Blog Posts by Sarah Bernard

We've been waiting for this film ever since the casting was announced. Christina Aguilera reaches back to her Lady Marmalade days and makes her big-screen debut in  Burlesque as Ali, a doe-eyed, small-town cabaret singer with a big voice and a penchant for crystal-encrusted bras. The legendary Cher returns to moviemaking after seven long years to play Ali's mentor, Tess. Boy, how we've missed her! Naturally, Cher looks right at home in the spotlight and in plenty of glitter. We caught up with both divas as well as their high-wattage costars—Julianne Hough, Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci and Eric Dane—to see what they had to say about their perfectly vampy wardrobe by Michael Kaplan ("Flashdance", "Blade Runner") and working with a legend.

When you're shopping for a jacket, finding something warm, affordable, and fashionable is always a challenge. To make it a little easier this year, we've rounded up the top coat trends of the season and lots of budget-friendly options for you to stock up on.

-The leather jacket. It's the tough girl's jacket of choice. Wear it with jeans and heels or over a floral dress to give a feminine look some edge.

- A camel-colored coat. This was the color on the runways from Celine to Chloe, and stylish women all over Europe have already begun rocking the trend. Because camel is a classic neutral you can even splurge on this option and it will never go out of style for long.

- A cape coat. It's all about the dramatic silhouette. Haute couture houses like Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent showcased this style but, thankfully, so did stores like Gap and J.Crew. A cape works over skinny jeans or tights and ankle boots. A long, flowing skirt, by contrast, would probably not provide

The holidays are about dressing up and piling on the glam, but here on The Thread we like to do both on a budget. We've got what you need to hit the season in style, from dresses and accessories to the perfect makeup and shimmery nail polish to complete your look.

1. Silk dress. We picked a festive emerald greed option from Rachel Rachel Roy, one of our favorite designers.

2. Lace platform pumps. Lace has been a huge trend this season, and platforms (as opposed to regular stilettos) are a lot more comfortable to stand in during cocktail parties.

3. A box clutch. Besides adding polish to a look, a box clutch is an ideal purse to carry because it fits everything—your phone, keys, lip gloss, etc.

4. Cocktail rings. For over-the-top glitz, add a cocktail ring (or two). Arden B. and
Forever 21 both have some spectacular, affordable options.

5. Sparkly nails. Instead of traditional holiday red, opt for shimmery gold or silver—an
understated shade that will also look appropriate at the

I don't know anyone who isn't overscheduled, sleep-deprived and overwhelmed by the fact that there's too much to do and not enough time to do it in. I look at my watch and it feels like the hours are moving by twos. So, before we hit the holidays (hello, over-eating, over-shopping, overtime with crazy relatives) why not head into the season with a de-stressing plan already in place? We caught up with Dr. Travis Stork of "The Doctors" to get his favorite absolutely doable de-stressing techniques— the kind we can incorporate into our lives on a daily basis.

Dr. Travis suggests taking control of stress (before it takes control of you) by making small, manageable decisions that will boost your mood on a daily basis.

1. Cook something. Cooking can boost your mood— and we're not even talking about the eating part. Focusing on an activity that takes you out of the hustle and bustle of your day can be a form of active meditation. The festive aromas of the season can also put you in a good

For a show that's filled with lots of white coats, the "Private Practice" crew sure manages to keep up the fashion.  Addison's tailored trousers and pencil skirts are always paired with heels. Theory and Elizabeth & James are Charlotte's go-to labels. Violet's eclectic, Boho-chic pieces have a funky edge and Amelia's self-described "tomboy princess" look is full of dark denim and on-trend leather jackets. And of course, the handsome Tim Daly and wildly hot Taye Diggs bring their own style to this ensemble cast. See what each doc has to say about their wardrobe and what it's like to work with a surprisingly ego-free group.

Check out Kate's newest endeavor:  a signature scent.

Celebrities may think it's a scandal to wear the same look twice, but those of us who don't have Rachel Zoe on the payroll or bottomless bank accounts know that the key to staying stylish is the ability to mix and match affordable basics in clever ways. If the pieces you own can fully cover the casual/dressy spectrum (with the help of killer shoes and accessories), you don't have to live with an overstuffed closet. And if you choose pieces in washable fabrics, you won't be facing the extra cost of dry cleaning bills! Here's our take on the five basics you need right now— plus a style sheet for the 10 different looks you can create with them.

We invited two "Thread" viewers to our studio to illustrate how you can create 10 outfits for occasions with very different dress codes using our five favorite basics.

Leggings
The most comfortable essential of all can be kept casual with an oversized sweater and leather boots.

Go the opposite direction for shopping with your girlfriends, with

For months now we've been extolling the virtue of Jessica Simpson's shoe collection, in particular her sexy, comfortable platform heels and boots. So when we heard she was trying her hand at denim this season, we were intrigued---and frankly, impressed, considering the media backlash that resulted after she sported a pair of super unflattering high-wasted jeans on stage. The jeanswear has an impressive range of washes, colors, and shapes (flare, bootleg, jegging). Most impressive, though, are the price tags: jeans start at $49. We caught up with the singer-actress-designer to talk about why affordability was a priority, where she likes to bargain shop with boyfriend Eric Johnson, and how she feels now about that infamous photo. Is launching her own denim line the best revenge?

Do you need helping finding jean's for your body type? Check out our denim guide.

Is it not true that scoring that fabulous pair of jeans — the one that transforms your body into a better version of itself — makes you feel like you've discovered a buried treasure? Is it not also true that repeatedly trying on pair after trendy pair that only magnify your least favorite attributes makes you want to commit to sweatpants forever? We all love denim and, frankly, can't live without it. But the denim options have become overwhelming and finding a compromise between what's in fashion and what looks best on your body can be an especially maddening experience. Before you hit the dressing room, we've got some important pieces of advice to keep in mind for eight of the most common body types. Enjoy!

At any given moment, fashion magazines may be saying that low-rise or distressed denim or extra-wide bell-bottoms are the way to go, but if the cut/wash/shape doesn't flatter your particular figure, it's of no use. Proportion and balance are the focus when it comes to finding the