Go-To-Gays: Refresh, Recharge, Refocus

Introduction by Tracey Meyers

Recently, my vacuum broke. My very expensive, yet super powerful Dyson pet vacuum that makes living with my cat, Elsie, a cleaner experience. There used to be a time when I wouldn't spend more than $75 on a vacuum because I didn't feel it made a difference. However, over time I've come to realize there are some products I'm willing to invest more money into because I know I'm getting something of quality and they become some of my favorite things.

Today we have a special treat for y'all! To start off 2015 in style, we have both of Chick Lit Central's Go-To-Gays, Wade Rouse and Gary Edwards, here to share with everyone some of their favorite things.



Our Favorite Things

Every New Year brings a fresh start: A time to reflect, put bad habits behind us and focus on our goals for 2015. It is also a time when we all want to refresh, recharge and refocus on taking care of ourselves.

In keeping with this "re" theme, Gary and I wanted to share a few of our "really" favorite things regarding health and beauty. May this year bring all of our readers health, happiness and success.

Bath soap:
Wade: Ivory & St Ives apricot scrub (Ivory is my simple go-to. Combined with St. Ives – and ice-cold water – my skin stays clean, tight and never breaks out.)
Gary: All and any great smelling organic soaps! I vow to never use gross soap. It is one time in the day I want to feel pampered.

Face cleanser:
Wade: Cetaphil (I have oilier skin, and I used this – again with ice cold water – as a break between Ivory and St. Ive's. The simpler the better, I think, for healthy skin … combined with drinking lots of water and a healthy diet!)
Gary: Cetaphil (normal to dry) or Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Cleansing Cream.

Hair:
Wade: Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Shampoo & Conditioner (love … and smells like heaven!)
Gary: Nioxin 2 (for thinning hair) Shampoo & Conditioner. Fighting my Grandpa’s hair line as long as I can!





Body moisturizers:
Wade: St. Ives Skin Renewing Collagen Elastin Body Lotion (I will take collagen and elastin anywhere I can get it, now that I'm closing in on 50!)
Gary: Now Pure Almond Oil or Coconut Oil, your skin is the largest organ, take care of it!

Face moisturizers:
Wade: Cetaphil moisturizer, Roc Eye Cream
Gary: Cetphil moisturizer, Pure almond oil. At night I use Obagi Medical Tretinoin cream 0.1% prescribed by my dermatologist. After having skin cancer I take my skin very serious

Lips:
Wade: Vaseline at bedtime. Day I pick one of the following favorites: Burt Bee’s Radiance Lip Shimmer & keekipureandsimple rootbeer float & orange creamsicle (I could never go on Survivor, because I am obsessed with soft, supple, shiny lips!)
Gary: Eos Lip Sphere(sweet mint) at bedtime. Day I love keekipureandsimple minty vanilla cooler

Hair Products:
Wade: Neuma Style Texturizer & Garnier Sleek Shine anti-humidity hairspray (the best styling gel I've ever used … good hold without looking wet, and made from all natural products)
Gary: Neuma Style Texturizer & Redken Powder grip #03(helps add fullness and lift at the root)

Feet: While I am not a foot person I do take care of my own!
Wade: Burt's Bees Coconut Foot cream & Lemon cuticle softener
Gary: Burt's Bees Coconut Foot cream & Lemon cuticle softener, Also every few days a treat of Now pure peppermint oil.

Hands:
Wade: Our friend Amanda’s Goat Milk Balm, Burt Bee’s Lemon cuticle softener. (This baaa-aaa-lm is the best, especially in the winter!)
Gary: As a gardener my hands are often neglected. When I remember I use the Mary Kay Satin Hands mask and lotion along with Burt Bee’s Lemon cuticle softener

Deodorant:
Wade & Gary: Every Man Jack (Citrus) Aluminum free, Cruelty free & naturally derived.

Cologne:
Wade: D&G “original”, Burberry “Britt” (one "heartier" scent for winter, one "fresher, lighter" scent for summer)
Gary: Old school Fahrenheit. Both Wade and all of my gal pals love this scent on me! It is my stand by!

Sunscreen:
Wade: Keeki Pure and Simple Natural Sunscreen 15,30 & 45 (fab! And ALL natural!)
Gary: Keeki Pure and Simple Natural Sunscreen 15,30 & 45
If I am outside I have it on! It is the best all natural sunscreen ever!

As usually we are always looking for the next best thing! What are some of your favorite health & beauty products and secrets? As Gary and I approach 50 we need all the help we can get!

The writings of bestselling humorist Wade Rouse – called “wise, witty and wicked” by USA Today and the lovechild of Erma Bombeck and David Sedaris – have been featured multiple times on NBC’s  Today Show as well as on Chelsea Lately on E! and People.com. His latest memoir, It’s All Relative: Two Families, Three Dogs, 34 Holidays and 50 Boxes of Wine (reviewed here) launched in paperback February 1st from Broadway, and he is creator and editor of the humorous dog anthology, I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship: Hilarious, Heartwarming Tales about Man’s Best from America’s Favorite Humorists (NAL). The book features a Foreword by Chelsea Handler’s dog, Chunk, essays by such beloved chick lit authors as Jane Green, and 50 percent of the book’s net royalties go to the Humane Society of the United States. His first memoir, America's Boy, has been re-published by Magnus Books for paperback and Kindle. For more, visit his website, or friend him on Facebook or Twitter.

Gary Edwards is the marketing and events manager for bestselling author Wade Rouse. Edwards arranges Rouse’s tour schedule, speaking engagements as well as coordinates and facilitates his writing workshops and retreats.  Additionally, Edwards has helped market and promote all five of Rouse’s books. Edwards also has a background in hospitality, and sales as well as design.   With his vast professional background and a love to listen and help friends he is a perfect storm of love and nurture. Edwards is Martha Stewart meets Dear Abby with a dash of Mrs. Doubtfire.  For more, please friend him on Facebook and Twitter.