The following post is sponsored by FitFluential, LLC on behalf of Verizon Wireless. (And it features a seriously rockin’ giveaway!!!)
Lunch at Stella’s Modern Pantry
Today is flyin’ by!
After I published my morning blog post, I headed out the door for a quick workout before I had to train a client and attend a lunch meeting for the Taste of Ocala. I wish I had time to shower in between, but hopefully the patrons at Stella’s Modern Pantry can forgive me for showing up looking a little worse for wear.
I’ve popped into Stella’s a time or two before, but just to browse around their eclectic kitchenware and gourmet food products. This was my first time dining at the casual restaurant and I was really impressed with the food.
I ordered the salad of the day that came with pine nuts, fresh Parmesan, roasted peppers, marinated onions, olives and sundried tomatoes. It was fantastic!
I also had a cup of mint tea because it was quite chilly inside.
Our meeting lasted a little less than two hours and then I took some time to browse around before driving home. Stella’s always has such fun stuff and I figured I might be able to find something for Christmas for the hard-to-buy-for people in my life.
My friend Jennie and I thought these Rewind candles smelled fantastic.
I love that they are made with recycled wine bottles. Too cool, huh!? (They also come with a hefty price tag.)
I ended up leaving empty handed but I have a few gift ideas in the back of my mind that I may go back for at some point this weekend.
Once I said goodbye to everyone, I headed home to type up this afternoon blog post which includes one heck of an amazing giveaway.
Are you guys ready for this!?
Yes, that is a brand new Samsung Galaxy S4!!!
I am pretty sure this is one of the most valuable – if not the most valuable – giveaways ever offered on PBF. I am so, so, so thrilled to be able to feature this on the blog today!
Verizon Edge
This amazing giveaway is possible thanks to a campaign with FitFluential and Verizon Wireless. I am honored to be able to offer this giveaway – especially right in the middle of the holiday season!
After I applied to be a part of this campaign, I received a bunch of information about Verizon, who has been my service provider ever since I had a cell phone. One of the most recent developments within the company is the new Verizon Edge program.
Verizon Edge allows you to get a new Verizon phone this year, and every year after that with no upgrade fees and no long-term service contract.
Here are the highlights of Verizon Edge:
- First, pick a phone! The full retail price of the phone you select is split into 24 monthly payments, and added to your usual monthly bill.
- Use your phone for six months and, with at least 50 percent of your phone’s price paid off, you are now eligible to upgrade. you’re eligible for upgrades
- Now you can “edge up” and trade in your existing phone for a new one.
One question I asked was whether or not you had to stick to a certain brand and the answer is no! You can choose an Apple iPhone and use it for six months and then “edge up” to the Samsung Galaxy S4 the next time if you want to try something new.
iPhone 5s
Another development within Verizon that I’m sure many of you already know all about is the launch of the Apple iPhone 5s and 5c. I recently upgraded to the 5s and have been incredibly impressed with the quality of the camera.
Of course Sadie is my number one photography subject.
That picture, as well as all of the pictures from my lunch featured in the beginning of this blog post were taken with my iPhone 5s and were not edited in any way.
I love the camera and can absolutely tell a difference in the quality of my photos from the original iPhone 5. The new phone has a slightly larger sensor (1/3 vs 1/3.2 inch) and seems to produce better images in very bright lighting. I’ve also noticed that it seems to snap photos faster which is key for photographing moving subjects like Sadie (or me on a wedding dance floor).
So now let’s move on to the part of this post I am sure you’re all most excited about… The giveaway!!!
Samsung Galaxy S4
One PBF reader will have the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone, equipped with a 13–megapixel, premium point–and–shoot camera and 5–inch full HD display!
There are two ways to enter this giveaway:
1. Comment below telling me why you want to win the Samsung Galaxy S4
2. Tweet some variation of the following: Hoping to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 from @PBFingers and @verizonwireless!!! #vzwff <— Don’t forget to leave a separate comment below, letting me know that you tweeted so I can be sure to count your tweet!
A winner will be randomly selected on Friday.
Twitter Chat Tonight
Verizon and FitFluential will be giving away another Samsung Galaxy S4 tonight! Be sure to check out the Twitter chat this evening at 9 p.m. EST, using the hashtag #VZWFF. Every single hashtagged tweet that goes live during the chat has a chance to win the Samsung Galaxy S4!
P.S. For those of you in the market for a new tablet, Verizon also has a promo on their 4G LTE tablets right now. You can get $100 off any 4G LTE tablet with a two-year activation.
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Embarrassingly, I am still using one of those early version flip phones…….. I’d love to be able to join the world of modern technology! 🙂
I love Samsung phones. They’ve always been the best ones in my opinion. I’d love to win one!
I tweeted!
My husband recently upgraded to his first smartphone…and it’s not great. It would be so amazing to give him the Galaxy!
I really want to win because both my kids are asking for cell phones and if would love to have one paid for 🙂
My husband’s phone just broke! I’d love to give him the S4 for Christmas!
I don’t even have internet on my phone! I obviously need an intervention!!
I’ve heard great reviews about this phone and really debated between it and my iPhone 5 so I would love to check it out! Plus I could use it as a Christmas present for the boyfriend!
I would LOVE to win because my phone is falling apart!
Posted the tweet!
I want to win to give it to my boyfriend.. He desperately needs an upgrade to a new phone!!
I would LOVE to have the S4! I haven’t been able to afford a new phone because we put almost every dollar back into our business and my current phone has been giving me nothing but grief lately. It would make my Christmas to win this giveaway. 🙂
Bec
I would love to give this to my mom!! she really wants a new phone and she would LOVE this! 🙂 thanks!!
I have been thinking about getting a new phonevandbi have heard wonderful things about the Samsung galaxy S4!!
I also tweeted!!
Given the number of comments, I doubt I have much of chance, but I’ll still give it a try! I’d love to give the Samsung Galaxy S4 to my boyfriend. I wanted to get him something special this Christmas so I searched for an antique cookie jar he had growing up, I ended up receiving it but it had paint chips and cracks so I had to return it. Now my Christmas present to him is pretty lame, but the Samsung Galaxy S4 happens to be the next phone he wants. I’d love the be the best girlfriend ever and be able to give it to him, he is the love of my life 🙂
I would love to give my mom the cell phone. She is really in need of a new one!
Because my daughter chewed my S3 and scratched the camera lens!!!!!
Bc I still have a flip phone!
For my sweet stepdaughter whose smartphone screen was shattered (by accident) by one of her friends..she’s not due for an upgrade so this would be a WONDERFUL surprise for her…
I still have an old, blue slide phone from Verizon. It doesn’t even have Internet! I have been looking to get a smart phone, and would be beyond excited to finally join the 21st century… 🙂
My husband needs a new phone I would love to be able to give him this!
My current phone is okay but I would love a modern up-to-date phone that can take pictures & I can put apps on it!
I would love this, I’m in need of an upgrade!
I’ve heard great reviews about the Galaxy 4 and really debated between it and my iPhone 5 so I would love to check it out!
I would love to get this one for my husband! He always lets me have the great phone at upgrade time and he always takes the not so great one.
I heard the samsung galaxy phones have amazing cameras too so that would be awesome to win one!
I’d love this phone because my iPhone has been less than stellar. Would be fabulous to have a new phone!
I tweeted… https://twitter.com/ironann10/status/413494587890495488
wow what an amazing giveaway!
I’d like to win the Galaxy S4 because I need a smartphone upgrade!
Pick have so many friends that love their Galaxy I would love to try one!
I’m hoping to switch to my own plan soon.. having the phone already would make that MUCH easier.
I also tweeted @amandab_23 🙂
because kath was just telling me why the samsung was the best phone ever!
I would love one of these!! I do a LOT on my phone and this would be amazing for my productivity!!
I got my hubby a smartphone for last Christmas …. and he’s had SO many issues with it! I’d love to give him the Galaxy S4 for THIS Christmas!
I would love to win this phone because I don’t have a smartphone yet and I need one 🙂 Thank you.
I tweeted about the giveaway too!
Would love to surprise my son with a the Samsung phone for xmas. He is 23 and has never had a smartphone – need to bring him into the real world!
https://twitter.com/kelseylap/status/413497782364696576
I tweeted!
I recently cracked and dropped my phone… needless to say its seen better days. Have read lots of good things about the galazy
Oh YES PLEASE!! I would love love love a new phone since my screen is cracked! My fingers and toes are crossed!
My phone is looking a little ruff! A new Galaxy S4 would be a fantastic upgrade!!
I’ve had the iPhone 4S for a while now, and while its okay, I would love a new phone. As a college student (who is applying also to grad school) money is tight, so it’d be great to win a new phone!!
I’m really interested in the larger (but not too large) screen. It seems like it would be perfect for browsing the internet and watching videos.
If I win this phone I would give it to my mom. Her phone is very old and she can’t afford a swanky new one, and she deserves to have something nice. This would make her and my Christmas bright to win this
I hate my iPhone…so this would be great!
My friend just got this phone and it’s awesome! Would love to win this. It takes great pics.