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.
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I need a new phone terribly! I’d love to win!!
My iPhone is only a couple years old, but it looks like it was from the stone age (haha. ha.).
Oh my goodness, PERFECT timing! I recently just broke my phone and am in need of a replacement 🙂 I’ve always been more of an Android girl, although I’ve had an iPhone before. A lot of my friends have the Samsung Galaxy S4, and I’ve always wanted to try it out- it seems to take really good pictures, and I love a big screen!
I would love to win the Galaxy S4 because I’ve heard AH-mazing things about it. Several of my friends have S4s and they can’t stop raving about them. I think I’m most impressed with its camera. It takes awesome photos.
Julie-
Where did you get your adorable cover? I’ve been looking for one that is stylish, affordable, AND very protective. I bought a Spigen cover, which is nice but I love your chevron. 🙂
My sister has had the same cell phone for almost 5 years and it barely functions, I would definitely give it to her as a xmas gift if I won!
I’m in serious need of an upgrade – and I’m a loyal Verizon customer!
My current cell phone has seen it’s better days! Haha, I’m pretty sure it’s going to die any day now! I would love to win this phone!
I’ve had an Iphone 4 for about 3 years and I’m sick of the apple family:)
I tweeted the giveaway https://twitter.com/Juliene1/status/413421919799500800
After 2+ years of my iphone 4, the battery is wearing out and I’m looking for a change! I’d love to try out a Samsung Galaxy!
I would love to win because I hate my phone, it barely works and I’m too cheap to buy a new one. 🙂
What an awesome giveaway!!! I need to update from my iPhone 4 so bad but don’t know what to pick! This would be such a fun prize to win!
I would absolutely love to win this new phone! I’m a huge fan of technology and love the awesome features it has.
I also tweeted! @stefinabluebox
My phone is 4 years old and no longer wants to hold a battery!!
My mom desperately needs a new phone but can’t afford one right now. This would be the perfect Christmas gift!
I have a Samsung S4 already and would love to win one for my husband! I love it!!
I tweeted too! 😀 @kcgrl1124
This giveaway is great. My poor hubby is waiting to get his upgrade in April. He has no storage left, the camera is barely working and in general his phone is pretty beat up. This would make his day!
I still use a blackberry …or is it ? In any case, a new phone would be super cool!
So, I put the words “wonk wonk” in there, and it was DENIED! How about “I use a blackberry…..I need a COOL phone!” 🙂
I would love to win this phone because my iPhone is a fossil!!!! 🙂
Would be a perfect gift!!
My husband’s phone was $ .99 at the time of his last upgrade and I can’t hear anything he says when we are on the phone. I would love to win it for him!
I tweeted! @NV1019
I would give the samsung galaxy to my Dad for Christmas!!!
I would absolutely love to win that phone! My mom gives all she has to my brother and I and never thinks of herself and it would be amazing if she could wake up to a new phone on Christmas!
I would love to win one of these awesome phones. I live in Memphis, TN and Verizon is definitely the best carrier for the coverage area. I have an Apple 4s that is three years old, and I would love to upgrade. The Verizon Edge program sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out.
I don’t have a smartphone, so I would love to win one!
haha i don’t have a smartphone…can’t even send picture messages! i need a maaajor upgrade. 🙂
https://twitter.com/lilysykora/status/413423096180113409
I tweeted!
I have heard great things about the S4 and would LOVE to have one to take better pictures of my sweet 3 month old daughter because let’s be honest most pictures are taken with my celp phone.
I don’t have a smartphone so this would be great!
My husband is in dire need of a new phone – would love to give him the Galaxy S4!!!
My boyfriend’s home button on his phone just stopped working yesterday! It would be a fabulous christmas present!!
I would love to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 because it would be a great present for my brother! He needs a new phone and with raising 3 boys on his own its not in the budget 🙂
What an amazing giveaway! I would love to win a Galaxy S4 to replace my Droid Incredible. The 13 MP camera would be such an exciting upgrade since I take all my pictures with my phone!
I would love a new phone!! My dog got a hold of mine and I’ve been using mine with a cracked screen for quite some time now 🙂
I would love to win this phone!! I would give it to my boyfriend who has yet to enter the smart phone world 🙂
I tweeted about this giveaway!
I’d love to win because I don’t have a phone!
I would love to win the Galaxy S4! I have the Galaxy S2 currently and really like it, but I’ve heard that the S4 is so much better! This would be a great Christmas present:)
I would LOVE to win this for my boyfriend. His iphone 4 is woefully past it’s expiration date, but he won’t replace it until it no longer works. I’m an apple gal, have the iphone 5s as well, but he’s been looking at the galaxy for awhile as his potential next phone.
I have been a Verizon customer since I received a cell phone! I would love to win the Samsung Galaxy S4! My boyfriend needs a new phone and I almost bought this for him for Christmas. It would be a great surprise!
I would love to win! I’m trying to convince my dad to get a smart phone, and I’m pretty sure he can’t turn down one that I won!
I’ve been using the same phone for 3 years now and am in desperate need of an upgrade! The Samsung Galaxy S4 would be perfect!
I’d love to win. I still have an iphone 4 and its on its last leg!
I would LOVE to win the Galaxy S4! My hubby’s birthday is on 12/20, so this time of year gets kind of expensive. He has been specifically eyeing the S4, so it would make the perfect gift. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve always been curious about the Samsung line. This sounds like a great opportunity to give that brand a try!
I love this phone. I really need a new phone. I still have a dumb phone but I am being a good Mom this Christmas and upgrading my kids to smartphones while I still have a dumb phone. Love your blog. Makes me smile when I see the email come through showing you posted a new entry.