I do get on with my colleagues and I do like them. I'm friendly with them and sometimes socialize with them in a group. But whether we're close friends, I'm not sure.

I've been married before but never had an engagement ring. If I had my time again and had an engagement ring, I wouldn't go for an emerald because gren isn't really my thing but I'd go for something unsusual like a yellow saphire.

There are some times when you shouldn't be doing things purely out of obligation. And choosing your wedding party is one of them. My ex husband and I never had the big wedding as we eloped. Even though we're no longer married, I do regret that my parents weren't there and I didn't have the day I'd dreamed of since I was very young. So my advice to you is go ahead and ask who you want to ask. Your friend probably isn't even expecting to be asked as she'll know you're not as close no more. But if it worries you that much then maybe you should talk to her to explain your side and make sure there are no hard feelings.

Well said, girl! Nobody has the right to walk into some next persons home and take the piss.

We hardly ever have people over to stay at our place. But if any visitors behaved like that in my house, I would be mad too. I live with my kids. I don't have a partner so I don't have to deal with in-law issues and worry about hurting my partner's feelings. So I would have no problem in putting people in their place if they disrespected my house. You've got every right to protect your home, your belongings and your boundaries. I hope your husband is on your side with that.

Ah, thank you honey ❤️x

Hello Green Diamante. 😊

Thank you. It is about giving your kids the best that you can. x

It's horribly sad. The thought that this could happen in this day and age. I hear that one of Putin's reasons for justifying this invasion was because a long time ago, Ukraine belonged to Russia. Well I'm black with Caribbean heritage and of course my ancestors were from Africa. But I don't see anyone in a hurry to give back what was taken from us so I don't see how this argument that Putin is just taking back his land holds any weight. But that argument aside, I don't know anyone who isn't moved by what they're hearing about or what they're seeing on the news. I feel so sorry for all the innocent people who are caught up in this just because of where they happen to be born or live. And I was horrified to hear about people of colour who had problems crossing the borders just because of their skin colour. Even at a time like this, people can't let go of their prejudices. It makes you wonder about the kind of world we live in.

Hi there! It's cool that we've got a new member. Like you I'm also a fan of travel although I've done very little of that lately. I have also spent time in America and for a while we thought we might settle there but for the last two decades or so, Australia has been home.

I know that by now most of us are so over the slap at the Oscars but I feel that I need to have my say. I grew up watching and listening to Will Smith. He was and still is one of my idols. I'm black and as a teenager to see a black man be idolized by all races and get to the top of his game was very inspiring for me and all my black friends. And as the mother of two black boys, I felt that people like Will Smith who were successful and not creating scandal everywhere they went were good role models for them. But unfortunately this slap has set as back a lot. The stereotype of the angry black man or woman is one we're trying to get away from, the person who resorts to violence when they don't like what they see/hear rather than talk things out rationaly. And not only did Will resort to violence but he did so on a world stage - the Oscars of all the places. And not only that but he did that to another black man, the type person that Will and his wife Jada felt were under represented at the Oscars. And I felt so sorry for Chris Rock to suffer that humiliation but I feel that he recovered from it quite well. I also noticed that there seems to be a lot of hate aimed at Jada. I don't know if this hate is justified or not justified. From what I saw there were only two people up on stage so why Jada is getting dragged into this I don't know. I know that there might be issues in the Smith's marriage but that's none of our business and for them to sort out. This whole issue has not gone down well with me.

@Bellisima No darling. North west London near Wembley.

I'm from London, England but these days I call Sydney, Australia home, and it has been for more than two decades now. I think that moving out here at a young age when most of my friends were still busy getting their degrees helped a lot. I believe that the younger you are the more adaptable you are, so I'm glad that I made the move when I did. It was hard enough then but I think if I'd of been older it would of been even harder.

Lots of good ideas here. Just another suggestion, have you ever thought about using products aimed at Afro-Caribbean hair? Our hair tends to be a bit on the dry side, so a lot of our hair care products are designed to give us a much needed moisture boost. There's lots of really good ingredients such as jojoba oil, avocado oil, castor oil, shea butter and so on. It might be worth a try.

Chia seed pudding made with coconut or almond milk and topped with different fruits. Delicious!

I'm one of the three children in my family. I'm the oldest and I have two younger brothers. One is quite close in age to me but with the other one there is a very big age gap - I was almost an adult when he was born! But funnily enough it's my youngest brother who I get on very well with and we've always been close. With my other brother, we've had a more difficult relationship over the years. We've been in and out of contact for a long time so I don't get to see his children or have much of a relationship with them which is sad because they are my only niece and nephews, and my kids only cousins from my side of the family. The fact that my brother is married to a very difficult woman doesn't help but that's just how it is. At least we both have a bond with our other brother so that's something. Despite the very big age gap between my boys, I do hope they'll be close and not have the kind of difficult sibling relationship that me and my brother have.

And like your mum, I also had my youngest in my forties too!

Hiya girl! Good to see you on this. And just so everyone knows, I'm one of the friends who told you about this site! LOL! I'm sure Rozie won't mind me telling everyone that we're old school friends who met up again after many years when we just happened to be in our old hometown at the same time, and we kept in touch after that. Making new friends is brilliant but it's also great to reconnect with old friends. xx

Hi Bettadaze. I'm another mum of two in my forties but unlike you, I'm not married to an amazing man. Mainly because my ex husband was never amazing to begin with! LOL! And congrats on getting your business off the ground. I started up my own business soon after moving to Australia. It's not easy and there's a lot of hard work involved but it's so worth it. 😊

Hi Bellisima. Like you I'm also a mum of two boys. The oldest is barely out of his teens while my youngest is barely out of his nappies! And I'm also divorced from my oldest son's dad. It's not how you plan it of course but sometimes life is like that. Like you, I'm also into travel. Or at least I was! the husband, the kids, the move to Australia came along, and travelling kind of took a back seat. But before moving out here, I did briefly live in other countries with the intention of staying there more permanently but then Australia cam along and that was that.