Trying to Break Out of Denial

So I've kind of been in denial about the fact that I'm heading back to work on Monday. The Hubster will still be home with Violet for another week before she goes back to her (very awesome) babysitter. I love my job and I love our babysitter, but I still wish I could be home with my little girl. I'm really going to miss her and the idea of her being anywhere for 8-9 hours a day without me is tough.

 (Right after waking up with paci marks on her little cheeks)

I've been trying to get my mind into work mode this weekend so it won't hopefully be quite as shocking when I leave the house on Monday morning. I've been picking out my outfits for the week (kind of fun!), getting some information together for the babysitter, and I just ordered Violet her first lunchbox! I went with the Goodbyn original in raspberry (yum!):

I love that it has separate compartments, it's dishwasher safe, and can even house a banana and small thermos! I'm hoping that it will eventually make her lunch feel special as she won't be able to eat a lot of what the other kids are eating. And she's a little young for notes, but if it lasts a few years I can put special messages in a separate compartment as well.

I discovered it over on Bleubird and used her discount code to get an additional 15% off the price. Do any of you have a Goodbyn? Do you like it? I'm really excited to start packing her lunches!

Ferm Living Favorites: Autumn/Winter 2011

Ferm Living's Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is out and it's lovely. Here are a few of my favorites:

Isn't the color palette just perfect? I'm bummed that the candle holder is already out of stock. Hopefully it will be back in soon. And if I had a little boy I'd be all over that car lamp!

What do you think?

Friday Favorites

Rifle Paper Co.'s beautiful botanical calendar for 2012 is out - I ordered mine yesterday!

I love this post about new motherhood by Chelsea over on Us Three Birds. Certain parts feel like they were taken right out of my experience - worries about raising a daughter, and the horror of checking things out down there soon after giving birth (don't do it!). Anyway, definitely a good read.

An absolutely amazing dining room makeover from Abbey over on Aesthetic Outburst (you have to see the before!) 

I'm sure you've seen this breathtaking illlustrated plant alphabet that's been floating around the blogosphere, but in case you haven't it's a must see. (And this tree of life print is equally amazing).

If I had more money, I would totally use this skin care line - Miss James' skin is perfection.

Nine signs you might be raising a toddler.

And last but not least, I really must decide what video to create one of these flip books out of:

Happy Friday!