Mother Stories
Meet Earthy Mama Of 3 (Under 3!) Aubriana Kasper MacNiven
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Vanessa Mona Hellmann
Oct 1, 2021
If running away to the country and living off the grid with your family is a dream of yours, get ready to meet a mama who’s done just that. Once the pandemic hit, that’s when major changes started happening for Aubriana Kasper MacNiven, one-half of the floral design duo Marigold. Then living in San Francisco’s bustling Mission neighborhood (within walking distance to Marigold’s stunning studio and retail shop), in mid-2020, Aubriana, her baby girl Margaret (“Mars”), and her husband decided to move to the Santa Cruz mountains, where he grew up. While they learned to live off solar power and well water, they also had another big shift on their horizon: they were expecting twin sons!
Below, the mother of three (under 3!) invites us into her colorful country home, as well as her gorgeous S.F. shop, while sounding off on her nature-centric life and her favorite baby-friendly products (from Dusting Power to Organic Formula) by a fellow sustainably-minded brand, Burt’s Bees. (You can also see the sweet family in action in our latest YouTube video!)
This post is brought to you by Mother + Burt’s Bees.
Packaging may vary, as Burt’s Bees Baby & Mama products have a new look with the same nature-loving ingredients.
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- The family walking outside of their home in the Santa Cruz mountains.
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- Meet the crew: 2-year-old Margaret "Mars," mama Aubriana, and 6-month-old twins Phoenix and Everest.
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- "We have lived here for a year and rent from my in-laws who live just up the road, where my husband grew up. We moved here from San Francisco shortly after the COVID lockdown, realizing we needed more space and had a strong desire to be closer to nature. We went from a small one-bedroom flat in a city to this country house on 40 acres, off the grid in the Santa Cruz mountains, living off solar power and well-water. It was a bit of an adjustment at first, but now every day I drive up the long treelined driveway, or see deer in the meadow, or watch the sunset over the ocean, I feel so grateful to call this place home."
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- Hands full, heart full.
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- "Earthy, natural, cozy. It's a constant work in progress, but I like that you walk in the door and can tell a family lives here. It has personality and is full of life and love."
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- Pancake time with mommy's little helper.
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- "Yes, I always knew I wanted to be a mom. My journey to motherhood wasn't easy. We tried for three and half years before going through IVF and now I'm a mother to three little miracles."
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Aubriana makes one of many bottles for her boys with Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, for ages 0-12 months.
The brand's most gentle formula is made with easy-to-digest proteins for sensitive tummies to help reduce fussiness, gas, and crying.
"The boys loved the formula from the first sip. It's been a huge hit ever since," says Aubriana.
Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, $31.99, Burt's Bees.
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The USDA certified organic formula has no added hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, or GMOs and is packed with vitamins D, E and K, calcium, and iron, and other key nutrients like DHA, which helps support brain and eye development.
Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, $31.99, Burt's Bees.
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- A look at the earthy living room space.
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- "I was in shock and actually laughed out loud from disbelief when the nurse told me. My husband couldn't be at my doctor's appointments because of COVID restrictions, so I found out alone and had to come home and tell him the news. Even though we already had our daughter, finding out we were going to have twins made us feel like new parents all over again with another layer of not knowing what to expect."
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- "Twins do run in my family (my younger sister has twin boys five weeks older than ours), but the thought of having twins never crossed my mind. It felt very surreal."
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- A baby classic for flower lovers: Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlbert.
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- "The fears have definitely subsided and having twins quickly became just a part of our life. There are inherent fears that come with being pregnant with twins, as you're categorized off the bat as a high-risk pregnancy and birth. Thankfully, our little guys were born healthy and didn't spend any time in the NICU. I had amazing doctors and was able to deliver them vaginally, which isn't always the case."
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- "The experience of having twins (+ a toddler) is quite amazing and has compelled me to find a level of zen within myself I never knew was possible. I'm still surprised at the amount of diapers and formula we go through. I was scared my relationship with Mars was going to change and I wouldn't be able to give her the same amount of attention. This definitely wasn't the case and if anything she gets more attention now. The twins think she's hilarious."
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- A look at Mars' side of the kids' room, which is anchored by a beautiful Dana Haim rug.
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- The twins' side of the room is accented by bold Hillery Sproatt baby blankets.
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- A variety of sweet titles line the bookshelves, including We Found A Hat and I Want My Hat Back by MOTHER favorite Jon Klassen, What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom, Mrs. Peanuckle's Flower Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle and Jessie Ford, and Tiny, Perfect Things by M.H. Clark and Madeline Kloepper.
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- "During the first few months, the biggest challenges were functioning on very little sleep, finding time to shower or even brush my teeth was hard. Any sort of 'me' time was nonexistent. And it took a bit of time for Mars to adjust to not being the only child anymore. There was a time when all three kids were in our bed in the middle of the night screaming at the top of their lungs and all we could do was laugh at the situation."
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"I have learned to embrace the chaos and patience has become a way of life. The highlights have definitely outweighed the challenges. At four months I'd say we 'got to the other side' and found our groove. It's been so fun to learn their different personalities, watch them discover each other, and Mars has truly blossomed in her role as big sister."
"Going from 1 to 3 kids meant my husband and I became outnumbered overnight. This has really brought us closer as parents and while there are really hard moments, we are in it together and it's been so incredibly fun raising three little humans."
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- A pretty Matisse print in Yves Klein blue.
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- We spy a kid-sized Peace Towel by previous MOTHER profile subject Lena Corwin.
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- "If someone offers you help or to bring you dinner or hold one of your babies, say YES! It really does take a village and having a support system—whether it's family, friends, or a mommy group—is so important and crucial to your well-being. Having my sister (another twin mom) has been such a blessing. I feel so seen and heard and we can relate to each other on another level."
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Burt's Bee Baby's superstar changing table duo: the 100% natural origin Dusting Powder and 99% natural origin Nourishing Lotion.
The latter product keeps baby's skin hydrated, smooth, and soft-as-can-be thanks to a formula made with Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, and a hint of Buttermilk.
"This lotion is exactly what it says it is: nourishing," says Aubriana.
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder, $7.84, Walmart.
Burt's Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion, $7.54, Walmart.
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Meanwhile, the Dusting Powder is formulated without talc, phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, and SLS.
Instead, it utilizes cornstarch, a super absorbent natural substance derived from the corn plant, to keep babies dry. The versatile ingredient can act as a bulking agent or natural moisturize absorber, and its botanical nature makes it safe and smooth for topical use.
Plus, says Aubriana: "It keeps the babies rash-free and smelling fresh."
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder, $7.84, Walmart.
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"Other twin parents told us to keep them on the same eating/sleeping schedule, which was really helpful."
"Also: Embrace the chaos and mess, it's only temporary."
"And someone recently gave me the advice: 'Don't count the things you didn't do today, count all the things you did do.' In this point in my life—caring for three kids, commuting to/from the city for work, running a floral business—it was very timely advice, even if those 'things I did' that day were took a shower, kept my kids alive, processed payroll, gave the kids a bath, etc. Thinking this way makes me feel so much more accomplished as opposed to drowning and defeated."
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Now that the boys are down, it's bath time for Mars with Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash.
The tear-free, 97% natural origin product consists of a gentle, plant-based formula to naturally cleanse delicate skin from head to tiny toe.
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash, $14.24, Walmart.
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The 2-in-1 formula is free of all the bad stuff (phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, SLS) and enriched with Vitamin B and essential minerals.
"The shampoo & wash leaves Mar's hair so soft and smells like honey," says Aubriana.
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash, $14.24, Walmart.
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"Motherhood has definitely shifted my priorities. I used to bring work home and work late into the night. Now that's just not an option and I realized working nonstop isn't a sustainable way of life. Granted, I opened a small business with my business partner the year I got pregnant with Mars, but motherhood really forced me slow down and recognize how valuable time is with my family and friends."
"I think it's made me a more compassionate, patient, aware, and humbled human being. Becoming a mother has been the greatest gift of my life and has filled me with the most profound love and gratitude. Motherhood has been the most rewarding job, but also the hardest."
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash, $14.24, Walmart.
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So fresh and so clean. And so cute!
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash, $14.24, Walmart.
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- A look inside of Aubriana's earth-toned bedroom.
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- Bits of nature making their way indoors, always.
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"Our daughter is named Margaret 'Mars' California Poppy. She is named after my husband's mom and my grandmother. Her nickname, 'Mars,' just came to be and it totally suits her. Her middle name is a bit of a longer story and sort of silly, but I wanted Poppy as her middle name and my husband wasn't completely sold on it. He suggested 'California Poppy' and at first I thought that was crazy. At the time we were deciding on the name, we were also trying to agree on wallpaper for the nursery. So, I made a deal—I got to choose the wallpaper and he got to choose California Poppy. Win-win."
"Our sons are Phoenix Zeppelin and Everest Rowan. My husband picked out Phoenix's name before we had kids. It was a name that he loved and I loved it too. We knew if we had a boy, he would be named Phoenix. Zeppelin is because my husband is a big rock n' roll fan and plays guitar. Led Zeppelin has been a big inspiration as a musician so that's where Zeppelin came from.
"As for Everest, we always liked the name Ever, but felt it was too short. We liked that the name Everest is unique but not bizarre. And Rowan is my husband's name. I've always liked his name and I'm glad it's being passed down."
Burt's Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion, $7.54, Walmart.
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- "My mom is my best friend and I love the thought of Mars and I sharing a similar bond. Rowan has two brothers as do I, and I think there's something so special about that brotherly connection."
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"We didn't care about gender at all. We did find out the sex both times. Since so much of our pregnancy journey wasn't how we imagined and we missed out on the traditional surprise of getting pregnant, I wanted that special moment of finding out the sex together. At the end of the day we just wanted healthy babies."
"Most of all, I'm excited to raise kind, caring, compassionate human beings who spread love and care about the earth. They can become whoever they want to be—just not jerks or people who litter!"
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- Aubriana's chic bedside stack includes Cleo Wade's Heart Talk, Rupi Kapur's The Sun and Her Flowers, and Kinfolk magazine.
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- "I loved being pregnant with Mars. I was lucky in that it was an easy pregnancy right up to the end. Being pregnant with the twins was completely opposite—I was very uncomfortable early on and it was just a lot of added weight on my petite frame. Toward the end it was hard to walk, get dressed, even sitting down was uncomfortable."
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- "The upside of having babies during the pandemic was being home a lot more. The downside was not being able to have community like we did pre-pandemic. Being able to get together in person has parameters like wearing a mask, social distancing, meeting outside, etc. Plus the heightened worry of getting COVID while pregnant. And the worst part was not having my husband at any of the doctor appointments."
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- Aubriana welcomes us into the gorgeous Marigold flower studio and gift shop that she owns with her business partner, Gena Winter.
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- Aubriana and Gena create their floral masterpieces in the back of the shop, while visitors can scoop up bouquets, candles, bath and body products, and more—all made by small-batch, mostly women makers. (You can also shop their expertly curated selection online).
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- "I started my floral career in 2013 with my now dear friend, Natalie Bowen. I answered her Instagram post about needing a floral designer. I had no experience but she asked me to come in the next day and that was it, I found my dream career."
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- "Our flower style is inspired by the changing seasons and natural environment. We love to create intriguing color stories and use interesting textural and botanical elements, often designing based on a unique arch of a branch or the movement of a meandering vine, and incorporating the unexpected. We like to think our arrangements evoke a sense of peace and pique your curiosity."
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- "The second I became a mom my priorities shifted and my kids became #1 and career #2. Motherhood has made me more efficient, conscientious of time, and it's a lot easier to say 'no' to things and 'yes' to projects that excite or bring me joy. It's probably made me a bit more scatterbrained too."
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"For me the key to balancing it all is having a strong community of people to lean on for support. It is truly a juggle and I couldn't do it without my husband. He's extremely supportive of my career and also a super involved dad. We have become really good communicators and at checking in with each other's needs and putting family first. We also have a wonderful nanny who helps with the kids three days a week. And my mom and in-laws are always willing to help when we need it."
"My 'me' time is also incredibly important to keep my sanity. Sometimes that's just being alone in the car with my thoughts or getting 15 minutes of sipping my coffee in the morning while everyone is still sleeping. And then if I'm really living it up, it's a glass of wine in our outdoor bath after the kids are down."
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- Potted plants surround a record player and pretty packaged Flowerhead tea.
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"My self-care routine during the pandemic has consisted of spending more time outside in nature, working in our yard, tending to our garden, and outdoor baths. Pre-pandemic I treated myself to regular manicures, facials, and the occasional massage."
"Being a florist can be really physical–early mornings, being on your feet all day, lots of heavy lifting, climbing ladders, and working with your hands, so maintaining a self-care routine is necessary to survive the busy wedding season."
Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, $31.99, Burt's Bees.
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"I feel very lucky to have a solid group of girlfriends, many of whom are also moms. And my two sisters and I are very close. We talk almost every day. It's so helpful to have a community of women to cheer you on, share stories, advice, parenting tactics, baby product recommendations, etc."
Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, $31.99, Burt's Bees.
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"My sisters were really there for me when I was trying to get pregnant. I could call them on the toughest days, when I was losing all hope and they would just listen."
"My college friend who went through a similar journey trying to get pregnant and going through IVF was a huge support system. The IVF process can be very surreal and isolating but we really leaned on each other and were each other's biggest cheerleaders. I cried happy tears when she told me she was pregnant."
"My business partner, Gena, was a huge support for me while I was trying to get pregnant. She stepped up on so many levels while I had to go to doctor appointments or leave in the middle of a wedding install to be back for my transfer the next morning."
"And my mom. One of the most significant moments of my life was when my mom walked into the hospital room after having Mars and telling her, 'Mom, I'm a mom!' She is everything I aspire to be."
Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, $31.99, Burt's Bees.
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Aubriana serving up another bottle of Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula for the twins.
Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula, $31.99, Burt's Bees.
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- Pick a vase, any vase. With Marigold's gorgeous selection, you can't go wrong.
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- Shelves overflowing with vintage floral books, plant life, crystals, and other inspiring natural materials.
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- "That I get to be a part of these three little humans' lives forever and watch them grow. I feel so grateful to get to be their mom and surely they are teaching me more about life than I can ever imagine."
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- "That in the blink of an eye, they'll one day be moving out of our house and off to start a life of their own. And I'll miss them."
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"I grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento, raised by a single mom of five kids. My dad died suddenly when I was nine and our life was never the same. I have an older brother, younger brother, and two younger sisters. I think the loss of our dad at such a young age made us all very close. Although life with my dad was cut short, he left us with a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. My mom is a superhero and instilled in us a strong work ethic, the importance of giving to others in need, and to always show compassion and kindness towards others."
"I spent a lot of my childhood outside building tree forts, swimming, riding bikes, playing sports, roller skating, swimming. It was a typical suburban upbringing. I was always painting or drawing or working on some craft project and I knew I would end up doing something with my hands. I just never thought it would be with flowers."
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"My mom was incredibly loving and fun but also strict when she needed to be. She was always there to guide us yet gave us independence and trusted us to make our own choices. She worked really hard and I know how hard I work will be an invaluable example to my children too."
"We didn't get to travel much as kids but I don't blame my mom for not wanting to trek five kids camping or take us on a plane by herself. But I really want my kids to see different countries, experience new cultures, get outside, explore, and see the world from another point of view. I think this instills a sense of self, confidence and curiosity."
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- "To slow down and be present. To get outside more—nature is medicine. I learned that adaptability played a huge role in keeping our business afloat during the COVID shutdown and compelled us to get creative and try things we necessarily wouldn't have before. I also made a big effort to make our home feel peaceful and comfortable and it became our own little oasis during these difficult times."
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- "We are starting construction on our café space and aiming to open in spring 2022."
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For more on Aubriana, her family, and her company, be sure to follow @aubrianak and @marigold_sf on Instagram and visit marigoldsf.com.
To shop the Burt’s Bees products featured here—and many more!—head over to Walmart.com.
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