Last weekend Ben and I headed to the Westin Pasadena for a quick weekend getaway and we had so much fun. I have never spent much time in Pasadena so it was really fun to explore, discover new amazing restaurants and get to know the city. It is so incredibly beautiful and charming and had me wishing we could pack up and move there someday.

One of our favorite things is to travel - and even if we can't go for extended periods (mostly due to Ben's job... but trust me, we would if we could), we always appreciate a vacation, no matter how short. If you are like me and always looking for a fun weekend getaway, you should check out the Westin Weekends program. What I love is that they offer a late 3pm checkout on Sunday and extended breakfast hours all weekend, which allows you to maximize your precious time and feel fully re-energized for the week ahead.

So, if you are heading to Pasadena, here are some of our favorite places we discovered.

For a good cup of coffee, we loved Copa Vida (try the vanilla latte and their delicious berry donut. So good! This place makes for a great afternoon pick-me-up after walking and shopping around Old Pasadena.

For brunch, we popped into Magnolia House (they open at 10am) and it was so incredible. The decor was so on point. To start the day off right, I got the yogurt and granola and Ben got the juevos rancheros - and then the chef brought us out their special shrimp and grits - and it was so sweet and savory. This place is definitely a Pasadena must.

We also went to Lincoln for breakfast and it was such a great spot to eat a yummy breakfast and shop for trinkets. Ben got the breakfast sandwich and I pretty much ate all of it - it was soooo good.

For a quick lunch, we loved Euro Pane Bakery (get the macarons, they are to-die-for). I consider myself something of a macaron aficionado and theirs are super soft and sweet. They are located on Colorado Blvd. - right in all the action on the main shopping drag.

If you are looking for something fun to do, I recommend visiting the Huntington Library, Art Collection and Gardens. We had so much fun walking around the beautiful gardens looking at and smelling all of the beautiful blooms. You can check out their website for a list of what's in bloom.

And for dessert, you can't miss Carmela's for some super creamy ice cream! They have some super yummy and unique flavors, like lavender honey. I am kind of a "plain jane" so I went with the salted caramel and brown sugar vanilla bean in a cone - so good!

Have you guys ever visited Pasadena? Definitely check out the Westin - it's a beautiful property with a great pool for relaxing in the sunshine and feeling rejuvenated. With their Heavenly® Bed you'll feel so refreshed and will never want to get out of bed. It was designed to promote superior slumber - from the crisp 250-thread count sheets to the duvet and plush pillows. So pop open the shutters, order some room service and relax... because you can.