http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/LaurieOCS Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:58:11 GMT Reviews by LaurieOCS http://www.viewpoints.com/International-Delight-Sugar-Free-French-Vanilla-review-10a52 I never thought I'd be a coffee drinker, but thanks to International Delight, I can enjoy the chemical effect of coffee sweetened with their great flavored creamers - but without all the sugar.  So far, their sugar free versions only come in French Vanilla and Hazelnut. Both are good; I personally prefer Hazelnut.  Their other flavors are delicious, too, but I don't want all that sugar. Since coffee itself is too bitter for me, I need to add a lot of sweetner to make it palatable.  With the sugar-free flavored creamers, you get a better flavor than just cream and sugar and I can put in a good dose without guilt!  Coffeemate also makes sugar free versions of their flavored creamers, but they must use a different artificial sweetener, because they are awful.  International Delight is kind of expensive, but it's well worth it! Enjoy! —... Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:58:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/International-Delight-Sugar-Free-French-Vanilla-review-10a52 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Buffalo-Wild-Wings-Bar-Grill-Warrenville-IL-review-27451 After having tried a Buffalo Wild Wings in another location, I was thrilled to find this one close to home (as well as the local movie theatre). We went on an evening after seeing a movie, looking forward to repeating our earlier great eating experience.  What a disappointment!  The place was so noisy we could hardly hear each other.  The service was adequate, but the food was very disappointing.  Had it been our first time there, I would have thought it was just that Buffalo Wild Wings wasn't our thing - but we had thoroughly enjoyed our first trip.  Maybe we caught this restaurant on an off night, but we're hesitant to go back and give them another try. I'd love to hear from other people to see if it just was a bad... Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:37:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Buffalo-Wild-Wings-Bar-Grill-Warrenville-IL-review-27451 LaurieOCS 2 http://www.viewpoints.com/Maybelline-Maybelline-New-York-XXL-Volume-Length-Microfiber-Mascara-review-e0de0 When the first generation of these two-in-one mascaras came out, it seemed like a gimmick have consumers use twice as much product in each application - hence the company would sell twice as much.  But I gave it a try and, indeed, it does what's promised... the white "primer" coat really does get your lashes ready for the darker coat and it makes them look longer. I've tried many brands, and Maybelline is the least expensive and delivers the same results.  I think it has a better applicator, too.  Sometimes the mascara clumps up a bit after extensive use, but I think that's true of most mascaras.  It does go on and come off very easily, too.  The extra coat is worth the extra... Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:10:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Maybelline-Maybelline-New-York-XXL-Volume-Length-Microfiber-Mascara-review-e0de0 LaurieOCS 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/N-Y-C-Loose-Face-Powder-review-95322 I have uneven skin that needs a good foundation.  It's hard to find one that lasts all day, but one trick I've learned is to add loose powder over the foundation to even out the look and "set" the foundation better.  I've tried the more expensive brands, which all work fine, but out of sheer cheapness decided to try the NYC brand.  It works just as well as the other, higher-priced brands.  My only complaint is that it comes with a foam rubber circlular applicator that holds too much powder.  Make a one-time investment in a good, dense powder applicator brush and you've got all that you need for expert application.... Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:04:42 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/N-Y-C-Loose-Face-Powder-review-95322 LaurieOCS 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Boston-Legal-review-93760 My husband and I started watching "Boston Legal" after it had been on awhile and wish we'd been in on this gem from the beginning.  (I plan to go back once it's off the air and start from scratch via Blockbuster or Netflix so I can enjoy the total experience from the beginning).  The characters are quirky. They aren't all loveable but all make you want to come back and see what they are up to week after week.  James Spader and William Shatner in particular are a hoot - and especially together. I'd be curious to see what real attorneys think of the show.  It certainly shows their human side - and then some.  It's basically a bunch of weirdos - who somehow manage to almost always win their cases.  Give it a whirl.  — — —... Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:55:02 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Boston-Legal-review-93760 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/More-review-6751 If I could only have one magazine subscription, this would be it.  "More" knows what interests women over 40 and creates articles and features to hold that interest.  Good combination of celebrity interviews/features and real-life stories.  My only complaint is when it holds its annual Over 40 model search, it has allowed professional models to participate.  I think that should be open only to "real" women.  But that's the only bad thing I can say -- otherwise a great... Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:24:17 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/More-review-6751 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Angels-and-Demons-review-75053 After reading The Da Vinci Code, I was thrilled to learn that there was a "prequel" - Angels and Demons.  The lead character was just as compelling in this book, and it was a bit easier to follow the twists and turns.  What made this an even more compelling read for me was that I was reading it at the same time of the death of Pope John Paul II.  So the book, which gives an insider's view of the goings-on at the Vatican after the death of the pope (albiet, with a good does of mystery added) made me feel a part of the real-life proceedings. A great story that is even better than it's more famous relative.  I hope Dan Brown writes more historical fiction with Robert Langdon as the protagonist. — ... Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:19:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Angels-and-Demons-review-75053 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Da-Vinci-Code-review-53e1 This was a page turner that didn't disappoint.  Offered many insights into history and art, and it's always great when something makes you look more deeply into your core beliefs.  I hope Dan Brown writes another in the series with this great lead character, too. ... Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:13:08 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Da-Vinci-Code-review-53e1 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/WeeBlock-For-Baby-Boys--113964-review-ef5e1 The WeeBlock is one of those things that you see in the store, or at a baby shower, and wonder "why didn't I invent that?"  It is basically a small, washable hard cloth triangle that is intended to go over the baby boy at diaper changing time so mom (or grandma!) doesn't get any surprises.  (Another manufacturer makes a similar, though smaller product, called the PeePee TeePee).  In any event, when we tried them, the baby squirmed and knocked it off, so the old standby of a washcloth seems to work better.  But the real value of this is the laugh it gets out of everybody -- particularly the older generation -- at the baby shower!  It's a great "extra" gift to make your giving memorable.... Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:09:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/WeeBlock-For-Baby-Boys--113964-review-ef5e1 LaurieOCS 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Til-Death-review-8d85 It's always hard to see an actor in a a new show after a long run in a familiar one, but Brad Garrett easily transitions from "Everybody Loves Raymond" to "Til Death."  Getting ready to celebrate 25 years of marriage next year, I can say that the portrayal of a couple in their golden years of marriage by Garret and Jolie Fisher is right on accurate... much like "Raymond" hit a bullseye week after week.   If you're married for any length of time, you'll find something with which you can identify.  I hope it has a long run,... Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:00:07 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Til-Death-review-8d85 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/St-Louis-Gateway-Arch-St-Louis-MO-review-604d0 It is really something to see the Arch up close and personal (though you can see it from miles away, too!)!  I was glad I went up in it, but it was harrowing. The cars are small and it's a noisy, bumpy ride.   I thought I'd be ok, even though I don't like heights, because it's enclosed. Not so. That was the closest I've come to a panic attack -- I think all that stopped me from having one was that I knew no matter what happened, I still had to get into that little car and go back down!   But even for the faint of heart in terms of heights, it's a cool site to... Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:45:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/St-Louis-Gateway-Arch-St-Louis-MO-review-604d0 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Six-Feet-Under-review-e3730 I discovered Six Feet Under at the tape store after it was off the air. That's the best way to watch it -- rent a DVD, watch 4 or 5 episodes, go get the next DVD.  Instant graification and the season ending cliffhangers don't take a year!  this was a great, inventive show.  the openings are particularly clever.  There is a tremendous use of the F-word, and because it's about a family of morticians, some of the scenes of dead bodies are graphic.  (I hope whomever did make-up on the show won lots of emmys).  A fantastic show that I now grieve just like the fans did when it was over. ... Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:54:25 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Six-Feet-Under-review-e3730 LaurieOCS 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Toshiba-Satellite-review-478e We expected a good computer with the Toshiba name and have been nothing but disappointed.  It is slow, and has already been "fixed" once for the overheating problem, but it persists.  We have to prop it on something to keep it running.  If you look up lemon in the dictionary, there is a picture of this computer next to it. — — — — — —... Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:54:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Toshiba-Satellite-review-478e LaurieOCS 1 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Dick-Van-Dyke-Show-review-7c48 This is the greatest show of all time... if you've seen it, you probably agree. If you haven't seen it, go out and rent the DVDs!  More than just the episodes, there are commentaries and interviews with Carl Reiner, Dick Van Dyke and others.  There are also classic commericals from the time.  Do yourself a favor and either relive the golden age of TV, or experience it for the first time. — — I'm so thankful this finally came out!!! —... Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:54:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Dick-Van-Dyke-Show-review-7c48 LaurieOCS 5