Chapter 21: I’m Happy September Ended.
Welcome to the twenty first edition of Behind The Drapes—your exclusive, all-access pass to everything going on behind the scenes at My Authentic Colors. We’re finally old enough to drink! LOL. 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
🍂 Fall Blowout Sale! 🍂
I'm clearing space for exciting new packages launching in October — and that means big savings for you! For a limited time, enjoy:
📸 Mini Sessions – Only $99 (Reg. $175)
📸 Full Sessions – Just $199 (Reg. $300)
This sale runs a little longer than usual, but spots will go fast! If you've been thinking about booking, now’s the time. Let’s capture some cozy, golden fall magic together! ✨
✨ 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
We’re proud to announce we’re an official Season 5 Partner for Mass Fashion Week! 👗✨
We had the chance to meet the incredible CEO, Maegan, at a recent business summit—and we instantly clicked. Now, we’re teaming up for something truly special. 💥 Models get an exclusive discount for being a part of Mass Fashion Week!
Our event was epic! Thank you to all who came!
We had an amazing time at Glam and Glow! From the stunning setup to the warm, welcoming atmosphere, every detail was perfectly curated. We loved exploring all the beauty, wellness, and self-care offerings—it was the perfect mix of fun, inspiration, and a little indulgence. Already counting down to the next one!
✨ GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!
You can now purchase Gift Certificates on the website! Here are some directions on how you can purchase Gift Certificates
Head to my website www.myauthenticcolors.com
Click on the Top Right corner and click on “Color Analysis Consultations.”
Click on “Book an In-Person Color Analysis Consultation.”
Scroll to the bottom, where you will find Gift Certificates under “Products & Packages.”
We only have Gift Certificates for the full amount of our Full 3-Hour and Mini (60) Color Analysis Consultations at this time.
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.
I will be O.O.O from 9/27/25 - 10/8/25 for a work/fun-related vacation to Canada and Chicago. Please plan to book your appointments accordingly!
📅 Upcoming Events
Here’s where you can catch me next—and yes, I’m bringing the full-color energy:
Gloria & Co RESCHEDULING! STAY TUNED FOR A NEW DATE!
📍 Marion, MA | 🗓️ October 11th | ⏰ 10AM - 3PM
LA Cycle & Yoga
📍 North Dartmouth, MA | 🗓️ October 18th | ⏰ 8AM -11AM
Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ October 18th | ⏰ 3PM - 7PM
The Seaport Inn
📍Fairhaven, MA | 🗓️ November 9th | ⏰ 11AM - 4PM
Indy Clover Boutique
📍 Wakefield, MA | 🗓️ November 15th | ⏰ 10AM - 1PM
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: I’m Glad September Ended…
Hey community,
It feels important to come to you this week with full honesty. No filters, no fluff. Just me, Behind the Drapes.
September has been… a lot. A whirlwind of emotions, really. If you’ve felt the shift in energy lately too, just know you’re not alone.
Personally, this month hit me hard. (cue Green Day’s Wake Me Up When September Ends). My mental health has been on shaky ground. Body dysmorphia has been louder than it’s been in a long time. I’ve found myself watching and editing videos, only to spiral into self-criticism, thinking about how much weight I’ve gained or how I look from certain angles. I know these thoughts aren’t reality, but in those moments, they feel crushingly true.
To top it off, we’ve had some scary moments in the family. My mother-in-law had unexpected medical issues that really rocked us. My partner and I were completely in over our heads trying to juggle care, communication, logistics, and our own emotions while barely staying afloat ourselves. The stress was constant.
And energetically, everything’s just felt off. People I usually connect with felt distant. After teaching classes, which usually lights me up, I’ve walked away feeling depleted, wondering if I’m doing enough, if I’m good enough, if I even belong. Imposter syndrome crept in hard.
Business has been a little slower than usual, and that paired with social media taking a dip in views lately, it got to me more than I’d like to admit. As much as I try to remind myself not to measure worth by numbers, when you're trying to grow a business, expand your reach, and connect with new clients through those platforms, it does feel personal when engagement drops. It can make you question whether your message is landing, or worse; if anyone’s even listening.
And with all of that, I’ve honestly been feeling a little depressed. Low energy. Low motivation. Low belief in myself.
But (and there is a but) I’m writing this now about to board a flight for a 2 week trip to Canada and Chicago. It’s a shift in space, a shift in energy. And even though I’m still working through the heaviness, I can feel something turning.
I’m here on a solo trip, my first ever out of the country by myself. That alone feels like a huge personal win. I’m coming to Calgary to film new workout videos, I’m going to Toronto to intentionally scale and grow my business to even bigger heights, and to reconnect with people I haven’t seen in years. It’s been a chance to reset, get inspired, and step outside the weight of everything I’ve been carrying.
And just before I left, something beautiful happened that I didn’t even realize how much I needed. was recognized as a brand-new sponsor for the Miss New Bedford organization at their official send-off party. Being in that room, surrounded by such radiant, passionate, driven people, reminded me of my own value. After a month of feeling so defeated and so unsure of myself, that moment felt like a quiet but powerful confirmation: you matter, you’re doing important work, and your presence is felt.
I’m open to growth. I’m open to learning. And I’m reminding myself that setbacks don’t define me, they refine me.
If you’ve been in a rough season, please know you’re not alone. It’s okay to be in it. It’s okay to not have the answers. And it’s okay to feel it all, that’s part of being human.
Here’s to facing the discomfort, trusting the process, and continuing to show up — even when it’s messy. Because even in the mess, there’s magic.
💖 Swatch This/Scratch That
Welcome to 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, I’m reflecting back on everything September brought to the table…
Swatch This:
Owning My Resilience.
Even when everything felt heavy, I kept showing up — for myself, my business, and my community. Bouncing back doesn’t mean bouncing quickly. It means choosing to keep going, even if it’s messy.
Taking Up Space
Whether in the room, on social media, or in my own mind, I’m no longer shrinking to make others comfortable. My voice, my presence, my work? It belongs.
Solo Adventures
My first solo trip out of the country (!!). Scary? Yes. Empowering? Absolutely. This season is about stepping into new places — physically and mentally — and realizing I’m more capable than I thought.
Honoring Your Value
From feeling unseen to being recognized as a sponsor at the Miss New Bedford send-off — it was the reminder I didn’t know I needed: you bring value, even when you forget it yourself.
Imperfect Progress
Not every day looked “productive.” Not every post performed. But growth still happened, in the quiet, in the chaos, in the in-between. That’s the kind of progress I’m here for.
Scratch That:
Shrinking
Dimmed my light too many times this month. Whether it was self-doubt or fear of being “too much,” I caught myself playing small. No more. There’s no reward for hiding your magic.
Second-Guessing Your Worth
That little voice in my head? Loud this month. Questioning if I’m good enough, smart enough, “fit” enough. But I’m reminding myself: worth isn’t up for debate — it’s already there.
Comparison Spirals
Scrolled a little too long, stayed in my head a little too much. It’s easy to forget your path when you’re staring at someone else’s highlight reel. Reminder: their journey isn’t mine.
Hustling With No Soul
I was doing a lot… but not all of it felt aligned. This season reminded me: busy doesn’t equal purpose. I’m done with the burnout badge — give me intentional impact over hustle any day.
🎨 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:
Dressed in Lala
Known for its bold, expressive styles and fearless use of color, Dressed in Lala is a dream for anyone looking to infuse personality into their wardrobe. But when it comes to seasonal color analysis, not every loud hue or trending tone will work for every season. That’s where this guide comes in.
I’m breaking down which shades, styles, and standout pieces from Dressed in Lala work best for each of the 16 seasons. Whether you're a Soft Summer craving the perfect muted mauve or a Bright Winter hunting for electric jewel tones, this is your shortcut to making smarter, more flattering choices—without the overwhelm.
I’m showcasing one option per season here, but you’ll find even more handpicked pieces curated for your palette on my ShopMy Storefront.
Let’s make bold and beautiful work together.
🍃 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
We’re pressing pause on our weekly discount offerings as we prepare to launch something even more exciting—our Signature Style Packages (coming soon 👀).
So if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to refresh your palette or reconnect with your personal aesthetic—this is it.
Step into the season with intention. Let your style speak before you say a word.
📸 Mini Sessions – Only $99 (Reg. $175)
📸 Full Sessions – Just $199 (Reg. $300)
💌 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
