Guns 4 Roses

I'm going to start this post with a simple WOW! Last Friday, the Dallas House of Blues was the place to be! Holy rock show, Batman!  The opening band was Blizzard of Ozz, a tribute to Ozzy Osborne and Black Sabbath -This guy looked and sounded just like Ozzy minus all the years of drug use!  The main attraction was Guns 4 Roses, a Gun N Roses tribute band (naturally!).  They really knocked my socks off!  Not only did they sound just like the real thing, but they looked like them too.  Took me right back to 1991 (except I wasn't 6 years old this time around...).

Of course, this journey couldn't have been as fun if my outfit wasn't authentic rock n roll! Haha!  I fit in true Guns N Roses style in my faux leather leggings, GNR off-the-shoulder tee, black combat boots, and beanie hat!

Boots - Steve Madden - DSW

Leggings - Body Central

Top - H&M (old)

Hat - Body Central

I looked good, my boyfriend looked great (as always!), and the music was amazing!  All in all, a pretty lovely night!

Love love, Your Sapphire Chanteuse,

Adrian Lea

Let's Talk About Diets!

Here's one thing that has been a big part of my life the past 6 months: diet and fitness!  When I began my magical journey into health, I weighed, at my biggest, 180lbs.  I'm 5'9", so I was never "fat" by any means.  My BMI calculated in the 'normal weight' category.  I may have been considered "normal," but I was not happy with the way I looked.  

I cannot remember a time in my life when I've ever felt good about my appearance (until now, of course!).  In elementary school, I was really tall so all the kids would take that as "Ewwww, you're fat!"  In junior high, I felt frumpy and awkward.  In high school, I tried my best to blend in...

Oh, look! Little ol' 16 year old me!

 Those days are gone! I recently found myself in a place where a big change was necessary.  I decided I would take this seriously for the first time ever and get in shape.  It just so happened one of my newest, best, good friends was a certified personal trainer!  He gave me a diet plan and worked with me in the gym everyday.  Since February 2013, I have lost 45lbs! 

Before and After! (Don't mind the sombrero...hehe. I needed to cover my undies somehow!)

I trained in the gym about 1 hour per day - cardio, weights, superset, etc.  I ate approximately every 3 hours.  Protein shakes (kale, unsweet almond milk, Muscle Milk brand protein powder, 1 tbsp ground flax seed, 1/4 cup oats, and whatever fruit or veg additional you want!) for breakfast and dinner, healthy snacks in between, and a protein (meat! Nom!) and a veggie for lunch.  It took a lot of self control but once it became a routine, it was easy!

Now, I don't have the help of a trainer anymore, it's up to me to keep going!  I have continued to lose weight and slim out, but the muscle building has slowed, as I need my trainer back! I am at a loss.... I will continue to push myself!  I've seen too much change to stop now! Take a gander at this....

2010 - 2011 - 2013

I will give my amazing boyfriend, Juan, most of the credit for my progress.  He is the aforementioned personal trainer!  It also helped that he was in amazing shape - lookin' all drop dead sexy - I had to do something!  I needed to look gooooood on his arm! He promised me he'd make me look like Marilyn Monroe, but I think he did better - he made me look like me at my fullest (as of now!) potential.

Juan is working on a little project - L-Icon Mind & Body.  As of now, it is a non-profit organization geared towards helping people.  He plans on giving free personal training and dieting tips to folks in need, who might not be able to afford it otherwise.  He gives advice on getting motivated to better yourself and pushes you to see things more positively and think more openly.  He is one amazing guy, and if you ever have any questions about fitness, health, diet, ANYTHING - get at him! 

Here is his Facebook page: L-Icon Mind & Body

If you have any doubts on if he can help you out or not, take a look at this and go like that dang ol' Facebook page!

Bodies by Licon...haha! Give me some credit, too! :P

 Also, remember, if you have any questions for me about what I do for exercise or how I make my shakes, feel free to ask away! I'd love to help you reach your goals!

Love love, your Sapphire Chanteuse,
Adrian Lea

Shameless self promotion:
Adrian Lea Jarvis - my music Facebook page
Find me on Instagram! Search ajpurplefish

Viva Las.....Dallas!

All hail The King!  In celebration of Elvis Presley's life (gone from us for 36 years yesterday; rest in peace, Elvis!), I made a venture to the House of Blues in Dallas to see The Graceland Ninjaz! Talk about a party! These guys rock! They sing everything from Elvis hits, The Cure, 50 Cent, Rage Against the Machine - all delivered in a crazy-awesome mash-up fashion! They finally have a studio album (I totally acquired one!) which sounds great and brings the party home with you!

Photo from Graceland Ninjaz Facebook page

I recommend you give their Facebook page a look-see. I think you'll be pleased! Graceland Ninjaz!

Now for some fashiiiioooon!  I took this opportunity to bring back my pin-up girl vibe - high-waisted jeans, tie-front crop top, hair scarf, red lips, and cat-eyes!

I went to see the Ninjaz with my boyfriend Juan and our very good friend Bart.  We danced, we sang, we conquered! 

Fun times with my love! Isn't he dreamy?!

Party! 
(PS: I'm pretty sure upon leaving, tipsy me high-fived and/or fist bumped the lead singer and professed my love for Elvis to him! Eek!)

Love love, your Sapphire Chanteuse,

Adrian Lea

Why Are You My Clarity?

If my love for music is insanity, why is it my clarity?! I recently auditioned for The Voice in Austin, Texas.  I made it through every round, went back for my callbacks, rocked everything (yay!), and put thousands of miles on my leased Mini Cooper (boo!).

Today is the last day they said they would contact me if I made it onto the show, and lo-and-behold, no phone call yet.  As you can imagine, this is very disheartening.  I'm bummed, I'm sad.  But life goes on.  This just means I must find new ventures to fill my time with the craft that gets me no where! I love it.....jeeze, music.  It's like crack.

I will continue to sing at restaurants and stuff....I will take dance classes to improve my stage presence and confidence...I will write a kick-ass blog.  I've been told no a million times. I've never heard the word "Yes!" Well, I'm gunna do it anyway, whether the cosmos wants me to or not! Boom. How'dya like that?!

 

Aww, look! Baby me! 

Love love, your Sapphire Chanteuse,

Adrian Lea 

Welcome to the Blog World, Adrian Lea!

Why, thank you, Blog World!

I am going through many life changes right now, and amongst all that, I promised myself I'd start a blog.  I want to blog about my life: how it is, how I imagine it, and how I want it to be.  I want to talk about my dog.  I want to talk about fashion.  I want to talk about work, diets, exercise, boyfriends, music! I want it all! And hey, it's my blog, so I can have it all, right?

First of all, an introduction.  Sapphire Chanteuse - that's me! Sapphire because I was born in September, it's my birthstone.  I like dark blue.  Also, I'm moody and blue a lot.  Chanteuse because I am a singer.  I sing every weekend in a lounge and people love me!

My name is Adrian Lea.  I'm 28 years old.  My life can be summed up like this: Music, my dog, family, my boyfriend, and work.  All of which I will share with you over time!

  That's me. Hi.  I'm eating ice cream...well, because why not? Boom.

Love love, your Sapphire Chanteuse,

Adrian Lea