Newish mom Nicole Richie spent part of her 4th of July Friday chillin’ with some friends at a beach in Malibu, CA yesterday … babydaddy Joel Madden and baby Harlow Winter were nowhere to be seen tho. Instead, Nicole spent her time chatting with friends on beach chairs and walking along the shore:

It’s been some time since we’ve seen Nicole out and about with her cavalcade of friends without bringing her baby girl or Joel with her. I imagine it can’t be easy for Nicole to breakaway from her adorable little Miss Harlow, even for a little while. Then again, maybe she was due for some alone, grown-up time with her peeps, at least for the afternoon. I’m sure the Richie-Maddens spent some portion of their Independence Day roasting hot dogs or watching fireworks together but for a little while, Nicole was flying solo with her friends … just like the good ol’ days.

[Photo credit: Splash News]