Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thursday Giveaway: Vintage Japanese Music Box





This little vintage box -- found in a San Francisco thrift store -- has the charm of Asia and the romance of the Viennese waltz that plays when you lift the enameled top. The tune will make you think of glittering ballrooms and floor-length dresses. And it's the perfect place to stash small treasures heavy with memory. In our souls, we all know how to waltz.

Please leave a comment here to enter. The winner will be announced Monday!

PS: If you have a chance, please let me know which zines you read (see two posts below!) I'm putting together a list!

Thank you! Have a wonderful Thursday.

101 comments:

Vintage Hair said...

I love it so cute. I love vintage asian anything really. Your blog is wonderful by the way x&o's Sherri

Like a Cat said...

you always find the neatest little things on your adventures.

Kristen said...

I love that notice :-) haha. For whatever reason it makes me smile.

~K

Christine said...

That is absolutely gorgeous! I actually collect little boxes like that and I'm completely obsessed with all things Japanese. What a wonderful find. And how can you not love a box that plays music:)

Christine@TheFiveSenses.org

jamaica byles said...

I'm a huge fan of anything Japanese! This would look lovely on my dressing table.....
My favorite zines ; Elle Decor, Country Living, Food and Wine, Bon Appetite, British Country Living.

Unknown said...

So pretty!!

chelsea rebecca said...

this is simply wonderful!
crossing my fingers!

Deborah Aiza said...

So beautiful and precious. I wonder if I will find something like this when I make my first trip to Japan this Spring. Or maybe I can listen to the sweet tinkling sounds of the Waltz to recall my adventure?

Marie said...

So beautiful! I would treasure it.

Elizabeth said...

Lovely! I would love to win; but also, could you do a post on how you find such fascinating knick-knacks? Also, where are good places to shop for boxes of people's old photographs?

Ally said...

Absolutely beautiful. Such an awesome giveaway!! I love reading your blog!!

trish said...

i have real fondness for old things and old boxes especially. Makes me think - what was kept in that box? who was she that protected her precious items under lock and key? jewels or love notes? it may have been a gift from a soldier; brought back from the war. what was the story behind the person who made it? or was it simply for export and still made someone happy?

zines: departures

C'est La Vie said...

I'm going to Asia next year! I WOULD LOVE THIS!

elizabethscrawford said...

aw this is way too adorable! i want one!

Ali said...

what a gem!

susie q said...

It's like a jewel. Love it!

Mlle Paradis said...

that's a wonderful find! ok, me please! thanks for sharing! it's a wonderful post even if it weren't a giveaway. gorgeous pics.

Sorbesque said...

I dont believe in coincidence. I just blogged about vintage few days ago and today, stumbling on your post... it must be fate^^

Anonymous said...

love your blog! I've been reading for several months now.And I'd LOVE to win the jewelry box!
The only zine I've spent much time reading is COMETBUS by Aaron Cometbus. You can find an anthology of it in paperback:http://www.amazon.com/Despite-Everything-Aaron-Cometbus/dp/0867195614/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267124655&sr=8-1

Lisa Strawberry

Janet said...

This is really lovely! I don't read any zines...too much time reading blogs and books!

Giulia said...

You could write copy for the best of them, T. Very pretty.

Julia-Megumi said...

It's so lovely! You find such amazing little treasures on your thrifting trips!

Tonia said...

Really beautiful, well found!

Amanda said...

Oh--beauty!

Lane said...

So pretty i love it!

WrightStuff said...

It looks like it definitely once held a secret treasure or two!

Krissy (Shimmer Like Gold) said...

Oh gosh, another beautiful find! :D

Anonymous said...

Music boxes. Oh, my. How very lovely. You do find the most wonderful things. You should start your own curio shop. : )

Count me in!

Hilary Claire said...

I really like the box! My favorite parts are the antique key hole and the bright blue interior. Great find!

-Hilary

Kay said...

I'm beginning to think of you as a great show and tell class :) come to think of it....i wonder what i would bring????? hmmmmmm

Rosa said...

My ears are itchying to hear the sound of the japanese music box.

s said...

That's beautiful.

Haven't been reading any zines, though.

Nicole Fernuik said...

I love that you say we all know how to waltz in our hearts! I just wish my heart to tell my feet! This box is so elegant and charming!

Melissa said...

I came across your blog yesterday and I have to say I already love it.
Music boxes from any place are simply too charming. Adorable, really!

Brigitte said...

adoorable. (: yes, want.

xoxox
looking-glass-fables.blogspot.com

Daisy said...

This is such a beauty!!

arteriole said...

I can hear the twinkling notes already..... :))

Bombchell said...

wow would love to win it.

Emily said...

wow, that really is beautiful! i don't actually read any zines at the moment, but the ComiCosmos one looks like something i would really enjoy reading!

ehuynh74@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

So very pretty! :)

Jimmy Brindle said...

Awww, how pretty!

Katrine M said...

What a beautiful box!

Heidi Rose said...

This looks so delicate, beautiful, and yet sturdy. Kind of like hope, if it were a tangible thing.

I read SELF and Women's Health. My sister likes Marie Claire.

(just recently became a follower. :)

Beth282 said...

Wow what an interesting piece. Absolutely gorgeous. Very generous of you to be giving it away. Lucky person! :)

thedoodlegirl said...

Lovely, lovely! Thanks for the chance! :)

Becks said...

Ah!!! It's so pretty!!

Pinecone Camp said...

Well, that's pretty much perfect! I collect vintage Japanese things, everything from kokeshi to fabric screen print screens. As for mags I read Frankie, Dumbo Feather, Living Etc, and Elle Decoration UK.

Pearl Grey said...

It's exquisite. I had a music box when I was a little girl, with two ballet dancers that moved and span on top of a mirror to the music. I was disappointed to learn about magnets, and even more so when it broke.

Emily A. Blasik said...

lovely!

Heidi said...

Oh pick me

Unknown said...

How lovely! Count me in

Jack said...

Once again blog surfing has turned up some lovely eye candy. Glad I stumbled upon your blog tonight :)

Jack♥

leilani.e said...

The only 'zines i really read consistently are Her Royal Majesty, out of Halifax, and the King's Femenist Society zine, as I contribute to it... :) There are way too many good zines out there!
(also, SO jealous of your SF trip. have way too much fun.)

Chelsey Oliver: said...

So perfect!! Keeping my fingers crossed <3

Michelle said...

I just discovered your blog and love it. I read Craft. I can't wait to visit SF again and visit many of the places you've featured especially the tea room.

Anonymous said...

HAIKU:
Pandora's black box.
Travel with sound, sights, feelings.
What treasures await?

CHELSEA HAYWOOD said...

Ah! Please! I want it. I will trade you for my book. I guess that is not really allowed in a giveaway competition. Very lovely.

Michelle Melski said...

I'm reading "The Tale of Genji" right now, it's the first novel ever written and comes from Japan. In it there are music boxes like this that the characters would use to give love notes or rice cakes that symbolizes their love and unions. This box is very close to what I pictured!

Annika said...

very cute, i love boxes.
i don't read many zines but i just ordered one called palimsest, it's unbound and multimedia...i'm excited to get it in the mail!

Lavanya said...

this is so cute! Would love to be entered in the draw!

Sher said...

What a treasure, its lovely:)

stephanie said...

i love the box! would love to win it.

i read regularly read wired magazine and physics today.

Anonymous said...

music boxes take me back to my childhood when i had the little ballerina dancing around. SO SWEET
btw ur one of my daily blogs.

Ziad Ali said...

i love all things with an asian twist! music boxes ar agical, i have one from weni was youner which plays 'somewhere over the rainbow' its lovely :)
Pearl xo

Wombler said...

Hello, I love Japonisme.

Fleurette said...

Truly exquisite! I read O ,house and garden,quiltmaker,getaway travel.

Unknown said...

So cute! its lovely .. ;)

n said...

Oh my god, fingers crossed for this one! I hope I'm lucky..

Helena said...

magical xoxo

Hausfrau said...

It's amazing!

Regarding zines, I got out of the habit of reading them (other than The East Village Inky, which I have loved for years) when I started reading blogs. I know there are still so many good zines out there, as you are finding.

Nina said...

Ah, music boxes are magical for me. I've been dreaming to own one, but can't seem to find anything vintage here.

Mrs S said...

Oh it's so beautiful!! Fav mags are Frankie and Donna Hay.

Velvet said...

I really love that kind of boxes!

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Such a beautiful jewelry box. I remember these being very popular when I was a little girl, but I never had one. This one is in such nice condition. Thank you so very much for your generosity and for the opportunity to win it. Have a nice day! Twyla

Diana said...

So lovely! I wish I had a better jewelry collection so I could store it here :(

jennifer said...

adorable box!
i don't read any fashion zines.?

Nissa said...

How lovely! It reminds me of a music box my aunt sent to my mom from Japan when I was a little girl. It had black lacquer like yours, but it had a scene of cherry blossom trees on the top and played the melody from "Sukiyaki" by A Taste of Honey. Haha! :oD It clearly wasn't vintage!

arsenicofago said...

oh. god! love it! my boyfriend would love it!

Unknown said...

I love it very much. I have passion of collecting vintages. Very nice!

Mary P. said...

Oh how charming! We have to get you up here someday for the Alameda Flea Market. First Sunday of every month.

lynnevincent said...

You find the most wonderful things on your adventures!

stephanie said...

Ohh, I love it! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. xo

Addie said...

Cute little box!

I haven't really had the chance to read many zines..

I should start!

adelinethemanyhearts@gmail.com

Aino said...

Lovely!!

heleen said...

Oh this is too adorable! I just happen to be in need of a new box to keep my letters in, this would be perfect!

As for magazines... I'm really fond of Zoo Magazine and if I have enough money on me I can never resist buying i-D :) There are a bunch of great online magazines I religiously read, too!

kimberj said...

What a lovely prize! You are so thoughtful :) Don't put me in the running though because I am fortunate enough to have a similiar one from my late great Aunt Mabel. She was truly Diamond Lil and a loan shark wrapped in one tiny sparkly dynamite package. Thanks for making me think of the lovely woman again!!!

abigail's treasure said...

oh how gorgeous - if I am so lucky?!

also thank you for posting my link on your community page, i love your blog!

Melissa said...

Oh wow! My grandmother used to have one of these - I have no idea where it went to. Probably got lost in the mellee of children growing up. Such a pretty little treasure!

Alexandra. said...

This is absolutely lovely. My mother used to collect music boxes, and she would say "I feel as if the little dancers inside are spinning 'round just for me."

I frequent Vogue and The Week, as my magazines of preference.

J. Christina Huh said...

Oh how lovely!! You find the most wonderful things. :)

designani said...

Lovely!!!!!! I wanted it so badly.....

Amelia said...

this box is so beautiful!
I'm on the lookout for some zines myself, so I look forward to seeing your list :)

Hannah said...

it's super adorable. and so is this blog.

Unknown said...

this would make such a perfect birthday gift for one of my friends! :) i haven't had very much time to read lately, but i'll look forward to your recommendations!

Zzzz said...

Your found box reminds me of a box my sister-in-law Teresa gave me when I was a child. I assumed I would be tall and beautiful like Teresa, who was a model, since I was too young to understand genetics. I was pleased she would choose such a wonderful object for me and mesmerized by its sound. Unfortunately, the box was lost long ago during my turbulent and rebellious teenage years. My sister-in-law died young from an unusual type of lung cancer and I've always looked for a replacement when I have been in resale shops. You found it! I would be happy to give it a new home. Thanks for documenting your life--it's an intriguing read.

Amandolin said...

I adore this little box! How do you find all these cute little things?

Anna said...

My dad spent a good amount of time living in Japan, so, I've always grown up with a soft spot for Japanese decor. I love that this is a music box as well.

Poethead said...

I had this very same box, when I was a little girl! This picture brings back so many memories.

Unknown said...

Beautiful!! But if I win can you post to Scotland? BTW I have booked your Paris apartment for a vacation in June. Thank you for that.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness. It looks identical to this one my mother had when I was a little girl. I used to watch her get ready and she'd take out her cameo necklace and this beautiful ruby ring she left to me. Ahhh the Memories.

Steve McGarrigle said...

I have one of those - it belonged to my mother. I loved listening to the melody and playing with the trinkets that she kept in there when i was very young.
I was just thinking about it (It's stashed away in a box in the attic somewhere.
I was very suprised to see pictures of one that's identical on only my second search result.