Wow, time certainly does fly, as May marks fifi + hop’s 1 year anniversary! Thank you to all my readers for following along and for all your support! It really means a lot to me. I decided when I first started this blog that at some crucial point along the way I would reveal the story behind fifi + hop. What better time than now. So what – and who – are fifi + hop?!
Fifi is (actually, was) my younger daughter’s blanket, and Hop is my older daughter’s lovie (those tiny blankets with an animal on them..in this case it’s a bunny). They were for many years my girls’ travel must-haves. We couldn’t go on any trip without them, which was a scary prospect because god forbid we should lose them. But we never did, and the girls always had them. Whether it be a day trip to visit relatives or full blown vacation, Fifi and Hop were along for the ride. It was much easier to bring them than to leave them, as any parent knows. Until the time came when the girls outgrew them. Hop is still floating around, but Fifi is stashed away in a box labeled “Sentimental”. Fifi is one of those sleepers that babies wear to sleep in their crib that zip up at the bottom. My younger daughter became so attached to it that when she outgrew it (size wise) she used it as a blanket. She couldn’t say “sleeper” and instead said “fifi” (funny the words that come out), and fifi stuck. For years it was all about Fifi. And then the day came when she thought it was babyish and no longer wanted to use it, but I couldn’t throw it away. Instead I have Fifi saved so that some day when she’s older and can appreciate it, I have it for her to see.
When thinking about blog names last year, I never knew how difficult it would be. Honestly, that was probably the most difficult thing I faced when setting up this blog. I can’t tell you how many names I went through, and how many lists I made. Some I thought were so neat and catchy and perfect for this topic, until I discovered they were already taken. It is amazing how many names you can come up with that have been url snatched! Just when you thought you were being original, someone else was already on it! That was tough. And I really didn’t want to choose a name that was too generic either, so it was a grueling process going through a zillion words in my head.
One day I decided it would be best to choose something that was personal to me, because in the end, if I didn’t like the name later, at least it would still mean something to me. Fifi and Hop popped into my head, and I liked it immediately. I thought it was the catchy thing I had been looking for. But the next day I discarded it because I didn’t know if it was too funny sounding, and people wouldn’t get it. I brainstormed on and on, had talks about it with my brother and husband, and still couldn’t think of a name I liked. But then finally one day I thought, you know what, I actually think Fifi and Hop is perfect. It’s memorable, playful, and with the word “hop” in it somewhat alludes to travel. This is a family travel blog, and what better way to reflect upon my girls then with their two favorite travel items (at least for a number of years they were!). And thus, fifi + hop was born.
And that is the story behind fifi + hop. Just a silly tale about two girls and their travel blankets!
Lovely story! I love the name by the way. My two boys still sleep with their ‘muzzlies’ (muslin cloths) and we’ve had some close shaves trying to find them under the bedclothes before leaving the hotel. Once they were scooped up with the bedsheets by the cleaners and had to be posted back to us from Greece!
Congratulations on your first blogging anniversary.
Author
That’s too funny Clare! Amazing you got them back! We’ve had some close calls too with hotel rooms. Always reminds me of the book Knufflebunny:).
Always have loved the name and surmised there was a sentimental story behind it :). This year went fast and fifiandhop has brought such whimsical inspiration. Thank you for that. Happy 1st Anniversary!! Looking forward to many more! Congratulations, Corey!!
p.s. that pic of Leighton is precious!
Author
Thanks Maria!! I so appreciate your lovely and supportive words, means a lot! It’s been so long..hope to see you soon. x
Ah, it all makes sense now!! 🙂
Well done on making a year, my ‘birthday’ is June.
Author
This may be a second reply as having reception issues – but looking forward to congratulating you in June!
First reply. I mean your title all makes sense now:-)
I absolutely love this story, and I’ve always wondered about your blog name. 🙂 My daughter also has a lovey she travels with, except now she has become rather fond of a larger than I’d prefer to travel with stuffed bunny, that I’m sure we will start dragging across the globe instead. Congrats on you blogoversary!
Author
Thanks Melissa! Your daughter is not alone – my nephew for years carried a giant leopard with him. Too funny!
Happy anniversary. I love this story. My nephew has a special knit blankie that he named ‘Leweyes’ for some reason. It’s nonsense, and no one knows where it came from (I suspected he might have picked up on someone commenting on his beautiful blue eyes, but we’ll never know). Now he’s 4 and calls it Lou for short.
Author
I love Leweyes for blue eyes that’s great. They should stick with that story!
Great story – great writing. Here’s to many more years of Fifi + Hop!
Author
Thanks so much Eleanor!!
fifi and hop are indeed wonderful names. I of course knew where the name came from, but thought to myself. Gee you have a clever daughter. Has it really been a year?
Author
I know, crazy right. Too fast.
Such a gorgeous story! My blog would be called “Penguin and Pink Blankie” if I’d used my daughters’ comforters! Still have both of them – pink blankie is now in a series of bits and Penguin is battered but still going strong! Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! 🙂
Author
Thanks Rosemary! Too funny about Penguin and Pink Blankie – we will never forget these things!
Happy blog birthday!! Love the story behind the name, I just quickly picked mine without giving it too much thought, now I regret that!! Husky, a battered dog was my son’s comforter, still around and going strong but I love Fifi and Hop, great names.
Author
Thanks Joy! And don’t regret your name, I like it! I am such an overanalyzer that I drive myself crazy, so you don’t want to be that way either. Love the name Husky!
What a lovely story! I enjoyed it, and yes… I’ve wondered. 🙂 Congrats on a successful and happy year!
Author
Thanks so much Jo!
That’s a really sweet story. I’ve always wondered how your blog got that name. The name of my blog is also a result of the fact that there’s no meaningful domain names available nowadays, so I made up my own:)
Author
I’ve always wondered about yours too – it’s a harder thing to come up with than most people would think. I like yours – has a nice ring to it:).
What a fantastic story! Your blog name is so distinctive and memorable – you did a great job of choosing it. I did wonder where the name came from, so thanks for sharing it (and you’re so right to hang onto those outgrown cuddlies!)
Author
Thanks so much Nell!
I can relate to that experience of coming up with a name for the blog, we all go through that! I like the story behind Fifi+Hop 🙂 I used to have a little pillow when I was a toddler, brought it with me wherever I went. We have a Malay name for it which literally translates to ‘smelly pillow’, LOL!!
Author
Too funny! Whatever works!
cute story! I assumed the blog name was a combination of a nickname for one of your children and something else :)congrats on blogiversary:)
Author
Thanks Tanja!
Loved knowing the story behind your blog name..it’s really unique! I know it’s a bit late but Happy anniversary to you 😊💕
Author
Thanks so much!!