Gap Arch Logo Hoodie curated on LTK

itsthebougiefoodie

Welcome! I'm Joy, a 50-year-old living in suburban Chicago with my boyfriend and our dog, Mork.

I started using cooking and baking as a way to heal from the medical trauma I experienced during the pandemic. It helped me to focus on something other than my health.

I have long-COVID and several autoimmune diseases now that make my "old" life difficult.

Last year, I left a career in marketing to pursue my passion of writing, developing recipes, and creating content for brands.

What I love most, however, is sharing my stories, recipes, and reviews with you.

#LTKVideo #LTKhome #LTKover40

Welcome! I'm Joy, a 50-year-old living in suburban Chicago with my boyfriend and our dog, Mork. I started using cooking and baking as a way to heal from the medical trauma I experienced during the pandemic. It helped me to focus on something other than my health. I have long-COVID and several autoimmune diseases now that make my "old" life difficult. Last year, I left a career in marketing to pursue my passion of writing, developing recipes, and creating content for brands. What I love most, however, is sharing my stories, recipes, and reviews with you. LTKVideo LTKhome LTKover40

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Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel, BOV900BSS | Amazon (US)

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel, BOV900BSS | Amazon (US)

Breville 1800W Smart Toaster Oven Pro Stainless Steel | Target

itsthebougiefoodie

This Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro does everything from toasting to roasting.

With 13 different functions to choose from, you can bake casseroles, make a frozen pizza, toast bread, proof dough, dehydrate fruit, reheat leftovers, and broil a steak.

I use it every day!

I also listed a few Breville models in different price ranges.

#LTKVideo #LTKHome

The Pink Stuff paste has made cleaning my oven easier than ever before and has saved me time, space, and money. It lasts much longer than any other liquid detergent.

It is great for cleaning all surfaces and removing stains, grease, or grime from just about anything including stoves, kitchen floors, metal, ceramics, porcelain, marble, wood, silverware, jewelry, glass shower doors, fiberglass doors, glass stove tops, countertops, toilet, sinks, bathtub, car wheels, stainless steel, and more.

The Pink Stuff paste won't leave any scratches or streaks.

#LTKVideo #LTKHome #LTKFindsUnder50

This rustic fruit dessert recipe by David Lebovitz is made with pitted cherries and served in Le Creuset stoneware. Using a cherry-pitting tool is essential to keep fingers and counters from staining.

David Lebovitz’s Cherry Clafoutis
1 1/4 pounds (570g) sweet cherries
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup (70g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup (100g) plus 3 tablespoons (45g)sugar
1 1/3 cup (330ml) whole or lowfat milk
Softened butter, for preparing the baking dish

Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Smear a 2-quart (2l) shallow baking dish liberally with butter. 
Stem and pit the cherries. Lay them in a single layer in the baking dish. 
In a standard blender, or using an immersion blender and a bowl, mix the eggs, flour, vanilla and almond extracts, ½ cup sugar, and milk together until smooth. 
Pour the batter over the cherries and sprinkle the fruit and batter with the 3 tablespoons of sugar. 
Bake the clafoutis until the custard is just set; a knife poked in the center should emerge relatively clean. It’ll take about 45 minutes. 

#LTKVideo #LTKSeasonal #LTKHome

😍 Obsessed with this 100% Organic Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress by Quince!

This chic maxi gathers at the waist for a lightly cinched look. I kept seeing similar dresses at J.Crew and Anthropology but at $70, this one is a bargain at half the price.

Fits TTS: I’m 5’7 165lbs and am wearing a large.I’m buying a few more colors for summer.
💚🩵🤍❤️💛💙

#LTKOver40 #LTKFindsUnder100 #LTKMidsize

If you’re too busy to cook but still want a delicious home meal, let me introduce you to these Momofuku instant noodles topped with their chili crunch. Add protein and vegetables of your choice and you'll be eating in under 30 minutes.

Momofuku Sweet and Spicy Noodles are made from simple ingredients yet are big in flavor.

They are air-dried, never fried. The result: 25% fewer calories than most instant noodles, double the usual amount of protein, and zero mg of cholesterol.

The best part is that they cook in under 4 minutes!

#LTKVideo #LTKHome #LTKSummerSales

If you’re too busy to cook but still want a delicious home meal, let me introduce you to these momofuku instant noodles and chili crunch. With minimal prep in under 30 minutes, I was eating a mouthwatering meal.

Momofuku Sweet and Spicy Noodles are made from simple ingredients yet are big in flavor.

They are air-dried, never fried. The result: 25% fewer calories than most instant noodles, double the usual amount of protein, and zero mg of cholesterol.

The best part is that they cook in under 4 minutes, about half the time as dried pasta.

#LTKSaleAlert #LTKHome #LTKVideo

😍 Obsessed with this 100% Organic Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress by Quince!

This chic maxi gathers at the waist for a lightly cinched look. I kept seeing similar dresses at J.Crew and Anthropology but at $70, this one is a bargain at half the price.

I’m 5’7 165lbs and am wearing a large. Comes in several colors. You know I’ll be buying a few more for summer.
💚🩵🤍❤️💛💙

#LTKFindsUnder100 #LTKOver40 #LTKMidsize

This Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro does everything from air frying to toasting to baking and roasting.

With 13 different functions to choose from, you can bake casseroles, make a frozen pizza, toast bread, proof dough, dehydrate fruit, reheat leftovers, and broil a steak.

I use it every day!

I also listed a few Breville models in different price ranges.

#LTKhome #LTKVideo

Casual midsize outfit for a day of Denver sightseeing.

#LTKtravel #LTKmidsize #LTKover40

These Asgard rain boots have kept my feet comfy and warm through rain, snow, and slush. They are waterproof and have a non-slip bottom perfect for rainy spring days.

#LTKsalealert #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKVideo

Full-time coffee drinker here. I’ve tried dozens of products to help keep my teeth white and have never been fully satisfied with the results.

This whitening toothpaste from Marvis knocks all the other brands out of the park, however. My teeth feel cleaner and look whiter with daily use.

#LTKover40 #LTKbeauty

Cosmetic Storage Box, Modern Plastic Clear Panel Design Makeup Storage Box

The main compartment is nice and roomy, with two drawers in front, four on the side, and another spot for makeup sticks.

#LTKover40 #LTKVideo #LTKbeauty

Cosmetic Storage Box, Modern Plastic Clear Panel Design Makeup Storage Box

The main compartment is nice and roomy, with two drawers in front, four on the side, and another spot for makeup sticks.

#LTKbeauty #LTKVideo #LTKover40

50% off! My favorite essential wardrobe piece from J.Crew, an Italian wool blazer. I’ve never seen them this low in price - snag this before the sale ends.

I added a few more similar sale pieces below.

#LTKmidsize #LTKover40 #LTKsalealert

Pop movie-worthy popcorn easily with this collapsible silicone popcorn bowl.

Inspired by movie marathons and midnight snacks, this popcorn popper provides the immediate satisfaction of microwave popcorn in an eco-friendly, waste-free format.

Simply fill the lid with kernals, and then pop and enjoy right out of the bowl. No oil or butter is necessary during the cooking process.

Easy to use and safer than a stovetop

No butter or oilis necessary, making this a healthy choice when popping popcorn

Bowl collapses for easy storage

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKhome #LTKVideo

This Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro does everything from toasting to roasting.

With 13 different functions to choose from, you can bake casseroles, make a frozen pizza, toast bread, proof dough, dehydrate fruit, reheat leftovers, and broil a steak.

I use it every day!

I also listed a few Breville models in different price ranges.

#LTKhome #LTKVideo #LTKMostLoved

Hands down some of the best pretzels I’ve had, Eastern Standard Provisions pretzels are the perfect game-day snack. (Swift Bowl Sunday, anyone?)

Just brush on a little oil or butter, sprinkle the included seasoning salts, and whip up some dips while they’re baking. Try a cheese sauce or spinach artichoke dip.

For those of us with a sweet tooth (It’s me. Hi!), try a sweet dip option like chocolate hazelnut spread mixed with Greek yogurt. So good!

You're going to want to have several boxes on hand. Trust me.

#LTKsalealert #LTKVideo #LTKhome

What's your go-to sick-day soup?

I’m sick again and need to start expanding my soup horizons. What are some of your favorites when you're sick? Chicken has been on constant rotation here since Thanksgiving because one of us is always sick.

I’ve also been getting into the habit of making double the amount of food and freezing half for another time.

These glass food storage containers can go from freezer to microwave to dishwasher and are stain-resistant. That's a big plus in my book.

Full-time coffee drinker, here. I’ve tried dozens of products to help keep my teeth white and have never been fully satisfied with the results.

This whitening toothpaste from Marvis knocks all the other brands out of the park, however. My teeth feel cleaner and look whiter after just 1 week of daily use.

#LTKbeauty #LTKover40 #LTKMostLoved

Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away! Get ready with these gift finds from Amazon.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKhome #LTKover40

Get ready for Valentine's Day with these cozy finds from Nordstrom.

#LTKfindsunder100 #LTKSeasonal #LTKhome

Listen, I’m not saying you need to buy these cookies, but if you like Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding and chocolate, you probably should.

Real banana pudding, vanilla wafer cookies, butter, and sweet chocolate chunks are blended to make a perfect cookie flavor combination!

These cookies are soft-baked and individually wrapped for freshness.

#LTKhome #LTKfindsunder50

Set the mood for Valentine's Day with these home finds from Anthropologie.

#LTKhome #LTKSeasonal #LTKfindsunder100

20% OFF WITH CODE! Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte, and Cappuccino Maker makes both hot and cold coffee shop quality drinks in your own home.

With a few pushes of buttons, you can make mochas, lattes, cappuccino, or espresso. The milk frother makes both hot or cold steamed milk.

Use code WINTERBREW24 at checkout for 20% off!

#LTKhome #LTKsalealert #LTKVideo

This clever Angry Mama kitchen gadget cleans your microwave in just a few minutes with the power of vinegar, water, and steam.

Just fill with your vinegar solution and pop it into the microwave for 5 minutes. When time is up, wipe down the top and sides of your microwave with a cloth to remove all kinds of grease and gunk.

#LTKhome #LTKsalealert

We needed more seating in the living room to accommodate guests over the holidays, so we added this transitional chair.

Now that they're gone, I like to curl up here with my coffee, woven blanket, and book in the mornings.

If I'm feeling spicy, I’ll flip on my candle warmer lamp for mood.

#LTKstyletip #LTKhome

Pop movie-worthy popcorn easily with this collapsible silicone popcorn bowl.

Inspired by movie marathons and midnight snacks, this popcorn popper provides the immediate satisfaction of microwave popcorn in an eco-friendly, waste-free format.

Simply fill the lid with kernals, and then pop and enjoy right out of the bowl. No oil or butter is necessary during the cooking process.

Easy to use and safer than a stovetop

No butter or oilis necessary, making this a healthy choice when popping popcorn

Bowl collapses for easy storage

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKVideo #LTKhome

Cosmetic Storage Box, Modern Plastic Clear Panel Design Makeup Storage Box

PROS:
The main compartment is nice and roomy, with two drawers in front, four on the side, and another spot for makeup sticks.

CONS:
The side drawers are on the small side.

#LTKsalealert #LTKVideo #LTKbeauty

This wall-mount shower caddy can help you better organize your bathroom necessities.

Our last caddy rusted and didn't stick to the wall any longer. These shelves have adhesive tape that sticks to any surface, and are rust proof.

They look sleek and take up very little space in the shower. They come 2 shelves per pack and the black ones are on sale for 47% off.

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKsalealert #LTKhome

Winter wear for slushy, snowy days.

This is a go-to outfit for an out-and-about-town day of errands in January in the Midwest.

Comfy, warm, and dry.

#LTKstyletip #LTKmidsize #LTKover40

Cosmetic Storage Box, Modern Plastic Clear Panel Design Makeup Storage Box

The main compartment is nice and roomy, with two drawers in front, four on the side, and another spot for makeup sticks.

#LTKsalealert #LTKVideo #LTKbeauty

My Asgard rain boots have kept my feet comfy and warm through rain, snow, and slush.

#LTKVideo #LTKover40 #LTKshoecrush

This clever Angry Mama kitchen gadget cleans your microwave in just a few minutes with the power of vinegar, water, and steam.

Just fill with your vinegar solution and pop it into the microwave for 5 minutes. When time is up, wipe down the top and sides of your microwave with a cloth to remove all kinds of grease and gunk.

#LTKVideo #LTKhome #LTKfindsunder50

Pop movie-worthy popcorn easily with this collapsible silicone popcorn bowl.

Inspired by movie marathons and midnight snacks, this popcorn popper provides the immediate satisfaction of microwave popcorn in an eco-friendly, waste-free format.

Simply fill the lid with kernals, pop into microwave, and enjoy right out of the bowl.

Easy to use and safer than a stovetop.

No butter or oil necessary, making this a healthy choice when popping popcorn.

Bowl collapses for easy storage.

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKhome #LTKsalealert

This Dimmable Candle Warmer Lamp with Tmer is my absolute favorite gift that I received for Christmas.

It comes with a dimmer switch with 3 levels of brightness and a shut-off timer, and creates the perfect environment to relax.

The scent is diffuse and not overpowering so my migraines aren’t triggered like with burning candles.

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKhome #LTKsalealert