Chapter 9: Stop Waiting for a Smaller Body to Show Up.
Welcome to the ninth 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
✨ GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE! You can now purchase Gift Certificates on the website! Here’s some directions on how you can purchase Gift Certificates
Head to my website www.myauthenticcolors.com
Click on the Top Right Hand 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) minute 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.
Did you know that you can host a Private Party with me? This is a fabulous event to do for your employees if you own a business or for a fun girl’s (or guys) day! Email info@myauthenticcolors.com for more information.
I will be O.O.O from 9/27/25 - 10/7/25 for a work/fun-related vacation to Canada and Chicago. Please plan to book your appointments accordingly!
Milton, MA area, I may be coming your way in the future…stay tuned!
I had a surprise sale this past weekend and I would’ve let you know about it, but it was a last-minute decision. My next one is going to be in August for my birthday! Maybe even an early black friday special?? Stay tuned.
✨ MINI Appointments: Did you know that I started offering 60-minute Consultations every Tuesday and Friday based on your requests? More time, more insights, more YOU.
📅 Upcoming Events
Here’s where you can catch me next—and yes, I’m bringing the full-color energy:
The Residences of Cedar Dell (Private)
📍 North Dartmouth, MA | 🗓️ July 11th | ⏰ 2PM-5PM
Summer Jam Pop-Up at Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ July 12th | ⏰ 3PM–7PM
Diversity Consignment
📍 Jamaica Plain, MA | 🗓️ July 26th | ⏰ 11:30pm-7:30pm
Boutique on the BuyWay
📍 Falmouth, MA | 🗓️ July 31st | ⏰ 4PM - 7PM
Back To School Event at Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ August 16th | ⏰ 3PM–7PM
Gloria & Co
📍 Marion, MA | 🗓️ October 11th | ⏰ 10AM-3PM
Halloween Extravagnza at Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ October 18th | ⏰ 3PM–7PM
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: Stop Waiting for a Smaller Body to Show Up. You’re Already Beautiful!
Let’s talk about two lies we’ve been sold — and bought — far too many times:
❌ “I’m saving this for when I lose the weight.”
❌ “I wear black because it’s slimming.”
I call bullshit on both.
If you’ve ever stared at a closet full of clothes that don’t fit your now-body, thinking, “One day…” — I see you. I was you. But here’s the truth: saving clothes for a version of you that doesn’t currently exist is just another way to stay stuck in shame. It tells your body it’s not good enough yet. It teaches your self-worth to hang on a hanger.
Let me tell you something: I’m a fitness instructor and a stylist. That means I care deeply about movement, strength, health, wellness, and feeling amazing in your body. So if you have goals to improve your health — I support you. If your body is changing and you’re working toward a more energized, nourished version of yourself — that’s beautiful.
But I will never, ever support torturing yourself to get there.
Restricting. Starving. Pushing yourself into workouts you hate. Punishing yourself with clothes that don’t fit. That’s not wellness — it’s self-harm wrapped in “discipline.” I’ve been there more than once. It sucked.
Here’s the truth I’ve seen over and over again, in both fitness and fashion: if you only love yourself at the finish line, you will never sustain the journey. If your motivation is shame or self-loathing, it will always backfire. Maybe not today, but eventually.
Because sustainable health doesn’t grow from hate. It grows from care.
And you can’t care for a body you’re constantly at war with.
At My Authentic Colors, we’re not in the business of waiting. We’re in the business of showing up — fully, honestly, and unapologetically — in the skin we're in today. Your body isn’t a “before” picture. It’s your home, right now. It’s worthy of clothes that fit, feel good, and reflect your true essence — not your lowest weight.
And as for black being “slimming”? That’s just another sneaky form of hiding. Of shrinking. Of disappearing. Somewhere along the way, black became the official uniform of “I don’t want to be seen.” Now don’t get me wrong — black can be bold, dramatic, powerful; especially if you’re a Winter Palette. But when you're wearing it only because someone convinced you that visibility is a privilege reserved for smaller bodies, it becomes a prison.
Color is not just style. It’s voice. It’s identity. It’s a declaration. The work I do with my business My Authentic Colors isn’t just about looking good — it’s about feeling like yourself. It’s about reclaiming your place in the mirror and the world. It’s about saying: I deserve to be seen in full color, as I am, not 20 pounds from now.
I help people dress the body they have today. Not the body they had in college. Not the one they're hoping to have by next summer. Not the fantasy version they think will finally be “worthy” of color, style, or attention.
The body you woke up in this morning? That’s the one we honor.
That’s the one we style.
That’s the one we move with, care for, and learn to love again.
All bodies are beautiful.
All bodies are worthy of expression.
All bodies deserve to be seen — in color, in softness, in boldness, in joy.
So here’s your permission — no, your invitation — to stop waiting.
Let go of the jeans that whisper “almost there.”
Ditch the dress that needs a different body to work.
Burn the idea that “flattering” is more important than authentic.
You are not a project. You are not a problem to be solved. You are a person — whole, worthy, radiant — right now.
Wear the damn color.
💖 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! Since we celebrated America’s birthday this past weekend, I’m focusing on my likes & dislikes for the fourth of July!
Swatch This:
Celebrating America with the Community.
No matter how you feel about the current political climate, the Fourth of July is a powerful way to bring people together in unity and pride. It fosters a sense of belonging, honors shared values and history and strengthens local bonds. Coming together to celebrate our nation reminds us of the freedoms we enjoy and the diverse community that makes America strong.
Legally Blonde Memes.
Every Fourth of July, the Legally Blonde 2 meme of Jennifer Coolidge saying, “Make me want a hot dog real bad,” resurfaces—and honestly, I live for it. While the sequel wasn’t as iconic as the first Legally Blonde, that scene is pure gold. It’s camp, it’s chaotic, it’s peak Coolidge. At this point, it’s a patriotic tradition.
Seeing Fireworks in your Neighborhood.
Fireworks in your neighborhood—better yet, right from your backyard—are the real win of the Fourth of July. No battling traffic, no fighting for a spot on a crowded lawn, no awkward small talk with strangers. Just the magic of lights in the sky, from the comfort of your home (or maybe your inflatable pool). Honestly, skip the chaos of public forums and packed parks—this is the kind of personal freedom the holiday’s all about.
Scratch That:
Huge Crowds watching Fireworks in public.
Huge crowds just to watch fireworks? Yeah… it ain’t the vibe. Fighting traffic, paying for parking, squeezing into a sea of people just to catch a few minutes of sky glitter—it’s overrated. There are so many places to watch fireworks without all that chaos. A quiet park, a friend’s backyard, or even your street can be just as magical (and way less stressful). Save yourself the hassle—freedom includes choosing peace over packed parking lots.
Recording the Fireworks on your phone.
Spending the whole show staring at a screen instead of soaking in the moment just kills the magic. Fireworks are meant to be experienced live—the colors, the sounds, the excitement—not through a tiny camera lens. Put the phone down, look up, and enjoy the real show happening right in front of you. Trust me, it’s way better that way.
Bad Fireworks.
Spending all that time and energy watching a show that’s more fizzle than sizzle just kills the whole mood. If the colors are dull, the bursts are weak, or the timing’s off, what’s the point? Fireworks are supposed to wow you, light up the sky, and bring that feeling of celebration—not leave you yawning or checking your phone. Quality over quantity every time!
🎨 The Color Connection
This week, we’re stepping into the mystical allure of the most enigmatic hue on the color wheel—purple. If blue whispers with clarity and calm, then purple speaks in poetry and mystery. It’s the color of twilight skies and blooming lilacs—rich, intuitive, and quietly luxurious.
What makes purple so captivating is its dual nature: it carries the calm stability of blue and the passionate energy of red. Whether you’re a cool-toned Summer or a deep-toned Winter, there’s a purple in your palette that evokes depth, imagination, and unmistakable elegance.
Let’s explore purple not just as a royal classic, but as a color of creativity, introspection, and expressive power. 💜
🎨 Color Theory: Purple
Secondary Color: A blend of red and blue—melding warmth and coolness in perfect balance.
Color Temperature: Typically cool, though warmer shades (like lilac and eggplant) bring a glow to a rich color like purple.
Visual Characteristics: Rich, creative, and a bit mysterious. Purple conveys a sense of luxury, thoughtfulness, and inner strength.
Complementary Color: Yellow. The contrast is bold and striking (imagine a mustard accessory with a plum dress).
Tint (Purple + White): Lavender, lilac—light, romantic, and delicate.
Shade (Purple + Black): Aubergine, plum—deep, moody, and powerful.
Tone (Purple + Gray): Dusty violet, muted mauve—subtle, modern, and refined.
🧠 Psychology of Purple
Emotional Associations:
Creativity & Imagination: Sparks inspiration and artistic expression.
Spirituality & Mystery: Tied to intuition, depth, and the unknown.
Luxury & Royalty: Historically linked to wealth, power, and nobility.
Physiological Effects:
Stimulates the imagination and introspection.
Can encourage meditation and emotional depth.
Promotes a sense of dignity and calm confidence.
Cultural Significance:
Western Cultures: Symbol of royalty, spirituality, and individuality.
Eastern Cultures: Associated with wealth, nobility, and enlightenment.
Global Spiritual Traditions: Often linked to transformation, magic, and higher consciousness.
Marketing & Branding:
Used in beauty, wellness, and creative industries.
Conveys innovation, luxury, and sophistication (e.g., Hallmark, Yahoo, Cadbury).
🌌 What’s Every Season’s Best Purple?
Purple is versatile, expressive, and surprisingly wearable. From soft florals to rich jewel tones, it brings a touch of the unexpected to any wardrobe.
True Spring: Lilac
True Autumn: Eggplant (Aubergine)
True Summer: Lavender
True Winter: Royal Purple
Warm Spring/Autumn: Warm Plum
Cool Summer/Winter: Violet
Bright Winter/Spring: Amethyst
Deep Autumn/Winter: Raisin
Light Spring/Summer: Wisteria
Soft Summer/Autumn: Soft Plum
Purple is a color of imagination, sophistication, and emotional insight. Whether you wear it softly or boldly, it adds depth and a touch of magic to your presence.
✨ Up next in our Color Connection series: Pink — a hue of warmth, tenderness, and quiet confidence. It ranges from soft blush to bold fuchsia, speaking to the romantic, the joyful, and the strong-hearted alike. 💗
💸 Discount of the Week
🎨 This Week’s Code: HUEHAPPY
Take 20% OFF your Color Analysis Consultation and step into the shades that speak your language. This is your moment to wear what lights you up—confident, aligned, and unmistakably you. 🌈💫
✨ Offer valid through Sunday, July 13th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
💌 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
