To get to know Carmen a little better, we asked her a few questions.

What do you love most about KC?

I love what small business owners have cultivated over decades all over the city. In every neighborhood, you can find irreplaceable gems where people in-the-know will welcome you with open arms.

What's your favorite thing about Kansas Citians?

Those small business owners and patrons of city staples I mentioned above? Walk through the doors of any restaurant, small shop, cocktail or dive bar and you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about.

If you could create your dream meal in KC, where would you get your appetizer, entrée and dessert from?

Is pizza as an appetizer wrong? Cause if it isn't, who wants to split a Pesto from Il Lazzarone? If it is, I still dream about the Coconut Curry Mussels from Westport Cafe. For my entrée, let's see. Farina's Potato Gnocchi. Yes, I feel good about that one. Dessert is tough, I'm such a sour candy person and I can often be found perusing the DGX candy aisle. To keep it local and in the same sweet-sour realm, Christopher Elbow's Pate de Fruit are a Willy Wonka wonder for the tastebuds.

Where is your favorite place to shop in KC?

I love to thrift. Thankfully, there's no shortage of vintage and antique shops in Kansas City. See Daisy Lee Vintage, Dear Society, Urban Mining, Do Good Co., the list goes on and on and on. I have found countless lived-in jeans, NWT sweaters, Prada kitten heels, and labels I could never typically afford at pop-up vintage booths.