Book
The Operation Beautiful book is now in stores! It’s an empowering book with photos, notes, and true stories about an underground campaign to recognize the true beauty within every woman. You can buy the book NOW at Amazon, Barnes and Noble,Borders, and Indie Bound.
Tired of watching women pick themselves apart in front of the mirror, blogger Caitlin Boyle scribbled a note on a Post-it: “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!” and slapped it on the mirror of a public bathroom. With one small act, she kick-started a movement. In a matter of days, women were undertaking their own feats of resistance, posting uplifting notes on gym lockers, diet shakes in supermarkets, weight-loss guides in bookstores, and anywhere else a nagging voice of self-criticism might lurk. Emboldening and contagious, the “operation” has attracted widespread attention from the media, including the Oprah Winfrey Network, the New York Daily News and Salon.com.
Operation Beautiful showcases the notes women have posted around the world and the stories behind them, along with interviews, interesting research findings, and tips for improving one’s outlook on life. Blending a confessional tone with gutsy observations about redefining beauty, the chapters address key issues for women of all ages, including Fighting Fat Talk, Family and Friends, Food, Fitness, Faith, and Going Forward. In the scrapbook tradition of PostSecret and Davy Rothbart’s Found, Operation Beautiful is filled with black-and-white photos and a two-color design, making it the perfect gift for any friend, sister, daughter, or niece.
“Operation Beautiful is an amazing book and movement that greatly helps women take control and start slicing out self-hate, stitching up self-esteem, and finally start healing from all the body drama that’s making us sick!” -Nancy Redd, New York Times bestselling author of Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers
“In a time when so many people have their self-esteem and inner sense of wellness determined by plastic and often unrealistic standards, Operation Beautiful guides the way to loving oneself in a wholesome sense and to being the healthiest, best you can be!” -Jennifer Ashton, M.D., CBS News Medical Correspondent and author of The Body Scoop for Girls
“Operation Beautiful is tea and sympathy, a kick in the pants, and a pep talk from a trusted friend all in one. Caitlin walks the walk and expertly weaves her own deep-held secrets in with life-changing stories of women from all around the world…should be mandatory reading for women everywhere.” -Stepfanie Romine, SparkPeople.com
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t wait to read the book. Participating in Operation Beautiful brings me such joy. I am finding new places to post notes every day. Today I stuck a “You have a beautiful smile!
” post-it on the open drive-thru window so the cashier would see it when the door closed. I drove off absolutly giddy about it.
Good job! I love that idea!
I am soooo looking forward to the book, Caitlin! It should be as uplifting and positive as the website. I just wrote about the book on my blog, even though I haven’t actually gotten it yet. BUT it’s on pre-order with Amazon.
Good luck! I hope it’s a huge success and I can’t wait to see you on the Today Show promoting it.
Thank you so much Melissa!
I found a note in a book I was reading so I decided to check out this website. I am now looking forward to reading this book
This is soooo cool!! I am the owner of Willard Studio. It’s a Pilates/Yoga studio. You can only imagine how much I see of women comparing themselves to each other and talking down to themselves.
I can’t wait to share the book with my Studio.
Thanks!
What a beautiful idea! I love it. I am going to stop at Duane Reade for some sticky notes before I hit the BlogHer conference! Lots of women there to inspire! I am in Charlotte too and would love to meet sometime! I can’t wait to see the book!
I love this and I would be leaving notes like these more!
This is an instant booster:)
Thank You:)
A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.
-Mother Teresa
I saw a clip from the Today Show promoting the book, I checked out the website and then your healthy tipping point site. It has encouraged me to get back into shape (the healthy way) and remember what it’s like to truly love myself again. Thanks for all you do!
God speaks!! I was listening to KLove this morning and they were discussing Operation Beautiful. My 7year old daughter was crying last night about how she wasnt pretty…and was fat. FAT?!?! I couldn’t believe my ears. Its starts this early. I’ve always struggled with my self-esteem and I pray my beautiful daughters don’t ever have to feel the same. I’m on board 100% with this!! We are all beautiful. God created us! Thank you so much for being here. I’m going to get the book for my daughters and I. God bless!!
-Deanna
My husband and I also heard about this on K-Love. We are so proud of you and are honored to do our part in helping your wonderful mission!!!
My daughter came home sad that someone had made fun of her. She said I tried to ignore them but it still hurts. I told her isn’t it sad that some people are taught to be so ugly inside that is all that comes out when they talk no matter what they look like on the outside. Everyone is not a stick straight little girl and words are still the sharpest weapons they use.
As a woman, I have stuggle to accept myself (let alone love myself) as the indivdual God created me to be. Thank you all for the little notes you leave. These random acts no doubt, have alasting effect on many lives.
i’m amazed at how much a single post-it note can do to make someone’s day a little brighter. i just recently started leaving these around my school bathrooms, on people’s lockers, even on my homework when i go to turn it in to the teacher. it’s an amazing difference in the way they come into the classrooms every morning and my outlook on life has developed into so much more now that this has come around. this is a great thing you’ve started. keep up the good work. (:
what an absolutely marvelous idea! I heard about this on K-Love the other day and just now got a chance to check it out. I have put a sticky pad in my purse so when I’m out I can leave notes. I would like to chekc out the book as well. Awesome job!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am hoping this will “stick” It truly is sad what we were taught to believe about ourselves………and who taught it to us!???? I found you through letterstomybody via PriorFatGirl!!!! Thanks a million! I am starting to feel a little beautiful myself…..
I think this is a great idea…. but….
I’m only in school and (don’t laugh at me) am worried that if I stick a Post-It to the bathroom mirror, I will somehow get into trouble. Does anyone else think this is an issue?
Some schools love it and others do not (most love it). You can always post in other public places if you think your school is too strict!
I read about this amazing project in Womans Day magazine. As I am reading all the postings I am getting teary eyed. This has been a draining week and finding these wonderful comments has been just what I needed. I will be joining in with this inspired group and leaving post-its everywhere starting with my own mirror!
I am a past anorexia who suffers from poor self image to this day at age34 what makes it worse is my daughter who is 9 is asthmatic and has IBS/Functional abdominal pain and is over weight. She has been on steroids since 3months of age. She has been teased at school about her weight and is very self conscious about how she looks. She will talk about not eating to loose weight and read magazines to look for ways to loose weight. My daughter is beautiful, smart and has a heart of gold. Her father and I try to show her all her potential and encourage her to be healthy. I was so excited to hear about this movement and will be using this to help myself, my daughters and women I meet. Thank you for your bravery in speaking out to women to tell them we are all BEAUTIFUL just the way we are.