Would it be possible to live without the designer coffee, the Kate Spade bags, the technology that were a part of my everyday existence? Could stripping away some of those items and habits make me appreciate what I have? I created a plan. Each month for one year, I would choose one of my favorite things and give it up, cold turkey, for one month. This would become my year to live better with less.

Like most people, Mary Carlomagno was stressed out, overscheduled, and tripping over the clutter of her days — until she decided to take control and simplify her life. Each month she renounced one thing: alcohol, shopping, elevators, newspapers, cell phones, dining out, television, taxis, coffee, cursing, chocolate, and multitasking. During the course of the year, Mary took stock of her life, discovered what was really important, and gained a deeper appreciation for the world around her.

Give It Up!chronicles Mary's life-changing experiences and provides a commonsense blueprint for anyone looking for a fresh start and a new outlook. It's about simplifying your life, cherishing every moment of it, and celebrating what is truly important.

"Who better than a professional clutter and space control expert to write about doing with less? Serially, during the course of a year, Carlomagno gave up alcohol, newspapers, shopping, dining out, taxis, cell phones and television for one month each. Writing in an easy, anecdotal style, she describes what she gained from each sacrifice. While forsaking alcohol during January, for example, she became aware of the peer pressure to drink. Subsequently, Carlomagno ordered her favorite dirty martini only when she really desired one. In April she ceased her daily reading of the New York Times and found a new appreciation for poetry; she also joined a reading group. A July spent abstaining from TV and videos allowed time for nightly walks, listening to music and completing chores around her apartment — activities that had previously been crammed into the weekend. Carlomagno's reactions to her renunciations, which overall, she feels, enriched her emotionally, make for entertaining reading, although only those who can afford such indulgences as dining out frequently will be able to enjoy the luxury of doing without them. Agent, Marly Rusoff. (On sale Dec. 27)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Would it be possible to live without the designer coffee, the Kate Spade Bags, the technology that was a part of my every day existence? Could stripping away some of those items and habits make me a appreciate what I was so fortunate to have? I created a plan. Each month for one year, I would choose one of my favorite things and give it up cold turkey for one month. This would become my year to live better with less."

Giving It Up approaches the self–improvement, makeover trends from a new angle: improving ourselves from the inside out. For one month each, Mary Carlomagno gives up alcohol, shopping, elevators, newspapers, cell phones, dining out, television, taxis, coffee, cursing, chocolate, and multi–tasking. In doing so, she gains a deeper appreciation for what she has, and for the world around her. Giving It Up is a wake up call to think, to understand, and to enjoy the lives that we live.

For one year, the author gave up one of her favorite things for a month to see if she could live better with less. This is the ultimate makeover, a commonsense blueprint anyone looking for a fresh start can use to kick off the new year.

Mary Carlomagno is the founder of Order, a company that specializes in clutter control, urban apartment solutions, office spaces, and life transitions. Before founding Order, she worked in book publishing and retail. She and her husband live in Hoboken, New Jersey.