<![CDATA[Cara Elaine - DIY]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:36:41 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Why Save My Union Should be Chris Coelen's Next Hit Dating Reality Television Series]]>Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:08:46 GMThttps://www.caraelaine.com/diy/why-save-my-union-should-be-chris-coelens-next-hit-dating-reality-television-seriesWait... What?
Yes. You read that right. I'm suggesting that my idea for Chris Coelen's next dating reality television series should be a show called Save My Union, and that it would be a complete hit. However, let's take things back a few steps and start from the basics. 

Chris Coelen is the creative mind behind the social experiment dating sensations Love Is Blind and The Ultimatum on Netflix. Love Is Blind first aired in 2020 and is built on the premise that you date and get engaged to your partner sight unseen. Once the proposal is accepted, the couple meets in-person for the first time, they venture off on a honeymoon together, and then return to their every day lives to see if their love can withstand the challenges of the real world. At the end of the series, they meet at the alter to either say "I do" or "I don't". 

The Ultimatum is a newer series that aired in 2022. One of the partners in the relationship have given an ultimatum to either get married or break up. The participants date each others' partners and choose who they would like to couple with for the experiment for three weeks. After those weeks pass, they are reunited with their initial partner for another three weeks, and at the end must decide to get engaged or move on. 

What is Save My Union?
Save My Union is a show I created because I'm such a huge fan of Coelen's work. Coelen has done such a great job at creating series that unite couples in marriage that I figured it's time there's a show about helping couples stay united through marriage. The show would look something like this:

Couples married three years or more would apply to the show in hopes of saving their union. Recently divorced couples not interested in actively pursuing anything serious would also be encouraged to apply for the show. The show's premise is based on how life would be without your partner with the goal of spouses either renewing vows or choosing to part ways at the end of the series.

Stage 1: Couples Meet & Greet 
The first stage of the experiment would be a mix and mingle event for the married couples to get to know the other couples in a casual environment. This would give viewers a chance to meet all of the couples and get a peak into why they're on the show. It would give participants the chance to build camaraderie with other couples who are going through similar challenges and have a safe space to discuss their concerns.  
 
Stage 2: The Separation Vacay 
The men and women are split up to go on a girls trip and a guys trip. The trip’s activities help each individual feel like they’re living the “single life” with other “single” friends. While most activities will not be co-ed, there will be a few times when everyone comes together for social gatherings. At these events, the divorcees will be introduced. Participants will be encouraged to date the divorcees to decide who they would like to be coupled with in the real world. 

Stage 3: Live with A New Partner 
The married couples separate and move into an apartment with their new divorcee partner that they chose on vacation. The new couple live together for two weeks, in hopes that the new partnership will help the still married individual uncover ways to save their marriage. 

Stage 4: Return to Your Spouse 
The married couples move back in with their spouses to try to apply what they’ve learned over the last three weeks to either save their union or part ways. During this time, there will be gatherings with the divorcees and the reunited married couples. This is also when the married couples’ friends and family may get involved in providing input or shedding light on the decision they’re contemplating. 

Stage 5: Renew or Be Threw 
At the end, the couples dress up to meet at a neutral location where they reveal to one another what they learned from the experiment and whether they want to renew their vows or move forward with separation in hopes of getting a divorce.  

Would you tune in? 
I know I’d have popcorn, a beverage of choice, and the TV volume turned all the way up just to tune in for the premiere, but the question is would you? Let me know what you think of Save My Union, whether or not you would watch it, or what you would change about my completely imaginary reality television dating series.  

Don’t be too hard on me. A girl can dream. More importantly, ya girl had to get this done for her grad school assignment. Until next time, beYOUtiful, keep life sweet, and never stop feeding your soul. -xo ​]]><![CDATA[HARLEM RENAISSANCE GLAM]]>Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.caraelaine.com/diy/harlem-renaissance-glamHalloween Costume Idea
This halloween look is inspired by The Harlem Renaissance. I'm not much into anything scary, so I opted for glam and lots of it! Enjoy this pure melanin magic look and let me know what you plan to be for halloween.
WATCH VIDEO

Costume Details

Outfit & Accessories: Amazon

Lashes: Eylure Faux Mink Wispy Pro Magnetic

Lip:
  • Black Radiance Beauty Perfect Tone Matte Lip Cream (Color: 5411)
  • Fenty Beauty Bomb Gloss
​
Eyes:
  • The Warrior by Juvia's Place 
  • Box of Crayons iShadow Palette by The Crayon Case
]]><![CDATA[FALL DIY WREATH]]>Wed, 14 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.caraelaine.com/diy/fall-diy-wreathDo-It-Yourself Autumn Wreath Tutorial
Here's my Autumn Wreath DIY tutorial. All of these items can be found at your local Michael's craft store. Let me know in the comments section what you're crafting this fall.
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]]><![CDATA[HOW TO MAKE CAKE POPS]]>Sun, 23 Dec 2018 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.caraelaine.com/diy/how-to-make-cake-popsDIY SNOWMAN CAKE POPS
The winter holiday season always gives me an excuse to bake. This year I made my typical cake pops, but what made these so special is that they're snowmen. Watch this video to find out how to cake pops - snowman and traditional style! 
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INGREDIENTS

  • Cake mix
  • Frosting
  • Candy melts
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Treat bags 
  • Twist ties

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

  • Lollipop sticks
  • Treat bags 
  • Twist ties
  • Foam blocks
  • Gloves
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Interested in step-by-step instructions on how to make cake pops? Click here to learn more. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Although this time of year is filled with bliss, I find it to be stressful. Reluctantly, I've found baking to be very therapeutic. It gives me the perfect dose of me time without the guilt of feeling selfish in knowing my baked creations will be shared with friends and family. Wishing you and yours a very merry holidays!

I hope these DIY cake pops remind you to remain BeYOUtiful, keep life sweet, & never stop feeding your soul. -xo
]]><![CDATA[HALLOWEEN COSTUME IDEAS]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2018 23:21:22 GMThttps://www.caraelaine.com/diy/halloween-costume-ideasHILARY BANKS - PART I
October is finally here, which means Halloween is right around the corner. I’m a cute costume kind of girl so I figured Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the perfect character to tackle. This stunning pink suit is from S3E5 - Mama’s Baby, Carlton’s Maybe. Remember the episode where Carlton’s ex-girlfriend showed up out of nowhere alleging her newborn baby was Carlton’s son? That’s the one!
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To watch this episode of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, click here. 

HAIR: Divatress - Bobbi Boss Wig M928 Kiko https://www.divatress.com/bobbi-boss-...

LIP: Target - Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream - Color: Prague

DRESS: Boohoo - Bardot Tuxedo Button Mini Dress https://us.boohoo.com/bardot-tuxedo-b...

SHOES: DSW - Mix No. 6 Lucee Sandal https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/mix...

PURSE: Amazon - HDE Women's Small Crossbody Handbag https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Womens-Cro...
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LACKBFLASHBACK to my Halloween costume from 2016 as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. It's an oldie but a goodie. I dare you to recreate this look! Read more here. 

BLACK GIRL MAGIC UNICORN - PART II

This costume idea was inspired by my love for glitter, shine, and colorful hair! I mean, who doesn't want to be a unicorn? 
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HAIR:
RHINESTONES: Target

EYESHADOW:
LIP: Covergirl Gel Liquid Lipstick - Melting Pout Metallics - Color 275 "Amped" https://www.covergirl.com/en_us/beaut...

DRESS: Fashion Nova - Rainbow Vision Sequin Dress - Multicolor https://www.fashionnova.com/products/...

SHOES: DSW - Mix No. 6 Lucee Sandal https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/mix...

UNICORN HEADBAND: Amazon - Love Sweety Unicorn Headband Rose Flower Ear - Silver https://www.amazon.com/Love-Sweety-Un...

SCARY SPICE - PART III

Here's the last of my Halloween looks. Watch to see how I transformed into Scary Spice from one of my favorite girl groups, The Spice Girls. I loved their songs "Wannabe", "Too Much" and of course "Spice Up Your Life". What's your favorite Spice Girls song and who's your favorite group member? ​
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LIP: *Product is no longer available. Appears they have similar colors at the link provided above.

JUMPSUIT: Shein - Leopard Print Slim Fitted Bandeau Jumpsuit https://us.shein.com/Leopard-Print-Sl...

Until next time, beYOUtiful, keep life sweet, & never stop feeding your soul. -xo
]]><![CDATA[CAKE POPS]]>Wed, 13 Jul 2016 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.caraelaine.com/diy/cake-pops​HOW TO MAKE IRRESISTIBLE CAKE POPS
​Here's a "how to" guide on making cake pops so delicious that you'll wish you never made them at all after you're bombarded with endless requests to make more. I'll admit, it's a bit time consuming, but well worth it! I guarantee, they're irresistible to say the least. ​
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INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cake mix or brownie mix + necessary ingredients for baking
  • Frosting (16 oz)
  • 2 candy melts bags (each 12 oz)

​ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

  • 50 lollipop sticks (4-6 inches)
  • 50 clear treat bags 
  • 50 twist ties
  • Parchment paper
  • 2 floral foam blocks
  • 2 pairs powder-free vinyl gloves

​DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare cake/brownie mix as directed by package. 
  2. ​After baking, let cake cool completely.
  3. Put gloves on and crumble the cake in a medium-sized bowl. If you use brownie mix, exclude the brownie edges (see picture #1 above).
  4. *Add half of the 16 oz frosting to crumbled cake mixture. Combine cake and frosting until they are fully and evenly mixed together. You'll know that you've added enough frosting when you can form the cake into a loaf without it falling apart (see picture #2 above).
  5. Refrigerate overnight, which I highly recommend, or until cold (1-2 hours).
  6. Place parchment paper at the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan (you may have to line the bottom of another small dish in order to accommodate all of the pops). 
  7. Remove cake pop batter from refrigerator. Put gloves on and begin rolling the batter into 1 ¼ inch size balls. Place balls into 9 x 13 pan. Set aside.**
  8. ​Place 25 candy melts into a coffee mug or deep microwaveable bowl. Heat the chocolate for 1 minute, removing from microwave every 10-15 seconds to stir. 
  9. Dip lollipop stick into chocolate and place lollipop into the center of the cake pop ensuring that you push it in until you reach just past the pop's center without piercing through the other side of the pop. 
  10. Set chocolate to the side and place cake pops into freezer for 20 minutes.
  11. Grab 2 foam blocks and place aside. This is where your pops will stand to dry. 
  12. Melt additional chocolate in preparation of dipping the pops using the same chocolate melting technique from step 8.
  13. Remove 1 pop from the freezer and dip into chocolate, carefully coating all sides. Gently tap lollipop stick against  rim of cup/bowl to remove excess chocolate. Push lollipop stick into foam block. As you dip the pops, make sure you balance the placement of your pops on the foam so that it won't fall.
  14. Let pops fully dry. If you notice that the pops are remaining moist or not hardening because of the warm room temperature, place them in the fridge to set.
  15. Cover pops with treat bags and close with twist ties.
  16. Serve and enjoy!​

*It's best to add the frosting gradually. Typically, you'll end up using half of the container, but by mixing in a little at a time, you prevent making the cake too mushy. You want your cake pops to have a cake-like texture. For brownie mix, you may have to use less or more frosting depending on the fudge-like texture of the brownies. 
**The use of gloves and the cool temperature of the batter should prevent it from sticking to your hands as you roll it into balls. Using your bare hands wastes a lot of the batter. ​
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Share your experience with using this how to guide on irresistible cake pops in the comments section below. Additional tips and tricks for others to use are always helpful. Until next time, beYOUtiful, keep life sweet, and never stop feeding your soul! -xo
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