Our city is chock-full of interesting people and wild personalities. Overwhelmed by the coolness? Every week we'll pick one standout local we'd love to be friends with to answer seven essential questions about their life in San Francisco.
We've been obsessed with the artisan line of walkable footwear from Freda Salvador for a while now, so it made sense that we had to track down the two stylish ladies who make up the brand. Cristina Palomo-Nelson and Megan Papay merged their design backgrounds in shoe construction and fit with an truly unique, artistic point of view to bring gorgeous, quality shoes to the masses. And we're willing to bow down and thank them for it.
Megan Papay began her fashion career in the celebrity styling department of Calvin Klein, before she started her own line of accessories, and finally packed her bags for San Francisco in 2005. Cristina Palomo-Nelson hails from one of the largest shoe-making families in Central America. She studied footwear in Milan and fashion at the Academy of Art. Together they make cutting-edge and infinitley wearable footwear (see their new Spring line here), out of soft and luxurious leather and produced in a small factory in Spain. The various lines of boots and sandals (and even some heels) are sturdy enough to handle long bar crawls, and comfortable enough for SF's many hills. Basically, they're perfect for any city girl who's ever wanted to fuse fashion and comfort on her feet.
Thanks Megan and Cristina for answering our We Wanna Be Friend WithQ&A!
What neighborhood do you currently call home? Would you ever move or are you happy in your 'hood?
Megan: I live in Sausalito and will never leave. I am rooted, big time. But our store is in Cow Hollow, so Monday-Friday I am a city girl. Plus, I feel like Sausalito should be considered an extension of the city; it is so close.
Cristina: The Marina. I love living in San Francisco and have been here 8 years! My husband and I are expecting our first child now, so we are thinking about making the trek north to Sausalito or Mill Valley since we need more space. Luckily both towns are still very close to the city.
What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in SF?
Megan: The #1 Italian Combo at Lucca's Deli.
Cristina: Chicken-for-two at Zuni Cafe.
What's your perfect night on the town?
Megan: My husband and I typically ferry into the city on Saturday night. We have a cocktail on the boat, meet friends for dinner, and then Uber home.
Cristina: Grabbing sushi at Umami with my husband before catching a flick at the Kabuki.
When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?Megan: Schoonmaker Beach in Sausalito. They have paddle boards and kayaks; it's so fun to get out on the water.
Cristina: I travel quite a bit and am rarely home, so an afternoon cozied up on my couch with a good book is hard to beat.
What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from the city?
Megan: Wine Country. If we go to the Sonoma side we usually go to Dutcher's Crossing for a picnic or if we go to Napa, we usually hit the Fremont Diner and then a winery or two.
Cristina: I head south to Carmel. My mom lives there so I can visit her, have lunch at my favorite restaurant, La Bicyclette, walk to the beach and cruise around Ocean Ave.
Lightning Round:
Burrito or Burger?
Megan: Burrito
Cristina: California Burrito
Presidio or Golden Gate Park?
Megan: Presidio
Cristina: Golden Gate Park
Bi-Rite or Mitchell's?
Megan: Neither. Mollie Stones in Sausalito.
Cristina: Trader Joe's
Bike or MUNI?
Megan: If a beach cruiser is considered a bike, I say bike.
Cristina: Love my Public bike for leisurely rides.
Fort Mason or Dolores Park?
Megan: Fort Mason
Cristina: Fort Mason
The Independent or the Fillmore?
Megan: O man, I am not that cool.
Cristina: The Fillmore
Baker Beach or Ocean Beach?
Megan: Cronkite Beach. My daughter loves the Marine Mammal Center and we can bring our dogs, so everyone is happy.
Cristina: Baker Beach
Three words that describe your life in SF?
Megan: Idealistic. Pinch me!
Cristina: Dynamic, Inspiring, Creative.
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