rules of the road is so complicated. It is NOT OK to make a right turn from the left lane, especially when I am driving IN the right lane. It is NOT OK to stop your car in the middle of the street for no apparent reason. It is NOT OK to drive 60 miles per hour down a residential street with a posted speed limit of 30.


Hope you've enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!