Swinnyinthecity: Christmas bells are ringing!

Hello my friends and happy hump day!

Things around these parts are looking pretty Christmasty (I love making up words...)! We have decorated our quaint apartment with a few Christmas bobbles, and we finally picked up our tree yesterday! PJ and I went on Tuesday evening, but there was only 2 sad-looking trees left. We waited until yesterday so that we would have a selection, and I'm glad we did. We got a full-figured (hehe) little tree that is plump in all the right places (nice and full at the bottom!). I can't wait to decorate her tonight. I picked up some gorgeous ornaments at target (they have awesome Xmas stuff!), and they are all either teal or silver. Although I can't wait to have children and decorate the tree with their homemade ornaments, there is still a part of me that loves being at the point in my life where I can create a tree like you would see in Macy's.I will post pics as soon as we are done with everything!

In keeping up with Christmas activities, yesterday I hit up the Union Square Christmas market in the late afternoon.

I would highly recommend visiting this market (or other Christmas markets throughout the city!) as they have so many unique trinkets that make perfect holiday gifts! I picked up one gift, and I plan on going back this weekend to do a little more shopping. My favorite shops are the jewelry vendors that have unique, quality pieces that are not too pricey. :)

Ok, moving onto yesterday's food news.

I started the morning this way. I recommend the Starbucks Christmas blend. It is flavorful, spicy, and as they say "full of comfort and joy".

Brekkie was blueberry Chobani topped with flax meal, Kashi Good Friends cereal, and some almonds for some healthy fat! I munched on a pear (in season right now!) between breakfast and lunch to keep the blood sugar rockin.

Lunch was pretty amazing. I had made PJ a chicken salad sangy Monday night using the leftover roasted chicken I roasted on Sunday. Let me tell ya people, you can get funky with chicken salad. Not that it's rocket science, but my mom was the one who opened my mind to spicing up an average chicken salad. You can add anything you want, but for this salad I used:

chopped chicken

chopped almonds

pomegranate craisins

red onions

chobani yogurt in place of mayo

a little dijon mustard

red onion

I topped my sang with a tomato and some kale leaves.

This sandwich was the bomb diggity. I had a side of baby carrots sprinkled with garlic salt. This bad boy kept me satisfied until about 4:30 when I took a break for a kind bar. Gosh, how I love kind bars!

The Almond & Coconut flavor is my absolute FAVE!

I was still feeling in the Christmas spirit when I arrived home yesterday, so I did a little more shopping at some local boutiques in Jersey City. How come I always manage to get suckered in to purchasing items for myself as well? Ugh!

I went to a fab new store that carries amazing kitchen and house products all imported from Italy. I can't find the website, but as soon as I get it I will let you know. I picked up a few unique gifts there. I then stopped by Tia's Place, which has been a favorite shop of mine before I even moved to Jersey City! When I would come for weekends to visit PJ, I would always drop a couple bucks there :) They have AMAZING clothing (reasonably priced!) and such beautiful jewelry. Great for gifts for friends, family, or yourself! I picked up an adorable little outfit for a Christmas Party I will be attending Saturday night. Pics to come!

When I arrived home, I did this quick YogaGlo 30 minute yoga practice before heading out to dinner with friends. As I have said before- 10, 20, 3o minutes of movement IS worth it. I didn't used to think this way, but some very smart women in my life now have me believing that there are definite benefits no matter what the length of time your workout ends up being. Kathryn Budig leads this class, and I am LOVING her as an instructor. She is funny, talented, and has offers great wisdom and perspective throughout her classes.

We went to Marco and Pepe in Jersey City for dinner last night. This is one of my fave spots in my little city. GREAT food, wine, and inventive cocktails. There is also a very handsome waiter who looks like Jude Law. They have an amazing kale salad which I almost always get as an app, and they get their bread daily from Balthazar bakery in NYC.