Becca over at SouthernMessMoms.com is having a giveaway! Have you entered? Here is the info straight from her blog:

Baby Sitter by Baby’s Journey Review & Giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given the products in this post for the purpose of a review. I was not paid in any way to write this review. All opinions are my own.  This post may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. SouthernMessMoms is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Baby’s Journey is back again!

I’m sure you guys remember the changing station that we reviewed for Baby’s Journey a little while back. Well, this time we were given the opportunity to review the Baby Sitter!

The set up is simple and it’s features are awesome!

“Restaurants, grandma’s house, and play dates… don’t go anywhere without your BabySitter! The portable pad securely straps baby to chair, quickly converting any chair into a high chair for meals on the go or even at home. Lightweight and easy to clean, this reliable BabySitter is truly a lifesaver.” -Baby’s Journey

Product Details

• Converts any chair into a high chair
• Ideal for restaurants and on the go
• Unique design accommodates wide and tall chairs
• Adjustable shoulder straps grow with baby
• Easy to clean, machine washable
• Dimensions: 16”L x 12.5”W x 15”H
• 6 months – 2 years

Need a walk through of the product and how to set it up? Check out this AWESOME page!

Well, I decided that of course I needed to do some kind of video for the Baby’s Journey Baby Sitter…however, with it being colder than a witches ti extremely cold outside and so much going around I decided that we weren’t going out.

So here is a SHORT video from the house of her trying out the Baby Sitter!

Don’t forget to check them out on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Now for the Giveaway!! 

Chet The Cat and Friends! Yummy Adventures Dish Set Review & Giveaway

My Friend Becca over at SouthernMessMoms.com Is having a
GIVEAWAY! Doesnt it look awesomeeeeeeeeeeee? ENTER!

Disclaimer: I was given the products in this post for the purpose of a review. I was not paid in any way to write this review. All opinions are my own.  This post may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. SouthernMessMoms is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Hi guys! I’m back for another fun review from the Educational Insights crew! Chet The Cat and Friends! Yummy Adventures Dish Set is an awesome “play” kitchen set for kids.

If you don’t remember the Magic Moves review…you should totally go check that out! It is kind of what started my wonderful career as a YouTube reviewer haha (career yeah right!!)

WE LOVE IT!

I must say that Chet The Cat and Friends is by far the BEST child’s kitchen dish set that I have ever gotten!

I have always struggled with keeping them clean without messing them up and spending hours on end “getting the sticky out”…but not anymore 

For the review we received:

Dish Set – $29.99

• 4 Plates (5.5″), 4 bowls (4.25″ x 2″), 4 cups (2.25″ x 2.5″), 4 forks (4″), 4 spoons (4″), and 4 knives (4″)

• 100% Food-grade melamine and dishwasher-safe

Baking Set -$21.99

• 1 Rolling pin, 1 mixing bowl (4.8″ x 3″), 1 pie pan (6″ x 1″), 3 measuring cups, mixing spoon (6.5″), spatula (6.5″), and cookie sheet (8.5″ x 5.5″)

• 100% Food-grade melamine and dishwasher-safe

Cooking Set – $21.99

• 1 Stock pot with lid (4.75″ x 2.5″), 1 large frying pan (9″), 1 small frying pan (7″), 1 solid spoon (6.5″), 1 slotted spoon (6.5″), and 1 spatula (6.5″)

• 100% Food-grade melamine and dishwasher-safe

Curious where you can get your own? Well be sure to click on each set image and it will take you right there!!

Another really neat thing that you get with the Chet The Cat and Friends Dish Set is a FREE download of some super cute place-mats for your little one to color and design!

Don’t forget to check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & YouTube! Now for the GIVEAWAY!!  Sorry guys…US & Canada only

Mississippi Mud Fudge

Pat yourself on the back for visiting this post, because I HAVE to tell you, this is the BEST piece of food I have ever, EVER made. Hands down, this is my FAVORITE. I am so exciting to share it with you because OMG...Just, WOW. My husband always tells me that I'm too hard on myself when it comes to the foods I made and critiquing them...but this...just, WOW. Try it, it is SO WORTH IT. Please let me know if you liked it as much as me...because...I don't know what to say other than WOW!

Makes 15 servings - Prep: 15 min - Bake: 40 min

You will need (fudge):
1 cup chopped pecans (more if you're a pecan lover like myself)
1 cup butter
1 4oz semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped (put it in a ziploc bag, wrap a hand towel around it, and take a hammer to it on the ground )
2 cups sugar
1.5 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp salt
1 bag mini marshmallows (10.5oz)
Chocolate frosting

You will need (frosting):
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 pack powdered sugar (16oz)
1 tsp vanilla


Directions:
1. Place pecans on cookie sheet and bake at 350° 8-10 mins, leave oven running when complete
2. Microwave 1 cup butter + semisweet chocolate bar in microwave for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds
3. Mix sugar, flour, cocoa, eggs, vanilla and salt and chocolate mixture together until smooth
4. Pour into greased 15x10x1 pan
5. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, if it seems watery and "jiggles", leave in a big longer
6. Remove from oven, layer marshmallows evenly over top
7. Bake 10-15 minutes until marshmallows are golden brown
8. drizzle with frosting and add pecans
9. Come back and tell me if you went cross eyed when you tasted it (like i did!)

Lets get our readers back!

Have you read my post on Why Bloggers lack interaction on Social Media?

In there, I wrote this about Facebook:

     Facebook is probably one of the biggest social media headaches to anyone that's had to run a Facebook page (not a personal page). Facebook has made it to where practically NO ONE sees anything that we post! One of my pages has 800 "Likes" and do you know my reach is usually around 48? How upsetting is that? Why bother, right? In attempt to make money off of us, Facebook wants you to pay money to "boost" your posts for more readers to see. My opinion? That would be great to boost it to people that aren't already following your page! There's no reason to have to pay for people that are already following your page to see your posts! There is an option for the reader to view or not view your posts, so why is Facebook deciding? Because of this, I have recently stopped relying so much on Facebook for promoting my posts.
     Another reason you may not be getting interaction is because every time someone likes or comments on something you post, their friends are notified. This discourages your readers from doing anything, because they don't want all their friends to know! If that doesn't make sense to you, let me give you an example:
     From my personal Facebook, I follow a page that posts questions that fans send in needing advice. A fan once asked how long it took postpartum mothers to get their menstrual cycle back. I wanted to offer my personal experiences, but did not because I did not want my co-workers, friends, family and even some acquaintances to be notified that i just wrote about my period! It's not that I'm embarrassed by it, I'm an open book, but I don't want my boss to know if I'm "on the rag" and I don't really care if a bunch of women on a woman's support page do. Read Full Article


     We as bloggers no longer need to depend on Facebook to reach our readers! In my opinion, Google+ is similar to Facebook. It is user friendly and appealing to the eye. At one point everyone had a Myspace and went to Facebook, so why can't we influence those to come to a similar and far better (for bloggers) Social Media outlet? I WILL NOT pay money so that followers of my Facebook page can see its content! Lets get our readers over to Google+ and get our readers back! If we all stick together for this #movement, we can make a difference and start a trend! So many of us have said "We should all stand together and fight this with Facebook!" but how many of us actually have? Now we can DO SOMETHING about this if we all just Team up and stick together! I am not asking you to stop using Facebook. I still post everything to it for the viewers that i can reach. However, a reach of 40 is the most discouraging thing we as bloggers face. All we want is our readers back! There is NO REASON for readers to "Like" our page on Facebook and still not see our posts!

Here are some keys to getting this viral:

1. Mass Participation. This is key. Post this picture (and a link to this post explaining the picture) so everyone knows about this. Post this picture anywhere you can. It will become familiar and get more attention if we all use the same one.

2. Share it at the hops, share it on your facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, bloglovin, and whatever else you can share it on. Share it, Tweet it, Pin it, favorite it...do everything to it to get some eyes on it!

3. Put it on your sidebar!  This button should be on every bloggers page somewhere! When people see it, they will want to know more, and will probably stand with you!

4. Use the hashtags! My reach has exploded using relevant hash tags! You can use any hashtag that you feel is relevant but the most important is #GetThemOnPlus. These work on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and google+ (am i forgetting any?) ..Basically anywhere! use them up!

5. Let everyone know you're part of this and encourage them to stand with you! Beating a dead horse here, but you get the point! Lets get viral!

Here is a great shell to copy and paste to get you started!

"I am getting my readers BACK! I am joining a #movement to get my readers over from Facebook to Google+ so my content can be seen again! Please join me so we can all get our readers back! #GetThemOnPlus"


Tweet

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For larger buttons, feel free to use the one at the top of this post 
(great for using in social media posts).

If you do not have Google + you can sign up HERE

&& you can follow me by clicking the link below!

Amish Potato Bread Recipe

Oh.My.Gosh.

This bread is PERFECT. It has a slight pinch of sweet, but not too much. I tried this twice before I got it right. Bread is not something that an impatient person should make. The first time i didn't let the bread dough rise, and they turned out better for weapons than eating. This time I actually did what I was supposed to and let the bread rise, and man, I do not regret it one bit. Aren't they just sooooo cute? Here is the recipe.

1 Cup mashed potatoes (using instant is fine as long as you make it before measuring it)

1 Cup Sugar

3 eggs

1t salt

2 packets yeast

1 Cup warm water

5 Cups flower


-Beat Eggs
-mix yeast and warm water to dissolve (if using "instant" yeast, skip this step)
-Add mashed potatoes, sugar, eggs, 2 packets of yeast and water into a bowl and mix well
-Mix in half of flour
-Slowly add in remaining flour while kneading, until all flour is used (you will probably need to add more, which is fine. Slowly add as needed until dough is no longer sticky.
-Set aside and let rise. I let mine sit for about an hour. warmer is better, so near a sunny window would be great.
-Preheat oven to 325. Roll out dough and use a cookie cutter or drinking glass to cut out the circles. bake 12-15 minutes

***Freeze the cut out dough on cookie sheets in freezer. Once frozen, move to storage container. From Freezer, Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes.

yields 45 small rolls

Credit

Icon Wall Stickers Review

The personal opinions and reviews expressed on this blog (Down Side Up Mommy) belong solely to me. The reviews posted on this blog are my own thoughts, ideas, impressions and opinions of each product. All reviews are my honest opinion. I am not paid to write these reviews.  In most instances the product provided for the review was free of charge from the company.


I had the Opportunity to do a review for Icon Wall Stickers.

 I was extremely excited, because I had a blank wall that needed some lovin'! 

For this review i chose The Smallest Things Wall Art Family Quotes Decal

You get to choose size && color when ordering from this company! They have more than 35 colors!

The shipping was VERY FAST. I actually didn't know what the package was at first because I wasn't expecting the wall sticker so soon!

 Imagine my surprise when I saw what it was! 

I'm so appreciative that the company took the time to pack the product with such care and add "FRAGILE" labels to ensure it arrived here error-free. They even included a discount paper for my next purchase!

This company boasts about how easy it is to apply these wall stickers. I love a challenge, so I ordered one of the largest Wall Stickers I could get, just to see if this was true!

The directions were very clear. I actually did it by myself while my husband was at work! Here is the first step of putting it on the wall while its still stuck to the wax paper.

Another thing that I noticed was the quality of the product. 

I am guilty of buying the tiny wall decorations from the dollar stores. I tried to move one and shredded it.

I misplaced a portion of this one from Icon Wall Stickers, and grimaced as I slowly tried to remove it to adjust. 

To my surprise, this wall sticker did not show a single hint of ripping or even stretching! I was so pleased.

Another great thing about this product? 

Well, as with anything being applied to a flat surface, you have to smooth out the air bubbles. I was a little nervous that when I went to smooth out the bubbles, I would rip or tear the wall sticker. That DID NOT happen! Its so sturdy! I was also surprised at how easy the bubbles glide right out from underneath the wall sticker!

Here is a picture of the completed project:

Super cute and what a great way to fix an awkward space on a wall!

Oh! Another thing! Just when you thought I couldn't make this process any better. The customer service for this company is AMAZING. I had ONE representative the entire time, she responded to every email very fast, and she was very involved and reassuring in case there was a problem with the sticker -- she even offered to walk me through the application process, step by step! How awesome is that? Customer Service is a big deal to me, and I was very happy to have had her.

Review advice: My only advice is to take your time applying this product. Although it is durable, it is not invincible. This item has adhesive on it that sticks to things. You don't want it to grab anything and become ruined, or possibly ruin what it grabs. If you DO have to unstick it, I recommend removing it very slowly.

Here are some other stickers I saw on their site that I would LOVE to purchase in the future: 

   

I give this product 5 stars!

I made an account through their website so I can purchase more in the future 

(especially since i get a discount!)

Social Scatter #9

Can you believe we are on week 9? What a great success! you guys are so awesome! This is the last hop until 2014! Dont forget to link up your favorite post!

tweet it, ya'll!

Tweet

I'm your Host!

[Down Side Up Mommy]
I'm Bobbie Jo!

I'm a Southern raised girl that recently left the US Army to be a Mommy and [Army] housewife. 
My son was born on St Patrick's Day and he is my everything.
 I am the owner of xBJSCC.
 I am a runner at From Pregnant To Marathon, 
&& I am a blogger at Down Side Up Mommy!

Meet your November Co-Host!

Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise

Grab My Button

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RULES

1. Follow your Host and Co-Host
I have taken notice that many of you are not following the rules. Follow your Host and Co-Hosts or DO NOT PARTICIPATE. If you are not going to be a helpful hopper and you choose to work against us rather than with us I will DELETE your links. If you have not followed the rules in the past, this week would be a great chance to make it up to us! Don't be that guy!
2. Follow back! That's why we do this, after all. 
  - The easiest way to do this: From your personal page, click your PAGE on the LEFT side of your home page (not from the top right of your home screen). That way, it let's you read your PAGE's messages without actually logging in as that PAGE. When you do this you can click the links that are in your PAGE inbox and it will like them from your personal page.
3. Check your SPAM periodically.
   -On your Facebook, Go to Edit Page> Activity Log > Spam (on the left sidebar). If you have scheduled posts it will be UNDER them. Facebook tends to mark comments or messages from others as spam if multiple comments or messages are sent in a short period of time.

Sorry! This Social Scatter Link Up has expired! Click here to view the Social Scatter that is currently LIVE!

How to get baby bottles clean

Have you ever had one of those moments where you discover something and you're just like 

"NO Freaking WAY!" 

Well I just had one of those moments. 

For the life of me, I CAN NOT get my baby bottles clean! They always had residue with bristle marks in it where the stupid bottle brush skimmed it but didn't get the gunk off! i tried boiling them, but that only boiled the stuff onto it even more! I was about ready to throw all my baby bottles out!

Hard to see, but these bottles have white crusty stuff!

Then, a light bulb went off in my head! Try vinegar.

Did you know that if you put a bowl of vinegar in the microwave for 5 minutes it will boil, and it will loosen everything that is disgustifying (made up word) your microwave? Try it. It makes it to where you only have to wipe it down and everything comes right off! Can you imagine what an amazing thing this is to people like me who have arthritis!? (Yes, even at such a young age)

I cringe at the sight of a bottle brush. They're gross, worthless, and cheap, no matter what brand you buy. Let alone, not to beat a dead horse here, but they don't get my bottles clean. Oh and don't let me forget to mention that when you're cleaning your bottles they fling gross milky water all over your face...maybe that's just me..

ANYWAY, vinegar is SUPER cheap. You can buy 2 gallons at Sam's Club for $3.58.

The steps are easy:

pour 3 oz of vinegar into each bottle (no water)

put all the bottles in microwave for 6 minutes, uncovered

DO NOT COVER! 

Remove with a dish towel to keep from burning your hands. 

Looking into the milk bottle:

This is the disgusting dried milk that i couldn't get off!

Add a lid or nipple (recommended) to the top of the bottle

USE EXTREME CAUTION! 

CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE WHEN LID (not nipple) IS PUT ON!

THIS CAN BURN YOU VERY BADLY! 

MAKE SURE THE TOWEL COVERS THE WHOLE BOTTLE AS SHOWN BELOW!

Turn bottle down side up (hehe) with the TOP of the bottle pointing into the sink and shake for a minute or so.

 If you have a lid on it, it will most likely leak because of the pressure, but that's no big deal.

If you have a nipple on it (recommended), it will clean the nipple for you, and keep from pressure build up.

Here is how it cleans the nipple (I know, it's gross lookin', but its real life)

&& The final product: