I am addicted to pretty food. They say we eat with our eyes first, and the way I see it, I must have good taste. Or the food must. Either way, if a dish catches my eye, I’ll give it a nibble.

Sadly, my own cooking results in, most of the time, your standard, fine-enough-for-consumption presentation (one can do only so many things with couscous, after all). So I’m happy to have discovered I can have pretty food in my own home without the fuss, or mess to clean up, thanks to Signature Days’ personal chef packages. For $140 to $800, food-lovers, or just busy moms and on-the-go professionals, in select cities can have a personal chef prepare five day’s worth of gourmet meals for two to four people. Chefs are prepared to cater to dietary needs with specialized (even organic) entrees and side dishes. For more information and options, visit www.signaturedays.com.

Personal Chef from Signature Days

When it comes to blowing people’s minds, I don’t rely on my looks and fashion sense alone; I have a secret weapon.

I can dance.

And knowing I can (and can bust it out at any second) makes me feel a little cooler even when I’m off the dance floor (haven’t you reenacted those iPod commercials, too?).

For those Chicagoans wanting to hone their own hidden talents, Signature Days offers a number of dance instruction packages, and you don’t have to have a partner (ideal for those who fear their own feet). Ranging in price from $25 to $575 for one or a pair of dancers for a single class or series of lessons, dancers in the dark can emerge equipped with the necessary skills to swing, salsa, and tango across a ballroom, nightclub, or wedding reception dance floor. For more information, visit www.signaturedays.com.

Dancing Lessons in Chicago