Take your morning or evening runs to the Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail, a beautiful escape from stresses of everyday life.

The Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail is a small part of a larger trail system throughout Fairfax County. This trail is approximately 3 miles long with roughly the same distance in auxiliary trails. While these paths are paved, too, what you're getting is a beautiful view of the local flora and fauna with some stream crossings, as well.

This trail is perfect for a nice stroll or jog. You could even bike or take your dog along for a peaceful walk. If you're environmentally conscious, consider bringing along a bag and some gloves to help keep the path clear of trash. Everyone should be able to enjoy this beautiful path that's so close to home.

Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail
Town of Herndon Line
Herndon, VA 20170
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trailmap-sugarlandrunsv.htm

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr TESFox

If you’re a coffee fan who takes the home brew very seriously, you’re likely always on the hunt for new kinds of coffeemakers. These four tried-and-true options are longtime favorites of coffee lovers around the world, and best of all, they’re just as beautiful as they are functional.

1. The French Press. The class French press is a favorite for more than just the delicious coffee it produces. With its tall, cylindrical shape, elegant handle and its plunger at the top, this simple coffeemaker is also one of the most attractive. Modern versions come in stainless steel styles, geometric shapes and even eye-catching colors.
2. The Pour-Over. Many high-class cafes are adding pour-over brews to their menus, and you can create the same strong cup of coffee at home with an affordable pour-over dripper. These feature a triangular shape that fits a special filter right inside, and they’re often made of natural ceramic.
3. The Turkish Coffee Pot. Brass Turkish coffee pots look very elegant, and their long, angled handles are decorated with ornate designs that add an eclectic look to your stovetop.
4. The Stovetop Espresso Maker. Even the cappuccino fan can get in on the decorative coffeemaker action. Stainless steel stovetop espresso makers are common throughout European households, and they look truly charming sitting on your stove.

The Best Coffeemakers [Real Simple]
10 Pretty Coffeemakers for the Perfect Cup [Refinery 29]
10 Museum-Worthy Coffee Designs for Your Kitchen [Thrillist]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Jayson Leow

While you may not be able to pull off a full kitchen renovation in your rental, you can make the space function better for your needs by crafting up a few simple projects. Here are just three useful DIY projects that will improve your kitchen space and help make it your own.

Dip-Dye Wooden Spoons [housebeautiful.com]
Looking to add more color to your kitchen without going overboard? This simple tutorial will add rainbow hues to your wooden kitchen utensils, and best of all, it takes less than an hour to complete. Store them upside down in a large ceramic jar to show off their fun new makeover.

Additional Cabinet Storage [lifehacker.com]
If the items in your kitchen cabinets are always stacked precariously on top of one another, you could likely benefit from additional storage. Add a tension rod for additional storage, or add a classic Lazy Susan so that you can reach things like spices and small jars with ease.

Cutting Board Tablet Stand [countryliving.com]
If you frequently use your iPad or other tablet to look up recipes or listen to music in the kitchen, keep it protected by creating your own stand out of an old cutting board. Simply attach a wooden Scrabble tile stand to the bottom to hold up the tablet, then prop up the entire cutting board using an old door stop on the back.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr VasenkaPhotography