#SO FULL OF JOY AND FROLICKING AS YOU'D SAY!!!!

[fincalinde]

thought you might like this (video of a deer frolicking in the ocean) gryphon982 tumblr com/ post/630468234294984704/1dietcokeinacan-oh-to-be-oh-to-be-oh-to-be

I'm so sorry this ask is so old, I'm a monster, but please know that when I received it I literally ascended to heaven it is GLORIOUS.

In case the link up there doesn't work, please click this and weep for joy. It also goes extremely well with this recent gifset. I see no difference.

As a thank you, I have written a tiny snipsnip inspired by this gift. Xiyao at the beach, modern AU.

x

Having grown up in Brighton, Meng Yao rather takes the beach for granted. He would have preferred to take Lan Xichen somewhere more special, but then Lan Xichen said something about how he's never really been to any beaches in Hong Kong and Meng Yao picked up on a subtle note of wistfulness and that was that.

They've walked almost the entire length of the promenade at this point, and though nowhere is quiet in Brighton at the height of summer the worst of the tourists are well behind them. The sun is beating down and Lan Xichen's nose is peeling despite the suntan lotion Meng Yao helped rub all over him.

"It's beautiful here," he says with complete sincerity. Meng Yao thinks Brighton is a grotty little town he'll be glad to leave behind him, but he follows Lan Xichen's gaze and looks out over the shingle and the waves rolling up over the thin strip of sand.

"Do you want some more water?"

"Thank you." Lan Xichen accepts the bottle and takes a sip, then hands it back. His eyes are sparkling. "Shall we paddle?"

"Of course." Meng Yao stuffs the bottle back in his bag. They roll up their jeans and take off their socks and trainers, leaving the footwear on the shingle along with the bag, and walk out into the waves holding hands.

Lan Xichen has questions. Meng Yao identifies several types of broken shell, a dead crab rolling around in the waves, and a heap of bladderwrack.

"What about fossils?" asks Lan Xichen.

"You don't really get them here. You'd need to try Peacehaven instead, it's not far."

"One day," says Lan Xichen. "If you want."

"I want," says Meng Yao, and laughs when Lan Xichen wades further into the waves. "Gege, I can't come with you, I'm shorter than you. My jeans will get wet."

"Sorry." Lan Xichen disentangles their fingers. "I won't be long."

"Take as long as you want." Meng Yao's finished work for the day and has nowhere else to be, and he doesn't mind at all. It fills him with happiness to see Lan Xichen wading through the waves and grinning with delight every time another rolls in over his toes.

Lan Xichen holds out his arms and stretches. He closes his eyes and smiles at nothing. Then he opens his eyes again and glances at Meng Yao before turning away and breaking into a jog. After twenty paces he stops and looks back and Meng Yao beams and makes an encouraging gesture.

In answer Lan Xichen grins again. He starts moving again, not walking or jogging but running full pelt through the shallows, sand and saltwater kicking up at his heels. He runs and he runs with the sea breeze in his hair, and then he curves about, barely slowing, and comes pelting back to Meng Yao. The joy in his face demands an answer, and Meng Yao takes a few involuntary steps before breaking into an answering run of his own.

They are with each other in moments, and Meng Yao reaches out to wrap his arms around Lan Xichen's waist and Lan Xichen reaches down to set his hands to Meng Yao's face and they kiss like Meng Yao didn't know it was possible to kiss.

"Really," breathes Lan Xichen against his mouth. "So beautiful."

#gryphon982 #ask #roquen fic #technically set in my modern au #series titled 'our love is small yet shining' on ao3 #xiyao #jin guangyao #lan xichen

[jessejunkocreates]

Celebrating Bestie Photo Shoots with Meredith Johnson!  Ithaca photographer Meredith Johnson has worked with Themis and Thread for years and we've always loved her gentle charm and attentive care which calms and guides, resulting in gorgeous images.  This fall she captured Stefanie and Hannah's friendship in a bold and bright whimsical collection of images.  This talented, rising star believes “...we share all kinds of love in our lifetime and even our friendships can be really big loves. Sometimes ‘friendship’ isn’t a strong enough word because even when it’s not blood, your people are your people and that’s family.  I think it’s important to remember the important people and moments through images. You can have a memory of something, but there’s nothing like looking back at a physical image to reinforce those moments in time.” Meredith did just that with Stefanie and Hannah at the Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, New York.  

Stefanie and Hannah had been best friends for Five years, and after a breakup and a need for some love and positivity Stefanie came up with the idea of a Bestie Shoot for some cheer.  Hannah embraced the idea of doing a photo shoot because it was a way for her and Stefanie to capture their radiance, vulnerability, playfulness, and laughter when Stephanie was going through a break up and needed to have something good to look forward to. This is a lovely way to support and celebrate friendship!  I just LOVE this! Thinking about friendship I always have Bill Withers' “Lean On Me” running through my head...  

“Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow...  Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on... Just call on me brother when you need a hand, we all need somebody to lean on.”

Depression, sadness and loss are so painful and personal, but being with your best friend always cheers you up.  Our friendships are such important relationships, and as we wind down from the holidays and head towards Valentine's Day I think it's so important to focus on the love you already have in your life, even if it isn't romantic love.  This can be a dark and difficult season, but I promise you, you are not alone, and “your people” want to help you feel your best.  As a designer I care about how people feel, and that goes way beyond how  you feel in clothing, that's just the professional way I've found to execute and communicate my love.

Some of my first experiments in personal style involved friends, fashion and photos – (thankfully I'm an old enough Millennial that social media wasn't yet involved!)  A professional photographer and intention takes this concept to the next level!  Flowing dresses, golden light, a lush backdrop perfect for frolicking, and the comfort and joy that only comes from spending time with your bestie made this experience picture perfect.

Stefanie and Hannah both worked in childcare before they knew each other and brought their students to the same playground every afternoon. Although the kids played together it took them about a year to even speak, but once they did, they were inseparable!  The first time they hung out together outside of work was at Ithaca's Apple Fest, the photo of them under the umbrella was from that day!  As it goes with all relationships Stefanie and Hannah have grown their friendship over the years and love each other for their unique characteristics and the way they are accepted and seen by the other.  Hannah says “We have shared a lot of experiences together over the last five years from laughing till we gasp for breath to crying in each others arms. I know that whatever life throws at me Stefanie will always be at my side!”  The two love getting ready together and enjoying Margaritas and meals at Viva (Ithaca's iconic Mexican joint.)

Meredith Johnson happened to be a mutual friend of the two, so she was an easy choice for their Bestie Shoot.  Hannah said “I loved having her as our photographer because she brought with her knowledge and expertise and combined it with an ease, comfort, creativity and fun. This was important for me because doing a photo shoot isn’t something that is necessarily in my comfort zone.”  Being in front of the camera often isn't a comfortable experience, but being with your bestie is!  Stefanie and Hannah wanted to emanate summer vibes so they wore their favorite flowing maxi dresses (which just so happened to compliment each other perfectly – don't you love when that happens?!) that made them feel comfortable, beautiful and strong.  After searching for a vast green space for the shoot Meredith suggested the Cornell Plantations, full of verdant light.  Stefanie and Hannah joked about feeling like it was an Engagement Shoot, but then eased into the experience and embraced that best friend security.  When I asked Stefanie how being with her best friend makes her feels she said:  “It gives me a sense of safety and joy. She's my person, she knows me better than I know myself sometimes, and no matter what we end up doing together, it's always fun.” “The more time we ended up spending together, the closer we grew. It’s an amazing and beautiful bond that we have. Friendships like this, especially as you get older, are hard to come by. So,I’ll always hold it close to my heart.”

Share this with your best friends to remind them you love them!

The pictures I chose to share includes a couple pictures Meredith has taken of me and my bestie in the intro image, a pic from the first time Stefanie and Hannah hung out outside of work, Stefanie's favorite from the shoot (the first of their series), and a couple other besties Meredith shot this winter.  Visit the M. Johnson Photography Facebook Page to see more and to get in touch with Meredith Johnson.

If you'd like to join in on a fun and lighthearted group modeling session with Meredith Johnson for our sustainable fashion collection stay tuned and SAVE THE DATE April 10th!

#bestie photo shoot #galentines day #girl power #girl love #besties #girlsjustwanttohavefun #flx #flxfamily #cornell plantations #m. johnson photography #ithaca ny #sustainable style #modeling #frolicking #gal pals #galentinesday