Hammers and tamales

I heard that Nederland’s famed La Suprema Mexican restaurant set up a space at M&D Supply on College Street in Beaumont. This hardware stop is already my favorite for soda and popcorn, and now this! I don’t know what my husband went to the store for, but he came back with tamales, which he froze for a special occasion, so I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting them yet.

I needed a paint roller, so I got to see this really cute set up outfitted with a colorful serape and metal walls. Viva M&D.

In position

Some women are very good with home pedicures and will love RadaPro’s portable nail station. Those of us who are clumsy will love it even more. The softest cloth covers the little hand and foot station that puts your nails in the perfect position for tending. I like how the little polish holder swivels out and tilts the bottle to where you need it. I love how you can put your cotton ball over a top-pumping dispenser to have the remover saturate that waiting ball. There’s a You Tube video that shows you what I’m telling you. It’s a New Year, new you kind of treat.

Winter skin

So we’re fortunate to have warm winters on our Gulf Coast, but once those whipping winds get you, it can do a drying, itchy number on your skin. Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream and Foot Therapy Cream are part of my preventative care program this season. The healing cream has no aroma to me and is designed for relief associated with arthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, and work and sports-related trauma injuries. Makers say the synergy of its 11 natural medicines work together help to achieve overall health, vitality and vibrancy to the skin by naturally detoxifying and stimulating blood flow to increase and enhance oxygenation of the skin make Topricin the ideal formula for taking care of winter skin. Coconut oil helps do the trick. Try it within three minutes after getting out of the shower to seal the water in the skin so it stays hydrated longer. There’s a Junior version for bumps, bruises, sprains, bug bites, etc. Other winter tips makers support:

* Drink lots of water. Keeping hydrated helps plump skin up and makes it healthier.

* Skip harsh soaps. The soap you’re using – even if it says ‘gentle’ on the package – might be leaching your skin of its lipids. All-natural, oiled-based cleansers like castile soap are a better choice for dry skin.

* Shower in lukewarm water. Long, hot showers and baths are tempting when the temperatures drop, but hot water is hard on your skin and strips it of its natural oils.

* Don’t rub! After bathing or showering, quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel.

*  Exfoliate regularly. Help your body shed the dead skin cells that can build up visibly when your skin is dry. Use a loofah or body scrub made with coarse ingredients to buff your skin so it becomes soft and smooth.

* Don’t forget to use sunscreen. It is just as easy to get sunburn in February as it is in July. Slater on a natural sunscreen and you’ll prevent damage and dryness.

ddoiron@panews.com