The Belle of the Balls : The Official Blog of Crunchy Jewels & Sweet Jewels Cake Balls

Balls for the Holidays

2011-12-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

Limited Edition Peppermint Candy Cane Cake Balls

Signature Red Velvet

Gift boxes available

To inquire about ordering and availability: info@sweetjewelsnyc.com

xoxo Jules

My Balls are Blue for DJ Linsdey!

2011-09-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Lindsey Caldwell and Myles Tipley!!

xoxo Jules

P.S. Above photobooth series by Christelle de Castro!

Montauk!

2011-08-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

I spent an amazing and relaxing week at the beach out in Montauk with my friends at Stuart & Wright.

xoxo Jules

Bridal Shower Balls for Ms. Ajiri

2011-06-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

xoxo Jules

Fun with balls and ice cream

2011-06-28T04:54:00.001-07:00

Two of my favorite things.

xoxo jules

Allora with Beatrice Tosti di Valminuta

2011-05-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am very grateful to my dear friends Julio & Beatrice of Il Bagatto/Il Posto Accanto who support my balls and shower me constantly with love in form of yummy food at either their restaurants or our Monday night family dinners. Here is a video of Beatrice making my favorite brunch dish Uova in Trippa.

xoxo, Jules

Happy Birthday Jasmine!

2011-04-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

We celebrated stylist extraordinaire Jasmine Benjamin's birthday at the National in the LES and had an amazing feast. I made her party favors for her guests ;).

xoxo, Jules

Another Saturday Morning Skyping with my Sister in Seattle

2011-02-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

xoxo Jules

The Lake & Stars Fall 2011 Presentation

2011-02-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

My friends Maayan & Nikki of The Lake & Stars presented a gorgeous collection with raving reviews! Congrats ladies!

xoxo Jules

p.s. Custom colored cake ball thank you gifts for the ladies:

Happy Birthday Bill McMullen!

2011-02-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

Showed up to my friend Bill's party and did not realize my cake balls were going to be the "birthday cake!" So Bill's lovely lady Yuki, art director extraordinaire, did some amazing last minute foil sculpting ;)

xoxo Jules

2010-12-13T18:58:00.001-08:00

Mamma from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Alec's quadruple amputee kitty... just kidding! She's a curvy girl who likes to tuck it all in ;)

xoxo jules

Amy Sedaris' Got My Balls

2010-12-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

Balls for Amy and Alec made nut balls cookies too!


Knick Knacks courtesy of Amy and Adam

Love me some Adam Selman


The line was around the block to see Amy!

Kitty Balls! (United Bamboo x Creatures of Comfort Nov 17th 7-9pm)

2010-11-10T17:09:00.000-08:00

The United Bamboo calendar is now available on the United Bamboo website for $50. The photographs from the calendar will be auctioned off November 17, 7-9 at Creatures of Comfort in NYC; 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Animal Haven as well as the no-kill cat shelter KittyKind.

Come enjoy some cake balls and refreshments in support of our favorite feline friends.

xoxo Jules

My Balls Love Amy Sedaris (Simple Times: Crafts For Poor People)

2010-11-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

I did a mini-collaboration with the lovely Amy Sedaris for her new book Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People in a section called "Out of this World: Space Balls and Blast Offs." Our friends Tony Longoria, Todd Oldham (tin foil bracelet), Adam Selman (costumes), and Zaldy (wheelchair backpack) also contributed arts & crafts pieces as well. It is HIGH-LARIOUS!

Here are some photos of the book:

xoxo Jules

My Balls Love Anna Sui x Andrew Bolton

2010-11-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite cake ball customers Anna Sui has come out with a new book that chronicles her career as a fashion designer.

The book was written my boss and dear friend Andrew Bolton.

For my older posts on making balls for Anna Sui click here.

xoxo Jules

Fun Times @ Hester Street Fair with G*

2010-05-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hester Street Fair with G* from Julie Le on Vimeo.
Sweet Jewels Cake Balls makes it debut front and center at Hester Street Fair May 22, 2010.

Gerry was so kind to be my right hand man at the Hester Street Fair last Saturday for the debut of my balls! We had a blast and looking forward to the next appearance. I plan to be there in June, so stay tuned! ;)

xoxo Jules

Find Me @ Hester Street Fair on Saturday, May 22nd!

2010-05-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Look for me and my balls this Saturday at the Hester Street Fair! I will be selling my signature RED VELVET cake balls and also introducing a new flavor inspired by my friends at An Choi: Vietnamese Coffee Cake Ball! Stop by early, I will only have a limited supply!

I will be participating once a month at Hester Street Fair thru the Fall, check back for dates!

Check out my little blurbs on the Village Voice and NY Magazine's The Grub Street Blog!

xoxo Jules

Balls for a Great Cause:: The Public School New York Benefit Party this Saturday, May 22

2010-05-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

You'll find my cake balls here for The Public School New York's benefit party this Saturday!

xoxo Jules

Another Day at the Museum

2010-05-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

xoxo Jules

Sissy Time

2010-04-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Sissy is in town! =) Here she is eating the first batch of my Vietnamese Coffee and Condensed Milk Swirl Ice Cream.

xoxo Jules

1960s Twen Magazine

2010-04-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

Came across these super cute 1960s erotica magazines at one of my favorite rare books & magazine vendors in Williamsburg, High Valley Books.

xoxo, Jules

Coming Soon...Vietnamese Coffee Cake Balls!

2010-04-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for more details!

xoxo, Jules

Naughty Librarian Art: Brian Dettmer's Book Autopsies

2010-03-31T22:18:00.000-07:00

The thought of tearing a book apart would make most librarians cringe, maybe even scream, but Brian Dettmer's art of "Book Qutopsies" is breathtaking.

Check out this interview on Brian Dettmer here:

xoxo,Jules

I have been having an affair....

2010-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

with my ICE CREAM MAKER! Occasionally, I dabble in other sweet treats and this week I been far away in Ice Cream Land. I made a tasty Vietnamese Coffee & Condensed Milk Ice Cream SWIRL! I am trying to working on some flavors that incorporate or inspired by my balls so stay tuned for more photos.

Below are some cute vintage ads from the 1950s and 1960s on ice cream that caught my eye"

Lucky Magazine Loves My Balls!

2010-03-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, cake balls are the new cupcake!

http://www.luckymag.com/blogs/luckyrightnow/2010/03/the-new-cupcake.html

xoxo Julie

My Balls on CoolHunting.com!

2010-03-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.coolhunting.com/food-drink/red-velvet-cake.php

xoxo Jules

Crunchy Jewels in Dossier Magazine

2010-02-20T22:29:00.000-08:00

DOSSIER INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS SHOWCASE from lina plioplyte on Vimeo.

http://dossierjournal.com/features/independent-designer-special/

Chúc mừng năm mới!

2010-02-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

I had a yummy Vietnamese New Year's dinner (known as Tết) with my Brent, Jay, and Linyee at An Choi in the Lower East Side owned by my friends Tuan Bui & his brother Huy.

On the menu was:

Thit Heo Quay ~ Crispy Suckling Pig

Banh Chun ~ Sticky Rice Cake w/ Mung Bean & Pork Belly

Ga Rut Xuong ~ Roasted Whole Chicken stuffed with Country Pate & Prosciutto De Parma

Thit Heo Kho ~ Braised Pork Belly in Caramel Sauce

Ca Kho To ~ Salmon Steaks in Caramel Sauce

Do Bien Goi ~ Vietnamese Papaya Salad with Shrimp, Calamari, and Clam

Ca Chua ~ Pickled Leeks & Bitter Greens

Rau Muong Xao ~ Chinese Greens

Sup Mang Cua ~ Crab Asparagus Soup.

The regular fare at An Choi is one of the best homestyle Vietnamese I have had in NYC. Looking forward to going back for more!

xoxo Jules

I Heart Peter Jensen!

2010-02-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Some photos I took during Peter Jensen's fashion presentation. Many thanks to my boys Sean, Brady, Jay, and Brent who came out to lend me a helping hand. I felt like the Cake Ball Queen with all these handsome men on my side ;) My friends Zaldy and Maayan also came out, it was a fun fun time and a beautiful presentation by Peter Jensen and company.

See more of Peter's Collection here:

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-PJENSEN/

The beautiful hand drawn back drop was by Charlotte Mann:

http://www.charlottemann.co.uk/peterjensen.html

xoxo Jules

Sweet Jewels x Peter Jensen A/W 2010 Fashion Presentation @ Milk Studios with Nina Perssons (of the Cardigans!)

2010-02-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Sweet Jewels Cake Balls were served during this presentation for Peter Jensen at Milk Studios with a special performance by Nina Persson of the Cardigans on Valentine's Day.

Here are some videos I made during the show:

Peter Jensen Autumn/Winter 2010 @ Milk Studios from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Peter Jensen Autumn/Winter 2010 @ Milk Studios 3 from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Peter Jensen Autumn/Winter 2010 @ Milk Studios 4 from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Peter Jensen Autumn/Winter 2010 @ Milk Studios 5 from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Sweet Jewels x Lipstick Queen = Limited Edition FIRED UP Cake Ball!

2010-02-12T20:33:00.000-08:00

Lipstick Queen and I have teamed up to create a limited edition flavor called the FIRED UP cake ball inspired by her new lip gloss. Poppy King is truly an inspiration and it has been a dream to work with her. We wanted a flavor that had a little kick, so I created a spicy red velvet cake blended with cinnamon frosting with a red hot candy in the center, dipped in chocolate and hand rolled in coconut that is mixed with ground red hot candies. Available until February 21st you can purchase these Lipstick Queen inspired balls here.

Stay tuned for more collaborations, more limited edition flavors with Lipstick Queen throughout the year =).

xoxo Jules

P.S. Cute cake ball photo by Jason Lewis ;).

P.P.S. Press Updates:

BellaSugar.comhttp://www.bellasugar.com/Free-Benefit-Sugarbomb-CupcakeStop-Purchase-7362000

FrugalBell.comhttp://frugalbell.com/the-perfect-valentines-duo/

GlamourCow.comhttp://glamourcow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?search=lipstick+queen&IncludeBlogs=6&limit=20
PrettyIsPrettyDoes.comhttp://prettyisprettydoes.blogspot.com/2010/02/vday-gift-giude-chocolate-queen.html

I've Got Big Balls

2010-02-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday To Me!

2010-01-22T21:55:00.000-08:00

I spent my birthday at The Distinguished Wakamba Lounge with all of my dearest friends and the party favors this year were big, luscious red lips! ;)

xoxo Jules

Art Basel Miami!

2010-01-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

Linyee Loves My Balls from Julie Le on Vimeo.

My Friends Love My Balls from Julie Le on Vimeo.

BIG hugs and many thanks to Todd Oldham + Tony Longoria for their continued support, Cathy Leff the director of The Wolfsonian, Leslie Hall, & my friends that made it out to Miami for the event: Rukhsana Uddin, Linyee Yuan, Suja Hart, Ivy Quejado, Brent Rollins, Zaldy as well as Dmitry Komis, David Miler, Amanda Berkowitz, & Rosie Soko. Oceans of kisses to you all!

xoxo Jules

P.S. Check out my little photo on ELLE.COM with Todd:
http://fashion.elle.com/blog/2009/12/viktor-rolf-at-miami-art-basel.html

xoxo Jules

X-Mas Morning with Sissy

2009-12-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

Inspirational Blogs: Melancholy and the Macabre

2009-12-24T18:03:00.000-08:00

Melancholy and the Macabre is one of my favorite blogs from one of my favorite people.

xoxoJules

2009-12-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

Photos from More is More: Tony Duquette.

2009-12-23T16:03:00.000-08:00

Red Velvet & Rum Infused Cake Balls

2009-12-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Noel Hennesey stopped by and we made some cake balls with a kick by adding some (well, more than some) RUM and wrapped the balls with some colorful foil.

"Hand me my purse, will you, darling? A girl can't read that sort of thing without her lipstick." -Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

2009-12-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

I Heart Jeffrey Monteiro!!

2009-12-21T21:32:00.000-08:00

My friend & another one of my favorite library researchers, Jeffrey Monteiro has been named the new head of Bill Blass! Jeffrey carries his line at my favorite Brooklyn shop Stuart & Wright and I love his designs. Congrats sweetheart!

Here are some articles in the NY TIMES and NBC:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/fashion/17ROW.html

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/the-thread/Local-Upstart-Jeffrey-Monteiro-to-Revitalize-Bill-Blass-79527967.html?__source=Facebook

(Photo Courtesy of the NY TIMES)

xoxo Jules

Balls & Chains

2009-12-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

Call me the queen of multi-tasking. While waiting for my cakes to bake, I have been making more jewelry. All the chains I use are recycled, vintage chains and I modernize each piece by interweaving string and yarn.

xoxo Jules

I Heart Red Lipstick (by Lipstick Queen!)

2009-12-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

I talk about it obsessively, I know, but I am addicted to red lipstick. My favorite brand is Lipstick Queen. I always buy extra tubes so I have emergency lipsticks at work, at the yoga studio, in all my coats, pocket books - okay, perhaps it is an addiction as well.

As a child, I loved the way my mother did her make up and to this day I have been following the same exact routine. My mother's style was so classic - thin black liquid eye liner that curled at the edges, lots of mascara to accentuate her eyes, and a bold, red lip. I started practicing make up application when I was five years old. Whenever we had a coloring project in grade school, I would be the one hiding my face behind my desk and applying red marker to my lips. If I could get away with it, I would use a black marker as eyeliner. Luckily, Crayola markers were non-toxic and safe for my baby skin. Needless to say, I was often sent to the nurses office so she could scrub my face clean.

xoxo Jules

P.S. A collaboration with Poppy King of Lipstick Queen in the works! I am SO THRILLED. Stay tuned! ;)

2009-12-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Untitled from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Untitled from Julie Le on Vimeo.

STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards.

2009-12-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

On My Way to Miami!

2009-12-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

Many apologizes for not merging my blogs as of yet, but I have been going balls to the wall for the Todd Oldham x Wolfsonian Reception at Art Basel Miami this week. ONE THOUSAND balls are on their way to the beach! ;)

Here are some great articles on Todd Oldham that mention our event:

How Todd Oldham Is Creating Art Nerds With His New Book, 'Kid Made Modern' -- New York Magazine http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/62236/#ixzz0YaGNNJll

You Can Now Add Curator to the Renaissance Man’s Resume -- 944 Magazine http://www.944.com/articles/the-944-interview-todd-oldham-you-can-now-add-curator-to-the-renaissance-man-s-resume/

Meanwhile, follow the blog I actually do update at: http://crunchyjewelsbyjuliele.blogspot.com/

xoxo Jules

I Heart Leslie Hall

2009-12-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

As of this very moment, my balls are on their way to Miami!

Looking forward to seeing Leslie Hall is perform live at the Wolfsonian Reception!

xoxo Jules

Sweet Jewels for the Holidays

2009-11-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Rosanne Kang who designed this beautiful logo and hang tag for my Sweet Jewels gift boxes. ;) Email me at julie@sweetjewelsnyc.com for more pricing info if you are interested in giving a box o' balls for the holidays.

xoxo Jules

J'Adore The Lake and Stars

2009-11-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

My new friend & baking buddy soulmate Maayan Zilberman and one half of The Lake and Stars gave me some love on her blog:
http://thelakeandstars.tumblr.com/post/264514278/still-giving-thanks-one-of-our-new-fans

I am a huge fan of their sportswear-inspired lingerie and this particular piece was part of Urban Outfitter's holiday Designed By: Sweaters collection, this limited edition The Lake & Stars sweater teddy/jumper was created in an exclusive collaboration with UO. Congrats ladies!

xoxo Jules

Todd Oldham in NY Magazine!

2009-11-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

Todd had a wonderful article profiling him in this month's issue of New York Magazine entitled, "The Pied Piper of Craft: Todd Oldham is creating art nerds, one kid at a time" and also mentions the Wolfsonian exhibition he curated for Art Basel Miami.

xoxo Jules

Birds of a Feather....

2009-11-23T17:43:00.000-08:00

Images from:

Numero, November 2009
Casa Vogue (Supplement to Vogue Italia), October 2009

ABC3D

2009-11-22T18:22:00.000-08:00

To Order:
http://www.abc3dbook.com/

xoxo Jules

Bringin' Balls to the Beach!

2009-11-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

I have been baking and baking and baking for a private reception at Art Basel Miami this year!

I am cakeballin' for called A Celebration of New Voices: In, on, and about The Wolfsonian which is curated and co-hosted by designer Todd Oldham and also hosted by Cathy Leff, Director of The Wolfsonian-FIU.

Let me tell you, I am looking forward to taking a mini-vacation in the sun, even for a long weekend.

xoxoJules

Inspiration Research: NYPL Picture Collection & Digital Archive

2009-11-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

As a librarian working in a fashion collection with thousands of monographs, periodicals and the like, part of my job entails helping designers do inspiration research. I love being part of this process and watching a designer's collection grow from concept to material form.

Last week, I had a very special guest come and visit with his design team, which was amazing. I have very many regulars that come to the library that have become great friends as well. Besides fashion & costume designers, I work with a lot of photographers, stylists, writers, and other scholarly researchers. The library has become a space where people can get their creative juices filled and re-filled.

One of my favorite resources for images are New York Public Libraries' Picture Collection located in the Mid-Manhattan Library and their digital archive of over 700,000 free and open access digitized images from their collections. Here are a few images I found on 1930s fashion plates (click on the images for the direct link to the archive):

Inspiration Board

2009-11-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

Knick Knacks of the Day

2009-11-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

Today's Lunch

2009-11-02T21:29:00.000-08:00

Secret Stash

2009-11-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

When I am Seattle, I make my sister as many cake balls that can fit her freezer. My cake balls keep for up to 2 months when stored this way! Let them sit at room temperature for about ten minutes & they are delicious slightly chilled. Bon appetit!

xoxo Jules

Art Goût Beauté, February 1925 Issue

2009-10-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

The library collection I work with is filled with inspiration, it is truly endless!

The images above are from Art Goût Beauté (Art, Good Taste and Beauty), a Parsion fashion magazine that published during the 1920s and the 1930s that reflect the Art Deco era. The prints are all hand colored using a pochoir pochoir technique, a method of hand-coloring using stencils similar to silk screening.

The little supplement included in this particular issue show ideas for costumes which look incredible!

Happy Halloween!

xoxo Jules

Itty Bitty Foods

2009-10-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

A few pix from one of my themed Sunday dinners with my friends a little while ago - mini, itty, bitty foods! It was the first time I made little burger buns from scratch - they were a hit!

My next food project will be roast pork buns and other types of meat fillings such as lemongrass beef?

xoxoJules

I Heart Zaldy (Michael Jackson's This Is It Wardrobe Reveal!)

2009-10-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

My dear friend, a regular patron at the Costume Institute Library and huge supporter of cake balls, Zaldy, was on Access Hollywood revealing the costumes he designed for Michael Jackson's This Is It tour. I adore him! So incredibly talented and he has the biggest heart.

The LA Times also did a nice write up: http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-diary1-2009nov01,0,1286606.story

xoxo Jules

Costume Institute Focuses on American Style - Eye and Fashion Lifestyle News - WWD.com

2009-10-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

Costume Institute Focuses on American Style

by Marc Karimzadeh
Posted Tuesday September 08, 2009
From WWD Issue 09/08/2009

NEW YORK — In the past decade, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has traveled to England via “AngloMania”; France with Chanel and Paul Poiret, and pretty much around the globe thanks to superheroes and models. Next spring, it is staying much closer to home with “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity,” which explores the way fashion between 1890 and 1940 contributed to the evolving identity and perception of American women.

Scheduled from May 5 to Aug. 15, the show will mark the first Costume Institute exhibit based on the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection that was transferred to the Met last January.

“I was looking through the Brooklyn Museum’s collection, and thinking about developing a concept around the holdings,” said Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, who is organizing the exhibit with the help of curator in charge Harold Koda. “What I found really compelling around the collection was that there were clothes that to me epitomized these archetypes of American femininity that you have read about in novels and seen in paintings and photographs.”

The show, to be located in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall on the museum’s second floor, will feature about 75 pieces from designers such as Travis Banton, Callot Soeurs, Elizabeth Hawes, Madame Grès, Charles James, Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, Valentina, Jean-Philippe Worth and Charles Frederick Worth. The exhibit will touch on themes ranging from “The Heiress” to “Gibson Girls,” “Bohemian,” “Suffragist,” “Flappers” and “Screen Sirens.”

“The story of the American woman is really a story of the power of fashion to shape and define identity,” Bolton said. “That is one of the main ideas of the exhibitions.”

Koda said the show was also a way to celebrate the partnership with the Brooklyn Museum, and the fact that “they have the confidence that we are the appropriate partner for this collection. It was an appropriate thing to do to focus exclusively on their pieces.”

The exhibit will be underwritten by Gap, with additional support from Condé Nast. It will kick off with the annual Costume Institute Gala Benefit on May 3, and the co-chairs will be Oprah Winfrey, Gap designer Patrick Robinson and Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.

“The theme of the exhibit is just such a natural fit for us,” said Marka Hansen, president of Gap North America. “It’s a great way to see the influence of fashion through all the different generations and styles.”

At the same time, the Brooklyn Museum will stage “American Style: Fashioning a National Collection,” which will feature pieces by the likes of Charles James, Norman Norrell and Jeanne Paquin that once belonged to women such as Lauren Bacall and Millicent Rogers. It will run from May 7 to Aug 1.

Costume Institute Focuses on American Style - Eye and Fashion Lifestyle News - WWD.com

Pssssssssssssst!

2009-10-06T23:30:00.000-07:00

My cake balls will be making an appearance at Art Basel Miami!
Stay tuned for more details.... ;)

xoxo Jules

P.S. Beautiful cake ball photo by Jay Lewis.

Sweet Jewels x Orange Films

2009-10-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

One of my closest friends Ajiri Aki is the new Director of Development & Production of Paris-based company Orange Films for their New York office. Let me tell you, my cake balls are amazing with champange ;).

xoxoJules

Sweet Jewels X Spin NY & Stuart Weitzman

2009-10-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

Sweet Jewels Cake Balls were part of the first annual “Serve to Save” Ping-Pong Tournament at Spin NY. All proceeds from the tournament and silent auction will support Dr. Marsha Moses’ pioneering research in ovarian cancer at the Folkman Research Institute. All the cake balls were wrapped in orange foil to look like mini, edible ping pong balls.

Read this article about the event on Fashion Week Daily. (NOTE: The reference to "coconut truffles" was meant to be red velvet cake balls, but oh well, ha).

What happens when you take the city girl outta the city?

2009-09-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

She ends up at the Essex Hunt Club at a TAILGATING EVENT!

What a weekend! I am so lucky to have "Tall" otherwise known as Rukhsana by my side because together we churned out over a thousand cake balls in one week! Go Team! How that was possible, I have no idea - mind you I am a librarian by day and 9-5 Monday thru Friday, ha.

For Sunday, I was hired to cater a tailgating competition for a family friend, Dr. Brown of New Jersey. To be honest, at first I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but always open to a new challenge! My task was to provide and cater desserts which included cake balls obviously and other sweets outside my usual menu. The inspiration was a Parisian Pastry shop set up inside a Hummer and the location at the Essex Hunt Club somewhere in the middle of Jersey. It was completely OVER-THE-TOP and we had the most amazing fried chicken courtesy of our new friend Rick who made it ON SITE! Doc Brown certainly throws a ritzy affair, ha. And there were horses did I mention that? Many many horses.

Needless to say, this event really took the city girl outta the city, but I had a a great time with my friends Rukhsana (did I already mention how amazing she is?),Linyee, and Gabby. My lady friends are incredible and so supportive -I was so fortunate they were willing to get up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning (6am call time!) and give me a helping hand with this peculiar, but interesting tradition. Although I am sure not all tailgating events are like these, at least we can say - been there, done that.

xoxoJules

Selling Balls in Two Hours Flat!

2009-09-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

Govenor's Island 2 from Julie Le on Vimeo.

Play with balls, eat some balls ;)

2009-09-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Look for me at Governor's Island today for RECESS on the red picnic blanket & Rukhsana will be riding a Kronan bike with a basket full of cake balls ;)

And check out the rumors we starting spreading on New York Magazine's Grub Street:

Sweet Jewels x Recess on the Grub Street Blog!

2009-09-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

Sweet Jewels x Recess got a blurb on New York Magazine's Grub Street Blog!

Not Going to Vendys or Le Fooding? Play Bocce and Eat Cake Balls

The folks at the Vendys tell us that the awards are sold out this weekend, but here’s another fun food-truck event — prepster clothing label Tretorn is throwing a bocce party (similar to their badminton tournament earlier this summer) on Colonels Row at Governor’s Island this Saturday from noon till 5 p.m. Last time, the ubiquitous Van Leeuwen truck made an appearance, and this time, the Le Gamin truck will be there, DOC Wine Shop will sell beer and wine, and the invite also mentions “the ladies on the bike serving cakeballs!” (Don’t ask us! But it sounds promising, doesn’t it?) No Ordinary Monkey, the crew known for its dim-sum-palace parties will supply the D.J.’s. More info here. A laid-back alternative if you’re not up for that full-tilt hipster-foodie juggernaut, Le Fooding, this weekend.

Update: The cake ball mystery has been solved! The red velvet cake balls are care of Sweet Jewels.

See Link: http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/09/not_going_to_vendys_or_le_food.html

Good Afternoon

2009-09-25T00:29:00.000-07:00

This week has been particularly busy for this librarian. It has been all about cake balls in the evening and into the wee hours of the morning and listening to Ted Talks with my baking buddy Rukhsana.

xoxoJules

Join Us for RECESS on Governer's Island this Saturday!

2009-09-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Please join RECESS: BOCCE with TRETORN this SATURDAY SEPT 26TH from 12PM-5PM as we turn COLONELS ROW at GOVERNORS ISLAND into a sea of bocce courts to welcome the start of the Fall season. 32 diverse teams from the likes of MTV, SAATCHI & SAATCHI, FLAVORPILL, THOMPSON HOTELS, COOL HUNTING and many more face off for the chance to be crowned RECESS bocce champion 2009 season. There will be additional courts for the public to test their skills at the game, as well as an opportunity to learn about the game if you're a beginner. LEGAMIN food truck will be onsite offering European delicacies, DOC WINE SHOP with their beer and wine selection and look out for the ladies on the bike serving cakeballs! FUNCTION DRINKS will also be providing sport beverages while KRONAN BICYCLES are offering free test rides around the island. So come out and play, and join us for the last RECESS soiree! The boys from NO ORDINARY MONKEY will be on the musical decks.

Free 5 minute ferry leaves the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan at 11am and every half hour after that.

http://www.recessnewyork.com/bocce

Balls to the Wall.

2009-09-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Working 9-5 @ the Library

2009-09-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

One of my vices - fashion magazines. I love my dayjob.

Rachel Trachtenburg in Theme Magazine

2009-09-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

Jason Lewis and I worked together on a shoot for Theme Magazine with our young friend Rachel Trachtenburg of the Trachtenburg Family Slide Show Players. It was such a lonnnnnnng shoot, we were all so inspired that it went into the wee hours of the morning. Rachel is such a sweetheart to work with and styling her was so much fun for me personally because I usually work style a lot of MEN for Jay's photo shoots. Many thanks to Samantha Pleet who provided some cute pieces that we mixed in with my vintage accessories and Rachel's pieces from her wardrobe (which I think she brought in its entirely to my house!).

For more photos from this shoot, check out Jay's blog.

Also check out Rachel's show on YouTube.

xoxoJulie

Sweet Jewels x Spin NY + Vanity Fair & Hermès

2009-09-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Last night was the Grand Opening for Spin NY in association with Vanity Fair. Susan Sarandon is part-owner to this new state-of-the art PING PONG in the city which is also designed by Todd Oldham Studio. We made hundreds of custom sized cake balls for this event and so excited to be working with them!

See this article about the grand opening:
http://cityfile.com/dailyfile/7294

For photos of the event, click here.
xoxoJules

P.S. Sweet Jewels will be making future appearances at Spin NY events so stay tuned! Many thanks to Todd & Tony for connecting us!

Sweet Jewels x Anna Sui

2009-09-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

When Anna Sui asked me to create cake ball gift boxes for her this year, I was thrilled! All of the packaging and even the custom coloring of white chocolate was catered to her signature colors of violet & black with a splash of red.

When I was 18, I was one of her design interns, worked as a shop girl at her SoHo boutique, and have been a fan since I was in high school when I first read about her in Sassy Magazine. Anna recently launched her Gossip Girl inspired line for Target, which is adorable.

xoxoJules

P.S. First time our new logo has made an appearance - many many thanks to my girl Rosanne Kang ;)

Anna Sui

2009-09-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

I took a break from cakeballing Anna Sui's custom cake balls to attend her fashion show today. It was a full house!

Anna Sui 2010 from Julie Le on Vimeo.

My Balls on Defying Mainstream!

2009-09-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

http://defyingmainstream.com/2009/09/22/food-fashion-crunchy-sweet-jewels/

xoxo Julie

Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture

2009-08-31T23:19:00.000-07:00

I love how this short film captures what it could feel like to be inspired by doing research ;).

xoxoJules

Vietnamese Tacos

2009-08-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

I love Sunday night dinners at my house! On this particular evening we had a little build-your-own taco set up with fried halibut (courtesy of Rukhsana) and some lemongrass ginger beef and shrimp for Vietnamese Tacos! I also made a cucumber mint topping and a tomato onion side as well all tossed with rice vinegar, some sugar, chili flakes, and a dash of salt.

xoxoJules

Crunchies for my Ladies

2009-08-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am making jewels for my ladies for Fashion Week...here is a piece I made today, took me a few hours but I had Mad Men on TV to keep me company ;).

xoxoJules

Sweet Jewels on Govenor's Island

2009-08-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

Look for me on a red picnic blanket and cute ladies in red on Governor’s Island tomorrow!

Check out the pix from the last event courtesy of Jason Lewis:

http://www.recessnewyork.com/badminton/photos/

After the epic badminton showdown at GOVERNORS ISLAND with TRETORN last month, RECESS is back this SATURDAY AUGUST 22ND at COLONELS ROW from 12PM - 5PM, this time with a SANDPAPER PADDLE TABLE TENNIS challenge with PUMA, the true originals in the ping pong explosion (as it is affectionately known). The game itself is currently going through a renaissance in the US but for the RECESS showdown, we've decided to put a little twist on the game, a sandpaper version that will even the playing field, and more co-ed friendly. While 32 various teams from the creative community battle their way to the finals, there will also be open public tables to test your skill at the sport, paddles provided. LEGAMIN and VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM trucks, as well as FUNCTION DRINKS are back for food and refreshments to keep everyone hydrated and well fed. We've even got mini tables, frisbees and kites to keep the young ones entertained. And while you're out on the island, take a spin on the highly coveted series of PUMA BIOMEGA BIKES and test ride them, we promise it's going to change the way you feel about urban transportation! The crew from NO ORDINARY MONKEY will be on the musical decks.

The free ferry leaves the BATTERY MARITIME BUILDING in Lower Manhattan at 11am and every half hour after that. So don't miss out on all the action!

http://www.recessnewyork.com

UPDATE!!!

RECESS is still on tomorrow despite Hurricane Bill!!!!! Now at an alternative, beautiful location - The Xchange (640 W. 28th St, 9fl. BTW 11th and 12th Aves). See you tomorrow between 11am & 6pm!

xoxoJules

I Bake & Cook, Therefore I Wear Cute Aprons

2009-08-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

I am designing cute aprons with my Mom to bake and cook in obviously, but also for uniforms for events I participate in ;). These two aprons are my first two samples that I am experimenting with.

xoxoJules

Tonight's Dinner Special

2009-08-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have been on a baking & cooking frenzy as of late. I have noticed a gap in Vietnamese cook books that focus on desserts, so I have been experimenting and photographing my progress and hopefully it will accumulate into a book.

As for savory dishes, I am always trying to create fusion recipes like my popular, always-in-demand Korean-Vietnamese BBQ Burgers or just making traditional Vietnamese dishes with an extra oomph.

What I made has a little twist on the traditional version of Bun Bo (simply because it was what I had in my fridge at the time): grilled lemongrass beef + vermicelli noodles sprinkled with crushed peanuts + spinach, basil, mint, cucumber, tomato salad + spicy nuoc cham = YUM. I will post more yummy photos with this particular recipe sooner than later.

My next personal challenge is to create a Greek-Vietnamese dish. My girl Mina Stone is also in food & fashion such as myself. I check out her blog Luvingspoonfuls all the time for inspiration.

xoxoJules

Sweet Jewels Cake Balls x The Kitchen @ The Jungle August 18th 8pm!

2009-08-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

For all my New Yorkers, this Tuesday is one you don't want to miss! The Negroclash Crew: DJ Duane, DJ Lindsey and Prince Language, are reuniting for a rare appearance together at The Kitchen Tuesdays! Drink Specials, Snacks and greenery! Come early and stay late! Don't forget to RSVP thekitchentuesdays@gmail.com

THE KITCHEN TUESDAY @ Jungle Garden
in association with PUMA
and The Horticultural Society of New York

Every Tuesday
8PM - Midnight
61 Kent Avenue and N10 Street
Williamsburg Waterfront, Brooklyn

TUESDAY 08.18.2009
N E G R O C L A S H
Special Edition!!

DJ Duane (Other Music/Bim Max)
DJ Lindsey (Fam/The Hump)
Prince Language (The No Comprendo)

Cakeballs by Sweet Jewels
Spacecakes by Let Them Eat Cake
Cheap Drink Specials!

$3 Suggested Donation at the Door
RSVP thekitchentuesdays@gmail.com

21+ ONLY!
Cash only, the nearest ATM is 5 blocks away.

From the Bedord Avenue L Train:
Walk west on North 7th towards the waterfront (Berry Street). Take a right on Kent Avenue. The venue is on the corner of N10th and Kent
Avenue.

The space is beautiful...

Balls to the Wall with SWEET JEWELS Cake Balls!

2009-07-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Introducing the lovely Rukhsana Uddin who will be helping me with my cake balls as my Business Manager & Beloved Baking Buddy!

Yes, my days are still devoted to being a librarian, but I would not have it any other way ;). I will actually be separating my two creative projects under two different names, Crunchy Jewels for my jewelry and Sweet Jewels for my cake balls. I have a few collaborations that I am looking forward to, amazing new customers, and some appearances so stay tuned for the updates on my blog. I will also be planning an official launch party of Sweet Jewels Cake Balls sooner than later as well to introduce some new flavors, I cannot wait!

xoxojules

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs Kathy Nguyen ;)

2009-06-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

My sister got married this weekend! Congrats to her and her new hubbie Remy! Looking forward to seeing them in a few weeks when they come visit me in NYC. Here is some behind-the-scenes footage from one of their many wedding photoshoots:

Wedding Photoshoot Wipeout! from Julie Le on Vimeo.

xoxojules

A Special Cakeball Order by Gabriella

2009-06-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

A Special Cake Ball Order By Gabriella from Julie Le on Vimeo.

My sister's flower girl made a special request for some custom flavored cake balls ;).

xoxojules

Cake Balls Mentioned in VOGUE.COM!

2009-06-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

I got a little mention in Vogue's Daily blog. Big hugs to Sidney, he's been helping me spread the word about my balls from the very beginning!

See link: http://www.style.com/vogue/voguedaily/2009/06/best-outdoor-spot-flea-dom/

xoxojules

P.S. Actually....I have not been at Brooklyn Flea this summer at all, ha. So, please don't go looking for me there! I did get my start there last summer thanks to Eric! I may consider making an appearance at one point this summer because I had so much fun when I did it with Jay, but I will keep you all up-to-date!

Dreadnought in Athens

2009-06-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

My buddy Noel Hennessy is in Greece this summer installing a show in Athens for ReMap2 of his collaborative work with Micheal Bevilacqua under the name Dreadnought. He is posting photos of his works-in-progess out there, so check out this blog.

Miss you Noel!

xoxojules

Garden Party

2009-06-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

The other day my friends that I work with at The Costume Institute had a lovely garden party/reunion with our dear friend Ajiri (our old super star intern), who just returned from Paris with a Master's (in Decorative Arts, Desigh, Culture and History thank-you-very-much) under her belt and working a new gig with Orange Films (congrats babe!). Coincidentally, we had a Red&Pink food themed party from my Korean-Vietnamese burgers (well red before they are on the grill), watermelon/cherry tomatoe/basil skewers & homemade salsa made by Bethany, strawberry rhubarb by bought by Amanda from The Blue Stove in Williamsburg, Andrew's pink lemonade vodka with mint, and my red velvet cake balls! We pigged out on homemade fried won tons by Joyce, Shannon's ambrosia salad, and Keith's grilled corn. Baby Oona (pictured with a Crunchy as a teething toy!) was the Queen of the Party and looked so yummy we all wanted a bite of her too! ;)

xoxojules

Wayne White is FANFUCKINTASTIC!

2009-06-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

My new lovely friends Todd & Tony invited me to an opening for the art Wayne White at Mireille Mosler last month. I also made cake balls wrapped in a rainbow of colors for a dinner they were hosting in honor of the artist.

Most of my inspiration, I look at art of the past to draw my references from, but seeing the paintings of the contemporary Wayne White was so exciting! The work was seamlessly done and from what I understood were re-worked paintings where he added a graphic-based, tongue-in-cheek element that was executed with such serious skill. I came knowing very little of White's work and left a new fan and wished I could have bought so many of his pieces to adorn my walls at home! Maybe one day sooner than later ;). Here are some photos from the opening...

Todd Oldham Studio also designed the artist monograph which also debuted that evening, which I bought right away! You must too! It's a great addition to anyone's art book collection. The book is an overview of the artist's life's work from his doodles and sketches for Pee Wee's Playhouse to his paintings as of late.

WAYNE WHITE
Maybe Now I'll Get The Respect I So Richly Deserve
By Todd Oldham

Design guru and art collector Todd Oldham shines the spotlight on the clever and warped world of artist Wayne White. From Wayne's early days as a production designer and puppet maker for the iconic TV show Pee-Wee's Playhouse to his unmistakable and exquisitely rendered text paintings, this monograph is a comprehensive view of Wayne White's oeuvre.

Wayne is a unique wordsmith, brilliantly juxtaposing irreverent and humorous phrases over existing thrift store paintings that together create a completely original and fictional landscape. Influenced by both his upbringing in rural Tennessee as well as a very sophisticated knowledge of art history, Wayne White's sensibility is completely singular and distinctive.

Wayne White's warped and perspectival words integrate into seemingly benign pastoral landscapes, creating a completely surreal experience. Wayne's expert painting chops and detailed attention to lighting and reflection, place the "new" text directly in its "original" setting. Text paintings such as "Donald Judd was a Son of a Bitch Wrecked his Train in a Whorehouse Ditch", "Poon", and "Maybe Now I'll Get The Respect I So Richly Deserve", are a welcome departure from the more-often-than-not self-aggrandizing art world. There is a mind-bending immediacy to the work that crosses pop culture and painting genres, and that brings a singular voice to the mediums of drawing, painting, and sculpture.

The thirty plus years of work represented in this monograph beautifully present Wayne White's wildly prolific life as an artist, and in fact we think it's pretty "FANFUCKINTASTIC" !

- From Ammo Books website..

xoxojules

Adam is Keeping the Craft Alive

2009-05-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

My friend Adam Selman ( who is a tasty piece of eye candy in my opinion ) makes the cutest pot holder with portraits of all of our favorite icons such as Dolly Parton, Miss Piggy, Jerry Blank, Oprah or any portrait of your choice (he customizes!). He also makes bandana shoe laces that I would wear necklace or bracelet. For order pot holders or shoelaces, go on his website: www.adamselman.com.

xoxojules

The Model as Muse Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - On View Now!

2009-05-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Model as Muse - Koda, Harold; Yohannan, Kohle - Yale University Press

Posted using ShareThis

xoxojules

Sweet Jewels x Samantha Pleet

2009-04-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Samantha Pleet and one of my favorite cake ball customers served my tasty treats at a brunch she was hosting at her new studio in Williamsburg. I am a huge fan of her rompers & little dresses and have been wearing her pieces like uniform all summer long.

Sam is bloggin too! Check out Here There and Back Again at http://samanthapleet.blogspot.com/

xoxojules

Crunchy x Dulcetfig in Singapore

2009-04-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to my lady Seraphina Woon for bringing Crunchies to Dulcetfig
in Singapore =)

xoxojules

New Crunchy Necklaces

2009-04-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here are photos of my latest series one-of-a-kind Crunchies made with recycled, vintage chains....I have been working on this collection incorporating colorful yarn for some time now and always excited when I come with with interesting string/chain combinations....

Photos: Jason G. Lewis

Merce Cunningham at 90 @ BAM

2009-04-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

My friend Loran took me to see Merce Cunningham at BAM - costumes by Romeo Gigli and Sonic Youth as part of the musical ensemble, it was incredible!

More info:

Nearly NinetyMerce Cunningham Dance Company
Choreography by Merce Cunningham

Commissioned by BAM

“...he has routinely been described as the world’s greatest choreographer… The dances he has made this millennium suggest, amazingly, that no choreographer alive is more concerned with continuing to extend his range.”
—The New York Times

April 16 marks the 90th birthday of Merce Cunningham—one of the most important choreographers of our time—whose radical approaches to space, time, and technology continue to redefine the way we experience dance. Over the course of his celebrated career, he has forged a distinctive language of movement, illuminating the body’s inherent drama and limitless capacity for change. And as a longtime collaborator of John Cage, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jasper Johns, he has played a leading role in fostering innovation across art forms.

In celebration of his birthday, Merce Cunningham Dance Company returns to BAM with the world premiere of a dazzling evening-length work created in collaboration with and performed live by Led Zeppelin's legendary multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones, mixed-media sound composer Takehisa Kosugi, and seminal indie rock band Sonic Youth. With an intriguing multi-tiered décor by world-renowned architect Benedetta Tagliabue, lighting by Tony and Obie-winning designer Brian MacDevitt, video design by Franc Aleu, and costumes by Romeo Gigli, this new masterpiece is testament to the boundless imagination of a man who, on the cusp of his tenth decade, still keeps us on our toes.

Music composed and performed by
John Paul Jones, Takehisa Kosugi, and Sonic Youth:
Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley
Décor Design by Benedetta Tagliabue
Costume Design by Romeo Gigli for io ipse idem
Lighting Design by Brian MacDevitt
Video Design by Franc Aleu

(See Link: http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=703)

xoxojules

Crunchy Jewels Cake Balls on the Today Show with Daily Candy

2009-03-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

So,they ran out of time to talk about my balls (which were on the table beside the vanilla extract), but you know they had enough time to eat them all like Al Roker! ;). Many thanks to my ladies at Daily Candy for their continued support!

Here is the updated web article that accompanies this tv segment:

Most of us are dining out less, which provides a good opportunity to try new recipes and entertain at home more often. Avoid getting stuck in a rut, but still keep expenses low, by tasting a big trend in food right now: halfsies. Portions were reaching outlandish sizes, so you won’t be missing anything but calories and cost. Tastemakers are also making desserts more miniature.

New Yorker Julie Lê is a creative powerhouse but produces wee little sweets. She spends her days as a librarian at the Met’s Costume Institute, and her nights and weekends creating a truly tasty, tiny treat she invented, Crunchy Jewels. She crumbles red velvet cake in cream cheese frosting, rolls in chocolate and dusts with coconut to produce these little bites of heaven.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29636308/

xoxojules

p.s. I would not claim that I invented cake balls, but rather found an addictive and tasty adaptation that never gets complaints ;). The reason why I only have one flavor available, red velvet, is because it took me a little while to find the perfect combination of ingredients.

I Heart Stuart & Wright

2009-03-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

Alec Stuart & and Celeste Wright are my family and own my favorite shop in Fort Greene, Brooklyn Stuart & Wright. They are blogging their new spring merchandise (including my jewelry!) so stay up do date by checking out: www.stuartandwright.blogspot.com.

Oh and if you are stopping by the boutique, be sure to grab a bite at General Greene. So yummy!

xoxojules

p.s. Dress by Vena Cava with Crunchy Jewels.