Heading out on a short road trip sans Harlow, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden turned up at a party in Palm Desert, California on Saturday afternoon (April 26).

The former Simple Life star accompanied her Good Charlotte rocker beau to the shindig, where Joel performed the always-important DJ duties.

Meanwhile, Nicole seemed to be fully taking advantage of her baby-free outing - sipping on a drink while jumping up and down and joking around with fellow revelers.

Of Miss Richie’s spirits since giving birth to her first child back in January of this year, a friend told press: “Nicole is thrilled with the way things are in her life. She couldn’t be happier.”

They’ve been so tied up in touring and parenthood that Joel Madden and Nicole Richie haven’t taken much time for themselves. So it was good to see them enjoying a night out last night.

They were spotted heading to a celebrity-rich dinner in honor of designer Charlotte Ronson at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Dakota Resturant where celebs like Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson were also partying.

Joel was all about talking up his new role as a daddy. He told the party guests, “It’s been so crazy… Man, but it’s great.”

And his babymama Nicole received all kinds of compliments on her hot mama body. Party promoter and gal pal Ashlee Margolis told Richie, “You’re such a pretty mommy. And your boobs are way better than mine!”

Getting back to her normal routine after taking time out to have her baby, Nicole Richie was spotted on her way to a Hollywood studio yesterday.

And the “Simple Life” babe kept it casual with a white flaired-out shirt, grey cardigan, stretch jeans and a pair of crazy-looking laced up shoes.

While her babydaddy Joel Madden has been touring the world with his band Good Charlotte, Nicole has been on full-time parenting duty, and according to a source, it’s starting to take its toll (and it probably doesn’t help that pal Paris Hilton has been along for the Good Charlotte ride, courtesy of Joel’s brother Benji).

An insider revealed, “Nicole adores her daughter more than anything in the world. She’s just finding it a bit overwhelming being a mom 24/7.”

Another source told press, “Nicole would be happier if he [Joel] just focused on his clothing line. His music takes him away from her and it’s difficult for her to be watching the baby alone while he’s out touring. Nicole doesn’t have a full-time nanny, so she’s watching the baby around the clock and it has taken a toll.”