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The country's collective mood is shifting toward hope, and "The Hill We Climb" could be one reason why. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the age of COVID-19, visiting someone's home has become a rare thrill. Imagine, then, walking into a private residence to find an art installation sprawled across six rooms. This is the allure of "Stay With Me," a stunning new work by San Francisco artist Danielle Mourning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Remember grazing tables? Pre-pandemic, these large surfaces, covered with butcher paper or wooden boards and loaded with meticulously rolled up or fanned out slices of charcuterie, cheese, dried fruit and other snackable items, were a mainstay at Bay Area gatherings and parties. People would crowd around, picking up a slice of prosciutto or a wedge of manchego and basking in the plentiful choices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On March 15, 2020, Andreina Febres was teaching her popular Sunday morning Zumba class at Flying Studios in Oakland to a fraction of her regular students. The Bay Area was still two days away from its first six-county shutdown, but already many people were staying home. So Febres started an impromptu Facebook Live broadcast, and many students joined online. The following week, with the studio closed and management not yet set up for virtual classes, Febres and fellow instructor Adriana Oyarzun started teaching on Zoom from their homes, helping each other with sound and music, and leading students through cumbia, salsa and samba moves from their living rooms, garages and patios. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Remote work took away what many of us had known. For some, the hustle and bustle of an open office space was replaced with a home of screaming kids, purring cats or other people chattering across the hall and in separate Zoom worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

"This is really an art project," says Emmanuel Galvan, kneading masa on his kitchen counter. He repeatedly wets his fingers, infusing the mixture with some moisture, until a plump, soft ball forms. As a smoking cast iron skillet awaits on the stove, he pinches a small amount of masa, rolls it into a ball and flattens it in a small tortilla press between two sheets of plastic, then places the disc on the skillet until it puffs into a fresh tortilla. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It's fitting that in a year spent by ourselves, at home, cooking seemingly nonstop, we get an onslaught of truly fantastic cookbooks - especially after last year's disappointing batch. This year there were releases from big names like Yotam Ottolenghi and Ina Garten; thrilling explorations of underrepresented cuisines from East Africa to Palestine; new essentials for passionate home bakers; and inspiring vegetarian and vegan collections. A few of our favorite books took a more scientific, explanatory approach to cooking, while others were clearly focused on the busy home cook who doesn't want to sacrifice flavor in the quest for efficiency. It was so difficult whittling down our list to just 10 books this year that we included six honorable mentions, which are very much worth space on your bookshelf. - J.B. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In 2015, a two-part New York Times investigation exposed the not-so-glossy side of the New York mani-pedi industry. The articles - detailing the shameful conditions some salon employees endure, from daily exposure to toxic chemicals to incredibly low wages and an unfair tipping system - drew protests from nail salon owners and resulted in an emergency task force and statewide labor investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ask any American what Hanukkah is about, and they will lovingly name-check latkes. The golden, crispy potato fritters have become synonymous with the Jewish holiday that starts Dec. 10 this year. But another holiday staple, filled doughnuts called sufganiyot, are now starting to take off in Bay Area bakeries. These aren't just traditional jelly donuts: Instead, they're dolled up with incredible toppings like meringue kisses, amaretti cookies and crunchy chocolate pearls, and filled with anything from chocolate ganache to pistachio cream. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Anticipation builds as you walk up to the corner of Page and Webster streets in the Lower Haight. On one side of the intersection, vendors are scattered on the sidewalk. A garage door is open, revealing a cozy space decked out with wall rugs and trinkets. A DJ with an eye patch is spinning jazz records. Up front, in a glass display case, handsome gallettes and crumb cake squares await. Vintage chairs and tables dot an improvised pallet. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When Inon Tzadok, a Yemeni Israeli and the founder of the event series Shuk Shuka, first saw zhoug in the Trader Joe's aisles a couple of years ago, he was genuinely offended. Was this heavily processed product how Americans would discover the flavor he grew up with? Zhoug, a spicy Yemeni condiment made of blended or finely chopped green hot peppers, olive oil and spices, is ubiquitous in Israel, but in the U.S., until recently, the chain-store version was its sole representation. Americans marveled at the new hot condiment on the block; Israelis scoffed at the attempt to mass-produce the old-school authentic Yemeni staple. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Vannessa Gonzalez's Outer Sunset house tells a story. An old pinball machine lives in the living room, alongside numerous plants, woven textiles and surfboards. Paper garlands float above the dining table. The kitchen is a hodgepodge of spices, pots, knickknacks and fresh fruit. Then, there's a "relaxation room" in which excellent lighting lends itself to painting and the kind of eclectic, charming chaos that is impossible to re-create. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After three months of dining mostly in, it's little wonder that many of us are sick of looking inside our own refrigerators. Whatever lay within those cold confines has lost much of its appeal: After all, we're the ones who stocked and we're the ones who likely will have to turn it into something edible. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Yesenia Villasenor's new Zoom backdrop features a rack full of clothes and a dress form draped in dreamy white fabric: a reminder of her latest work, and also the weirdest semester finale ever. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Let's be frank: Being ourselves is quite dull these days. With no social outings, work drama or real personal news, everyday life boils down to binge-watching TV, playing games and solving puzzles, child care (for many), or - best-case scenario - virtual happy hours. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We've seen the COVID-19 memes. For true introverts, this new no-socializing, no-distractions reality might be a dream come true, while outgoing, extroverted individuals are losing their minds. In addition to truly shutting down normalcy, the pandemic has turned our attention to the nuance of everyone's relationship with solitude; who thrives in it? Who can't go on another day without a warm human hug? Whose job is built on lively interaction and who, in fact, has been training for this moment their whole adult career? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Many Millennials feel cursed. Having entered the job market around the 2007 recession, they're now dealing with another hurdle from hell: financial vulnerability brought on by COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After a long period of shock, boredom and disbelief, let's welcome the next phase of COVID-19 coping: "the new normal." The new normal means that the pandemic has been around long enough for us to start realizing things about the situation. Perhaps we're even ready to see the quirky and positive things that the very unfunny and deadly virus has brought with it. Case in point: all the Zoom anecdotes we can handle. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The concept of the home as sanctuary has taken on a whole new meaning, posing an age-old question: Can something truly be enjoyed when it's mandatory? While some of us might actually love staying indoors - cooking, cleaning or reorganizing every inch of the home we're now grounded to - it's doubtful anyone has ever wished for a never-ending supply of solitude. Enter modern technology: Hangouts instead of hangouts, Houseparty instead of house parties and FaceTime instead of actual face time. You get the idea; for every social need, there's now a suitable social distancing app or platform. Most of these tech tools are based - you guessed it - right here in the Bay Area. Is their presence in our lives a little sad? No doubt. But is it essential right now? We know the answer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Amy Azzarito's baby daughter is exhibiting some interest in forks. She's oblivious to the fact that, according to her mother, "at one time using a fork was perceived immoral, unhygienic, the tool of the devil." Azzarito, on the other hand, knows all about the fork and the other household items we've come to take for granted; in fact, she wrote a whole book about them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Jessica Lanyadoo is sorry to disappoint, but she didn't magically arrive at astrology in a theatrical career pivot. "It's rather anticlimactic," she laughs. "I've been in love with astrology since I was 12." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bay Area artist Sofie Ramos specializes in large-scale installations comprised of found objects: chairs, textured cushions, stairs and giant bouncy balls, to name a few. But until recently, she didn't plan for the chairs to be sat on, or the steps to be stepped on. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The holiday season is always ripe for an attack on consumerism. For every decked-out gift guide, there's a personal essay on a "no-gifts Christmas." For every ad reminding us to shop for our loved ones, there's an "alternative" guide to gifting experiences, not material objects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To emerge on the other side, all it takes is going through the Caldecott Tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Everyone remembers their first celebrity crush. Mine occurred at the uncomfortable age of 31; disheveled, troubled and significantly bruised by a lifetime of wrong turns, it was Ben Mendelsohn portraying Danny Rayburn on the Netflix series "Bloodline." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

"I'm an artist. Can I take your picture?" [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

You'd think that in the age of alternative facts and hashtags, during a time when any question or whimsy can spur a Google search, dictionaries would be obsolete. Jane Solomon doesn't think so. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One summer evening a year ago, the residents of 855 Brannan, a busy condo complex South of Market in San Francisco, didn't know what to make of the vibrant food stations and goodie bags that took over their lobby. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Stepping off the plane in Austin, Texas, earlier this year, I was swept away by scents. Women came at me with the force of a Victoria's Secret gift basket. Men passed by smelling like my first boyfriend - spicy, strong, the caricature of "manly." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Having taken my shoes off and sipped some tea, I'm about to meditate at Anchor Meditation, a chic, compact new studio in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood, brought to mindfulness practice through the very unspiritual act of buying a Groupon. Instead of facing the teacher, or a serene wall, we sit in a circle, holding onto fuzzy blankets and leaning on little backrests. Our eyes are closed, but we're facing each and every other attendee. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the age of meticulous scrutiny and conversations around ageism, marketing to mature women without hurting anyone's feelings can be a tricky business. That might be one of the many reasons retailers are hesitant to take the plunge. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Not all clogs are created equal. Santa Venetia Goods, the newest addition to San Francisco's evolving shoe scene, isn't satisfied with the sensible, albeit fashion-forward, supporting role the clog has been allocated in the wardrobe. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Modern-day brides seem to take less and less space. Gone are the days of the puffed, floating islands of tulle as more brides opt for alternative takes: designer creations worthy of the runway, corseted fantasies with Burning Man undertones, and streamlined, slimmer silhouettes that can be repurposed for a night out. Where to find these of-the-moment styles? The following boutiques and Bay Area online retailers are here to help. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Dark cabaret: The World's Faire and the Edwardian Ball, a weekend geared to alleviate steampunk and Burning Man cravings during winter, is coming back for its 19th installment Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26. This time, alongside extravagant costumes and a Museum of Wonders, the World's Faire will also bring the audience a unique performance from Ukraine. Dakh Daughters, a musical and theatrical ensemble consisting of seven women, is the creation of Kyiv's Dakh Contemporary Art Centre. Spanning texts from Charles Bukowski to Shakespeare and incorporating folk and classic tunes, the band associates itself with dark cabaret and aims to create "an atmosphere of a French salon, where Mireille Mathieu befriends Marilyn Manson." Considered provocative and groundbreaking in their home country, Dakh Daughters will perform at the World's Faire on the last leg of their U.S and Canada tour, having already brought their bold look and eclectic sound to Phoenix and Portland, Ore. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fox & Kit, Marin's latest obsession, is a sunlit, well-appointed coffee shop featuring marble countertops, plush pink pillows, Ligne Roset armchairs, swings and a selection of fashion magazines worthy of the Heath newsstand. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It Girls are a thing of the past, but if San Francisco had an Alexa Chang-type It Girl in its ranks, it would be Anna-Alexia Basile. A frequenter of many of the city's stylish events, the photographer and artist is hard to miss, clad in colorful outfits and turbans. This year, Basile celebrated her 29th birthday not at a chic new bar, but at Marigold, a small flower shop on a quiet Mission District corner. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

What does the future hold? No one knows for sure, but we've been pondering the people and trends that will be important in 2019. Last week, we wrote about 10 pivotal, changing-of-the-guard moments in 2018. Here are four burning questions we'll continue to ask and explore in the year ahead. Please share yours with us: Email style@sfchronicle.com, tag @SFC_Style on Twitter, or comment online. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A drive across the Bay Bridge involves, at best, water views and the city's skyline. Recently, however, a new attraction has caught the corner of the eye - a glowing, festive big-top circus tent on the edge of Treasure Island. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

2018 was a year of growing pains and transitions as the country, and the Bay Area, shifted from a status quo that many people were used to - male mayors, heritage businesses, first ladies who cared - to new realities. These seismic shifts had been under way for some time but were reflected in the Bay Area this year with elections, the rise of "experiences" and the emergence of community-gathering spaces with social agendas. Pop culture responded to #MeToo with the red carpet blackout at the Golden Globes and more revelations about abuses of power in the entertainment industry and beyond - including stories of celebrity chefs and local tech workers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Not all caps are created equal. Some are made in Japan, include an inner leather sweat-resistant headband, and utilize high-quality fabrics like trendy corduroy and soft velvet. Know a special guy whose life is unimaginable without a hat? Look no further. Poten baseball hats, $95, Self Edge, 714 Valencia St., S.F., www.selfedge.com. Sydney Evan Rainbow necklace, $860, https://www.sydneyevan.com. Edibles aren't what they used to be, and "Edibles: Small Bites for the Modern Cannabis Kitchen" makes a strong case for photogenic cannabis-infused culinary experiments. Written by Stephanie Hua, the woman behind the elevated marshmallow brand Mellows, it will put a smile on the face of any adventurous relative. Chronicle Books, $19.95, www.chroniclebooks.com [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Everyone loves a trusted hoodie, but a 100 percent cashmere hoodie is a game-changer. Local designer Kathryn McCarron created a simple, chic version, ready to be worn to the gym or to work. Wonderful for, but not limited to, the athleisure-loving type. Kathryn McCarron sweatshirt, $420, www.kathrynmccarron.com [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Is there anything cuter than a small child with a backpack? Probably not. Does a toddler actually need one? Also no, and that's why this gift is the perfect indulgence. Handcrafted in Holland from premium leather, the backpacks offer the tough choice between a floppy-eared dog, a serious bear or a naive bunny. Donsje kids backpacks, $119, RH, www.rhbabyandchild.com [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While a face cream is a gift too subjective, a gorgeous-smelling face oil is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Created in Napa Valley with ingredients like avocado, dandelion and turmeric, it's a great addition to a mom's or a sister's beauty ritual. The limited-edition holiday bottle packs 50 ml into an attractive illustrated bottle. Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $305, https://vintnersdaughter.com [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Millennial man in your life might not expect slippers, but he'll surely welcome the idea of thoughtful at-home luxury. As everyday as it is impressive, this soft, hand-sewn pair is made of vegetable-tanned, breathable leather sturdy enough to endure a quick coffee run. FEIT men's slippers, $500, A B Fits, 1519 Grant Ave., .S.F., www.feitdirect.com [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Mega-influencer Aimee Song used to call San Francisco home. Now she travels the world in designer gowns. Song's new book is a colorful collage of enviable vacations and even more enviable outfits, and it makes a great gift for an Instagram-loving teenager (or teenager at heart). "World of Style," $24.99, Abrams & Chronicle Books, www.amazon.com [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Here's the thing about holiday gift shopping: It's not always a thrill. Rather, the same familiar ritual comes around every year, filled with questions and bedazzled with doubt. What would make the most perfect present for Mom? Will my best friend use this? How can I surprise my brother while keeping things practical? Given everything the Bay Area endured in 2018, we decided to cast worries (and practicality) aside in favor of a theme impossible not to get behind - gifts of utter whimsy and indulgence. Can one live without a handmade designer doll? Enter 2019 without a cashmere T-shirt? Forgo a fancy air purifier, a luxe eggplant-hued bag or an ultra-slick laptop? Probably. But will gifting those, and many other gifts, make for an extravagant moment to remember? Definitely. The following gifts, either designed or widely available in the Bay Area - are chic, occasionally over the top and generous. Above all, we believe they are as thrilling to give as they are to receive. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Cosmos: Co-founded by social entrepreneur and former venture capitalist Karen Mok, the Cosmos is a community of creative Asian American, often immigrant, women who help each other thrive through workshops that tackle intimidating, stigmatized issues of being an outsider, such as imposter syndrome, body shame, loneliness and alienation. "I've realized that it's revolutionary to take a holistic approach to identity," said Mok. "Humans don't want to be seen as labels or check-boxes, but we rarely find ourselves in spaces where we can talk about the intersection of our racial, gender, sexual, creative identities." Since launching this year, Cosmos members have participated in frank discussions about mental-health therapies and antidepressants; a workshop on intimacy led by the founder of the O. School; and, with information designer Saya Iwasaki, a deconstruction of Blockchain technology to understand how mining works. "There was no ego," said Mok. "Just a readiness to all grow and learn together." www.jointhecosmos.com. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]