To have and to hold?

Another short story idea I thought I'd share. I hope you like it.....

The bride beamed as she gracefully moved around the dance floor. Her svelte figure covered in satin and lace trailed behind her. Long blonde curls fell around her face and past her shoulders. She was an elegance of beauty that everyone admired.

Guests beamed at as she relished in her day, for she had married the man who would look after her for the rest of their lives together.

He watched in awe as the love of his life gracefully swept across the dance floor. He was a lucky man but behind that smile he knew a different story.

He knew she didnt truly love him. Not like the way she loved his best friend. Even though she promised him it was over, he knew they were both still in love, but he refused to let her go. He knew the guilt would eventually eat him up but until that day came he promised he would do anything to keep her by his side even if it meant blackmailing her.

He hated himself for it but it was the only way he could keep her close to him. The threats, the lies. None of it really mattered to him because she was now his. He promised himself he would change as soon as they exchanged vows and today was that day. Today was the start of a new life for him. For them.

But just to be sure, he kept the knife hidden under the bed.....

This Girl Can

If there was ever a moment where inspiration was needed, tonight was that moment. Curled up on the sofa after a day of doing very little, I was about to head to bed to get ready for another day of the same tomorrow when I was struck by an advert on TV that I feel compelled to write about.

#ThisGirlCan sees a 90 second video of a group of girls participating in various fitness activities in order to overcome their battles. These are normal every day women who are striving to keep fit regardless of what they look like or what their fitness levels are. 

It a short, but really inspiring advert and it has already taken social media by storm with so many people following and using the hashtag. It is a great way for girls to connect through fitness and just go out there and do their thing. I love it already!

You can also visit the website www.thisgirlcan.co.uk and follow them on Twitter @ThisGirlCanUK

If you haven't seen the ad, or want to see it again, check it out:

Happy New Year!

Well, it's 7 days into the new year already and what a year it's been! I have had a great first week of 2015 spending time with my friends, partying in London with my family, training for my half marathon, organising hen parties and staying focused on the job hunting which, fingers crossed, is heading in the right direction!

I've decided not to make any resolutions this year, instead I am adopting a very simple mantra: stay happy in everything I do! Even through the challenges, I am going to find the positive and hopefully it will make for a very successful year. So far it's working so lets hope I can continue with it. Already, there are lots of opportunities ahead which I am very excited about. Don't worry, I will endeavor to tell you all about them as soon as I can! 

I hope January is treating you well and in good health. Big hats off to all of those dedicated to doing the Dryathlon. I admire anyone that can be committed to not drinking! I probably shouldn't admit this but I am typing this whilst enjoying a large, chilled glass of wine - multi tasking at its best! 

Maybe I'll give it a go next year, but for now, Cheers!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

This is just a little note to say tonight has been a defining moment for me because my blog has broken the 20,000 page views barrier! I am so unbelievably happy and feel restored that my passion IS still my strength. Roll on 2015, I'm determined to make my writing even more successful. 

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me and encouraged me to take risks with it, and to every single person who has taken the time to read, comment and share my work! 

I never imagined it would take off like this when I wrote my first piece - it was just a place to share my work - but so much good has come from what I have written and my confidence has grown tremendously. 

I am so excited to continue with my writing journey through the next year and hope you will continue to enjoy and share it.

Thank you everyone, you have made a girl very happy! xxx

Another year (almost) over

I can't believe another year is coming to a close. Where did it go? It's almost terrifying how quickly it has passed. Once again, it has had given me many highs and also many lows but I guess life wouldn't be the same if I didn't go through it like that. 

Although Christmas festivities are still going, I have spent most of today cocooned in my flat, tidying up, doing washing, and catching up on Eastenders! I am now looking forward to what 2015 is going to bring - both the known and unknown. I have a good feeling about this next year. Already lots of good things happening, including taking part in my very first half marathon!

I know, I know, you probably had to re-read that last sentence, but it's true, I have signed up to do the Milton Keynes run on March and it's only 10 weeks away so not much training time left, but still enough to do it. It is going to mean a lot of dedication which, after looking out of my window to a blanket of ice on the roads, I wasn't feeling the motivation! I'm determined to do it though so watch this space, I'll no doubt be writing more about it in the coming weeks. 

The first thing I need to do now is get a new job! My seasonal temporary job has come to an end so the world is once again my oyster. I'm determined to find something soon so keep your fingers crossed for me.

I am now off to pour myself a cheeky baileys on ice and enjoy another slice of my home made Christmas cake. Whatever your plans are for New Years Eve, I hope you have a great time and wish you a fantastic 2015. Keep in touch because I have lots of things to share but for now, I'll leave you with anticipation!

Happy New Year!

Tanya xx

Christmas is coming....

Excitement has prevailed after a visit to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park last weekend followed by the official Christmas Tree decoration in my flat - my first ever tree in my own place. There's something quite special about that!

Since then, I have been relishing in the Christmas cheer enjoying some mulled cider, watching those old, cheesy, but heartwarming movies on TV and making sure I keep feeding my Christmas cake with Brandy.

Today I am looking forward to meeting up with my family for some festive drinks and nibbles at Corkers - a champagne cocktail bar in town. In preparation, I am currently sitting in my favorite hair salon, Octopus Hair, with foils in looking more like something out of a horror movie! It's ok though, Michael Bublè is on in the background and I have a lovely fresh cup of coffee, mince pie and shot glass of minstrels to enjoy while the transformation takes place! 

What a life!

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas now. All we need is for Mr Jack Frost to move on and make room for Mr Snowman to add the finishing touches...then it really will be magical!

I'm wide awake

12.30am and I'm wide awake. This is a regular occurrence for me, not through choice, but more to do with everything that's swimming around in my mind so I thought I'd try the one thing that actually seems to work for me: writing.

The problem is, where do I start? There are times when I want to pour my heart out and tell you everything that's playing on my mind, but when I comes to the crunch, I just can't do it. Why? I don't know, but I'm hoping somewhere within these baffled words sense will reappear and I'll be able to make way along the clear path again.

My problem is I overthink to a point where I'm imagining things that aren't there. Big mistake, I know but how do you stop yourself? I often imagine what it would feel like standing ontop of a cliff or mountain, holding my arms out and just screaming into the distance, letting all the anxiety and all these silly niggles go. I envisage it to be quite a cathartic experience where by the end I feel renewed and ready to take on the world once more. It's a good thought; relaxing; carefree. 

I guess all I need is that big bear hug and for someone to look me in the eye and reassure me that everything's going to be ok. I feel like I've been on a never ending roller coaster, only now when I think I'm about to get off,  it just keeps going. I'm feeling dizzy and it's not a great feeling. I need to go back to the beach with my music and vodka. Hopefully I'm almost there but for now, a little sign would be nice!