A Year in the Making

A year ago today, I decided to start this blog with a camera in one hand and a cupcake in the other. Food is something that is not only delicious, but brings people together. Through meeting your friend for lunch at your favorite restaurant or sharing your favorite recipe with your neighbor, food has the power to give joy to people of all walks of life. Food is something that helps makes my day a little bit brighter from baking chocolate chip cookies to trips to my favorite cupcake shop with friends. It is something so simple we do in everyday life, but something that can have so large of an impact on someone.

I created this blog to share my passions with all of you. No matter where you are from, I can bring you a small taste of my adventures. In turn, you have shared your thoughts with me on Facebook and Instagram. I am so happy to have your support and hope that I am sending a little sweetest your way through every post.

You have been along for the ride from the Gulf Coast all the way to the East Coast. This past year, I have been on so many great adventures and I am glad I get to share them with all of you. I kayaked for the first time in Boston, modeled on the runway, and donated my hair for a good cause. I have shared my style with you from my fall favorites to a classic country look and stylish stripes.

I hope you continue to follow along in my food and fashion adventures on Boutiques and Sweets, Instagram, and Twitter. I am so excited to see where my adventures take me in the future. I encourage you to share a recipe with a friend or invite someone to have pastries at your favorite cafe; you never know how much it could mean to them or make their day a little bit sweeter.

Got any sweet treats you would like to see on Boutiques and Sweets? Comment below! 

Stay sweet!

Red, White & Blueberries

When I think of Fourth of July, I think of childhood barbecues with cool whip and fruit by the pool. Cool whip was one of my all-time favorites as a kid, and I used to eat it straight out of the bowl with a spoon. This Fourth of July, I wanted to recreate that and put my own spin on it. This Red, White & Blueberry Parfait is a quick and easy treat, perfect for a Fourth of July picnic or party with friends.

It only requires three ingredients: blueberries, raspberries and whipped cream. You can use cool whip, but I made my whipped cream from scratch (recipe below). All you do is simply layer up the whipped cream, raspberries and blueberries to create a patriotic parfait. If you are doing to a big party, you can always leave the ingredients in separate bowls and allow people to make their own masterpiece. I built the parfaits in stemless wine glasses to give them a classy look. The glasses can be found at Bed Bath & Beyond or Wal-Mart. 

I adorned the parfaits with an American flag decoration for a little holiday spirit. I made the flags myself using a chop stick and an american flag picture I printed. Instead of using a chopstick, you can use a skewer or toothpick. They are super easy to make and can be added atop anything, from cupcakes to pies.  

Red, White & Blueberry Parfait

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
⅓ cup sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 packages of raspberries (6oz packages)
2 packages of blueberries (1 pint packages)

Directions:
1. Add heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on high for one to one and a half minutes or until still peaks form. Time may vary depending on desired consistency. Be careful not to over-beat or it will have a butter-like consistency.
2. Scoop a dollop of whipped cream into the base of a glass. Add about ½ cup of blueberries on top of the whipped cream. Add a layer of whipped cream on top of the blueberries. Add a hand full of raspberries on top of the whipped cream.
3. Adorn with an american flag decoration. 

DIY American Flag Decoration

Supplies:
Chopsticks (toothpicks or skewers)
American flag print out
Glue

Directions:
1. Cut out American flag print out leaving an inch of paper on the left side of the flag print out. 
2. Place glue on the back side of the inch of paper on the flag. Place the chopstick on top of the glue, and fold over the inch of paper. Be sure to glue your flag upright, to avoid the flag being upside down.

What are some of your favorite Fourth of July recipes? 

 

Try out this recipe and let me know how it turns out! Got any sweet treats you would like to see on Boutiques and Sweets? Comment below!

Stay sweet!