Episodes
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Radio interview on Speak Up North Idaho
Jennifer shares an interview she did with Barbara Carpenter on the Speak Up North Idaho radio broadcast, talking about the Music Shop Mysteries and more.
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The House on Cherry Street
Jennifer reads her award-winning short story, The House on Cherry Street. In this tender short story set in the aftermath of World War I, elderly Charlotte returns to her childhood home on Cherry Street one last time — not merely to retrieve a forgotten trunk, but to deliver a lifeline to her...
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Slay Bells Ring, Chapter 4
Jennifer reads the fourth and final chapter of her Christmas cozy-mystery novella, Slay Bells Ring.
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Slay Bells Ring, Chapter 3
Jennifer reads Chapter 3 of the Christmas novella, Slay Bells Ring, and shares a few tidbits about the fictional small town, Timber Coulee.
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Slay Bells Ring, Chapter 2
Jennifer reads Chapter 2 of her Christmas novella, "Slay Bells Ring." Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar: jacquielawson.com/advent
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Slay Bells Ring
Jennifer reads the first chapter of her Christmas novella, Slay Bells Ring: A Music Shop Mini-Mystery.
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Five-Year Diary
Join Jennifer as she discusses the keeping of a five-year diary, and also reads the opening chapter of her new historical cozy mystery, Murder on a High Note.
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"Three Who Stole at Christmas Time"--a short story for Christmas
Jennifer shares a favorite short story from 1925: "Three Who Stole at Christmas Time" by Temple Bailey.
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Thanksgiving in Old New England
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Jennifer reads the story "How We Kept Thanksgiving in Oldtown" by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
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Timeless Elegance: Styling Vintage Accessories for a Modern Woman
As summer turns to fall, Jennifer suggests some ways to incorporate vintage jewelry, scarves, hats, and shoes into a modern wardrobe.
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Fourth of July Fireworks
It's fireworks for everyone as Jennifer discusses the roots of American Independence Day.
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A Night at the Opera
Jennifer discusses her latest novel, LOVE'S GRAND SWEET SONG, set in the world of grand opera in Chicago during World War I. Love's Grand Sweet Song e-book Love's Grand Sweet Song softcover Love's Grand Sweet Song audio
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"A Candle in the Forest" for Christmas
Jennifer shares one of her favorite Sparkling Vintage Christmas short stories: "A Candle in the Forest" by Temple Bailey, published in 1925.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Random musings on Thanksgivings past.
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The Shock of Ocular Melanoma
In a departure from her usual vintage-oriented content, Jennifer shares her perspective and insights on her recent eye cancer diagnosis.
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It's Autumn!
Jennifer shares tips for enjoying autumn Sparkling Vintage-style! Visit http://www.sparklingvintagelife.com/podcast for show notes and other information.
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Queen Elizabeth II
Visit http://www.sparklingvintagelife.com for show notes and other information.
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Catching Up
Jennifer brings a mini-episode to catch up on what's been happening over the summer. Enjoy!
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6 Reasons I Love My Fine China
Jennifer talks about a range of tantalizing topics, from fine china to bridal registries to teen magazines of yore.
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Cruising, Vintage Style
Jennifer takes a look back at the golden age of cruising in the 1920s, when those with the means to do so escaped winter in warm and sunny ports of call.
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Random Thoughts on Ripped Jeans
Are ripped jeans just a trendy fashion statement, or a powerful commentary on our values? Join Jennifer as she tears into her least-favorite fashion trend.
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Where Do We Go From Here?
As 2020 draws to a close, Jennifer discusses what the new year holds for A Sparkling Vintage Life.
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The Great American Road Trip
Summertime is when many families hit the road for vacation. Even in an age of social distancing, people are getting away for short day trips and jaunts in the countryside. In this episode Jennifer takes a nostalgic look back at the history of highway travel in America.
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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
As workers scrub graffiti off the Lincoln Memorial in the wake of racially-motivated protests, Jennifer looks back at another historic moment that took place at the Lincoln Memorial memory--the groundbreaking 1939 concert by Marian Anderson.
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10 Top Tips for Working from Home
As the COVID-19 virus continues to rage and many listeners find themselves working from home for the first time, Jennifer offers her 10 top tips for working from home successfully. Not to depart completely from the topic of vintage living, she includes advice from that doyenne of mid-20th-century...
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12 Sparkling Vintage Ways to Tackle Tough Times
Whether it's the COVID-19 virus, a major storm or natural disaster, or some other unwelcome development, sometimes we find ourselves forced to grapple with a situation we didn't expect. Join Jennifer as she discusses twelve "vintage" ways our grandparents and great-grandparents survived, and even...
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Be My Valentine
Join Jennifer Lamont Leo as she looks back on the legends surrounding Valentine's Day and suggests some Sparkling Vintage ways to celebrate.
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Boxing Day
Join Jennifer as she talks about "olden days" Boxing Day and muses about New Years resolutions.
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A Sparkling Short Story: The Christmas Robe
As a special gift to listeners, Jennifer Leo reads aloud her acclaimed short story "The Christmas Robe." Grab a warm beverage and your favorite blanket and prepare to be charmed by this bit of vintage Christmas cheer.
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9 Ways to Ease the Holiday Blues
Jennifer speaks from the heart to those spending the holidays alone, or experiencing the "holiday blues" for whatever reason. If you're feeling alone--well, you're not alone in feeling that way! Here are some practical ways to keep the holiday season from bringing you down.
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Sparkling Vintage Football!
It's football season! Listen in as Jennifer discusses vintage football etiquette for the fans in the stands, what the well-dressed football fan wore in 1943, and more.
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7 Reasons I Love Downton Abbey
To celebrate the release of the Downton Abbey movie, Jennifer shares the top 7 reasons she loves Downton Abbey.
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Here Come the Coeds! College Women of Yesteryear
As we celebrate back-to-school time, join Jennifer Leo as she looks back at the life and times of college women in decades past, including Literary Snippets from Lucy Maud Montgomery and more.
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Heat Wave! 31 Vintage Ways to Beat the Heat
If you're wilting in the hot summer weather, here are some time-tested ways to keep your cool. Visit http://www.sparklingvintagelife.com/podcast for show notes and other information.
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Courtesy in a Violent World
Common courtesy is so much more than using the right salad fork. If we're ever going to solve the problem of hatred and violence in our world, we've got to start with treating each other with basic respect, kindness, and dignity.
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Front Porch Life
Sitting on the front porch, visiting with family and friends or just catching a cooling breeze, used to be a regular part of summertime life, before air conditioning and television sent us all scooting back indoors. Come and sit awhile and reminisce with Jennifer about the front porches of...
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An Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social
It's June in North America, which means the thermometer's rising and strawberries are in season. Bring on the ice cream and join us at that most vintage celebration of summer, the ice cream social!
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Time for Tea!
Afternoon tea and conversation...the perfect combination! Come sit down, pour yourself a cuppa, and let's dish about the delight that is afternoon tea.
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Memorial Day
A special remembrance episode for all who've given their lives in the service of their country, including a reading of "In Flanders Fields." We will not forget!
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Is Choral Singing the New Prozac?
From formal concert choirs to belting out tunes around a campfire with friends and family, research shows that singing as a group is good for us! So why does it seem to have gone out of style? Why do families no longer gather around the piano, or friends break into drinking songs down at the…
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Joy in the Morning
From Miracle Morning to Before Breakfast, morning rituals and routines are a hot topic these days. Join Jennifer as she discusses her own preference for mornings and looks at the daily rituals of some notable people of the past.
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Sparkling Vintage Motherhood
In honor of mothers everywhere, Jennifer honors one particular mother of the early 20th century. What was the old-fashioned "secret" of her success in raising a world-famous, influential son? Tune in for some good, old-fashioned talk about vintage parenting.
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The Well-Dressed Vintage Traveler
Join Jennifer Leo as she considers the elegant dress and deportment of the traveler of yesteryear, while contemplating her own upcoming encounter with the blood sport that is modern air travel.
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Listener Q & A
Nostalgia--what's the point? Isn't the present better than the past? What about dressing vintage? Jennifer answers listeners' questions. Plus a special 1920s-inspired giveaway just in time for Mother's Day.
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3 Favorite Vintage Beauty Products
Take a peek into Jennifer's medicine cabinet as she shares her three favorite old-time beauty products: items that have been around for decades: cold cream, cake mascara, and castile soap.
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Spring Cleaning
In the northern hemisphere, as the days grow longer and the sunshine grows brighter, the dust and cobwebs come out of hiding. Join Jennifer as she discusses that vintage, old-fashioned ritual: spring cleaning. Whether you choose to tackle the seasonal housework head on or pretend the grime…
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What the Heck is Home Ec?
According to several reliable sources, home economics classes are being added back into the curriculum at a number of schools. What is home economics, where did it go, and why is it now coming back? Tune in as Jennifer waxes nostalgic (or not) about her own middle-school home ec class, and lists...
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For the Love of Antiques Shops
Do you enjoy browsing antique and vintage shops? Join Jennifer as she thinks about what draws her to surround herself with old things, and also hear her review of the Amazon Originals series Vanity Fair.
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What is Charm? part deux
In this follow-up episode to "What is Charm?", Jennifer shares a list of twenty "shortcuts to charm" written by actress Arlene Francis in 1960. Surprisingly, these tips are as relevant today as they were almost sixty years ago, focusing on kindness, respect, and courtesy.
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What is Charm?
She's charming. He's a charmer. Prince Charming. When you hear someone described as "charming," what images does it bring to mind? Listen in as Jennifer tries to dissect what writers of the past have said about the quality of charm, and what it means for us today.