Wrapped up in our new Temana Belt

Looking for a more upscale and elegant look? Look no further. Even on the beach, you'll turn heads. The belt feels so natural on the hips.

Our new Temana Belt is made from intricately woven raffia fibers. These fibers are soft and pliable, not to mention that they are also light in weight. If you wear it with a dark neutral colored skirt, fashionable pareo, or dress, your belt will stand out with the light color and texture.

Have we mentioned the shells? Four shells carved in the shape of Tahitian tiare flowers adorn the belt just to give the right touch of French Polynesia. It combines the flower of Tahiti and one of the artisans of Tahiti's most favored natural resource - the Black Pearl shell or mother of pearl.

What's more is a feature that took almost a year to get right. It might seem small but the pearl shell buckle hooks into the belt in a seamless way. The belt has three sizes that you can choose from - 34, 37, and 40 inches. And you can move between the sizes by hooking the mother of pearl shell buckle in the hidden loops.

Because each belt is handmade, each is unique. It's perfect for the woman who's looking for just the right amount of Polynesia and fashion.

Hard-to-get Island Kili bags

You might remember Jackie Onassis carrying one of these, or maybe a young woman in the Cook Islands walking to church, but once you've seen the Island Kili bags, you won't forget. They are the epitome of island class. Originally made by the islanders from Bikini Atoll, the intricate weaving of young coconut leaf fibers is all done by hand. In Polynesia, the fibers are called niau blanc.

Inside the bag you'll find a layer of classic 1/4 inch wide lauhala strips woven together to insulate. The top of the bag is attached at one end and opens with a flip of the lid. Woven handles complete the look.

Its perfect for any time of year, but even better in the warm summer months. The bag is light so its easy and effortlessly taken from place to place. Store your iPod or iPhone, essential makeup, travel lotion or pareo. It lifts casual island style to new elegance.

Check out the 2 sizes available priced $48 for the small and $72 for the medium. It'll make you feel like booking a flight just to stroll through an island getaway or Hawaii Vacation. If you can afford a little pampering, take the trip. If a trip is a little out of range, save up. It's worth it. In the meantime, this Island Kili bag will keep the islands fresh in your mind every time you pick it up or get compliments and jealous looks.

The pareo skirt - tying your pareo

We've been looking for a pareo look that can leave the beach behind and we found it in the A'ahu pareo tying style demonstrated for us by Poehere. By taking a full size pareo and wrapping it around the waist lengthwise and tying it on your preferred hip, we have one of the most simple, yet elegant looking tying style. Next, by adding a mini pareo of complementing color, our model folded the mini pareo lengthwise twice and tied over the full size pareo right above the full size tie to create another layer to the skirt. By wrapping it at a slight angle, you can create even more interest. The style allows for comfort and flexibility as it stays open, but not necessarily revealing, on the side you made the tie.

You can create some interest as well by tying the full size pareo on the width instead of lengthwise. This will allow for a "slit" that will go up to the hip tie and a "train" that you can let trail or you can pick up for "on the go". Either way, you have a more dressy look to your average pareo. Add a solid color neutral or complementing top, a nice understated black pearl necklace, some Maitai black pearl shell round earrings or a tiare hairpick behind your ear and you have a perfect tropical evening... a casual island elegance.

Here's a few suggested color variations that work well. Our Mahana Pareo Set is perfect for this as it is light and breathes well. After all, it's a 100% cotton. And it has the flexibility to mix different colors. Not to mention that it is on sale!

Full size pareo – Mini pareo
Tahiti purple – Lehua red
Palm green – Yellow ginger
Rehu ash gray – Lehua red
Rehu ash gray – Light blue ocean
Yellow ginger – Coral orange
Citrus lime - Rainforest green
Twilight blue – Tahiti purple
Hibiscus pink – Rehu ash gray

Visit Black Pearl Designs for more color options.