A six-month stay in Mexico in 1999 turned into 16 years and counting for VSA Design’s Cheryl “Finn” Finnegan, who says that she was drawn to the “Adventure” of it all. “Mexico is kind of like the Wild West in a New World kind of way,” she says. “I love the lifestyle, and the opportunities it offers.” As she nears the two-decade mark, she has plenty of insider tips for Mexico City.

FAVORITE THING: So many things: the people, the architecture, the food, the art!

LEAST FAVORITE THING: The traffic.

MUST DO: Flea markets — La Lagunilla Market on Sunday; the antique market on Saturday in the Zona Rosa.

MUST SEE: Historical buildings in the centro — the Cathedral, the Bellas Artes, the Post Office building. My favorite museums are the arts & crafts-based Popular Art and the Franz Mayer.

WHERE TO EAT: The Panaderia for breakfast and Rosetta for dinner in Colonia Roma.

WHERE TO CHILL: Friday lunch on the terrace at Contramar; Sunday on the rooftop of the [Condesa] DF Hotel.

BEST STREET STYLE: Walking along Avenida Álvero Obregón in Colonia Roma.

LIFE AS AN AMERICAN IN MEXICO CITY: I’m just a regular person here. Mexico is full of artists and designers. So much creativity. I’m in awe.  

ON MISSING THE U.S.: Whole Foods. And being able to walk into the CFDA office and join in on the fashion affairs.