Have You Seen?

**After publishing this post we found out that not only was Dana and Nonye featured in these two blogs...we also found out that they were chosen as one of the amazing couples featured in "The Best of Bridal Bliss 2010"! 


We feel so honored to have been published in two national wedding blogs last week, The Bride's Cafe and Essence Online Bridal Bliss!  Dana and Nonye's 600 person wedding took place this past July.  They said their vows at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Portsmouth and had a reception to follow at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel.  Eleise Theuer Photography was there to capture this special day.  We had a great time working with this beautiful couple and wish them many years of bliss together. Many thanks to all of the vendors that helped to make this day run so smoothly...for a full list of vendors be sure to check out the blogs linked in this post.       

Rachel and Nick Are Getting Married!!

We are so happy to share with you all another great couple getting married, Rachel and Nick! The two of them met while attending law school in Florida, and after proposing to Rachel at Central Park in NYC, they  are now ready for the next step in life. They are getting married at the Mariner's Museum in Newport News on June 4, 2011. It will be a "Southern Affair" featuring two of our all-time favorite colors: Yellow and Gray!! The images below were taking by Beau Womble, who we are very excited to be working with again! 

Workout Wednesday: A Holiday Deal

Since Lacey is off from posting on our blog this week to celebrate the holiday...I thought I'd share an amazing membership sale she has going on right now.

You can join between now and Friday, December 24, 2010 at noon and you can become a member of Lacey Lee Fitness for only $35.00 a month...and this includes UNLIMITED Classes. What's even better? You can keep this low rate for as long as you are a member. AMAZING!!

Make sure to tell her that you heard about Lacey Lee Fitness on the Antonia Christianson Events blog!

image found: http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/why-starving-yourself-before-your-wedding-doesn%E2%80%99t-work/

Bling in the Season: a Vendor Holiday Party

As of next week Antonia Christianson Events will have officially been in business for 4 years. (and a blessed 4 years at that)...So we thought that this year, we'd celebrate our anniversary, our new studio and our holiday cheer with about 100 of our vendor friends! With the help of our good friend and neighbor Ramone we threw one bang up party!

First, I'll thank everyone that helped make this event AMAZING! Marcy & Joanie from Chef By Design Catering for our fabulous food (no one went hungry), Pike Media Resource for the super fun lights and ambiance, PattiCakes, Inc for our great "CAKE POP" table, Ramone for helping foot the bill and the fabulous pictures you'll see below, RSVP Stationery for the paper products used throughout the event (including our invitations), Fluttering Flowers for the beautiful arrangements, Boardwalk Photobooth Company for the hilarity that ensued in the photo booth, Karen & Alex from Ava Clara Bridal for letting the ACE team enjoy a beautiful dress in our studio...and of course Astro Entertainment for keeping the party ROCKING!

Ok...now onto the fun! The pictures:

Caprese Skewers from Chef by Design

No Holiday Party is complete without warm apple cider

 The hilarious Johnny Flex from Astro Entertainment

 A quick snapshot of a few of the amazing images in Ramone's Studio. I LOVE his black walls! 

 The wall leading up stairs to my studio.

Love the blue "haze" when our guests entered the event! 

 Our hallway downstairs...where all the action happened.

 

The above 3 images are the great work of Emily Patti with PattiCakes, inc. There was not 1 cake pop left! Loved the display and the flavor was TO DIE FOR!

And now: OUR STUDIO!

 A shot of our cozy client meeting area...with walls flocked with event images, inspirational peices, and of course, pictures from my grandparents wedding. 

 This display board is next to my desk...it's filled with client stationery, inspiration and of course, pics of my boys. 

Another little nook in the studio...display shelves, media, and beautiful client pictures. 

Now...I know you really only care about the people pictures. So here are a few from the Boardwalk Photobooth Company: 

 Someone of you might recognize this beauty (and her other half)...Lindsey! ACE Office Manager, Event Staffer, and my sane half!

The One and ONLY Dave Schwartz! Photographic Genius. 

3 Hilarious Ladies...and Wedding Pros. Tiffany from Bay Creek, Stacey from the Signature and 

Julie from As you Wish

Caroline and Shawn...they own the photobooth and are dear friends of the ACE Team! 

My 2nd Family...(from L to R). Merissa Pence: Model, Debbie Pence: owner of Fluttering Flowers and Melanie Pence Womble: Half of Womble Photography

And a few images from Ramone's Fauxto Booth. HILARIOUS!

The two lovely ladies are from Pure English, Helen (owner) and Sarah. 

(clockwise from top) Patrice of Bloom the Art of Flowers, Cathy Carter of East Beach Catering, Lacey Lee of Lacey Lee Fitness and Char of Chars Floral Design. 

These two well dressed ladies with Ramone are Michelle and Kim from Weddings by Michelle. 

2 of my dearest friends...Scott & Adina Hayne of Hayne Photographers. 

Finally...my favorite picture of the night. (clockwise from the silly guy in the hat). Charlie Pike of Pike Media Resource, Brooke Bander, Lisa Halstead (dear friend and Komen's Pink Martni Night Guru), Karen Tilley of Ava Clara Bridal, Julie Morgan of As you Wish, Veronica Dana of Veronica Dana Photography (dear friend and amazing photographer that shot my own wedding), Alex (and her hubby!) of Ava Clara Bridal, Stacey Jelly of the Signature at West Neck. 

Thank you friends and fellow vendors for your continued support. These images are just a fraction of the people that have supported the Antonia Christianson Events Team through the last 4 years...and we look forward to growing with them as they grow with us. 

(my sisters, my team and my friends...Melanie and Stephanie: 

Former Interns and Amazing Event Staffers)

Workout Wednesday: The Secret to Successful Resolutions

We are just week away from one of the most popular New Year's resolution most people make--> the plan to lose weight - start working out - eat healthier - etc.   We all have the best of intentions when we set our resolutions but unfortunately most people don't keep their New Year's resolution.  Research has shown that, after six months, fewer than half the people who make New Year's resolutions have stuck with them, and, after a year, that number declines to around ten percent.  A New Year's resolution to lose weight and/or to adapt a healthier lifestyle (or any resolution you make) does NOT have to be doomed for failure. 

The key to making a successful New Year’s resolution is a person’s confidence that they can make a behavior change and the commitment to making that change.  The below are my solutions for successfully keeping your resolutions this year and ever year thereafter.

        Choose an obtainable goal

You must be realistic when setting your personal fitness goals.  Rather than concentrating on the end result, set several smaller goals.  Take it one day at a time.  Remember your fitness goal will not happen overnight.  Take as many baby steps as you need and know as long as you are moving in the right direction, your personal fitness goals will be achieved.

If each New Year’s resolution’s is the same and each year you don’t succeed.  Set a NEW resolution.  Set yourself up to succeed not fail.  

Don’t change everything all at once

Adapting a healthier lifestyle is all about changing habits.  If you want to become more active AND eating healthier…pick one.  Changing your lifestyle all at once is a recipe for disaster.  You must realign your priorities.  Initial attempts to succeed are limited until you change your habits and make the time for your new commitment.  You must understand in order to see a change; you need to make a change. 

Educate yourself

It is the utmost importance to know what you are doing before you start any kind of workout regiment or modifying your diet. You do not want to injure yourself, burn out or get discouraged.  Unfortunately, media has saturated people’s minds on what to eat, what not to eat. Gain muscle this way….do this workout…do that workout.  Your healthy lifestyle is all about you. Everyone’s lifestyle is different.   Everybody’s body is different.  One way of eating may work for your friend but not necessarily for you.  Your co-workers workout regimen may be for his/her goals but not yours.  In order to successfully adapt a healthy lifestyle, you must do what is enjoyable to you.  You must eat foods that you enjoy.  Find exercises that you enjoy.  There is something out there for everyone.  You just have to look for it.  If you do anything that is not enjoyable, inconvenient, dreadful….you will not continue to do it.  Ask questions that specifically pertain to your goals.   To ensure you have the correct answers to your questions, turn to fitness professional or the Internet. 


Do it for yourself

Your fitness goals should be based on what YOU want. Do not let distractions get in your way.  Treat your workout time like you would a doctor’s appointment.  Your health needs to remain a top priority – if you don’t have your health then all else will suffer.

Have a support system

Your support can come from work, home and/or at a fitness club.  Without the proper support, these changes will become more challenging as time goes on.  Find a friend/co-worker that wants the same “changes” or has the same goals as you.  Surround yourself with like-mind people.  You will not only motivate each other but hold each other accountable. 

Stay Positive

Everyone falls off the wagon at some point. You will have a bad day of eating and/or miss a workout and      when that happens, you should not be discouraged.  Remind yourself you are human and “mistakes” will happen.  The trick is not having that bad “meal” turn into a bad week/month of eating poorly or missing a workout to being missing weeks/months of workouts.  Get back on track as soon as possible.  Recognize why the “mistake” happened and learn from it so you can avoid the mistake again.

Workout Wednesday: The New Lacey Lee Fitness

For months now Lacey Lee has been educating our readers on how to live a healthier lifestyle...in a simple, step by step way. If you love her approach to educating you now have the opportunity to visit her gym! We are proud to announce that Lacey's Fitness Studio is finally open for business!

 Last week Lacey attended the Antonia Christianson Events Holiday Open house and it was so great to hear so many friends and vendors commenting on how they loved her weekly posts to our blog. She is as down to earth and friendly in person as she is in her writing. I'd love it if each of our readers stopped by her studio for a free consultation...i'm sure you'll be hooked. Make sure to tell her staff that you heard about Lacey Lee Fitness from the ACE Blog! 

It is with great pleasure to announce – Lacey Lee Fitness Studio is officially OPEN!

When I first introduced myself in August – I spoke about my background, my training styles and through the numerous Workout Wednesday blogs – my tips and advice.  Now the time has come to fill you in on Lacey Lee Fitness Studio.

Lacey Lee Fitness is located in West Ghent - a wonderful neighborhood in Norfolk.  What once used to be a warehouse that held documents for an architect firm – has now been spruced up with vibrant colors and décor to give off the right amount of energy and motivation one will want when working out.  When the search began in finding a location for my personal training and fitness class studio – I had had 3 requirements. 1.Easy for people to get to  2. Free parking   3.  Be in a safe area.  Once I found my location (which is better than I could have imagined) every detail that followed was to ensure people’s workout experience was nothing but the best.  

As I have mentioned before, working out is intimidating for most people – especially in a gym setting.   Between the layout of my studio and the services I offer, my goal is put your anxieties at ease.  It is very common to be nervous when entering a fitness class for the 1^st time or hiring a personal trainer.  With me – I offer everyone a no-obligation free consultation or session.  I will answer all of your questions, fill you in on what to expect and guide you to the correct class for your current fitness levels.  Then to top it off – you receive a no-obligation 7 day membership so you can come try as many classes as you want for a full week.  You can visit my website www.laceyleefitness.com for more information and to view the class schedule.

One great thing about fitness classes - you are essentially doing group personal training.  You don’t have to worry about motivating yourself or trying to remember what exercises to do – the instructor does it for you.  Granted you will have to do the “hard” part by actually doing the exercises– but we take the guess work out for you.  Over the years of working in the fitness industry – too many times I have seen people just “going through the motions” when they workout.  Then they get frustrated and discouraged when they don’t see results and drop off the workout wagon.  Most people don’t know how to push themselves without pushing too hard.  So in turn- they tend to not work as hard as they should or worse hurt themselves. 

I am a big picture thinker.  Hence my logo - “It’s Not Just a Workout…It’s a Lifestyle”.  The goal is to adapt a healthier lifestyle and to begin at whatever pace is comfortable for you.  Working out twice a week for a half hour is certainly better than nothing.  You know yourself best – don’t set yourself up for failure by saying you will hit the gym 5 days a week.  Work your way up to that point.  It is always easier to add a day then to take a day away. No point busting your butt for a month then stopping all together.  You will only get back to why you began working out in the first place.  As you have learned throughout the Workout Wednesday blogs – I push not only the educational aspect of a healthy lifestyle but having fun while doing it.  After all – if you do anything you dread or inconvenient – you will stop.  I don’t want that to happen and I know you don’t either.

At Lacey Lee Fitness – not only will you become fit, you will learn so much more.   When you participate in a class you will notice although you are in a class setting – the instructors pay attention to each individual, making sure you are doing what you need to be doing for your fitness levels and not worrying about what Sally or Joe is doing next to you. 

Another unique aspect of Lacey Lee Fitness are the membership options.  When I put together my fitness class membership options – my goal again, was to put anxieties at ease and to provide as many options as possible.  I want people to only pay for the services they want.  No contracts.  No enrollment fees.  Therefore, I offer 7 membership options. 

*Unlimited Classes  

- No restrictions – enjoy any class at any time

*12 Classes a month 

- This option allows you to attend any 12 classes throughout the month

*8 Classes a month

- This option allows you to attend any 8 classes throughout the month

*One a day 

- Morning, lunchtime or Evening only + Saturday

Does your schedule only allow you to attend evening classes?  Or do you prefer to workout in the mornings?  Or during your lunch break? 

*8 Class Punch Card

- One time charge – no expiration date – come to any 8 classes you would like

*12 Class Punch Card 

- One time charge – no expiration date – come to any 12 classes you would like

*Drop in 

- Not sure how often you can make it to classes?  Pay as you go.

I hope you will take advantage of my no-obligation free consultation and/or session.  After all you won’t know if you like it until you try it, right?  Getting started is the hard part.  I give you my promise – you will be100% happy you did it once you begin. 

Please don’t hesitate to call and/or email me if you have any questions and/or concerns. 

757.288.5444

www.laceyleefitness.com

laceyleefitness@gmail.com