New mom Nicole Richie continues to get her life back on track by returning to her 18-month program of group counseling, one-on-one meetings and alcohol education on Wednesday in Los Angeles. (These classes were initially ordered after she pleaded guilty to DUI in July 2007.)

“She’s very coopera­tive and humble — she seems determined never to get into the same situation again,” an insider tells Life & Style. “She wants to put the whole ordeal behind her. She has a family to focus on now, and that has given her great strength.”

But there are tough new challenges ahead. In late March, Joel left for a Good Charlotte tour that will take him throughout Europe through mid-April. He still checks in on baby Harlow and Nicole nightly, video-conferencing via iChat, but it’s obviously not the same as being there.

Nicole and Joel can’t wait until he’s back so they can resume their routine. “Nicole’s world is about bottles, diapers and family dinners now,” says the couple’s friend. “Parenthood is the best thing that ever happened to her.” More Here! »

Aspiring jewelry designer Nicole Richie walks to Mo’s Find Food restaurant with a gal pal in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old told People that her upcoming bling line will be produced with Mouawad, the company who also does Heidi Klum’s fine jewelry collection.

Explained Nicole, “It’s all costume jewelry. I like to play with jewelry and mix and match. [I’m working with] this really talented woman named Shelley Gibbs. She’s an artist and she sketches everything.”

But baby Harlow is still her most important priority: “Everyone’s been really mellow and able to work around my schedule. If I need to go feed the baby, I do it.”

10+ pictures inside of Nicole Richie, the jewelry designer… More Here! »

New mom Nicole Richie is looking slim and trim in Miu Miu at the Prada Los Angeles screening of the new animated short Trembled Blossoms at the Prada Beverly Hills Epicenter on Wednesday in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Nicole, 26, wore Christian Louboutin’s latest (and hottest) heels. She also wore an “H” (for her daughter Harlow) necklace by Jennifer Meyer (Tobey Maguire’s wife).

According to FWD, four-minute piece is “the final feature of a body of work that began last summer in conjunction with the design of the women’s Spring 2008 collection that debuted in Milan in September, based on inked drawings (used as wallpaper designs) which depict a lush, slightly scandalous, landscape of flowers and nymphs that evokes Prada’s vision, blending suggestions of Art Nouveau, Liberty, Aubrey Beardsley, and Hieronymus Bosch.”

Sounds fancy schmancy!

25+ pictures inside of Nicole Richie’s Trembled Blossoms… More Here! »

A very healthy looking Nicole Richie (in vintage Jil Sander) comes out to support her main man Joel Madden at the opening party of his DCMA clothing store in West Hollywood on Friday.

She also wore an “H” Jennifer Meyer necklace. “H” for her daughter, Harlow!

The DCMA Collective flagship store opens at noon TODAY, March 15th. Check it out at 645 N. Martel Avenue!

10+ pictures inside of Nicole Richie helping to open the new DCMA Flagship Store… More Here! »

You knew it was going to happen.

Paris Hilton and boyfriend Benji Madden arrive at his twin brother Joel and Nicole Richie’s L.A. house on Tuesday.

The Madden birthday boys celebrate their 29th today. Double date birthday celebration? Craziness.

To top it off, Paris and Benji are expected to attend her sister Nicky’s L.A. Fashion Week show this evening.

Earlier in the day, Joel and Nicole were seen picking up Starbucks coffee. More Here! »

Joel Madden picks up some birthday treats for himself and Nicole Richie, who waited in the car, at Starbucks in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Joel and twin brother Benji, who’s dating Paris Hilton, turn 29 today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADDEN BROTHERS!

Nicole and Joel’s baby daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Madden, is also exactly two months old today. More Here! »

New mom Nicole Richie picks up birthday gifts for her boyfriend, Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden, in West Hollywood on Monday.

Joel and twin brother Benji turn 29 TOMORROW, March 11th.

The 26-year-old former Simple Life star shopped at Alpha: Gear for Gents and a party store to pick up some balloons and party favors. Nicole purchased birthday banners and also greeting cards that read “Pushing 30″ and “You’re the best dad ever and I’m not pulling you leg.”

15+ pictures inside of Nicole Richie prepping her husband’s birthday bash… More Here! »

People magazine has a great photo album of cutie Harlow Madden, almost 8 weeks.

Proud parents Nicole Richie, 26, and Joel Madden, 28, had a lot to say about their daughter.

Nicole on the uniqueness of Harlow’s name: I wanted a hippie name and he wanted a more Biblical name. (Joel cites the actress Jean Harlow and model Shalom Harlow as two major inspirations.)

Joel on how their lives have changed since having a baby: “We have a very mellow life compared to two years ago, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Nicole on having a mother’s instinct: “She’s never out of my mind. I stop doing things for me anymore. Everything is for her.”

Nicole on Harlow waking up from a nap: “I was watching her in her crib. And she happened to wake up and I was like, ‘Good morning!” And she smiled and it was the cutest thing ever.”

Check out the Harlow Madden photo album at People.com.

FYI: Nicole and Joel play her lullaby versions of Radiohead and Nirvana songs for baby Harlow. And according to industry insiders, this issue featuring Nicole also on target to sell more than 1.8 million copies, whereas Christina Aguilera’s cover with her son Max is selling far less.