25 Vintage Deals Under $100 for April 2015

Five full years ago to the day, in one of the earliest editions of my Vintage Fashionista Friday post series, I dedicated a post to the fact that it was my dear mother’s birthday and selected pieces that reminded me of her elegant, classic style.

When thinking of a theme for this month's edition of 25 Vintage Deals Under $100, as I was planning it for April 2nd, it hit me that opting for items that related to my mom would be a really fun idea to go with. My mother adores history, but she isn't a vintage wearer or collector, so coming at things from that angle wouldn't have worked very well. I toyed with a few ideas and then it struck me, I'll shine the spotlight on 25 delightful vintage items that include (or are entirely comprised of) her very favourite colour in the whole wide world: purple!!!

As this is also one of the most perfect choices for springtime fashion, it makes all the more since to roundup a hefty handful of violet, lavender, plum, raisin, lilac, and other purple hued old school items that I suspect my mom would adore and that I hope you'll all delight in seeing, and possibly purchasing, too.

1. You would be hard pressed to find a more elegantly lovely, springtime perfect antique brooch than this turn of the beautiful, good sized, gold gilt edged and hand painted turn of the century stunner that is in terrific shape for its antique age and which is truly an instant heirloom piece. $40.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



2. If it wasn't for the fact that many of the tones in the light to mid-purple range of the purple spectrum can be tricky for my colouring to pull off in large volumes, I would have snapped up this reasonably priced, wonderful vintage 1950s patio/square dance set in a heartbeat. It's as pretty as the first lilac blooms of spring and the most dazzling lavender tinged sunsets of summer. Fits up to a 38" bust/29" waist. $65.00 from 58 Petticoats.



3. This 1940s long sleeved pastel purple blouse is so pretty and versatile! Wear it as stand alone piece now and layered under suits, vests, sweaters, cardigans, and jumper/pinafore dresses in the chillier months. Fits up to a 38" bust/36" waist. $39.00 from My Vintage Crush.



4. Tell me this sweet vintage Napco morning glory birthday girl figurine isn't spectacular From her flower trimmed dress to her sassy expression she's a kitschy, delightful charmer. $24.50 from Bichen Vintage.



5. When we think of leaf motif jewelry, autumn tones are often the first, completely understandably, that pop to mind, but as this delightfully pretty, splendidly fun 1950s thermoset necklace in a trio of attractive purple tones proves, leaves can look amazing for spring and summer, too! $26.00 from  Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



6. How fun and chic is this lovely 1950s hat with its swirling, candy cane-esque trim? This would make for a fantastic Easter or Mother's Day hat, while also partnering wonderfully with vintage suits and scores of other outfits. $30.00 from Midcentury One.



7. This one is for all of my talented sewing readers out there: a deadstock Dorothy B Lens sew-it-yourself kit complete with all of the original pieces needed to make a plum hued pencil skirt, dating from 1959. $20.00 from Kenton Collectibles.



8. How terrifically cool are these adorable 1950s - 60s era barrettes designed specifically for the well dressed dog? (Though they could certainly be worn by those who walk upright, too! :)) On sale at the time of writing for $14.40 (normally$18.00) from  Ms. Tips.



9. Cute, versatile, and super well suited to warmer half of the year that we're starting to embrace once again, this fun vintage purple, green and white novelty print wrap skirt is just the thing for a day at the beach, farmer's market, or sightseeing adventure. Fits between a 25" - 30" waist. $58.07 from Vera Mode.



10. Ooohh, how this gorgeous 1940s dark, inky purple velvet handbag makes my heart skip a beat! It's classic, alluring, and sure to garner scores of compliments thanks to its unexpected shade of midnight plum. $24.50 from Picking Pittsburgh.



11. Whether you can read French or not, you're bound to swoon over this classically gorgeous set of vintage French small paperback books that are more than lovely enough to use as decor pieces or give as gifts. $16.78 for five books from French KlimBim.




12. I absolutely adore big vintage square shaped scarves like this fun zigzag and floral print c. 1960s charmer! Not only do they look fabulous worn in various ways around the neck, but they're arguably the handiest style to use for 1940s "Rosie" inspired headscarf looks, as well as for wrapping over pin curls and rollers of all kinds at night or while doing housework/running errands. $17.50 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



13. Grapes are one of the first things that we generally associate with purple, so it's only fitting to add at least one old school grape themed item to your home or wardrobe. I love the design and classic colour palette of this charming vintage crochet doily. It would look so smile-inducingly pretty beneath your favourite bottle of vino! $8.00 from Misstiques.



14. I am seriously smitten with this enchantingly lovely 1950s embroidered purple flower short sleeve blouse. I can practically feel the comforting warm summer breeze blowing through its fabric as I look it. Swoon! Fits up to a 36" bust. $46.00 from 1919 Vintage.



15. Set an especially pretty springtime table with this great vintage deadstock linen set comprised of a lavender hued tablecloth and four floral print napkins, all of which are still in their original box. $26.00 from Revival Vintage ATX.



16. I am an absolutely massive fan of vintage Canadiana, so when I saw this fabulously cute 1940s souvenir pillow from Saskatchewan, I couldn't help but beam a megawatt smile and include it in today's purple themed post. $38.00 from Blackbird Antiques NC.




17. This serene, beautiful shade of reddish violet is amongst my favourite purple hues ever. I adore how sophisticated it looks in this big handmade raw silk scarf that can easily be worn as a belt, shawl, or head wrap, too, and which comes complete with a matching a matching belt to boot! $27.97 from Contrapunt.



18. Given that grapes are the most famous purple fruit (though plums, blackberries and a few others are certainly of note, too), I couldn't help but include a second vintage item featuring this scrumptious gift from Mother Nature. From classic, beloved ceramic collectibles brand Lefton comes this sophisticated c. 1950s purple grape wall pocket. $20.00 from Moonstruck Cottage.



19. Purple vintage shoes are something I've been trying to track down for years now in my size and price range. No luck yet, but should you happen to wear a size 7 and like pointy toed heels, than these fantastic 1950s/60s slubbed linen beauties are for you! $55.00 from Hot Rod Girl Vintage.



20. If you're a fan of purple in supporting roles than this fantastic Edwardian antique brass and glass bead skeleton key brooch is for you. Nestled between two emerald toned beads resides a single gorgeous amethyst hued one that plays off of the green and brass hues sublimely, while also helping to make for one head-turningly marvelous early 20th century novelty pin. $32.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



21. The colours - tranquil, yet sweepingly vivacious at the same time - at work in this great 1950s short sleeve floral print dress are nothing short of breathtaking beautiful! Fits up to a 27" waist (see listing for more sizing details). $52.90 from Mama Loves You Vintage.



22. How moo-valously kitschy-cute are these fun purple and white cow shaped c. 1940s salt and pepper shakers? They'd be just the thing to use on the table for your next barbeque, birthday bash, or tea party. $14.00 from Victorian to Vintage.



23. Maybe I'm a touch biased because my own current glasses are a plumy-burgundy hue, but I absolutely adore vintage purple frames like this classic, beautiful 1960s eggplant hued beauties. They’re a quasi-neutral that will go with a surprising number of outfits, hair colours and make-up looks (trust me, I speak from experience). $45.84 from Vera Mode.



24. Rich, regal, wonderful shades or red, pink and purple swirl though the candy-like round glass beads in this marvelous 1950s - 1960s necklace, which I can't help but think would look stunning with both crisp white and blue denim all spring and summer long. $25.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



25. Naturally I had to wrap up this post, spurred into creation by today's date and my mom's favourite colour, with a vintage item that paid homage to both things. Enter this wonderfully lovely 1950s scalloped edge "Happy Birthday" handkerchief. $10.00 from Our Vintage Favourites.

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♥ ♥ ♥

After the long, often stressful month that was March, I'm thrilled that we can kick off April with something as gleeful and exciting as not just a birthday, but that of my beloved mother. She always says not to make a fuss about her b-day, but we – her nearest and dearest - don't listen very well there usually and love going all out to celebrate a day that means to very much to our family and the life of such a beautiful, caring, inspiring woman.

There's lots in the cards for today, so as dawn breaks across a damp early springtime sky, I'll wrap up here for now, and get ready to help make my mom's birthday every bit as special as she is!