Fourth of July Berry Dessert

What is 4th of July without a red, white, and blue treat?

This was originally posted last July 4th; we figure it's worth a repost. This weekend, we hope you celebrate America's birthday to the fullest. Go all out on parades, red, white, and blue, and yummy treats. Attending a party this weekend? Make this cheerful dessert. It definitely won't disappoint. 

This summer, especially for The Fourth, I wanted to create a tasty treat that satisfied my sweet tooth but didn't sit too heavy on my stomach. With that in mind, I snagged some fresh berries from the market, whipped up some coconut whipped cream, and layered them all together for a festive dessert. It's simple, I pulled it together in under 30 minutes, and it's absolutely delicious.

Pro tip: layer it in a clear glass to see the vibrant colors and top with a sprig of mint and some lemon zest.

Fourth of July Berry Dessert

Ingredients ::

+ blueberries
+ strawberries
+ 1 can of coconut milk (full fat)
+ 1 tsp cinnamon
+ 1 tsp vanilla extract
+ 1/4 lemon, juice
+ 1/4 - 1/2 cups coconut sugar (amount to taste)

Recipe ::

1. Place your can of coconut milk in the refrigerator and let sit 12 hours to overnight. This step separates the liquid and coconut meat. 

2. Remove your can from the fridge, flip it over, open it up, and scrape out the coconut meat into your mixing bowl. Set aside the liquid to be used in another recipe. 

3. Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and coconut sugar to the coconut in your mixing bowl. 

4. Whip until soft peaks are created. Place bowl in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to solidify more. 

5. When you're ready to plate, add a little bit of whipped cream to the bottom of your glass, top with a layer of blueberries, more whipped cream, a layer of strawberries, repeating until you get to the top.
 
6. Serve and enjoy! Makes at least four. 

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+ What's your favorite festive dessert?

Tag @yourfriend_em on Twitter or Instagram when you make this berry dessert. Share this with people who could use some sweets in their lives. Hashtag #thegreatvibesguide to spread the Great Vibes! Xx.

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My Favorite Sleep Mask

It clearly gets the message across. 

If there is one thing worth valuing, it is quality of sleep. Every place I live has an absurd amount of light from street lamps coming through the window, so I started using a sleep mask at night to black it out. In my opinion, a sleep mask should be made of breathable fabric, large enough to clearly keep out the light, be adjustable, and also be fun/pretty in appearance. I not only love this mask for the message it gets across, but it also checks off all of those boxes. The fact that it is inexpensive and comes with earplugs is just a cherry on top. Pack it in your bag for long flights, vacation, or plain ol' nap time. 

Shop the Item Here: Sleep Mask, $11. 

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+ Do you use a sleep mask? What helps you fall asleep?

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Arguably the Best Heels Ever

Talk about an easy office-to-drinks transition. 

I'm all about pieces doing double duty, and these gorgeous suede heels are no exception. I bought these to make the transition from coffee chats/interviews to cocktail hour fairly seamlessly. They work with every color in my closet - no dreaded does blue really work with black here questions - and are professional and flirty alike. I especially like that I didn't have any blisters or discomfort at all in the first few days I wore them. A little pricey, yes, but J.Crew is known for having huge sales (and they're experiencing a leadership/designer transition that might be big savings for us) and are worth every penny. Just be sure to check the weather so the suede doesn't get ruined. 

Shop the Item Here: Grey Suede Heels, $150. 

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