Chapter 26: Shopping With Intention.

Welcome to the twenty sixth edition of Behind The Drapes—your exclusive, all-access pass to everything going on behind the scenes at My Authentic Colors. This isn’t just about fashion; it’s about uncovering who you are and expressing that with confidence and joy. Whether you're a longtime color enthusiast or just beginning your style journey, I’m so glad you’re here.

🏡 Studio Updates

Signature Style Packages Launch + Price Increases

I’m thrilled to announce the official launch of my Signature Style Packages — thoughtfully designed to help you align your style with your truest self. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or ready for a complete transformation, there’s a package created just for you:

🔹 POP UP Color Analysis – $130
A quick dive into the hues that highlight your natural beauty.

🔹 MINI Color Analysis – $187
A quick and powerful session to uncover your most flattering shades.

🔹 FULL Color Analysis - My Authentic Colors – $397
A full color analysis experience to help you wear your hues with confidence.

🔹 Align My Style – $750
A combination of color and body shape analysis to help you dress in alignment with your natural beauty.

🔹 Curated Masterpiece – $2500
Includes color and body shape analysis + a full wardrobe audit to elevate what’s already in your closet.

🔹 My Authentic Closet – $5700
The full transformation: color, body shape, wardrobe audit, personal shopping, and a full wardrobe remix.

Important Update on Swatch Wallets & Pricing

I wanted to keep you in the loop and be open & honest. Due to recent tariff changes affecting imported materials, the cost of ordering the swatch wallets has increased. I have tried my absolute hardest to keep pricing as afforadable as possible but with the tariffs, shipping costs, and rise in costs for myself to purchase the wallets, I have had to make a tough business decision to raise the prices of the wallets. As a result, there will be a price adjustment starting 10/27.

Swatch Wallets: $100-110

These packages are more than services — they’re a gateway to confidence, clarity, and authenticity in how you show up every day. If you’ve already receieved a Color Analysis with me, the price will be reduced. Plus…maybe an early bird rate with a special discount code will be entering your emails to get the best rates possible!? You’ll have to check your emails to find out.

✨ New Travel Policy – Effective September 1st ✨

Beginning September 1st, all private house parties booked with My Authentic Colors will include a travel fee.

🔹 Mileage will be billed at $0.70 per mile (round trip).

🔹 A set travel fee will also apply based on the distance from the My Authentic Colors office to the event location

•    30 minutes or less → $50 travel fee + mileage

    •    30–60 minutes → $100 travel fee + mileage

    •    1–3 hours → $200 travel fee + mileage

    •    3+ hours → $350 travel fee + mileage

⚠️ Please note: All travel fees must be paid in full before our arrival to confirm your event.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to bringing the full My Authentic Colors experience directly to you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us in our DM’s or email info@myauthenticcolors.com

We’ve launched our Instagram Broadcast Channel! 🎉
Get exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and first looks—straight from us to your inbox. Don’t miss a thing—join the channel now and stay in the loop! 🔗📲 www.instagram.com/my_authentic_colors

Did you know that I was a guest on the Wake Up New Bedford Podcast? I talk about my journey from being a fitness professional to talking about how I started the journey as a Color Analyst. My episode is broken into two parts and you can watch and listen to them down below.

📅 Upcoming Events

Here’s where you can catch me next—and yes, I’m bringing the full-color energy:

Blonded by Betsy
📍 Dedham, MA | 🗓️ November 30th | ⏰ 2PM-4PM

Community Perk: As part of my vibrant community, you can book a 30-minute Color Analysis Consultation for 20% off with a special discount code “BTD20”—for any of my 30-minute Color Analysis Pop-Ups! Physical Products included in my 3-hour Consultation are not included in my Mini Appointments and can be purchased separately.

Don’t miss your chance to get draped and dazzled at a discount!

Today’s Topic: Dressing for the Moment, Not the Mirror.

As a Color Analyst and Personal Stylist, people often assume I wake up each morning, glide to my closet, and emerge effortlessly radiant—no doubts, no hesitation, no second guesses. But here’s the truth: I struggle too.

I have moments when I stand in front of the mirror and zoom in on the parts of my body I wish I could edit. I’ve questioned my worth based on a reflection that caught me at the wrong angle or the wrong time of day. I’ve felt the weight of that small, critical voice whispering, “Not today. Not you.”

But with every client I’ve served and every wardrobe I’ve curated, I’ve learned (and continually reminded) of something powerful:

The mirror is a moment, NOT the moment.

The moment is your life.
The moment is your energy.
The moment is your story, unfolding right now.

And that moment deserves to be celebrated, even when you don’t feel like celebrating yourself.

Dressing for the Moment Means Dressing for Your Life, Not Your Doubts. Clothing is more than fabric and fit; it’s emotional armor, a compass, a translator of how we choose to show up in the world. Some days you dress to amplify your joy. Other days you dress to find it. When you dress for the moment—the meeting, the brunch, the errand run, the creative spark, the quiet walk—you give yourself permission to participate fully in your own life instead of hiding from it Dressing for the moment doesn’t mean dressing up. It means dressing with intention.

Even the smallest moments deserve intentionality because intention communicates worthiness. Every moment is worthy.
Which means you are worthy in every moment—whether or not the mirror agrees today.

Why Dressing Up on “I Don’t Want To” Days Matters

We all have those days—the sluggish ones, the low-confidence ones, the overwhelmed ones. The days when makeup feels pointless, jeans feel too tight, and the baggiest sweatshirt feels like a sanctuary. But here’s what I’ve noticed, personally and professionally:

Sometimes the act of getting dressed is not about impressing anyone or even about feeling instantly beautiful.
It’s about interrupting the cycle of self-doubt.

It’s about saying:
I may not feel like the best version of myself right now, but I’m going to show up for her anyway.

It’s about reminding your brain—visually, physically, somatically—that you are still in motion. Still choosing. Still participating.

That tiny bit of participation is enough to spark something: a lift in posture, a softened expression, a little more self-compassion, a reconnection to yourself.

As a Stylist, My Goal Is Bigger Than the Clothes

Yes, I analyze color.
Yes, I refine silhouettes.
Yes, I build wardrobes that feel cohesive, expressive, and wearable.

But beneath all that, my real work is this: I help you dress for who you are becoming, not just who you see in the mirror Your mirror doesn’t always reflect your strength. It doesn’t always reflect your brilliance. It doesn’t always reflect the power of the person who keeps showing up, even on the “not today” days. But your clothing can.

When you dress for the moment—this moment right here—you start aligning your outside with the truth on the inside:
That you are worthy of beauty, expression, celebration, and presence.

Not someday.
Not after you feel better.
Not after you lose the weight or gain the confidence.
Now. In this very moment.

A Gentle Challenge for This Week

Choose one moment—any moment—and dress for it with more intention than you normally would.

Not for the mirror.
Not for validation.
Not because you “should.”

But because you’re here, alive, and deserving of feeling connected to yourself.

Dress for the moment.
Let the mirror catch up later.

💖 Swatch This/Scratch That

Your weekly scroll through the glossy, the gaudy, and everything in between. I’m serving a mood board of what’s in… and what’s getting cut out. Let’s go! This week, we’re talking Holiday Color Magic — because knowing your season isn’t just a parlor trick, it’s your secret styling weapon. Whether you’re decking the halls or RSVPing “yes” to every soirée, understanding your color palette means every look lights you up (literally). Forget fading into the tinsel — this is about glowing in your own hue.

Swatch This:

Your Palette as a Power Move

Color isn’t decoration; it’s direction. When you choose shades that sync with your undertone, you create instant clarity — not just in how you look, but in how you show up. The right color says I’m here before you even speak.

Feeling First, Outfit Second

Start with the moment you’re moving into: focused? playful? grounded? electric?
Then reach for the hue that mirrors that mood. Earthy tones steady you. Soft tones calm you. Vibrant tones energize you. Cool tones sharpen you. Dressing becomes less about “Does this look good?” and more about “Does this support who I am right now?”

Metals as Mood Amplifiers

Your jewelry is the subtle cue that finishes the story. Gold warms a look, silver modernizes it, rose gold softens it. Match your metal to your intention: bold, crisp, romantic, grounded. It’s less about undertones and more about emotional polish.

Color as Your Daily Ritual

Think of choosing color the way some people pick a playlist — it sets the tone. Each shade becomes a small ritual that helps you enter your moment with confidence. Your palette isn’t a rulebook; it’s a toolkit for alignment.

Scratch That:

Choosing Colors Out of Habit

Grabbing “the usual” because it’s easy keeps you dressing for the mirror instead of the moment. Habit colors don’t support how you feel today. Let your day lead, not your default palette.

Letting Trends Call the Shots

A trending shade might look great online but fall flat in your real life. Dressing for the moment means choosing colors that serve your experience, not the algorithm’s. If the moment asks for grounded energy, neon isn’t the vibe — even if it’s everywhere.

Over-Editing Your Look

Trying to “fix” an outfit by adding more layers, more accessories, more contrast usually means you’re chasing the mirror’s approval instead of tuning into the moment. Simplicity often speaks louder — especially when the color is right.

Saving Your Best Colors for “Special Days”

Every moment deserves your best palette, not just the big ones. Waiting for an occasion is just another version of dressing for the mirror — saving your glow for when you think it’s “deserved.” Wear the color that matches your energy today. That’s the whole point.

🎨 The Color Connection

Formerly a general guide on color theory and branding, this section now dives deeper into specific brands and how their products align with seasonal color analysis. Whether you're a True Autumn or a Cool Summer, I’ll help you discover the clothing, makeup, and accessories that work with your season, not against it.

From curated brand breakdowns to seasonal must-haves, think of this as your personalized style compass—no guesswork, just great finds.

You’ll also be able to shop everything directly through my ShopMy Storefront. Let’s make color work for you.

A quick note before we get started: This guide is based solely on what’s available through the brand’s website and my personal understanding of seasonal color theory. Keep in mind that product photos can be edited and may not always reflect the true color in person. For the most accurate match, always refer back to your swatch wallet when making final decisions.

You may also notice that some seasons receive more attention than others, or that only neutrals were available for certain palettes in the ShopMy Storefront. This simply reflects the brand’s current offerings—not an intentional omission on my part.

With all that said, let’s jump into our featured brand of the week:

Kettlewell Colours

Known for its season-specific approach, extensive shade range, and commitment to helping every person feel their most vibrant, Kettlewell Colours has become a beloved staple in the color-analysis community. With hundreds of shades intentionally crafted to align with the 12- and 16-season systems, the brand makes it easier than ever to build a wardrobe filled with pieces that truly enhance your natural coloring. From buttery basics to statement layers, Kettlewell is all about wearable color—without the guesswork.

But with so many beautiful hues and silhouettes to choose from, it can still be overwhelming to know which pieces best complement your personal palette. That’s where this guide comes in.

I’m breaking down which Kettlewell shades, garment styles, and seasonal collections work best for each of the 16 color seasons. Whether you're a Soft Summer drawn to cool, misty shades like Bluebell and Silver Cloud, or a Bright Winter who comes alive in high-contrast tones like Ice Blue or Dahlia Purple, this is your go-to resource for finding color harmony in your everyday wardrobe.

I’m showcasing a couple of standout picks per season here, but you’ll find even more handpicked Kettlewell pieces curated for your palette on my ShopMy Storefront.

Let’s bring color harmony to your closet—whether you’re building your basics, refreshing your seasonal capsule, or adding a pop of signature color to elevate your everyday style.

🍃 SPRING – Fresh, Radiant, Uplifting

🍁 AUTUMN – Rich, Earthy, Grounded

🌊 SUMMER – Cool, Calm, Romantic

❄️ WINTER – Bold, Crisp, Dynamic

☀️ WARM – Radiant, Rich, Inviting.

🌊 COOL – Elegant, Fresh, Refined.

🌑 DEEP – Intense, Powerful, Grounded

☁️ LIGHT – Airy, Delicate, Soft

⚡ BRIGHT – Vivid, Energetic, Playful

🌫️ MUTED – Subtle, Calm, Understated

💸 Discount of the Week

✨ Black Friday All Month Long! ✨

The biggest style event of the year is here—and this time, it’s lasting all month long! No need to wait for one weekend, your moment is now.

Check Our Website for more!

💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Thanks for spending time Behind The Drapes. I’ve got so much more in store, and I want your input! Do you have a burning-style question? A favorite color combo? A topic you’d love me to cover next? Email me your ideas at info@myauthenticcolors.com—I’m all ears (and full spectrum lighting).

If you haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, this is where I hang out the most! I’m pretty cool on there if I say so myself.

Until next time, keep shining in your authentic colors. 🌈

With color and care,
Mac Carvalho
CEO, My Authentic Colors