• I'm Caitlin! Welcome to my little corner of the blogworld. Nice to meet you! :)
  • A Little About Me…

    My name is Caitlin, and I'm 26 years old. I love running, delicious food, writing, friends, traveling, cold beer, and the great outdoors.

    This blog documents my food and fitness habits as I strive to find balance in my busy life. In September 2009, I resigned from my corporate job to freelance and write a book based on my other blog. I live in Charlotte, North Carolina with my wonderful Husband (who is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine) and two dogs, Maggie and James.

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    Feel free to reach out at caitlinjboyle@gmail.com
  • Training Plan

    I am currently training to run a sub-23:00 5K on September 4, 2010. Check out my Speedy 5K training plan for a summary of my workouts. I'm also training for my second marathon (Thunder Road in Charlotte) on December 11.
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Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 08:39 PM

Operation Beautiful WINNERS!

For the last two weeks, I hosted a submissions contest for my upcoming book, which is based on my other blog, Operation Beautiful.  I received over 200 thoughtful, creative, and amazing entries, which are all now jammed into my Official Book:

IMG_3877

But I can only select 19 notes for prizes.  125 of the notes will be in the book!

 

The 19 prizes include:

 

  • GRAND PRIZE:  A $100 Spafinder.com gift card
  • A variety pack of Glo Bars from Oh She Glows
  • A Stonyfield Farm gift bag
  • A case of POM Wonderful
  • A Superchick CD
  • A pair of Feelgoodz Flip Flops
  • A piece of jewelry from DragonFlie Designs

 

I judged the entries on creativity and uniqueness of the note itself and/or the location of the note.  It was HARD to choose the winners, but here they are….

 

  • Sarah; 19; Richmond, VA:  The GRAND PRIZE winner posted a huge, colorful note on a stop sign pole at a busy intersection.  It’s catchy and unique, and I loved it.
  • Brooke; 18; New York City, NY
  • Christina; 28; Austin, TX
  • Rachel; 19; Denver, CO
  • Janae 24; Denver, CO
  • Kelsey; 26; Denton, TX
  • Mary; 33; Minneapolis, MN
  • Kath; 26; Charlotte, NC
  • Jessica; 18; Boulder, CO
  • Emily; 21; Shreveport, LA
  • Jessica C.; 24; Boston, MA
  • Jessica M.; 25; Massachusetts
  • Sherri; 49; Seattle, WA
  • Emily; 15; Virginia
  • Katie; 24; Baltimore, MD
  • Monica; 26; California
  • Jessica; 20; Beaumont, TX
  • Morgan; 28; Freehold, NJ
  • Amelia; 21; Sandy Hook, KY

 

Unfortunately, I cannot publish the winning notes on the blog – you have to just trust me that they were AMAZING!  :)   Or, you can see them yourself in the book, which comes out in August.  Congrats to the winners (I’ll e-mail you!) and THANK YOU to everyone who entered the book submissions contest.  You’ve helped me pull together what I hope will be an awesome book.

 

In Other News….

 

I’m still sick and started to take antibiotics.  I don’t normally like antibiotics, but I think its necessary this time around.

 

Snacks of the afternoon included some Glo-nola from Angela with Greek yogurt (ohmigod, the granola was awesome):

IMG_3878

And grapes:

IMG_3882

Dinner was quick and easy.  I felt too tired to stand in the kitchen and cook.  I had cous cous, kidney beans, and some green vegetable that I currently cannot recall the name of (help?):

IMG_3887

The cous cous was drenched in this yummy Thai sauce, which was good and I want to try with tofu:

IMG_3886 

Wedding Revisited – Sneak Peek!

 

Remember how we re-took our wedding photographs on Sunday?  A great photographer named Adam Wiggall photographed us, and here is one of the shots!

Caitlin_and_Kristien_013

I’ll put the rest up tomorrow.  I’m so happy with our new pictures!  It feels like my wedding day in those pictures!  :)

 

Hears to hoping I wake up, magically cured of my respiratory sickness and can run.  I need to get in marathon miles!!!

Posted by: Caitlin 67 comments

Posted in: All Posts

67 Comments on “Operation Beautiful WINNERS!”

  1. #1 Jessica
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    they are snap peas dear :)
    I have been thinking and praying for you this week, I just got back to internet world…and it looks like things are ok :)
    Prayer works.

    [Reply]

  2. #2 Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    I had a similar dinner, except sub in oats and mix it all together with cheese :) . Congrats on finding your top notes! The book is going to rock (hard).

    [Reply]

  3. #3 Evan Thomas
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Aww, I wish we could see the winners now, they must be great!
    Feel better soon. I find sleep the best of medicines, but I’m sure that glonola will help bolster your system too :-)

    [Reply]

  4. #4 Lindsay
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Congrats to the winners! I hope you feel better soon! That picture is amazing! I am so happy that you got pictures that you love! I can’t wait to see the rest!

    [Reply]

  5. #5 Marisa (Trim The Fat)
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Congrats to the winners!

    Your pic is GORGEOUS!

    *waving magic wand* Feel better:)

    [Reply]

  6. #6 Kelsey
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    i cant wait until your book is available for purchase! i will be buying when, for sure.
    i love your re-wedding picture! so beautiful and artistic :]

    [Reply]

  7. #7 Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance...after a 100+ POUND weight loss!!!
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Can’t wait to see all the Operation Beautiful submissions in your book next August! =) Also, your wedding picture looks amazing, I am sure the rest are as well. Hope you feel better soon!

    [Reply]

  8. #8 BethT
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    LOVE THE WEDDING PHOTO!!

    Also, if you like curry sauce it’s super easy to make your own (you know, if you’re still feeling like being adventurous and trying new recipes!).

    [Reply]

  9. #9 Amy
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Get well soon! I feel your pain. I have a nasty sinus infection and I’ve been sidelined all week. I finally caved and took antibiotics. I hate taking them, and avoided it till the last minute which is why almost a week and a half later I still feel dizzy and awful. They put me on Bactrim/Septra. What are you taking?

    Amy

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    mine is the generic z-pack? i hope it works!!!

    [Reply]

  10. #10 Julie
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    WOW!!! You guys look gorgeous! It looks like it’s straight from a wedding magazine.

    [Reply]

  11. #11 girlrunningaround
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    I love that Thai curry sauce. But not as much as I love your new wedding shot!!!!

    [Reply]

  12. #12 Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Congratulations to the winners!
    Healthy Eating
    Tasha

    [Reply]

  13. #13 Lee
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Can’t wait to see the winning notes.

    Feel better. Get some rest.

    [Reply]

  14. #14 Estela @ Weekly Bite
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    Congrats to the winners!

    Your wedding photo looks great! Can’t wait to see the rest!

    Hope you feel better!

    [Reply]

  15. #15 Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    It is so awesome to see all the many different places that notes were left! I can’t wait to see the book :)

    I have been wanting to try that curry sauce too, yum. I believe those are sugar snap peas?

    That wedding pic is BEAUTIFUL! Hope you feel better soon!

    [Reply]

  16. #16 AshleyLauren
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    I’m so glad you’re happy with your new pictures! The lighting looks amazing. I think my husband and I need to start saving to have our own re-do, my wedding pictures are so depressing!

    [Reply]

  17. #17 Mary @ Fit this girl
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    YIPPIEE!! I am so excited for this whole post. Thank you, thank you, thank you and I can not WAIT to see the book!!! (the winners are in it?) The wedding picture is SO awesome!! I love it, amazing lighting!! Feel better soon!!

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    yes, you are in it!

    [Reply]

  18. #18 Jac
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    you look beautiful! can’t wait to see the rest!! hope you feel better!

    [Reply]

  19. #19 Emily
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    The picture is gorgeous! I cannot wait to see the rest!

    [Reply]

  20. #20 Island Girl Eats
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    What a beautiful picture. I can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow.

    [Reply]

  21. #21 Madeline @ GreensAndJeans
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    What a great picture! Hope you get to feeling better soon!

    [Reply]

  22. #22 Kristen
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    I think those might be called snow peas?

    [Reply]

  23. #23 Christy
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    cous cous & kidney beans… interesting combo! sounds good!

    [Reply]

  24. #24 maria
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    How amazing for the winners! And your reshoot photo looks gorgeous!!!

    [Reply]

  25. #25 Sarah
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    I literally think I may have just had a premature heart attack – when I saw the title of this post, my heart jumped a little in hopes that my name would be on the list of those 125 selected into the book. My heart then proceeded to FLY OUT OF MY CHEST when I saw that MY NAME was listed as the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!!! I. am. freaking. out. THANK YOU CAITLIN!!! And congratulations to all of the other winners and entries into the book! YOU are beautiful :) :):):)

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    seriously, you had a great entry. i hope you enjoy your gift certificate – i will email you tomororw!

    [Reply]

  26. #26 Ris
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    Feel better! And the photo is absolutely gorgeous!!!

    [Reply]

  27. #27 Morgan
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    Gorgeous picture, can’t wait to see more!
    So excited I won and honored to be a part of Operation Beautiful!

    [Reply]

  28. #28 Jenna
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:11 pm

    great pic! can’t wait to see more :)
    jenna

    [Reply]

  29. #29 Susan
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    That photo = epic. I love it!!

    Rest up my dear!

    [Reply]

  30. #30 Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    OMG I LOVE the wedding pics so far!!

    [Reply]

  31. #31 Wendy
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    Can’t wait to see the rest of the “wedding” pics!

    I struggled with sinus infections last Jan/Feb in the midst of training for my first half marathon. One round of antibiotics I started on a Friday a.m. and felt like a whole new person for a long run the next a.m. I try to avoid antibiotics, too, but sometimes they’re what your body NEEDS to heal!! Hope you feel better quick!

    [Reply]

  32. #32 Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    The wedding picture looks awesome-I can’t wait to see the rest of them!!

    [Reply]

  33. #33 One Healthy Apple
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    You look amazing in that picture and you two look really happy!

    Get some rest and feel better!

    [Reply]

  34. #34 Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    The wedding picture looks beautiful!!

    I cannot wait for your book to come out :-)

    [Reply]

  35. #35 EatingRD
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    Congrats on your book!! Yay for new and improved wedding pictures :) I sure hope you get to feeling better soon.

    [Reply]

  36. #36 Sara
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    Congrats to all the winners!!! And what a beautiful picture :)

    [Reply]

  37. #37 Kristine
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    hooray to all the winners! hope you feel better! and i cant wait to see more of your new wedding pictures!

    [Reply]

  38. #38 LindsayRuns
    on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    Oh your picture makes me want to pull my dress out of fancy smantsy drycleaned forever storage and redo my pictures! Mine are ok, (and I should be getting my album any day, nevermind we are at month 20?) but I want AMAZING ones like I can tell your new ones are!

    [Reply]

  39. #39 Molly @vegandorm
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 am

    wow, the colors in that photo are beautiful!! (and so are you, of course!)
    when you asked about the sugar-snap peas, i was like “well, duh!….wait, what are they called?” haha…it’s just one of those days.

    [Reply]

  40. #40 Amy
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 am

    That picture looks like an advertisement for something very posh – it’s gorgeous!

    [Reply]

  41. #41 hillary
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 2:07 am

    i have been a reader for a while, and never really commented before, but it seems like everyone is sick! have you ever heard of a neti pot? i NEVER get sick and hate antibiotics, but got a horrible cold and knew i had a sinus infection. someone told me about the netipot, and it worked SO well, it cleared up my infection in 2 days! hope you feel better! :)

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    i have not heard of netipot, i just googled it and it looks cool, though!

    [Reply]

  42. #42 Lara (Thinspired)
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 am

    That photo honestly looks like something you would see in the ads of In Style or something across a two-page layout! You’re kind of inspiring me to re-shoot my own wedding photos, actually. I didn’t like mine either, but never liked the idea of re-creating them because I knew it wouldn’t be “the day,” but they are just as beautiful hte second time around!

    [Reply]

  43. #43 Diana
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 am

    Congrats to the winners! :)
    Oh I like the photo of the “wedding”! Can’t wait to see the others eheh

    I hope you feel better soon!

    [Reply]

  44. #44 Jenny Eastwood@ JennyLikesToRun, On a mission to run a marathon to fundraise for The Breast Cancer Foundation
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 am

    Oh my gosh the “wedding” photo looks so incredible! I really can’t wait to see more :D
    Looks like you really did pick the right photographer. He did a fabulous job in that photo.

    I love Granola and Yoghurt!
    In fact, RIGHT NOW I am going to go make some more granola and mix up some yoghurt.
    YUMMY!

    [Reply]

  45. #45 Lauren @ Dragonflies Journey
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:39 am

    SUGAR SNAP PEAS! That’s the green veggie. And your photo is absolutely stunning. Much more artistic than the others. Even though I was at your wedding and found your photos gorgeous, this one just gets me more excited to see the new ones more.

    [Reply]

  46. #46 Emily Eats and Exercises
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:59 am

    Exciting to hear all about your book-writing progress. I’m glad you got so many great entries! I’ll have to try that curry sauce. Plus you always make kidney beans look so good – I never know what to do with those.

    [Reply]

  47. #47 Neely
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 am

    Caitlin,

    Rad photo!! Loves it…

    So, I have to ask since no one else did yesterday… am I the only one seeing some kind of danger in posting an eye-catching Op Beuatiful note “at a stop sign pole at a busy intersection?” Lol. Maybe I am not picturing this correctly.

    Regardless, have a great Friday! Do you get to make up your Anatomy test? I am glad you are not in my class my guy doesn’t allow make-ups no matter what. Pretty harsh.

    TGIF!

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    naw, its safe. i promise. :)

    [Reply]

  48. #48 Neely
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 am

    *beautiful*

    [Reply]

  49. #49 Jessica (A Fete for Food)
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:10 am

    That wedding picture reminds me of two superheroes ready to conquer the world!! How appropriate!

    Thanks for choosing my note for the book. Keep up the great work Caitlin!

    [Reply]

  50. #50 Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 am

    awww, gorgeous wedding pic! can’t wait to see the others :O)

    [Reply]

  51. #51 Cady
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Beautiful wedding pictures! Seriously, those are exactly what I want mine to look like.

    Also, I’m not sure if you were eating non-dairy yogurt, but you should be! Lots of antibiotics will make you sick to your stomach if you eat them with dairy, and Z-Pak especially did so to me. Don’t want you to feel worse than you need to!

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    you know what, my mom told me that, too! i didnt feel sick to my stomach yesterday but i will stay aware of my dairy intake today. i pretty much have a stomach of steel, though. :)

    [Reply]

  52. #52 Tina
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:46 am

    That’s such a fierce picture! I love it.

    Mmm yellow curry is so good. I bet that would be awesome with tofu. I got a pineapple yellow curry at a Thai place one, so maybe try adding pineapple! It was amazing.

    [Reply]

  53. #53 Brooke
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 am

    OMG I AM SOOO EXCITED!!!! YAAAYYYY happy days!!!! I can’t wait for the book to come out and see everyone else’s entries all over the world!!! WOOPWOOP thanks so much Caitlin!!! :D

    [Reply]

  54. #54 Rose
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Beautiful wedding shot!

    Congrats to the winners!

    [Reply]

  55. #55 Tammy
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 am

    ooo..wish I could have won, those prizes sound awesome! The wedding pics are great! Oh, and I’m sure you are probably getting tons of advive while being sick, but I have found that if I take my Emergen-C (Vit C packets) every 6 hours for a few days, it really helps my immune system recover so much faster!

    [Reply]

  56. #56 alli
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    i agree with the netipot. i’ve seen it on oprah once when dr. oz was on, and just last week he had it on his show :)
    i always steer away from dairy when i’m sick, i tend to have extra mucus around if i eat it while sick. one thing that helped me when i was sick last year was i drank a lot of fresh squeezed oj. at least a few glasses a day! and of course-sleep!
    good luck!
    also, that picture is amazing! great job at staying healthy and fit!

    [Reply]

  57. #57 Sarah
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Can’t wait for the book! I especially can’t wait to see all of the winning submissions.

    On a side note (in case your doctor didn’t tell you or you weren’t already aware) – Antibiotics have a reverse effect on birth control. I know a couple of people who were never told this when they got a prescription and well….. oops!

    Hope you feel better soon!

    [Reply]

    Caitlin Reply:

    ive heard that before but its definitely something ALL women should now.

    anyway, ive been banned from sex for two weeks. how much suck? the doctor asked if i would live and i said ‘i dont know’ and she rolled her eyes. LOL

    [Reply]

  58. #58 What a beautiful glow! - Kelsey Toney
    on Nov 8th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    [...] been selected and I was even more excited to find that I was also selected by Caitlin as one of the 19 prize winners too! I can not WAIT for the book to come out, and for you my readers and friends to see my [...]

  59. #59 janae
    on Nov 12th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    I’m so excited to be apart of the your book! Thank you for making a difference in this world :) The Stonyfield Farm gift bag prize is amazingly cute! P.S. love the new pic!

    [Reply]

  60. #60 janae
    on Nov 12th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    lol please don’t read the “the” in between “of” and “your” stated above… i’m still half asleep!

    [Reply]

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