EZRA | The First Capsule Collection from ZALORA.

So what's a 'capsule collection', you may ask. Just to be clear, it's not a collection of medicines, or things that you pop into your mouth when you are (or to avoid getting) sick. A capsule collection or capsule wardrobe is actually a set of easy-to-wear items that can be mixed and matched to create a number of different stylish ensembles.

This concept was pioneered by American designer Donna Karan in 1985, when she first released her '7 Easy Pieces Collection'. These seven pieces are: a bodysuit, a blouse (or turtleneck), a coat, a jacket, a skirt, a pair of pants (or trousers), and an evening dress.

When this collection debuted in the runway, Donna Karan showed models dressed only in bodysuits and black tights. And as the show progressed, the models then began adding items of clothing such as jackets and trousers, to show versatility of the pieces and the interchangeable style of dressing.

An example of the 7 Easy Pieces.

Here in the Philippines, online fashion store Zalora recently launched their own capsule collection with their own clothing label, EZRA. This in-house, exclusive collection features clothing, shoes, and accessories for women, with a range of menswear already in the works.

EZRA.

Here's a bit of info about the brand:
Fresh, exciting and current, EZRA is for fashion-lovers who pride themselves on staying on the forefront of trends and up-to-the-minute style. Drawing inspiration from the catwalk, celebrity looks and street style, EZRA is a must-have for style-setting individuals that value unique and affordable fashion.

EZRA’s collective of international, Singapore based designers continually scour the globe for inspiration to bring you the latest in what’s directional and cool. This is seen in the diverse range of on-trend pieces found in both the women and men’s collections of apparel, footwear and bags.

Womenswear incorporates fun and flirty designs for the girl who loves the frivolity of fashion to the chic and trend-savvy, for the girl who likes to stand out from the crowd. Pieces that can take her from day to night with ease are paired with footwear and bags that effortlessly complete the EZRA look. EZRA’s Men’s collections embraces a wide-range of trends from youthful street-style to a more refined sartorial look that allow any guy to experiment with an assortment of modern, global-inspired looks.

Now take a look at some of my favorite stuff from this newly-unveiled line. These are pieces of clothing that I would actually wear, considering that I'm a simple jeans and t-shirt girl in real life. Haha! :)

Drop-waist T-shirt Dress, Php 595.

Tweed Jacket, Php 2195.

Metallic Lace Tee, Php 649.

Embellished Collar Sheath Dress, Php 1795.

You can view the entire collection here, and you can get to know more about EZRA here. :)

A Quick Guide to Stress-Free Holiday Shopping.

I don't know about you, but I'm already starting my holiday shopping - especially now that Christmas is just 99 days away. I try to keep this task of picking out presents as fun as possible and avoid long queues and last-minute panic buying as much as I can - which is why I try to get things done even before malls and shopping centers could even put up their Christmas decors.

And because I'm in a festive and giving mood, I'm sharing with you some tips on how to make your own shopping experience fun and stress-free - and friendly on the pocket, too.

Photo credit: Visit Korea.

1. Make a list, check it twice.
Write down the names of people you are planning to buy gifts for. List down the things you plan to give, along with the price of the items you are planning to buy. Also include in the list the people who will receive cash gifts such as your godchildren, employees, the trash collector, etc. Doing so will help you manage your budget for the holidays.

2. Do your homework.
Not sure whether you'll buy a Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Galaxy Note3 for your husband? Can't decide between an NX2000 or NX3000 for yourself? That's easy. Simply Google for product information and customer reviews to help you decide which item/s to buy. Who knows, you might also be able to stumble upon a great deal on online stores and group buying sites.

Photo credit: Uber Gizmo.

3. Start early.
You need not wait for the 'ber months to kick off before you buy Christmas gifts. You can actually start your Christmas shopping way ahead, any time of the year. Just make sure you keep track of the gifts that you've bought, and keep them hidden so as not to spoil the surprise!

4. Take advantage of sale events.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, end-of-season sales, clearance sales... Take advantage of events like these as merchants usually offer huge discounts on almost all of their products. Online shopping sites such as Zalora PH usually give their loyal customers first dibs on discounts and promos, so make sure you stay in the loop and sign up for newsletters and SMS notifications.

Photo credit: Zalora PH.

5. Avoid the rush.
No time to go the mall? Too busy to go to bazaars? Or you simply don't want to battle large crowds and long queues? Then online shopping is your best bet. Thanks to modern technology, you can now do your Christmas shopping without having to leave home or play hooky from work. Some online stores even offer free shipping, which allows you to save on handling fees and charges.

And there you have it, my quick guide to stress-free Christmas shopping. Now it's time to hit the malls (or online stores for that matter) and empty our wallets, haha! :)