Miranda Shaffer

Hey I'm Miranda, a journalism student from Auburn University with a love for food, travel, and adventure. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and like every kid I had big dreams of being things like an astronaut, a marine biologist and even a professional pastry chef. However, the most difficult thing for me was the fact that I was interested in too many things and the choice of what was best seemed impossible. This is how I came to Journalism, the perfect profession for those of us who love so many things and want the opportunity to explore and tell stories about all of them. So that's what I am, a storyteller and a lover of life that can't wait for the next piece of news to share with the world.

Good Grit Magazine •

Lake Meets Luxury: Welcome to the Ritz Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee —

When it comes to activities, this resort has everything you could want, from paddle boards to kayaks, canoes to jet-skis, boat rentals to floating slides, and water mats to lake tours. There is even a new lake experience adults can take advantage of–the opportunity to rent your own tiki boat with bar aboard. It’s a great choice for the 21+ crowd who want to go out with friends to listen to music, drink, and have a no-stress good time. If you’d rather relax on the shore instead of in the water,
Good Grit Magazine •

Georgia's Best Kept Secret: The Golden Isles —

St. Simons Island The largest barrier island in the Golden Isles, St. Simons, offers a pristine landscape creating an ideal getaway. Spend the day biking on East Beach, fishing at Gould’s Inlet, or playing fetch with your dog in the surf. Then, spend the evening walking along the beach during the gorgeous sunset. You can also enjoy a wide variety of charming shops and restaurants in town. Featured in Southern Living’s list of “Best Vacation Spot in Every Southern State” and Trip Advisor’s “17 B
Good Grit Magazine •

Pete Prevost's Pipe Dream —

Pete moved to Nashville to make his living in the music industry, and there he met his fellow band-mate, Dan, who also had a real love for pipes. They decided it would be a fun idea to try to make their own pipe, so they ordered a pipe kit online. They had no idea that it was the beginning of a journey. Pete immediately dove into his kit. When he showed up at the bus to head back on tour, Dan still had his kit and Pete had a finished pipe. He was hooked, and he continued to make pipes on his ow
Good Grit Magazine •

Get Rowdy at Railbird

Get ready to plan your next summer excursion to Lexington, Kentucky, because the hottest new music festival to hit the summer circuit is coming to you this August. Railbird is making its grand debut at Lexington’s Keeneland Race Course, but you can expect more than just your average music festival from this event. If live music, delicious culinary creations, bourbon tastings, and beautiful horse country tours sound like your cup of tea you won’t want to miss this. Along with an exciting musical
The Auburn Plainsman •

Senior visits, stays in Taco Bell Hotel

When she heard there was going to be an entire hotel centered around her fast food obsession, she knew she had to go. “I eat there multiple times a week and sometimes twice a day,” Elrod said. Allison Elrod is a senior at Auburn University in interior design, but something not everyone would guess is how much she loves Taco Bell. Getting a room was no easy feat, Elrod said, as the hotel was only running for four days with around 80 rooms, and reservations booked up almost instantly once the w
The Auburn Plainsman •

Downtown coffee shop showcases bands

An Open Mic Night might sound reminiscent of karaoke amateur hour, but thanks to Elephant Barn Productions, a local Auburn grad-run business, the talent lined up for these events will be nothing less than spectacular entertainment. Coffee shops and live music go together like cheese and fine wine, a wonderful age-old combination that just makes sense, and students won’t have to look far to find this experience as Auburn’s very own Coffee Cat is starting a new monthly Open Mic Night that will pl
Good Grit Magazine •

More Than A Night's Sleep: The Umstead

Make sure not to fill up too much on tea, however, because you are not going to want to miss out on dinner at Herons, the hotel’s Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond signature restaurant. Herons is one out of only 41 restaurants in the world to hold the title of Forbes Five Star and was awarded restaurant of the year for the second time in 2019. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the intimate dining room offers a full-view kitchen, original artwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows with beautiful
Good Grit Magazine •

Sipping on Summer

• None Combine Seersucker Grapefruit Gin, grapefruit juice and grenadine in a shaker and shake well Seersucker’s Southern Style Gin focuses on creating a refreshing flavor profile for your palate with their balance of citrus, juniper, and other complementary herbs. Gin doesn’t have to be intimidating with Seersucker’s new grapefruit flavor. Whether you enjoy it simply over ice or use it to amp up your favorite summer cocktail you can’t go wrong with this sweet and sour summer spirit.
Good Grit Magazine •

Stay Cool For The Summer: Lone Star Court Poptail Recipes

Words by Miranda Shaffer Recipes by Jeff Partridge Photo by Hayden Walker When reminiscing on childhood summers, one memory that most people share is having an ice-cold popsicle after a long day in the hot sun. Summer is upon us once again, and now you can beat the heat with an adult version of that iconic childhood treat–a boozy poptail. Austin’s retro-ranch boutique hotel, Lone Star Court, shared its recipes for a new mix between a popsicle and cocktail, featuring fresh, bright flavors per
The Auburn Plainsman •

Dumps Like A Truck: Local food truck serves community in more ways than just bao

Dykes runs the business side of things and is more or less the face of the restaurant, always there to greet each new guest with a wide smile and welcome back regulars like family. For those wondering what bao is, Whitley Dykes and his wife Kunyu Li are here to tell you all about it. These two are the sole owners of the food truck and recent storefront that focuses on making the fluffy, traditional Chinese steamed buns. Li is the mastermind behind everything that comes out of the kitchen, from
The Auburn Plainsman •

Students open pop-up shop in bringing vintage clothing to Auburn

There has been an emergence of thrifting and vintage clothing sales in recent years as this generation has become one that loves throwback styles from the ‘60s through the ‘90s. Atelier, a vintage clothing store, is bringing the people of Auburn a variety of the throwback looks they want without having to put in the effort of searching hopelessly through an unorganized thrift store for a lucky find. The idea for this business was born in Wetumpka, Alabama, when three high school friends with a p
The Auburn Plainsman •

The evolution behind the term pretty

Pretty is one of those undefinable words society has always used to describe things such as a pretty flower or a pretty woman. However, what is seen as pretty constantly changes based on societal norms, beauty trends and even just time itself. Beauty is defined as “a pleasing quality associated with appearance that arouses a strong, contemplative delight,” according to an article published in the Auburn University’s Glomerata in 1984. The key to this definition of beauty lies in the word “appear
The Auburn Plainsman •

What’s in your bowl?

Acai bowls have become the newest trend to try with stores popping up all over within the past few years in response to the demand for those fruity vibrant bowls.  This new superfood was quickly adopted into the millennial must-haves with its proclaimed health benefits, ice cream-like taste and highly Instagrammable quality. The superfood also came with claims that it could help with weight loss, skin problems and many other unfounded theories.  The bowls have even made their way onto Auburn’s
The Auburn Plainsman •

Custom, retro denim handmade on The Plains by student

Lilly Pittman Designs is the brain child of Auburn University student Lilly Pittman, sophomore with a double major in graphic design and apparel design. Don’t worry about walking down the street and seeing someone else wearing an identical Lilly Pittman Designs jacket because every piece is hand painted to be one of a kind. “I’m influenced by a lot of decades,” Pittman said. “I love the ‘60s, ‘70s and the hippie vibe, which a lot of people tell me I dress like a hippie.” Pittman’s personal st
The Auburn Plainsman •

Auburn Theater connects with community through 'Acts of Kindness'

Last year’s theme reflected the state through celebrating 125 years of women at the University. This season’s theme, Acts of Kindness, was inspired by a quote by the famous lost pilot Amelia Earhart. Next year marks the 200th birthday of the state of Alabama, and Auburn’s theater department has been celebrating this upcoming event through themes that are an ode to the state. This is the 105th season of theater at Auburn and the second year out of a three-year celebration for the bicentennial.
The Auburn Plainsman •

Auburn couples share date ideas around the city

When living on a college campus and budget, students know that it can be difficult to think of good dates to impress that special someone.  However, students should not stress too much about their love lives because Auburn, Alabama, happens to be home to a trove of date spots that students can only experience right here on the Plains. Rietta Bolus, a senior in education at the University, said she and her boyfriend like to take walks by Cater Hall and relax at on the porch rocking chairs. This
The Auburn Plainsman •

The Brook & The Bluff: four guys, one sound

The name came from where Settine and Bolton were born and raised. Settine was born in Birmingham’s neighborhood Bluff Park, and Bolton was born in the Mountain Brook neighborhood. This band’s journey began at Auburn University, when the band’s songwriter and lead singer Joseph Settine and guitarist Alec Bolton decided to start a cover band that played at venues around the Auburn area. People pile into an empty room, lights dim and anticipation rises as four guys huddle together, ready to step
The Auburn Plainsman •

Citizen organization seeks to support, recognize police

A new nonprofit organization called Concerned Citizens Organized for Police Support sought to build more respect for police by recognizing three officers at the Auburn City Council meeting Feb. 26. The Kiwanis Club created the organization as a way for citizens to be able to better recognize and respect police in their area. “We need to be able to support police and all that they do,” said Jack Galassini, a Kiwanis Club member. The plan originally launched in Montgomery in the summer of 2018 bu
The Auburn Plainsman •

More than puppy love: working for the Lee County Humane Society

Working at the Lee County Humane Society may seem like the job of a lifetime for all the animal lovers out there. However, working there isn’t all puppy licks and petting kittens. Most of the animals coming in are either being dropped off by someone who didn’t want them, picked up by animal control or coming from an accidental litter. “The shelter itself doesn’t have a lot of money, so we do what we can for the animals, but a lot of them come in needing medical treatment we can’t afford,” said J
The Auburn Plainsman •

Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch brings fall to Auburn

About 15 minutes up Wire road from Auburn’s campus lies Farmer in the Dell, a quaint pumpkin patch that has quickly become the go-to location for students to visit with friends to ride the hayride, walk the corn maze and pick a pumpkin each fall.  The farm is family friendly with all activities being enjoyed by both young and old visitors. The farm offers a short hayride which takes people to and from the main pumpkin patch area. For others wanting to walk and take in the scenery, the pumpkins a
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