"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.