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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I dropped my iPhone 4 on the track last spring and cracked the screen (I’ll never understand why they make the screens glass). I still haven’t gotten it fixed, and I have another year before I can upgrade. Everyone makes fun of me for having such a trashy phone!
We have an outdated phone, this one would be amazing!!! The camera looks fantastic!
I would love to win this phone for my mom. She’s been itching to upgrade to a smart phone, but hasn’t taken the plunge yet. This would be a great Christmas gift for her!!
I have a feeling my current Iphone is on the verge of death as the screen is starting to freeze up when I go to use it. I am thinking all of the cold weather we’ve been having might have added to the issue 🙁
I’ve heard great things about this phone!
I would so LOVE to win the phone. We were hoping to upgrade me from my current cheap-o phone with the after Christmas sales but this would be fantastic 🙂
my husband has a better phone than I ..so I would like that one
I love taking pictures of my 15 month old and would love a new phone with a new camera to snap even better and more adorable photos 🙂
I tweeted!
Omg I have wanted that phone! I’ve been trying to budget and keep my finances in order and am still using a basic phone. I’ve wanted a Galaxy for so long, but just haven’t been able to afford one! This would be perfect!
I’ve heard such great things about this phone!
I would love to win the phone to take pictures of our new addition coming this spring!
O my gosh how did you know my phone just broke yesterday and I need a new one! Honestly I hadn’t heard of this phone, but after looking at it I love it! This is the best giveaway ever!
I’ve had my iPhone (the 3!!) forever, and have dying for a new phone. I have strongly considered moving away from the iPhone and this phone would be PERFECT. Thanks for such an awesome giveaway!
I would LOVE to win this phone for my mom. She currently has a very old “stupid” phone and this would make for a great Christmas present!
I would love to win this phone! I’m in need of an upgrade and would be so grateful to win!
I would love to win the Samsung Galaxy because my current phone is unreliable! As a college student away from home, I really like to keep in touch with my family as much as possible. A new phone would be a blessing!
This would be an amazing update from my old, dated smartphone!!
I am so excited about this giveaway! I have an ancient phone- yes a flip open and not smart phone- and have been wanting a new phone for quite some time. We don’t have the money for a new one at this time so this would be the perfect Christmas gift for me! Keeping my fingers crossed!
I would love to win this! I would give it to my dad!! 🙂
I definitely would love to love to win this phone for my fiancé! He needs to upgrade to a smart phone!
I tweeted!
My boyfriend recently misplaced the 100 dollar gift card he was going to use to buy a new phone. I’d be the best girlfriend ever if I was able to give him a phone for free 🙂
I would love to win the phone to give to my fiance. He is a longtime Galaxy owner, and his phone is completely on the fritz (shattered screen, bad battery, echoes). We can’t afford a new one right now, so I would love to surprise him with this!
I have the iphone 4 and lately it has been incredibly slow and not working correctly. I am starting a new job next month and could really use a new phone, plus this one is really nice!
Definitely great for my wife, she needs a new fun and this looks awesome!
I do not have a smart phone yet, and would love a new phone!!
I would love to win and share the weazlth with my amazing boyfriend Ryan. He has the worst luck sonI would love to give him the Samsung! Fingers crossed!
I would LOVE a Samsung Galaxy!!! I’m all about Droid and desperately in need of a new phone!!!
My mom could definitely use a new phone!!
I am desperate for a new phone!!
I could definitely use a new phone! My S4 got scratched the week I got it!
I would love to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 because I currently have a Zack Morris phone!!! 🙂
My mother needs a new phone so it would be great if I can give it to her for Christmas!!
I have heard this phone is great! My husband still has not entered the smart phone century. He is more into the fact that his phone is “so old and still working” these days. If I won this phone I would give it to him so I can stop being embarrassed when he brings his phone out in public!! 😉
My iPhone is on its last leg and it would be awesome to win a new phone.
I’d love this phone! I have the Iphone 4 and only because it was free with my plan…it would be great to have something new!
Oh my goodness, how great!! I’d love to try a new phone!
I’d love to with the Samsung Galaxy s4! I traded out my old Samsung (I can’t recall the model) for an iPhone 4 and want my Samsung back! I’d love to win it!
I’d love this phone… Mine is pretty outta date and I’ve cracked the screen :/
My husband really needs this phone. He killed his phone running in an arm pouch. Too much moisture.
I would like to win the phone so that I can give it to my brother for Christmas.
Tweeted too 🙂
I’m in desperate need of a new phone! I have the iPhone 4 that’s right the 4 not even the 4S! The screen is broken and the button doesn’t work!! It is time for a new phone! I’m with Verizon and love it. I would definitely like to stay with them and I’ve heard great things about the Galaxy!!
I’d love to win this phone, I am in desperate need of a new phone and don’t have an upgrade until July!
Omg this is awesome! I would love to win this phone for my Mom! She desperately needs a new one. Putting positive vibes out in to the universe to attract this awesome phone! 🙂
My iphone is about ready to kick the bucket and I’ve already decided that I’m getting a Galaxy. Winning one would be most excellent!
I STILL don’t have a smart phone. Enough reason to want the Samsung Galaxy. And I have heard only good things from my friends about it!
I’d love to get this phone for my mom! She needs a new one and Christmas would be the perfect time!
despite desperately needing a phone upgrade i have heard great things about this phone! it would be a nice upgrade from what i currently have!