Mallory: Hollywood (or Hollyweird) is home

21 Aug

All the preparations we’ve been making for our move to Atlanta have me thinking about my hometown quite a bit. When you live and work in South Florida and meet new people, you’re quick to realize that being a South Florida native living IN South Florida is actually a pretty rare thing.

I complain a lot about where we live. Sure, Hollywood has its share of crime and weirdos and people who don’t know how to drive (they don’t call it Hollyweird for nothing). And sure, I realize that these things are present in pretty much any other city. But despite those things, Hollywood is a neat place.

It helps that my family all lives here. One of the most beautiful South Florida beaches is a 15-minute bike ride from where we live. There are plenty of interesting, diverse restaurants to try (even if the turnover in restaurant spaces here is ridiculously high). All the schools I attended as a youngster are right around the corner, not far from the hospital where I was born. As storefronts and building facades and demographics here have evolved, we’ve stayed around. And I’m kind of glad.

Our new favorite Sunday ritual lately has been our big Sunday breakfast cooked at home while watching CBS Sunday Morning, followed by a bike ride to the Broadwalk for a mimosa crawl. Let me tell you. I *highly* recommend this and I’ll miss it dearly when we leave.

@malcolli on instagram

@malcolli on instagram

@malcolli on instagram

 

I’m glad to have discovered other local folks online who share my affinity for this place. I wanted to share some links to their blogs, as they’ve captured the eccentricity and weird awesomeness that is Hollywood so beautifully.

As excited as we are to experience life in another state (with winter! and snow! and hills!) I’ll always say hooray for Hollywood.
  • Bill T

    I remember I waking up under a park bench with no shoes, a mohawk and a christmas ornament in my earring piercing (actually I don’t recall having my ear pierced before that night) I looked around it was Young Circle in Hollyweird at least I still had pants on. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/shiggins1 Stephen Higgins

    What a wonderful post, I wish you all the best. 

  • http://todayimbobbi.blogspot.com bobbi

    Aw, Florida will miss you SO SO MUCH!!! I’m so excited for you, though! Thank you for the sweet words! I can’t get enough of H. Beach. I’m actually probably headed there in a few hours! :D

    • http://www.mallorycolliflower.com Mallory Colliflower

      It delighted me so much to see your beautiful pictures of our favorite beach! Enjoy the sun today! 

  • A Del Vecchio

    Mallory, all the best to you and Jesse. I may not be a native Floridian, but for the last 12 years Hollywood has been my home. And, don’t plan on going anywhere. I share your passion of what Hollywood has been and can be. I’ve enjoyed your writing (on this blog and other social media networks) and trust it will continue to flourish, even in Hotlanta. 
    As someone who embarked far from home 16 years ago, you are only a short flight away. Never forget that. You can always get your Hometown Hollywood fix.  Rock on.  AD

    • http://www.mallorycolliflower.com Mallory Colliflower

      Thanks A :) I should mention too that the first weekend after we move, we’re heading back to go to Disney. We just can’t stay away!