$(document).ready(function() { 
            var options = {
            target: '#mailingList',
            beforeSubmit: showRequest,
            success: showResponse
            };

            $('#mailingListForm').submit(function() { 
                  $(this).ajaxSubmit(options);
                 return false;
            }); 
        }); 

function showRequest(formData, jqForm, options) {

var form = jqForm[0];
if (/^\w+([\.-]?\w+)*@\w+([\.-]?\w+)*(\.\w{2,3})+$/.test(form.email.value)){
return (true);
} 

else {
alert("Please enter a valid e-mail address.");
return (false);
}
}


function showResponse(responseText, statusText) {
$("#mailingList").animate({"opacity" : 0}, 0);
$("#mailingList").animate({"opacity" : 1}, 600);
}