Life's a beach for the new curvier Nicole

Last December, the 25-year-old - who is 5ft 1in tall - told police officers who pulled her over for a driving offence that she weighed just 6st 1lb.

However pictured on holiday in Hawaii with her fiance, heavily tattooed rock musician Joel Madden, Richie appeared much more healthily rounded.

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There's a lot more to Nicole Richie these days: The reality TV star is five months pregnant

The extent of her new found body confidence was apparent from her choice of bikini.

A tiny top with tie-side bottoms would be a brave choice for any woman, never mind one who is five months pregnant.

The reality TV star also seemed to be enjoying the peace and quiet of the island, well away from Los Angeles, where she is habitually surrounded by hordes of paparazzi.

However, just in case the pleasures of a day at the beach began to pall, both she and Madden had stocked up on gadgets to keep them amused. Richie brought along her iPod, while Madden brought a laptop and mobile phone.

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Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden is on towel duty for his girlfriend

In her skinniest days, Richie was associated with the 'Zoebot' look - a name given to the dress sense of several starlets advised by super-stylist Rachel Zoe, including Keira Knightley and Lindsay Lohan, who accessorised their slender limbs with oversized bags and other accessories.

Even though Richie publicly fell out with Zoe over claims both women were promoting an unhealthy body image to young girls, it seems she has held on to her trademark bug-eyed sunglasses.

As a further protection against the heat - and perhaps mindful that long periods of sunbathing are not recommended for pregnant women - Richie soon retreated under a canvas awning.

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Earlier Nicole was seen in a red bikini relaxing on the beach in Hawaii

While Richie and Madden are delighted to be expecting a baby, it seems they have no plans to get married just yet.

"Obviously, marriage is in our future," the Good Charlotte singer told American radio show host Ryan Seacrest last week.

"I don't know when or where or how, but right now our priority is our family and is the baby. That's all we've been thinking about."

Friends of Richie, who gained notoriety from her appearance in reality show The Simple Life with Paris Hilton, hope that her relationship with Madden and impending parenthood will help her settle down.

The troubled star previously suffered a slide into drugs and driving-related offences which saw her spend a short time in prison.