If your frosting is ready too early, keep in a cool place. Refrigerating will cause it to be un-spreadable. I kept mine on an open window sill on a cool spring day.
Trim the tops of the cakes if they have domed. Place a little frosting on your cake plate to hold the bottom layer on. Place the first layer, top down. For the lemon curd and frosting, I fill piping bags for precision. I pipe a ring of frosting around the top perimeter of the layer and pipe in the first layer of lemon curd, then spreading it with an offset spatula dipped in warm water.
Place the second cake layer, top side down. Repeat the same lemon curd process (ignore if only making a two-layer cake.) After the final cake layer has been placed, add a crumb coat of frosting, just enough to fill in any awkward spots, holes, and sealing the shape. You can use a scraper or spatula to smooth the thin layer out.
Refrigerate the crumb coated cake for 20-30 minutes to set. Add the full layer of coconut frosting on top of the cake, then down the sides, making an even as possible.
Finally, hold the cake carefully, slightly leaning it, while smoothing the toasted coconut up both sides. You can cover the top as well, or leave the top white, as I did. Lemons make for a nice additional garnish, but all up to your liking and look.
Refrigerate this cake for best results. It freezes well too, if you need to save some for another date. The sharp lemon curd completely balances out the soft, toasted coconut flavors.