Matheiken describes her project this way:

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India.

I love this; I love the way that Matheiken is challenging the notion of fashion by reinventing the uniform, and I love the way she connects this her own memories of wearing a uniform -- and I especially love that she's using this entire enterprise to raise money for kids who really need it.

Of course, Matheiken isn't the first person to take the one-dress-one-year challenge, or to blog it. Jason Kottke has a roundup of similar projects, and I wrote about one, the Brown Dress Project, for BlogHer. But Sheena Matheiken's project is different: Rather than trying to break out of the bonds of fashion and style, she's working to make the uniform hip and cool.

Matheiken and her friend, designer Eliza Starbuck, worked together to create the perfect dress -- and then they made 7, one for each day of the week. The dress is made of heavy-duty cotton and is a tunic design that can be worn forward or backward; it also has pockets, Matheiken says, because she hates to carry a handbag. For the next year, she will dress it up and down with layers and accessories, all found on Etsy or eBay or in thrift stores, or donated by readers.

The Uniform Project is started in May; the website officially launched in June. But already, Matheiken is creating buzz, not all of it positive. Readers at Uncluttered questioned how seven dresses is really creating less clutter. "Huh? How is having 7 identical dresses 'uncluttered'? Why didn’t she choose a single dress that could be hand washed every night and dripp-dried. If she needs seven dresses why not have seven different ones. Gimmicky and silly."

Readers are also questioning the sustainability angle; many have argued that the Brown Dress project, in which Alex Martin quite literally wore the exact same dress day in and day out for one year, was a more pure exercise in sustainability, because the wear and tear on that dress was clearly evident. I don't disagree with this, but I think that Matheiken is walking a line between sustainability (we don't need a lot to look great) and fashion (one dress can be incredibly versatile). Her project is about doing more with less, not about doing without.

But The Uniform Project is also a fund raiser, designed to help impoverished Indian children pay for school uniforms. In this context, Matheiken's playful reinvention of her basic black dress becomes even more interesting. She is herself the product of Indian schools, and her relationship to clothing as a uniform stems from her childhood: 

I was raised and schooled in India where uniforms were a mandate in most public schools. Despite the imposed conformity, kids always found a way to bend the rules and flaunt a little personality. Boys rolled up their sleeves, wore over-sized swatches, and hiked up their pants to show off their high-tops. Girls obsessed over bangles, bindis and bad hairdos.

For Matheiken, then, the uniform is all about individuality, not about conformity; she treats her basic black dress like a canvas, creating quirky and dramatic characters with accessories and shoes. Her uniform is a constant challenge, not a concession to the rules. 

Frankly, I don't think I could do what she's doing. But I'm fascinated by the project, and can't wait to see how else she wears the dress.

Joanna Goddard at A Cup of Jo has links to the Akanksha Foundation, as well as a selection of images from The Uniform Project.

What do you think -- is The Uniform Project a gimmick or a call to simplify? Or is it something else all together?

We're going to be gone for a whole week because we're heading to Chicago early to play tourist. That's a lot of clothes to pack when you are playing tourist vs not playing tourist. I'm not a good packer. I once, as a child, went away for the weekend and was not informed we'd be going to a wedding and ended up wearing the world's worst outfit ever. I'm still scarred. So I overpack. Always. And yet always forget something rather vital in addition to packing a whole lot of clothes I never wear. Sigh.

You really can pack for more than two days without needing a steamer trunk; it just takes planning. Oh don't roll your eyes at me -- it's not that hard. So whether you're Chicago-bound this summer, or heading somewhere else for a week or so, let's talk about how to decide what you'll take.

Start by making a list of everything you're planning to do on your trip. If you will be combining general touristy things with a wedding or conference or reunion, then include all that. Don't be daunted if you find that your list covers a lot of different kinds of events -- you don't want to get to your destination and realize that you're spending a week at the beach without a single swimsuit.

For example.

Once you've listed what you're doing, think about what you're going to wear. Three rules to follow when you get to this point:

Plan to be comfortable. If you know it will be hot at your destination, don't plan to wear pants for sightseeing, no matter how much you want to look like all those photos of Jackie Kennedy; pack shorts or skirts or little dresses.

Plan to be yourself. If you're not someone who ever wears a dress for day, then don't feel like you need to start now. If you love your shorts, pack them. By the same token, don't take a suitcase full of brand new clothes -- fill in blanks or replace what's not working, but for the most part, stick with pieces that are tried and true.

Plan to get dressed up at least once. It's not hard to pack a really beautiful embellished tee or a simple skirt or something that is a little more dressy than your touristy shorts and polo combination. This is a vacation, after all! Go ahead and celebrate.

What else?

Mix and match. Pack pieces that will work in more than one way: a pretty skirt that you can dress down with Keds and a tee for sightseeing, or dress up with a bright tank and some embellished sandals for night.

Layer, layer, layer. Virginia De Bolt has this very very smart suggestion: 

A sweater or a light jacket is a must for the folks like me who are in that stage of life where the blood moves awfully slow. Jeans, capris, really it's all okay, but have something with long sleeves for the air conditioning.

A cardigan or light jacket or pashmina scarf are all perfect options for layering.

Accessorize! Even if you're a jeans-and-tee girl, a really beautiful necklace or a cool pair of earrings can give your outfit a super cool edge.

Finally, the good stuff: Five things I am absolutely packing for BlogHer (and really, these are the five things I pack for pretty much every trip, with the exception of the beach, where I pack only swimsuits and pajamas -- seriously).

1. Cardigan.

2. Pashmina.

3. Pencil skirt.

4. Laptop-sized tote.

5. Pretty flats.

Want a more detailed list? Christie has a great one.

What five things do you always pack? What five things do you always regret not bringing? And next week: Organizing nitty gritty, or how to actually choose your outfits. (Can you tell that I have A System for packing? Because I totally do. 

Susan Wagner writes about style at The Working Closet and about chic suburban living at Friday Playdate. She can pack for a week in less than 20 minutes, but only because she spends weeks obsessing about it beforehand.

Let's get one thing clear: You do not need to buy new clothes for this event. Nor should you feel any pressure to look some particular way when you show up in Chicago. 

There are no rules about what to wear to BlogHer; I can promise you that if you're making the trip to Chicago in July, you will see absolutely everything, from suits to shorts, at the conference. BlogHer is all about inclusion, which means that no matter what you have on, your voice matters, and you will be welcomed into the conversation.

At least a third of you think I'm lying through my teeth right now, don't you? I'm not, but let's talk about strategies for BlogHer -- or, if you're not attending BlogHer this year, for any time you're meeting people from the Internet who know you through your words rather than through your closet.

Alexa at Flotsam is asking a couple of fairly standard questions: "What does one wear at BlogHer? Does one change in the evenings? Change into what, exactly?"

Let's start with what to wear during the day: Wear what you're comfortable in. If you're a jeans-and-tee kind of girl, don't buy yourself a bunch of dresses -- wear jeans and a tee. BlogHer -- or any meetup with Internet peeps -- is about being yourself, not dressing up as someone else.

Of course, there are caveats: If you're coming to BlogHer to look for work, think about how to present your most professional self; pair your tee with dark wash, mid-rise jeans, for example, rather than that low-rise pair with the hole in the ass.

If you're coming to BlogHer to get away from your everyday life, think about bringing those pieces that you wish you could wear everyday but that just don't work for you -- the sweater you don't want the kids touching or the dress that is just not quite appropriate for the office. 

More caveats: Road test everything before you pack your suitcase -- does that blouse really work with those pants, or is it too long/short? Better to know now than when it's the only thing you have to wear for the entire day. If you're going to buy new things to wear to BlogHer (or on any trip, really) wear them once before you hit the road. New clothes are so appealing, but you want to know that things are comfortable and functional before you're stuck in them all day with no other option.

Also! Pack comfortable shoes for day. I don't even have to say that, do I?

Back to Alexa's questions: "Does one change in the evenings? Change into what, exactly?" Okay, here's where I confess: This list of parties? Makes me a little nervous. Because suddenly I feel like I'm in tenth grade again and don't have a date to the prom, which shouldn't matter because the prom is for juniors and seniors but everyone in my class is going, except me, which probably means I'm a total loser.

Do not pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.

What do you wear at night at BlogHer? Again, wear what's comfortable. Don't feel like you have to bring a cocktail dress just because there are parties that start during the cocktail hour, but if you're an LBD kind of girl, pack it. Wear what will make you comfortable, physically and psychologically.

What will I be wearing? The same thing I wear every day, honestly -- dresses and skirts, and maybe a pair of cropped pants. I'm bringing cardigans because I'm always cold and flats because heels are too hard to walk fast in.

Kaiser Mommy at Room 704 is planning her conference packing; go see what she's looking at wearing.  Ciaran at Social Luxe Lounge is also planning; I want the orange print dress she's coveting.

Do you have packing tips for BlogHer, or questions about what to put in your suitcase? Let's hear them!

But now I've found a solution to that! And totally by accident, which is typical of all the great solutions in the history of solutions. 

I wash my foundation brush after every use, to prevent bacterial buildup. One day last week, I didn't shower until later in the day -- right before dinner, in fact -- and the next morning, when I got ready to put my makeup on, the brush was still damp from the night before. I used it anyway and you know what? The slightly damp bristles on the brush thinned my foundation just enough to leave my skin looking smooth and perfect but not at all made up.

Ta da!

The next day I tried rinsing the brush and then blotting it with a towel -- same results. Like a damp foundation sponge, a damp foundation brush really lightens up the application, but still gives you the same even, smooth, perfect results.

I'm using a Sonia Kashuk foundation brush, which retails at Target for $9.99 (there's a slightly higher end brush that retails for $14.99, too). When you're shopping for a foundation brush, look for synthetic bristles (natural bristles are too hard to clean). Wash your brush after every use; I like baby shampoo or baby wash for my makeup brushes, since it's gentle and rinses easily. Air dry, and replace as needed -- my last foundation brush, washed nearly every day, probably lasted almost two years before the handle split.

Need more brush cleaning tips? Row at Cosmetic Candy found a great cleaner -- at the local art store! 

Target reviewers who disliked the Sonia Kashuk brushes recommended the EcoTools line; Cheap and Chic has the lowdown on these brushes.

And Kari at Fabulous Over Forty has a cautionary tale about great foundation that should NEVER be applied with a makeup brush. Heed her experience.

Well, stop trying so hard, apparently. And get some blotting paper.

The less I do to my skin, the less oily it is; overcleansing can actually make skin produce more oil, believe it or not (I did not, for many years). If you have oily skin, wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser (I like Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Cleanser; it gets rid of the makeup and grime and oil but doesn't dry my skin) and moisturize only where you need it. I use a very lightweight sunscreen all over my face every day in lieu of moisturizer, but I use a formula that is made for oily skin (Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock).

During the day, though, I still get shiny, especially when it's humid (and where I live, it is always humid). I carry blotting papers with me everywhere -- I have them in my purse and in my car and in my makeup bag -- and I use them liberally, whenever I need them. Blotting papers, if you don't know, are like sturdy pieces of tissue paper; they're specially designed to soak up oil, without disturbing your makeup. They'll leave your face looking matte and clean, without adding powder or lotion or anything you don't want on your skin.

My favorites for the longest time were the Sonia Kashuk blotting papers that Target carried; they were about the size of an index card, which was perfect for my forehead (short bangs + oily T zone = shiny forehead). But they seem to have vanished, which makes me incredibly sad. 

I've also used Clean and Clear's Oil Absorbing Sheets (about $5.00 for 50 sheets). They're smaller than the Sonia Kashuk brand, but they're super portable and they work really well.

 How do you use a blotting paper? Simple: pull one out of the little packet -- the Clean and Clear package has a small sticky spot that actually pulls out one sheet at a time for you -- and press it on the shiny parts of your face; repeat until the paper comes away clean (but toss it when it gets all oily because eew gross). I typically use four or five blotting papers when I'm de-shineing myself, but I have very oily skin, and I'm a perfectionist.

A blotting paper will get ALL the oil on your skin, unlike, say, a tissue, which will only get some of the oil, and which may leave other additives (lotion, for example) behind to irritate your skin. And blotting papers won't smudge your makeup, which is nice, although keep in mind that if you have oily skin, your foundation will wear off faster during the day, particularly if you're blotting.

If you like, you can blot and then powder your nose or T zone; the powder won't cake as much, since your skin will be nearly oil-free. I typically skip the powder and just blot; I prefer clean skin to powdered skin, personally.

Need more skin care tips? Karen at the Makeup and Beauty Blog, has compiled a list of 21 tips. Thanks, Karen!

Sara at Our Best Bites has tips and trick for turning your kitchen into a spa. Since I'm not cooking, I think I'll try these options!

Finally, you all should bookmark Fabulous Over Forty, especially if, like me, you wind up feeling like most of the beauty blogs out there are targeted at girls half your age. 

Ready? Here's everything you need to know about sunscreen.

I'm seeing sunscreens with higher and higher SPFs, like 95 and 100. I've always used an SPF 30 -- do I need to upgrade?

No you don't, says a recent article in the New York Times. 

No SPF, not even 100+, offers 100 percent protection. What’s more, both UVA and UVB radiation can lead to skin cancer, which is why dermatologists now advise using sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 and UVA-fighting ingredients like an avobenzone that doesn’t degrade in light or Mexoryl SX.

The difference in UVB protection between an SPF 100 and SPF 50 is marginal. Far from offering double the blockage, SPF 100 blocks 99 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. (SPF 30, that old-timer, holds its own, deflecting 96.7 percent).

So a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 -- or even 30 -- works just as well as the more expensive SPF 100.

When I pulled out my beach bag, I found a full bottle of sunscreen from last summer's vacation. Is it still good?

Maybe, but don't take any chances -- experts recommend replacing sunscreens yearly, which means that the bottle you bought last summer should go in the trash, or be used as moisturizer. It's not the one you want to be slathering on before you head for the pool.

When you say "slather," what precisely does that mean?

An average size adult needs one ounce of sunscreen to cover her entire body -- that's about a shot glass full. Seriously. And you need to reapply sunscreen every two hours, if you are not sweating or swimming; if you're in the water, you need to reapply more frequently. "Water-resistant sunscreens lose their SPF after 40 minutes in water; waterproof sunscreens after 90 minutes."

That's what I mean by slathering.

Keep in mind, too, that for maximum protection you need to apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go out in the sun -- so putting sunscreen on after you're all settled in your lounge chair at the pool is too late. Do it before you leave home. Also remember that your swimsuit -- or t-shirt or dress -- does not offer complete sun protection (unless you're wearing a fancy SPF fabric suit or shirt). Put sunscreen on EVERYWHERE (seriously) before you suit up.

And while you're slathering, don't forget about the tops of your ears and your neck and the part in your hair. Pick up a lip balm with some SPF, too.

What about those sunscreen sprays? They're so convenient, but do they work?

I am a huge fan of the spray on sunscreen, both for my kids and for myself (I use it on the very middle of my back, where I can't reach to get the lotion on). Recently, though, I've been reading that dermatologists recommend starting with a layer of lotion (that shot glass full) and using a spray for repplication. So again, slather up before you leave the house -- yourself and the kids -- and then spray everyone down at 45 minute intervals throughout the day.

I'm reading that sunscreens block Vitamin D absorption -- should I be worried about that?

No, and you definitely should absolutely not skip the sunscreen in order to get some Vitamin D. If you're wearing sunscreen daily on your face (which I wholeheartedly recommend) then you are getting enough incidental exposure during your normal day to boost your Vitamin D intake. But for a day when you know you will be out in the sun for a long time, especially around water, please lotion up. The damage that even a mild sunburn does to your skin is not balanced out, in any way, by the Vitamin D you will get from being sunscreen free.

Eh, I never burn. I don't really need sunscreen.

Au contraire! Our friends at FitSugar remind us that even if you're not turning red and peeling, you are damaging your skin by going out without some sort of protection. Skin cancer is a terrible look, no matter how tan you are.

Okay I get it -- sunscreen saves lives. But I'm still not crazy about covering myself -- or my kids -- in chemicals.

Point taken. Fortunately, Feelgood Style has the solution: 

Vive Sana sunscreens offer natural, organic safe protection in the sun- no phthalates, no parabens, no BPA, no nanotechnology, no synthetics just natural sunscreen created for healthy protection from the sun.

The bottom line is this: If you're going to be out in the sun this summer, be careful about your skin. For those long days at the pool or park or beach, cover up adequately and reapply frequently.

Here's to a sunburn free summer!

Susan Wagner writes about style at The Working Closet and about chic suburban living at Friday Playdate. She's a big fan of Neutrogena and Aveno sunscreens for herself, and Coppertone for the kids.

I am not kidding.

Every time I declare my love for Dr. Skin (not his real name) I get emails, typically asking the same questions. So here's my How to Talk to the Dermatologist FAQ. You're welcome.

I'm not to sure what I should ask or show.  Could you tell me what things I should point out?  

There are really two reasons to see a dermatologist: one is because you're unhappy with the way your skin looks, and the other is because you are concerned that something is just not right. If you're there because you are seeing something that concerns you -- a mole with uneven edges, or a scaly patch of skin that just won't heal -- then clearly you're going to show that to the doctor. But what if you're not there because you think you have skin cancer? What if you want to see the doctor because you're tired of breaking out or you want to know what to do about these wrinkles?

When I made my initial appointment with the doctor, the receptionist asked why I wanted to come in, and I told her: I had acne and wrinkles, and nothing I was using for either seemed to be making any difference. And yes, it felt shallow to say "I hate breaking out, and I don't want to look old," but it's important to be honest. Unless you tell the doctor what you want help with, there's no way she can help you.

Keep in mind, though, that a dermatologist is a skin doctor -- she's there to help you care for your skin. Wrinkles and acne are her bread and butter, and while you may be embarrassed by that pimple on your cheek, she's not. She just wants to help you get rid of it.

When you go for the appointment, skip foundation and tinted moisturizer and anything else you have been using to cover up the problem. The doctor needs to be able to see your skin as-is, in order to assess what's going on and treat it appropriately. If you layer on the concealer, it's hard for the doctor to really judge what the issue is.

Be clear, up front, about what you're willing to do, particularly if you're seeing the doctor about wrinkles. Do not let yourself be pressured into doing something you don't want to do. The dermatologist I see does everything from skin cancer screenings to Botox injections. I wasn't interested in anything injectable, even though that was an option in this practice, and I said so.  I have some deep frown lines on my forehead (eh, who doesn't, right?) that a topical treatment will not completely eradicate; my dermatologist never once suggested anything more dramatic than a Retin A gel, although he was careful to point out that I could not expect that treatment to completely erase those lines. I really appreciated that he was listening to me, and wasn't pushing a treatment that I didn't want.

Did you go in just for your face ... or did you also have some body treatments done?  I hate the way my skin looks on my legs so I wanted to see if they could recommend something for that.

Most recently, I've gone in just for my face, but I've seen dermatologists over the years for various parts of my body. I've had moles removed from my arms and legs, for example. My husband goes yearly for a full body screening. If you have questions about any part of your skin, feel free to ask.

If you already have some idea of what kind of treatment you are looking for, do some research before you choose a doctor. I am not advocating storming in to the dermatologists office and demanding that he do a certain procedure or prescribe a specific drug; he's the doctor, not you. But if you know that whatever it is you want treated is more cosmetic than medical, you might want to look for a practice that includes a strong aesthetic or cosmetic component. The doctor I see does both the medically necessary treatments, like removing odd looking moles, and the entirely cosmetic procedures, like Botox. Large hospitals will often have restrictions on cosmetic procedures, so it is worth checking into what a doctor offers before you go in for an appointment.

What kind of regular skin care routine do you follow now?  I feel pretty strict with mine, but I am starting to think that I have something totally wrong.

My skin care routine is one that the dermatologist recommended, as are most of the products I use. I wash my face twice a day with Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Cleanser; my skin is oily in the T zone and normal across my cheeks, so this is the perfect cleanser. I use a topical antibiotic, Clindamycin, to control my acne, and a Retin A gel, Differin, for my wrinkles. I apply the Clindamycin in the morning, under my sunscreen (Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock in an SPF 75); I use the Differin at night, but only about three times a week, and only on the areas where I'm seeing wrinkles (next to my eyes, on my forehead, and over my upper lip). I use Terralina Facial Moisturizer on my cheeks at night, and Clinique's All About Eyes morning and evening. Everything I use on my face has to be noncomedogenic, including my concealer and foundation.

This is kind of a new territory for me and I want to make sure that I go in for the right things and not look completely stupid. Basically I don't want to leave thinking that I wasted my money on nothing.

The strategy for feeling like you're getting the most out of your visit with the dermatologist is this: Make a list of concerns, and then take that list with you into the appointment. Ask questions about anything that concerns you -- treatments, products, strategies. If you like, you can take your current skin care products in with you, or at least a list of them. If you're asking for help with acne, the doctor will most likely tell you to stick with noncomedogenic products, though, regardless of brand.

After your appointment, follow the doctor's instructions to the T. If she says to only use something every other day, do that; don't try to rush the process by using more of a product, or using it more frequently. Keep in mind that it can take six to twelve weeks to see any improvement, and that your skin may look worse before it looks better. But if you stick with the routine, you should see results. Just be patient. 

Have you been to the dermatologist? Do you have any tips? Or do you still have questions about how to approach the skin doctor?

Not a fan of the healthy pale look? Opt for a self-tanner to fake the bake. Star Stevenson at Spendicity has these tips for getting the perfect faux tan: 

1. Gently exfoliate your skin. You want a smooth surface for the
tanning agent to adhere to so the application isn’t streaky or patchy.
2. Moisturize your skin before applying self tanner. It will allow for a smoother application.
3. Set aside half an hour or more to apply the self tanner and allow it to dry. Don’t rush the application process otherwise you’ll get streaks and might miss some spots.
4. Tie your hair up or use a shower cap so it doesn’t stick to your skin.
5. Apply self-tanner lightly on areas where your skin is thickest (knees, elbows, knuckles, ankles).
6. Wash your hands immediately after application or save yourself the trouble and wear gloves.

The glove suggestion is brilliant! Thanks, Star!

What's the best self tanner? Well, it would be one that didn't have that distinctive self-tanner smell, right? BeautyDiva at Beauty is Easy has a suggestion: 

Most companies have figured out how to make self-tanners streak free and give a natural looking color. But so far, the only company I’ve seen that has gotten rid of the stinky smell is Rodial. Some companies have reduced it and others have covered it up with even stinkier perfumes, but this product really does smell good.

I use a Neutrogena self-tanner, which really does have that self-tanner odor, although it's lighter than other tanning lotions I have tried; I put it on at night and sleep in a pair of ancient yoga pants. Then I can lather up in the morning and wash away the smell. But I would really love the alternative of a self-tanner that maybe smelled good. Or at least didn't smell like self-tanner.

What if you don't want to tan all over, and just want a little color on your face? Grab a bronzer! Marci Robin Zitner at Daily Beauty loves the Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Bronze Brightener, calling it the best bronzer for fair skin:

As soon as I laid eyes on it, I could see this speckled, pressed formula is clearly different from other bronzers. And it turns out, once applied, that the not-too-deep amalgam of glow-growing colors never looks heavy or highly contrasting. My skin simply looks healthier, brighter and warmer.

And -- my favorite part -- it's available in your local drugstore for about $14.00.

What's your secret to faking a summer glow? Or have you just decided to be pale this year?

Susan Wagner writes about style at The Working Closet and about chic suburban living at Friday Playdate.