Sometimes a girl just needs time for herself. And yesterday, Nicole Richie left her boyfriend Joe Madden and daughter Harlow Winter behind for an afternoon with some gal pals.

The paparazzi caught up to the former Simple Life cutie enjoying a day of fun in the sun at a beach party in Malibu, California. She wore a short white cleavage-baring dress overtop a pair of denim shorts with a pair of sunglasses.

And it sounds like Britney Spears isn’t the only cameo queen in Hollywood. According to sources, when Nicole filmed her bit part on “Chuck” last week, she was a huge hit. And there’s even talk of her returning for another episode.

An insider revealed, “It was fantastic. She was friendly. Everybody loved her. She has a great fight scene." Richie plays a high school nemesis of Yvonne Strahovski’s character Sarah.

Gossip Girls

Enjoy the pictures of Nicole Richie celebrating Independence Day at the beach (July 4).

Photo Credit: FlynetOnline.com