Making the most of a brisk Sunday afternoon, Ashlee Simpson was spotted out and about in New York City yesterday (December 20).

The “Pieces of Me” songstress looked winter-ready as she sported a black coat with a matching knit hat and a yummy warm Starbucks beverage.

Ashlee will be spending the holidays in the Big Apple along with her sister Jessica, father Joe, and mother Tina, as she’s in the middle of a Broadway gig.

And it looks like the folks over at the “Chicago” scheduling office gave Ms. Simpson a lighter load of performances this week, with a day off on Christmas Eve. But she’ll be back on stage Christmas night at 8pm as the show must go on!

Treating herself to a little theater culture, Ashlee Simpson was spotted at the Broadway show “Shrek the Musical” last night in New York City.

The “Pieces of Me” singer was in good spirits as she exited the theater and was greeted by eagerly waiting fans and paparazzi.

Stepping out for their household needs, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz ventured out in New York City on Thursday (December 17).

The “Chicago” babe and her Fall Out Boy hubby headed to a local grocery store – braving the bitter cold Big Apple winter weather.

In other news, according to tabloid source, The National Enquirer, Nicole Richie wants to recruit Ms Simpson as her co-star on her still-in-development TV show.

It was reported last month that Richie will be developing a half-hour, scripted sitcom in which she is presented as a “professional woman with complicated family relationships.”

The show is yet to be titled and does not have a premiere date just yet.

She’s had quite a year as she’s settled into marriage and motherhood, and Ashlee Simpson says she’s loved being a mom.

Spotted out shopping with Pete Wentz and their son Bronx Mowgli at Dragon Books in Los Angeles earleir today (November 20), the “Pieces of Me” songstress confessed that having a little one “is the most fantastic experience I have ever been through,” adding that the one-year-old (who celebrates his birthday today) makes her “laugh and smile every day.”

Ashlee’s sister Jessica took to her Twitter page this morning, saying, “Happy Birthdya to my precious angel on earth!!! Bronx is 1 today!! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!! I can’t believe it has been a year already.”

Proud papa Pete Wentz tweeted, “Happy birthday bx. you dont have twitter and cant read this. Thanks to all my friends that recorded lullabies. cant believe its been a year.”

Always keeping up with the latest trends, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz were spotted attending the opening party for the new American Eagle Times Square store last night (November 17).

The “Pieces of Me” songstress and her Fall Out Boy looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves following Pete’s deejaying session.

In related news, Ashlee recently told press that she’s not too bummed out about being dumped from “Melrose Place” as it gives her more time with her family.

“Pete and Bronx come first. I believe in letting life happen. There’s good, there’s bad, and then there’s great. If you learn from those things, you grow. I’ve really done a lot for 25, and there’s still a lot to come.”

In the current issue of Women’s Health, Ashlee Simpson discusses how her family comes first — and it appears she really means it!

After hubby Pete Wentz rocked the evening away DJing at the store opening of American Eagle Times Square in New York City on Tuesday night, his pale-faced wife was on hand to pick him up and take him home at the end of the night.

Ashlee was missing in action at last night’s festivities as she’s busy preparing for her Broadway debut playing Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago.

Her 10-week stint starts November 30 and it’s clear the singer/actress couldn’t be more excited. She tweeted yesterday: “Just finished second Chicago rehearsal. Man, I love the theater and putting my dancing shoes back on!! Happy feet and all that jazz!”

Darkening things up as the winter season nears, Ashlee Simpson showed off a snazzy new jet-black hairdo while out in Beverly Hills on Wednesday (November 11).

Giving a big smile for the paparazzi as she strolled along with a gal pal, the “Pieces of Me” singer was out for a visit to a local medical building for a doctor’s checkup.

The sighting comes amidst reports that Miss Simpson is planning her own fashion line, supposedly called the Ashlee Simpson Collection.

Of the idea, a source tells Star magazine, “Ashlee wants to start a clothing line. She wants it to be both preppy and punk rock. She thinks she can really succeed in fashion.”