Sunday, December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas, from Desert Rose Lifestyles!

Hiya peeps! We are soooo excited that it's this time of year again - it's our favorite time of year!


We've been loving the Christmas music, decorations, and wonderful mood everyone has been in this year. Between the #sharingiscaring posts spreading love in the book/author community, to the acts of kindness we've seen around, our faith in humanity has been restored somewhat.


We appreciate all of you, and hope to connect with you even more from here on out!

Love you guys,

~Rose & Ken
@Desert Rose Lifestlyes




Monday, December 12, 2016

Ken's Christmas Music!

Hey music lovers! More Season's Greetings from DRL! =)

I put up a post last week for Rose's Christmas List, with my holiday playlist. It's got a bit of everything, especially for those of you who get tired of the same old songs every year.

 In case you're new to Desert Rose Music, Ken is the official music buff. His Christmas List is even bigger than mine!

I figured his would be awesome to share, since it's got everything Rose's list does, plus country, R&B, and more!

Check it out!




Monday, December 5, 2016

Rose's Christmas Mix!!

Hey music lovers! Season's Greetings from DRL!

It's Christmas season, and for better or worse, that means Christmas music! Whether you love it or hate it, you can't get around it. May as well make the best of it, right?

 I've compiled a list of "alternative" Christmas music, including albums like "Christmas Goes Punk" and Italian Christmas.

With nearly 500 songs, it's got something for just about everyone! Especially if you get tired of hearing the same old songs every single year - I know I do!

 Feel free to browse around the list, add songs to your own, and follow it for added songs as the season progresses!




Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Awesome Christmas Movies!

Hey movie lovers! Season's Greetings from DRL!

Inspired by the holiday season, I wanted to make a list of some awesome movies for the season. Some are old classics and favorites, and others are ones that don't always show up on other lists.

Some of the films on the list are:

I'll Be Home For Christmas

 I'll Be Home For Christmas

Fred Claus

 Fred Claus

Christmas with the Kranks

 Christmas with the Kranks

A Christmas Story

 A Christmas Story

The Polar Express

 The Polar Express

Frosty the Snowman


Arthur Christmas

 Arthur Christmas

Deck the Halls

 Deck the Halls

We enjoy making lists on IMDb, so we can keep them all organized, and you all can find awesome links and info for each film! We made one for Christmas movies - please feel free to check it out! You can add any of the films to your list, watch them online, or see info like actors, parents guides, and trailers!

Know any films missing that we should add?  Feel free to let us know!  If you enjoy the list, please share it with your friends!  Thanks =D

Friday, November 11, 2016

Rose's Hearty Minestrone

Hey everybody!  Rose here, and today, we're sharing our awesome Hearty Minestrone recipe on DRL!  We love soups in our house- they last a long time, are relatively inexpensive, and are fun to make.  Minestrone especially, because we put tons o veggies! :D

We haven't been able to find a recipe we like, so like many others before us, we've developed our own.  It's probably closer to a "stew" but that's ok- we love stew too!

A lot of our cooking is done without measuring everything, so while I'll put the number of each ingredient the recipe calls for, our pictures won't be exactly the same amounts.  We're also making double what the recipe calls for (freezing half for next week) so our proportions will seem really big, if you're going off the recipe.

Anywho, please feel free to check out our recipe, use it, copy it, modify it to fit your tastes, whatever, and just have fun! :D

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Which Willy Wonka Kid Are You?
*Quiz*

Hiya guys! As most kids are on constant sugar highs at the moment, and it's sweets season, we are feeling the Willy Wonka vibes on DRL.

We found the perfect quiz to satisfy our chocolate craving - whoot!

Ever wonder which kid you'd be in Willy Wonka?  Well, now you can find out!
Take this quiz to see who you'd be, and be sure to let us know in the comments below! =D




Well, which one are you?

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

*Quiz* Are You Going to Survive in a Horror Movie?

In the spirit of Halloween, we thought we'd share this fun quiz on DRL!

Check it out, and see if you could survive a horror movie! Muwahaha!



What did you get?

Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share this fun quiz with your friends! =D

Saturday, September 10, 2016

*Movie Review*
"Mulan"

Hiya guys! How are you?

DRL has another movie review for you! I love Disney movies (laugh if you want, but they rock), and Mulan is one of my all-time faves!! Her story in history was amazing, and Disney's depiction of her was just as fantastic.

Check out my review, and let me know what you think of this movie in the comments below!

 Mulan on IMDb
~Released: June 19th, 1998

~Directed By: Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook

~Staring: Ming-Na Wen, Lea Salonga, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, & Eddie Murphy

~Genres: Animation, Adventure, Family, Musical, War
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Which Pop Tart Flavour Are You?

Pop tarts!! :D  We all love pop tarts, right?  Well, here at DRL, we are curious, and want to know: if you were a flavour, which would you be?  Find out, and let us know below!



I got:

Rainbow Cookie Sandwich Pop Tart
Rainbow
Creative juices burst from your every crevice, making you a Rainbow Cookie Sandwich - your arsenal of natural talents makes you a rainbow-colored Pop Tart of awesomeness!


What did you get?

Monday, July 25, 2016

*Quiz* What Song is Perfect for Your Wedding?

Hiya guys! I'm feeling wedding nostalgia this week, and wanted to share something on DRL. So many people are getting married right now, and it's giving us the wedding buzz!

Music is such an important part of a wedding.  It sets the theme, the mood, and the memories.  There is typically one song that's remembered as "the" song.

There are thousands upon thousands of choices out there, but in case you want a little help or a random suggestion, take the quiz below and see what it says!

Who knows, you may find your perfect song.  If not, at least you've got a smile on :)

I got "All of Me" by John Legend

The lyrics that make "All of Me" your perfect wedding song: "'Cause all of me / Loves all of you / Love your curves and all your edges / All your perfect imperfections / Give your all to me / I'll give my all to you" This beautiful song is about accepting your spouse and loving everything about them including their flaws. It's a song for people who are madly in love and are affectionate with their spouse. Do you believe this is the perfect song for your wedding?


What did you get?  Do you think you'd use it in your wedding?

Saturday, July 23, 2016

*Review*
"The Breakfast Club"

Iconic...epic...often misunderstood.
*

 The Breakfast Club
~Released: February 15th, 1985

~Director & Writer: John Hughes

~Genres: Comedy, Drama



Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought.

 trailer



 Parents Guide

Rated R

Contains sexual references and discussions from adolescents.
Boy looks up a girl's skirt, and we see her panties.
Two characters fight several times.
Several characters are shown smoking.
Language is mildly course; F-word is used several times.



To be quite honest, this movie has been over my head for most of the times I've watched it.  It hasn't been until I've grown up a bit, that I'm able to appreciate the depth of it.

The first several times I watched it, I thought it was completely random, disjointed, and confused.  One minute, they're all happy and dancing on the banisters, then the next scene, they're yelling at each other and crying, telling each other to F off.  The pendulum swinging of emotion between each scene had me confused, and I admit, most of the time, I just pulled myself out of the movie-watching experience, and didn't pay much attention.

Recently, I've tried watching it again, and actually paying attention.  The result - wow.  This is such a deep movie, with so many layers, character insights, and cultural insights.  I've always loved the ending, and after watching it with a deeper mindset, I love it even more now.

This truly is an epic film, and one I look forward to watching again and again.  Now I get why it's a classic, and a favorite for many people.  It's one of mine now, and I'm glad I gave it another chance.  I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you haven't seen it yet.

Thanks for visiting!
Be sure to let us know what you think, and if you plan to watch it!
If you already have, what did you think?

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

*Quiz* Which Barden Bella Are You Most Like?

In case you're missing the original Pitch Perfect (I know I am!!), here's a fun quiz! See which Barden Bella you're most like, and let us know in the comments!

 #PitchPerfect #BardenBellas



I got:

You're Beca!!!
You're

You are Beca!! You're a kind-hearted person who's got a little bit of edge.


What did you get?


Monday, July 11, 2016

*Music Video Spotlight*
"Super Girl" by Krystal Harris!

Sup guys! How are you today? DRL is doing great - thanks for visiting! =D

I recently came across some of the music from The Princess Diaries, and I got a pang of nostalgia. I loved Super Girl by Krystal Harris - who didn't?!  For anyone around my age, that movie and that song were a highlight of our youth.

So, I thought I'd share it today.  For those who know it, I hope it hits you with the same wonderful pang of nostalgia.  For those who are new to Super Girl, well, you're welcome ;)


So, what do you think?  Is it something you can rock out to?  Had you heard this song before?  
Let us know in the comments below! 
 If you like this video/post, please share it. 
 Thanks for stopping by!


Saturday, July 9, 2016

*Review*
"Brother White"

Hiya guys! How are you today? Desert Rose Lifestyles sure has been quite lately, hu? I'm at it again, and will be posting up movie reviews more frequently. =)

In the heat of the horrible killings we've had to endure the past few weeks, I'm struggling with finding proper outlets for the emotions I feel. Really, any kind of violence isn't good. Racial hate needs to stop - period.

It brings to mind a film I watched several months ago, that I didn't get around to reviewing. Perhaps God was putting it on hold until today. Who knows.

Brother White, is an incredible film. It's made by the same guys who turned heads with God's Not Dead, and deals with racial tension and hate.

Check it out, and if it sounds interesting, do watch it. The message it provides is one we all need to hear right now, regardless of your religion.

 Brother White
~Released: 2012

~Directed By: Brian Herzlinger

~Written By: Tommy BlazeSean Paul Murphy


~Genres: Comedy, Drama


This is a heartwarming fish out of water comedy about an associate pastor at a mega church in California who finds himself the pastor of a poor church in the worst neighborhood in Atlanta.


 Trailer



 Parents Guide

Clean film. One instance of a small fight - one man gets punched. It is a light scene, and isn't overly violent or gory.





Everyone goes through times where they are challenged in life. Many people, go through times where they are challenged because of the color of they skin they're born with. Brother White not only challenges the ideas that its' acceptable to stereotype based on color, but shows how to move past it, and change it.

In a refreshing take on racism, this film shows something that happens every day in the South, and is rarely talked about. African American characters are set as more of the aggressors to the Caucasian family, who's moved to town with hopes of keeping the local Church going. Satan wants God out of his neighborhood, and the White family is there to stop him. With God's love, hearts are changed, and bonds are formed between the unlikeliest people.

This is a powerful story, and gives a good look at reality. Having lived several years in the South and experienced racism for my fair skin, it was inspiring to see a family fight it with love, and help change the negativity around them.

We need more of that in our world. Skin color shouldn't matter, on either end. I applaud this film for taking that on in a realistic sense, showing simple humans, no one person more evil than the next - equal, in their actions and wrong-doings. More people need to see that the true enemy, is Satan, and hate. Those are worth fighting - not each other.

I'd recommend watching this, regardless of your religion. There is the underlying theme of Southern Baptist Christianity, but the message is universal - fight with love, not hate.

Give it a shot - it may change your life.

Thanks for visiting!
Be sure to let us know what you think, and if you plan to watch it!
If you already have, what did you think?

Friday, May 20, 2016

Which Cookie Flavour Are You?

Cookies are amazing.  Most have a favorite, but have you ever wondered what flavor you'd be, if you were a cookie?  Find out with this quiz, and let us know below!



I got:

Oatmeal Raisin
Oatmeal
Whether you want to deny it or not, fruit is your best friend. You are the exotic and delicious love child of Mr. Fruit and Ms. Cookies!

You're adventurous, refreshingly interesting, and uncanny in the best way possible. That's why you're the oatmeal raisin cookie! Nothing makes sense about mixing a fruit with a cookie, but that's what amazing about you--YOU make it work.

So take your raisins, and your oatmeal, and that adventurous brown sugar exotic-ness and go on another oven raisin-g adventure! 


What did you get?

Monday, April 11, 2016

Favorite Songs?

Hiya, hope you're all doing well :)


So, browsing around different Spotify playlists today got me thinking about peoples' favorite songs.  Everyone is so different, it's amazing!! I love discussing music with people, and learning about new bands and artists.  So, I thought "Blog Post Idea!!" What are some of your favorite songs?  Favorite bands?  Favorite genres?  Do you listen to Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, or something else? I'm so curious, it almost makes me giggle!  Let me know your faves below!


Thanks for stopping by - and please share this post with your friends, so we can hear more people's faves! :D

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Bloglovin'!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Seriously, I have no idea how I haven't done this yet!! All my other blogs are on Bloglovin', but apparently I missed the main blog.

*face palm*

Ooook, well, better late than never, right?

So yeah, follow us on Bloglovin'!! =D


Monday, March 21, 2016

Fav Music Question...

Ok, question time!! I'm super curious, and just have to ask: what is your favorite kind of music??
I love everything, truly. I used to say I like everything but rap, because that was the only area of music I couldn't get into. I've found it inspiring the last few years though, so now I'm an all around music lover!!
Rock, Alternative, Classics, R&B, Rap, Country, Hip Hop, Dance, House Music, Techno, Disco (yes, that stuff), Kids, Christian, Reggae, Indie, Punk, Pop, Screamo, Metal, Inspirational, Operatic...seriously, everything!! Even music from other countries, in other languages - I don't have to understand the words, to understand and connect to a song. I love it all, and everything has it's place. I need it all.
What kinds of music do you like?

Friday, March 11, 2016

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Have you ever heard of these?  They're amazing!!  Bananas, chocolate chips, and warm muffins - what's not to love?

I'm not a huge banana fan, myself.  I get the occasional craving, but in general, I stick with berries and nuts.

I do, however love chocolate!  I've only found one mix of chocolate and bananas I've liked (we all love those, don't we?) but this is a good second.

To Ken, I like bananas a ton, so it's really saying something that he likes these muffins more than me.  He loves obsesses over adores them - go figure!

For those who may want to try this, here's a quick recipe.  It's super easy to make from scratch, and takes about 35 mins total.

Basics

~ Prep time: 15 mins
~ Cook time: 18 - 20 mins
~ Oven temp: 350 F
~Makes 12 regular sized muffins

Ingredients

~ 1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
~ 1 1/2 Tsp baking soda
~ 3 TBsp sugar
(we recommend raw cane sugar for the best flavor)
~ 1/4 Tsp salt

~ 1 LG egg
~ 3 TBsp buttermilk
(you can substitute 3 tbsp regular milk and 1/4 tbsp lemon juice if need be)
~ 1/2 Cup (1 Stick) butter, melted
~ 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed

~ 1/2 Cup chocolate chips

--For the bananas: if they are large, it's best to use 2, otherwise it will be a very strong banana taste.  They should be pretty ripe - blackening, like ones you'd use for banana bread.

--For the chocolate chips: you can always add more if you'd like, depending on how chocolaty you want the muffins.
       **Be sure to stir and mix in the melted butter before you add the chocolate chips, otherwise half your chocolate will melt into the batter!

Directions

1) Pre-heat oven to 350 F.

2) In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.  Mix together lightly.

3) Melt the butter.

4) Add egg, butter, and buttermilk to the flour mixture.

5) Add bananas and mix together.

6) Coat muffin pan cups in butter/non-stick spray, or line with paper muffin cups.

7) Add chocolate chips.

8) Place in middle rack in pre-heated oven, and cook for 18 mins
(20 mins for cold oven).

Once they're fully cooked, remove from pan and place on cooling rack or serving tray.  

Serve, and enjoy!! 


Monday, February 29, 2016

Please Bear With Us...

Hiya guys. Hope your week is starting out well =)


Just wanted to post an update, cuz we've been getting some questions. We are migrating everything over to this blog, and are still working on setting up the new website. We've combined everything and are building it all back up.

Last year was crazy, and this year is starting off great!! Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm. We love hearing what you guys think, and seeing your amazing Lifestyles!!

Please stay tuned, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates & news!

Thanks!

The Desert Rose Team



Monday, February 15, 2016

Simple Stuffed Mushrooms with Bacon

Comfort food - we all love it, right? Sometimes, we just want something that tastes delicious, even if it's not *ahem* healthy, per se. Bacon, cheese, oil and mushrooms. Some would argue these ingredients are healthy, some would say they aren't. Really, we don't care =)

One of Ken's favorite comfort snacks after a hard day at work, is Stuffed Mushrooms with Bacon.

If you're a fan of mushrooms, cheese and bacon, then this is the perfect snack for you. Super simple, super quick, and delicious =D

You can use whatever mushrooms you'd like - Ken typically uses Cremini, Shiitake, or Portobello, as they all easily hold cheese.

First, simply arrange however many mushrooms you'd like on a cookie sheet or pan. Wrap the mushrooms in bacon, or simply place the bacon around the mushrooms. The bacon grease will keep the mushrooms from sticking to the pan, or burning on the bottoms.


*Note: If you'd rather not use bacon, you can lightly cover the bottom of the cookie sheet or pan in olive oil instead.  This keeps the mushrooms from burning, sticking, or drying out while cooking.

The stems should be removed from the mushrooms, if you want them truly filled with cheese. Fill each mushroom with as much grated cheese as you'd like.

Once set, bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked/cheese is melted. Basically, until it looks good to you. 

Time is irrelevant honestly, because it all depends on how cooked you want the bacon, or how melted you want the cheese, etc. It's all personal preference, so just make whatever looks good to you ;) 


Enjoy!! =D

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

"Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit"
*Thoughts While Watching & Review*

Trust no one.

 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
~Released: January 17th, 2014

~DirectorKenneth Branagh


~Starring: Chris PineKevin CostnerKenneth Branagh, Keira Knightley

~Length: 105 Minutes

~Rating: PG-13

~Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller

Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.

 Trailer

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Happy 2016!

Hiya Guys! Hopefully your year is starting out awesome!

I wanted to write a quick post, and just say thank you for being here! We love building up the companies and services we have. I just know 2016 will be a wonderful year! =D

We hope to see you all this year, and grow with you all! We can't wait to meet new people, and see where life takes us next!

Thank you!! =D