Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/555971
photography by Megan pappadopoulos (polewaczyk); luis rubio (perri); kiki larouge photography (kearnan) Karyn Polewaczyk is a Boston-based lifestyle writer and creative strategist. Her work is regularly featured at Jezebel.com, Racked.com, and DailyWorth.com, where she covers everything from fashion and feminism to career advice and money matters. She has contributed to Boston.com, Refinery29.com, the magazines More and Elle, and Forbes.com's site ForbesWoman. She is also a moving maven, having lived in 10 different neighbor- hoods during her decade in the city. In this issue: Polewaczyk explores Boston's tech-minded beauty scene in "You, Even Better." How does your own beauty routine transition in the fall? "I'm pretty makeup-light in the summer, but the darker days of fall—boo!—require a bit of amping up in order to make things pop. So wine and berry lip colors, an extra coat or several of mascara, and bronzer, because I'm a beach baby at heart and try to extend the glory days of summer for as long as vainly possible." What sets Boston's beauty scene apart from others? "Women here tend to be more outwardly reserved, but as Dunwello proves, we love to share secrets with our girlfriends. Perhaps we relish a good insider tip more than other cities whose inhabitants boast about their cosmetic procedures—I'm looking at you, LA—or maybe it's part of that Puritan New England charm." When Patryce Bak isn't taking photographs, you can find this nature-loving urbanite enjoying the great outdoors or cooking meticulously plated Mediterranean-inspired meals. She currently divides her time between Cambridge and Brooklyn, New York. In this issue: Bak photographed mother- daughter duo Dawn and Harper Oates on their quest to make playgrounds accessible to all children for "Spirit of Generosity." What struck you most about the Oates family? "The immense amount of love and joy. I did not sense an ounce of self-pity from Dawn Oates or her vibrant daughter Harper. It was both humbling and inspiring to witness." What did you take away from your time with them? "The importance of making your own destiny." Scott Kearnan is a Boston- based writer and editor focusing on lifestyle, the arts, and entertainment for outlets such as Zagat, Jaunted.com, The Improper Bostonian, and Boston magazine. In this issue: Kearnan writes about the Oates family's quest to help disabled children in "Spirit of Generosity." What did you take away from your time with the Oates family? "Dawn's energy is electric. She doesn't hide that her passion comes from a highly personal place, but instead lets it fuel her fire. The world needs more people like that." What positive impact will Dawn Oates's work have in Boston? "Her work rein- forces the distinction between access and inclu- sion. It's one thing to open doors for people; more important is to help them engage the room. And in social justice, that's true across all lines—ability, gender, race, and more." Dominic Perri is a food pho- tographer who splits his time between Massachusetts and New York City. He has been professionally photograph- ing food for magazines and restaurants along the East Coast for almost 10 years. When he isn't working, he can be found waxing rhapsodic about his grand- mother's meatballs and homemade ravioli, running half-marathons, or riding his lime-green bike. In this issue: Perri shot cider-based cocktails for "Cheers." What is the best bite you've had recently in Boston? "I love cheeseburgers. If I could, I would eat one every day. My favorite in Boston has to be a bacon cheddar burger with tater tots from Wahlburgers." What is the best part about capturing a bar- tender or chef at work? "It takes away the awkwardness of them trying to figure out what to do with their hands, and they're always so pas- sionate about what they do. It gives me the opportunity to capture them in raw form doing what they love." K aryn PolewaczyK writer Dominic Perri photographer Patryce BaK photographer Scott Kearnan writer 36 bostoncommon-magazine.com ...without whom this issue would not have been possible // Fall 2015