DiMare Diaries: Andrea Duclos a.k.a ‘OhDearDrea’

DiMare Diaries: Andrea Duclos

1. To stay centered, what is one activity you do religiously daily or weekly?

Drea: I sit outside. Sometimes it’s a bit difficult working from home because I feel like I’m often trapped, especially with the Florida heat— but I always try to make it a point to sit outside in the hot sun with a cool glass of water. Just feeling the breeze and sunshine.

2. What are the sources of happiness in your home?

Drea: The light and sunshine for sure! I love how cozy and bright our space is— and when the windows are open and the breeze comes in? It’s magic!

3. What is your favorite room in your house?

Drea: Our living room for sure. It has the most light and space to breathe.

4. What decorates your walls?

Drea: We have a few spots with art, but the walls are mostly bare with the exception of a large gallery wall in the dining room.

5. Is there something you still keep with you from childhood?

Drea: Not really since childhood— but I do have a good amount of items and decor from college. One of the best purchases is still my leaf print curtains from 12 years ago.

6. Where do you get away from peace in South Florida? In the World?

Drea: Mostly botanical gardens. We love Fairchild Garden in Miami and Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, FL. In the world, Mexico. We could visit (or move there) a million times over and still love it.

7. What is one gem in South Florida that few know about (place, restaurant, hangout, store, etc.)?

Drea: I really enjoy the atmosphere at Queen of Sheeba in West Palm Beach. The decor at Yaxche Tearoom in Delray. And Earth N Us Farm in Little Haiti, Miami.

8. What is something you like to do on the weekend?

Drea: Farmers markets. We’ll visit as many as we can in one weekend

9. What would people be surprised to find out about you?

Drea: I’m absolutely ridiculous. I’m rarely serious. It just takes me a second to warm up, and then all walls come down

10. What is your motto?

Drea: Breath in. Breath out. —— Life comes and goes, good times and bad times, and the only thing you can do is remember to breathe and stay centered.

11. What’s the most valuable piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Who did it come from?

Drea: An agency once told me I was undercharging for my work and not to second guess it. That I was worth much more. They were right. They pushed me to move my business more and it changed everything.

12. Where do you go to be inspired?

Drea: Anywhere really— if I can explore any new place, I’m bound to find loads of inspiration

13. What do you wish you had known when you were just starting your career?

Drea: I’m not sure. I mean, with everything, you learn along the way. I’m sure a lot of things would have been helpful to know and understand in the beginning— but life and business are or can be a learning process. Maybe I learned everything at the speed I was supposed to.

14. What’s your best tip for staying organized? Apps? Tools? To-do lists?

Drea: 1. Less is more. If you take on too much you’re bound to fall out of place and be disorganized, no matter how many apps you have. 2. and keep a list by our side always. You can add new things and check them off as needed.

15. What’s your process for weighing big decisions? How do you know if you’re making the right one?

Drea: First I ask, “Is this manageable right now?” I’ve always had a habit of taking on too much and I’m finally learning how to say NO more often. Then I ask, “How will this affect my family?” If it brings positivity to not only myself but my family, it’s usually a big “YES”

16. Do you regularly unplug from digital devices and media? If so, when, and what do you get out of this?

Drea: I’m actually on social media a lot less than people would assume. I think it says to says that people assume bloggers must be attached to the internet all the time to keep up. And maybe that’s partially true— maybe my brand would be a lot larger if I was connected all the time to find easy roof repair in San Diego CA. But for myself, my family, and my overall well-being in life, I tend to be more disconnected than most. I leave my phone out of my room at night. I rarely scroll through social media too much. 95% of the time I just use my phone to take photos and share a quick photo here and there and that’s it. But there is always that 5% of my time where I’m oversharing or making too many silly videos on Snapchat— and that’s okay too. It’s all about finding your individual balance.

17. What’s your favorite Instagram account to follow and why?

Drea: Hmm. That’s a tough one. Maybe @afarmedia or @cntraveler— both help me discover so many locations I want to visit!

Be sure to check out Drea’s blog, and be sure to follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!