Last night we went to see The Smashing Pumpkins, and it has pulled me out of blogging obscurity. I know. Weird. It's only been, what, a year? More? Meh, whatever. 

When I was a kid, grade 6, I bought a mix tape from this kid in my middle school. The Mix Tape is called "Chuck's Kick Ass Mix' and it was indeed, a kick ass mix. On it was a pretty incredible mix of bands - Rage Against the Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Blind Melon....and The Smashing Pumpkins. And so began my love of this band. 

There are many bands that I love more than SP, it's not that I'm a superfan. But, this band is my CHILDHOOD. Hearing the song Today takes me right back to the first time I listened, right after I went downtown and bought the tape with my allowance. And hearing 1979 takes me right back to laying in fields in the summer with friends, trying to figure out where we should go, what we should do, nothing but time on our hands. We weren't all absorbed with technology, we were just kids, wild and free, right on the cusp of the technological revolution that is slowly robbing our children of their childhoods. 

Anyway, last night Billy and I saw SP at Massey Hall in Toronto. What. A. Show. Every song was perfect. Lots of acoustic. Lots of electric. A Bowie cover. A Stones cover. All so perfect. But to me, the best part of the show came when they played 1979. Everyone stood and sang with him. It was everything. I was instantly transported to my teenage years, to summer, to the days when you would just sit and listen, REALLY listen, to a good song. And when Billy stopped singing, the crowd went crazy. Standing ovation. And no one would stop clapping. It was the middle of the show, so it was no encore clap. And I can't speak for anyone else there. But for me, it was just my way of showing him that 1979 is one of the best songs I've ever heard, the song of a generation. The song that represents everything, before it all became something else. 

Anyway, I think I'll pop in here again now, because honestly I'm just too long winded for Instagram and I have lots to share. I've been crazy busy with my business and I would like to share some posts on that too (and maybe share some tips and tricks, that sort of thing. 

If you're looking for me until them, I'm over on IG of course! Personal @adrianeduckworth and The Wild @thewildkidsapparel. 

T H E W I L D | Modern apparel for hip kids.

Hello! So I've been alluding here and there to a project that I've been working on for ever (and ever) and it's all finally out in the open. This has been a labour of love to say the least...what an adventure. I'm so SO happy it's all launched!



So, a little back-story. Years ago I had been painting and had created some characters for Ben's room. People started asking for them and things began to snowball. I had this crazy idea that it would be so wonderful to create something really cool with these drawings of mine. 

Countless sketchbooks and notebooks and months (years) later, this is where I'm starting. And seriously, starting is the key word. For now, we are offering baby clothes, kids clothes and accessories. There are so many more things I will be adding. Stay tuned! But for now, check out what we have!!

















This is just a little peek, you can see more on our website here and our Etsy shop here. Also, you can follow along with us:

✚ INSTAGRAM /// @thewildkidsapparel

✚ FACEBOOK /// facebook.com/thewildkidsapparel

✚ TWITTER /// @thewildkidsapp

✚ PINTEREST /// pinterest.com/thewildkids/

We plan on adding more products, different characters, running some fun contests....eee I can't wait!!

This project was not done alone. I could NOT have done any of this without Billy, who has been my sounding board, my constant support, my photographer, my complete partner. I want to do this for him and for our kids. I want Ben and Sawyer to see that Mommy works hard too, and if all goes well I too can be contributing to our family. Taking these years to be home with the boys has been a DREAM and I feel so completely lucky to have been able to do it. It's all because of Billy. But it's time to really seriously integrate work into my life, and balance that with my mom duties. This balance is something I've been really needing and I'm happier than ever when I have work to do. Ask anyone. I'm strange.

My Mom and Dad. Those two. I can't begin to describe how much they help and support me, encourage me, motivate me. It's because of them that I applied to school again, to this amazing semi-secret program that has helped me make this all happen. They are the hardest working people, both small business owners, and they push me to do things that I normally wouldn't think were possible. You guys. Thank you times a billion.

Ben and Sawyer! My handsome little muses. This is ALL because you exist. Not even lying, before you I wasn't sure that I liked kids all that much. Now, I'm sold. Kids rule. You two most of all.

Don, Norine, Cass, Kurt, the family that I married into who are the best ever. You guys are always there for us every step of the way and I don't know what we would do without you. Cass, I'm totally going to need you at my upcoming markets girl. 

To everyone, my family, my friends, everyone who is sick of hearing about this, ALL OF YOU, I'm so very grateful. Not only for being my cheerleaders, for sharing and liking things all over social media. But just for being in my life and for being AWESOME. I never could have imagined I would have the best set of people in the universe surrounding me. It's the best.

Anyway, I love you guys. Straight up for real. You get it.

xo

So. Ya. Worst blogger. Ever.

I've been busy you guys. It sounds so funny to write 'you guys' as if anyone is reading, but maybe I'm still stuck in someone's Feedly or something and like three or four people will see this? Well, I have a decent enough reason for my absence. Ready for a story? Grab a tea.

Ok, so year ago, after Ben was born, I got really, really into painting and drawing. More so than ever. So, for a while I was painting. Then I was painting more. Then I was painting stuff for kids. And drawing characters for Ben. And the ideas were really flowing.

I decided I wanted to open a business focused solely on my children's illustrations. I had a million product ideas, and I thought I could really make something of it. And then, Sawyer happened. Lovely, incredibly cute Sawyer. So, sidetracked! The best kind of sidetrack :)

Anyway.....Sawyer arrived, we got used to being a family of four, and the idea returned. And I knew it was time to make things happen.

After speaking with my Mom and Dad, they convinced me to look into this amazing government program that, if you're selected, helps you create a business plan, and implementation plan, and supports you through the whole process. This program involved in class training, a business coach, and a lot of resources not openly available to the public. Very cool stuff.

Well, I applied. And I was accepted. And I went to school. And I finished school. And now I'm on #689354 of my implementation list. It's all happening friends. For real. In a few weeks (!!!!!) I will be able to actually share the shop details. But for now, I'll just say that it's coming. And I REALLY hope you like it!

So, I am going to keep updating, and soon you'll see everything! And updates on the boys to come, of course!

P.S. That Rad as F//k t-shirt is by the one and only Sara of Top Knot Weddings, and yes, you need to buy one.

Ancaster Fair

We spent our Sunday out at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. This time of year is just the best, right?

All fairs are pretty much the same so I'll spare you the details but, we hit a major milestone today. Ben went on rides all by himself! He actually wanted to do it, and he was so brave! I might have cried a bit. Ya, I'm that mom.









And one with Daddy, so excited about that one!



Uncle Mike and Auntie Emma came out to meet us, the boys were pretty excited to see them!





Poor Sawyer had a few bouts of really bad teething here and there. Billy and I took turns putting him in the carrier, but he was still pretty mad about it.



Bunnies! I want one!!





As Billy put it, this next picture sums up Ben and Sawyer's relationship perfectly. 



And, to end, a pretty sky. Because I have a thing for skies. 

Our 6th wedding anniversary

So six years. WHATTTT? Seriously I'm going to blink my eyes and be an eighty year old woman. #great

But seriously, six years together, and what an amazing six years! Now than Ben and Sawyer are part of our little family, I feel 100% complete. Like, I'm not waiting for anything to happen, and I felt that way for a looooong time. Life is pretty awesome for us these days! And I'm about to embark on a new adventure that I'll write about another time...

Yesterday we spent the day out in Westdale, near where we were married, and it was so perfect. We had a picnic under the trees that I used to climb when I was a kid, ate ice cream, oh it was good.













Westdale is the cutest place ever. I love living so close to it. Although, I must saw, The 'Westdale Festival' that was going on was a huge let down. The 'festival' basically included some old cars parked on the side of the road and a pita pit mascot walking around. Lame.

On our journey home, Sawyer and Daddy were enjoying themselves at the bus terminal. Too cute.





So that was our anniversary this year. Happy anniversary to my sweet husband. I really, really like you. More than a friend.

Supercrawl 2014

Over the weekend we took a little stroll through Supercrawl, a really great local art/fashion event. So much fun! We have a few interesting ties to this amazing event, my Mom is an organizer of the fashion events (and a pretty cool photo exhibit) and Billy's sister Cass is one of the models (the BEST model, if you ask me). So it was definitely something we couldn't miss.



Perfect weather! Is there anyone who doesn't love September? No. No there is not.





Does anyone remember/miss the local graffiti contest that they used to have on top of Jackson Square? It was so cool.





There's no mistaking this girl for Ben's aunt. She looks more related to him than I do. 





Food trucks. The true keys to my heart.

Supercrawl, see you next year! 

Arcade Fire!

I happen to know this pretty amazing girl named Rachel who I love and adore and who recently invited us to see Arcade Fire. As if I didn't already have enough reasons to love this girl.

We went early and popped in to the CNE. So much fun!!



And after a terrifying ride on this thing and a lot of very bad-for-you food it was time for the show!!



Couldn't have had a more fun time. Here's a little picture of us and our handsome bearded men. Not a bad looking group I'd say.



I'm ashamed to admit that I forgot that Arcade Fire prefer a more theatrical dress code. Whyyyy did I forget this? Do you know how amazing I would have dressed if I had remembered? Needless today, I have since purchased a fancy mascarade mask for the next time they're in town. True story.

Battlefield Park

When Billy has a day off and we don't have errands to run, we try to really make the most of it. I hate it when they are filled with boring things like groceries and cutting the grass. The other day we had a day to ourselves and Cass was over, so we wanted to do something awesome. We packed the kids up and headed to Niagara Falls, and then it started POURING. Like, buckets of water non stop forever. So, we packed the kids back up in the car after hiding out under the pizza pizza tent for an hour and drove back to the city. Billy, however, refused to give up, and took us out for ice cream and to this beautiful place. It was still a bit rainy, but it was perfect. 





This tree. LOVE.







Do we look like nerdy tourists, or what?

It's easily one of my new favourite places, I can't wait to go back for a picnic. Perhaps with a discreet wine bottle.