Belly up to the Barre

Belly up the barre! Not the one located in the pool, the one located on Richmond Road called iNSiDE Out STUDiO owned by newly married couple Janine & Greg Charron.

My name is Amanda O’Reilly, I am the founder & owner of Weddings InStyle, Balance InStyle & Events InStyle I am an addict and my current addiction is Barre. The other ladies at InStyle are also dipping their toes in and are loving it!

Often I will blog about trends, designs, time-saver etc … but today, I am here to share my favourite addiction, if you try it, I am sure will be yours too! 

You don't need to have a looming wedding date or a holiday dress that you want to fit into to appreciate the results of this class.  If you want to burn fat fast, shrink your waistline, and increase your metabolism all while sculpting your entire body, then you need to go try this class.  Best part is the first class is FREE! So no investment to try! Click here to register for your first class. FREE CLASS.

Bar-none for results! This full body workout will AH MAZE you!  You would think that I would for the company right? Nah, just sharing secrets to get your mind body healthy from the iNSiDE Out and besides we are in the business of sucking the stress out of clients lives so this is our way of sharing a super fun way to do that with almost immediate results!

Okay … so what is Barre??? (pronounced BAR ). The Barre classes sculpt the body proportionally so that all body parts are equally challenged. This total body workout serves to strengthen, lengthen, and stretch the body from top to bottom. The end result is a long and lean physique… think dance class meets Pilates with an energetic combination of floor work, light weights and resistance balls all performed small isometric movements are set to upbeat music.

Loved by Madonna and Drew Barrymore, and many more Hollywood celebs.

The Barre technique isn’t just a ballet class. It’s a total-body workout that utilizes a ballet barre and THANK GOD for the barre at times. When you take your first class you will understand my appreciation for the barre. (Something to hold on to when my legs start to shake beyond control).

Ladies and Gentlemen: if you want to lose weight, it all boils down to calories in (food) versus calories out (energy expended). I’ve never seen a fat ballerina, but how many calories are burned in a barre workout? “A LOT”. They say that 300-600 calories are burned in an hour-long barre class. Additionally, barre classes are anaerobic, meaning one can expect to burn about 100 calories post-class through the “after burn effect” :)

I have to admit – it took me over a year to get my butt into iNSiDE Out and now my butt is thanking me!

At Barre Studio they talk about the core A LOT! When they talk about "the core" they are not referring to the downtown core where the bar’s are at either. Instead they are referring to the group of muscles with in our bodies that promote full body strength, energy and power.

Remember: Shaking is good: In a barre class, your goal is to start shaking almost immediately after starting an exercise. You AREN'T weak and you aren’t doing something wrong this is actually THE GOAL! You might even hear your instructor say, "Nice shaking" or "Everyone should be shaking," throughout class. I, along with 20 other women stand on our tip toes, lifting our legs into various ballet-inspired poses while holding onto the barre—our thighs and calves quivering as under-used muscles are awakened. When your body shakes, you are exhausting that muscle and forcing it to tone, so embrace the shake! And TUCK! Sounds fun huh? 

It's like personal training in a group setting.  The class builds the inner thighs and lower abs, while strengthening the spine and shoulders—especially good for people, like myself, who sit all day in front of a computer creating and dreaming up ways to WOW our clients.

I've definitely found my new fitness fix! 

Hope to see you on the barre soon!

Amanda xo

Food & Drink Holiday Issue - Featuring InStyle

With the holidays just around the corner we were honoured to be featured in this months Food & Drink Magazine ( available at your nearest LCBO ) offering 4 tips on how to "Entertain InStyle" this coming season.

You know us as Weddings InStyle, but did you know we have a sister company called Events InStyle? We are Ottawa’s premier event planning solution for any of your event needs. We are experts at organizing and executing all types of events, be it in our own venue or another location of your choice. Whether it is a night out on the town, a memorable birthday party, or business conference, charity gala or of course a wedding. We plan events that are a reflection of your personal style and we customize them to meet individual your needs.

Whether you are hosting a team building meeting, an intimate cocktail reception or a gala, you want a unique and unforgettable (for the right reasons) experience. No matter the theme we create flawless events that are representative of the hosts.

We have coordinated distinctive functions for organizations of all sizes; from small VIP dinners to large-scale corporate events. Our experience with top vendors enables us to recommend venues and service providers that will meet your specific needs. From invitations to decor, catering, performing artists, lighting and audio-visual equipment, we will orchestrate a seamless event at which you will surely feel like an honoured guest.

We hope that you will enjoy the following tips and make sure you check out our bubbly recipe on located on page 266 of the magazine.

Remember as the holidays approach planning a party or event shouldn't be stressful or intimidating. By staying organized and starting early, you can plan, create and host a memorable event with flare and ease. Tip: Create a timeline, get organized, create a theme and REMEMBER that it is the host that sets the tone for the party - SO RELAX and have FUN and your guests will too.

Founder of InStyle & Co Amanda O'Reilly Food & Drink Holiday 2012 Edition

Where has the time gone ....

I got a call today from my insurance company congratulating me on 2 successful years of business at my location in on Murray Street. I stopped and thought to myself - my gosh -  has it been 2 years already? and because we like to celebrate EVERYTHING InStyle did we really just miss an opportunity to drink champagne? Okay, well that in itself is just wrong, but where has the time gone? seriously?!


I had a specific vision in mind for InStyle and all the related companies that fall under the InStyle brand. Balance InStyle, Weddings InStyle, Events InStyle & new birthed I Do InStyle. Nothing like Weddings InStyle & Events InStyle existed in Ottawa at the time. I saw precisely what I wanted it to look like in my mind.


I called up my friend Fried Kemper who is a broker, and told him the crazy idea I had dreamt up and told him to take me building shopping.  He kept trying to convince me on other spaces that were off the beaten path and of course in a more appealing square footage bracket ... but I knew EXACTLY what I wanted, and the blank canvas that I needed to work with. He showed me MANY before I fell in love.


The minute I walked in ...  I just knew. This was it!! This is where I would create MAGIC.

Most of the people that walk into 107 Murray think that I clicked my ruby red heels and volia! Instant chic venue! Not the case. I took possession in June and I opened the doors on September 5th, 2009.  Let's take a little trip back in history shall we?

Main room a few weeks into construction

Main Room After Construction

My Office Before/During Construction

My Office Today :)

Framing In Kitchen

Kitchen After

InStyle As You Know It Today!

It's hard to believe that we have hosted over 100 Weddings & Events in the past 2 years. Weddings and Events are our expertise, this is what we do. We have done the homework so our client's don’t have to.  The caterer’s food is tasted, the baker’s treats are savored, the florist’s creativity is inspected, the photographer’s images are gushed over and the DJ’s vibe is heard. We have had the privilege to meet and forge relationships with some of the BEST vendors that Ottawa has to offer. You need a recommendation - we have a long list of amazing vendors from dresses to transportation. Don't be shy, ask. 

If we haven't had the opportunity to meet, please feel free to drop by. ( Call first so you aren't walking in in the middle of a ceremony) :)

September 5th, 2011 marked our 2nd year anniversary. Happy Anniversary to us and THANK you all who have supported us, promoted us, visited us, live and on Facebook, gotten married with us and allowed us to host you InStyle! We appreciate each and every one of you & we couldn't do what we do without you!

Amanda xx

Forty Under 40 recipients honoured at gala

New beginnings” may have been a theme of Thursday night’s Forty Under 40 awards gala but, for many recipients, remembering the lessons of the past are the keys to continued success.

This year’s event, held at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, was the 15th anniversary of OBJ’s Forty Under 40 awards, which have evolved from a newspaper feature to one of the premiere events of the year for Ottawa’s business community.

Along with tales of searching for financing and finding work-life balance, the evening featured personal stories of overcoming hurdles, which were part of Amanda's story of how she got started back in 2007.

Many guests tweeted congratulatory wishes, as well as observations on some of the finer-dressed attendees, which were displayed on a large projection screen at the front of the room. By the end of the night, #OBJ40 was a trending topic in Ottawa on Twitter. 

Thursday night’s recipients were selected based on their business achievements, expertise and community involvement. 

The event also raised $8,986 for the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. 

To read the full article follow this link 

We would like to personally congratulate all this years recipients. 

A full list of their names can be found here.

Some fun shots from the evening.

What an honour ...

Amanda O’Reilly, founder of InStyle & Co which consists of three separate entities; Balance InStyle, Weddings InStyle & Events InStyle was awarded the Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award this past Monday May 1st, 2011.

OBJ Article highlights the 2011 recipients and the criteria used to reach their decision.

“This year’s list of 40 recipients proves Ottawa has the talent, creativity and the ‘jazz’ that goes along with moving a city forward into a vibrant place to work and live. The city is alive and well,” said Michael Burnatowski, OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre manager and one of the panel of judges determining the awards.  The committee included Mr. Burnatowski, University of Ottawa Telfer EMBA director Terry Kulka, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce executive director Erin Kelly, CellWand Communications CEO Nick Quain, OBJ editor Peter Kovessy and OBJ publisher Michael Curran, who also chaired the process. The judges collectively spent around 100 hours reviewing and ranking each of the submissions. All nominations were assessed according to a 40-point system: 20 points for business achievement, 10 points for expertise and 10 points for community involvement. “I really like the way the award itself is structured. It is a balanced scorecard, with a slight tilt to business achievements. It is a great way to think about what it takes to be a business leader in the city. It’s not just about business expertise – it is about being a part of the community,” said Mr. Kulka.

Amanda has a lot in common with her clients and understands the need to have things done quickly and without compromise. “To do” lists are a constant in people’s lives; it seems that as quickly as one list is checked off, another list is started. “Understanding our clients’ individual needs, building long-term, trusting relationships, and valuing client confidentiality are the standard at InStyle.

Balance InStyle opened its doors in 2006 and was the first in Ottawa to provide lifestyle management solutions from leisure to luxury all the way down to the routine and mundane. In 2007 Balance InStyle opened it’s second location in Naples Florida catering to snowbirds. 

Also in 2007, Amanda co-founded the Canadian Concierge Association to offer support and advice to those wishing to start their own Concierge Business after learning the ropes the hard way.

After running her business out of her home for the first few years Amanda decided it was time to take her game to the next level and took up residence at 107 Murray Street in the heart of the Byward Market.

In 2009 Weddings InStyle was created to offer couples opting for an intimate glamorous affair an alternative. "Budgets might be tight these days, but that doesn’t mean that style and romance are going away."

Civil weddings or bigger than “BIG” Sex in the City weddings were the options at hand, before Weddings InStyle. There were no turnkey full service options available in the downtown core that could accommodate 2–90 guests without compromise. In 2010 Amanda also became a licensed wedding officiant thus having the privileged to also perform ceremonies.

Events InStyle completes the trio. Offering premier event planning solutions that are a reflection of personal style that are customized to meet individual needs. 

Amanda is so passionate about her business and her clients and this is evident in everything that she puts her InStyle signature to.

Amanda and her team give back on a regular basis through the generosity of their clients. When re-organizing, purging or staging client homes, they often come across unwanted clothing, toys, and household items which they in turn donate directly to various women & children based shelters.

In 2005 Amanda co-founded the 100 Man Run and has helped raise over $100,000 for The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation a cause which is near and dear to her heart.

Amanda maintains that this award is a collaborative effort and is very thankful for her team, her vendors, friends and family who never lost faith in her vision, passion and determination to bring something new and InStyle to Ottawa.