The Tinca Tinca Fish ...or you can call me Doctor

This very handsome plate by the Czech illustrator Jiri Malay shows the Tench or Doctor Fish, a fish found throughout Europe, Siberia and the Caucasus. Why is it also known as the Doctor Fish? It was believed that the mucous on this handsome fish could help treat a wounded fish, so Doctor it is.

1960s Vogue 2206 Molyneux

Featured in the October 1969 issue of Vogue Fashion News, this design by Molyneux features such lovely attention to detail with a standing collar, martingale belt buttoned to the back and pockets inside the front seams. Edward Molyneux was one of those rare designers who was able to transition from the 1930's to the 1970's with dresses that had unbroken lines and a fluidity that was both modern and up to date.

Snow

White Jewels that Fall From the Sky was not my reaction this morning when I saw the first flakes of the season falling. I can remember the excitement I once felt from the first day of snow. But in the past few years I've driven through blizzard conditions too many times. Let it snow, but only when I don't have to go anywhere!

Mia Fonssagrives and Vicky Tiel 1960's Fashion Design Team

A brilliant piece of fashion history in this 1960s Butterick Young Paris Designer original sewing pattern from Mia Fonssagrives and Vicky Tiel.Vicky Tiel and her partner Mia Fonssagrives launched the miniskirt and lace panty hose in Paris in 1965. Vicky went on to design such fabulous dresses as the red dress Julia Roberts wore to the opera in the movie Pretty Woman, while Mia left the design team and went on to become a practicing artist who continues to sculpt, paint and create fine jewelry.

New Orleans Architecture ~ The Courtyard

This charming example of a New Orleans' courtyard was printed in 1929. In the Vieux Carre or French Quarter of New Orleans, many of the houses were built around a court of gardens. In the Colonial period, the old French lots were wide and spacious but within time, houses rose with new and closer alignments on deeps and narrow properties. To keep costs down, adjacent buildings rested on common side walls with continuous street fronts, pushing open spaces rearward giving rise to walled spaces with vertical accents.

The Brilliant Car

We love this striking bright yellow and midnight black print advertisement for the 1953 Skylark by Buick, a six passenger convertible sports car --- a car like the world of flight ...on wheels.

Bernard Villemot Print Ad

Bernard Villemot (1911-1989) was a French graphic artist known for a sharp artistic vision that was influenced by photography. His gift was his ability to combine a memorable image with an advertising message with simple, elegant lines and bold colors.

Elledecor and Best of Etsy

We`re into our third year of running our shop on Etsy and are happy to have been discovered by elledecor.com With over 800,000 art shops in Etsy alone, it might be easy to get lost in the crowd but we`ve developed a lovely passel of repeat customers in the United States, Europe, Australia and Canada. Sandmarg features affordable art, from the unusual to extraordinary. Come visit us here.

Retro 60`s Jumper with Intellectual Appeal

A super stylish design features a semi-fitted double breasted jumper with inset pockets with pleat in the right side back seam. Flatter your figure with an optional buttoned belt. This design is complemented by a striking blouse with v- neckline and pointed collar, long full sleeves, gathered to a triple buttoned cuff. We love the intellectual librarian look!

An Italian Villa Vacation

Now that spring has sprung I`m searching for the perfect place for my summer holidays. Perhaps an Italian villa? I'm not sure my budget would stretch that far, so I'll have to make do with this lovely Victorian print of the Villa Capra, Guilia and Palazzo Farnese. See more of it here.

Something More Than a Duster

Simplicity called this dress pattern a duster: traditionally worn around the home as Barbie performed her chores of daily living and then later in the evening while sipping martinis with Ken and appearing fascinated as he talked about his day... but I see this dress as something more. This would be a super semi-formal cocktail dress for evenings out. For the bride. For the bridesmaid. Love the kimono sleeves. Nice variety with a stand-up or rounded neckline and absolutely love the pockets. Add a belt for emphasis or works nicely with side self ties. Make it in taffeta. And, of course, super-cool in polka-dots.

Royal Love in 1907

Ah romance....In 1906 Alfonso of Spain married Scottish born Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg (1887-1969) who was also known as Ena. They had seven children ( Alfonso also had four children with other women...)

This beautiful plate was published in 1907, one year after their wedding.