… I wouldn’t. Not that I can take the naming credit, mind you! This lil’ bloggy space was started by my mum way back in 2007 (the archives provide great entertainment for sure), and was named after the tiny playhouse my brother and I had in the garden. Creatively named ‘Joli House’, with our names Joel and Lily. Imaginative, I know. ;) Whilst that may sound like the blog was named after a shed, it was actually more that a ‘family’ blog should be given a ‘family’ name. I took over almost a year ago (!) now and had no desire to change the name. I avoided that task, which is probably for the best as I’d have no doubt come up with something embarrassing, boring, or cringe-y to say the least.
Since my blog name is a made-up word it’s about as personal as can be: exactly why I like it and don’t intend on changing. Katie’s blog name ‘Scarphelia’ has a similar-ish story behind it, and her blog is definitely one of my all round faves. ‘Noun and Noun’ blog titles can be pretty cute; I have no problem with them at all other than the fact that I often can’t remember which is which. There are a few with ‘cupcakes’ and ‘lipsticks’ in there somewhere.
I seem to have found myself in a writing rut of late. Really, considering the personal, mundane title of this blog, I should be rambling about personal, mundane things, without necessarily posting a batch of outfits each time. More thoughts than clothes, that’s the idea! I’ve scoured the internet for inspiration and it has delivered, of course. Those lists of ‘600 Writing Prompts’ are a godsend. Let’s hope I can stick to it better this time! Next week we’re off to Scotland for a week on the beach in the caravan, which I’m really excited for. Bring on that change of scenery and the creative flow it will hopefully spark!
Does your blog name have a story or meaning?
lily kate x
follow me on bloglovin | twitter | instagram | email me
15 Comments
Rochelle
18th July 2014 at 3:57 pmMy blog, For Him For Her For US, was originally set up last year and was a place for me and my fiancé to write about the things we did together, the places we visited and the restaurants we ate at. Back then my fiancé wrote 4 posts and then nothing else was done on it. I recently took it over and made it a little more personal to me. Even though it is now all me I still like the name because a lot of what I do still involves my fiancé or friends and so it is still For Him For Her and For Us.
It took me nearly a year to find my feet and start writing again after hitting that wall, I hope Scotland helps you get back on track quicker. Keep up the good work and don’t give up 🙂 x
lily
18th July 2014 at 4:59 pmThank you so much for commenting Rochelle! I love the idea behind the title of your blog too, it sounds so lovely and lifestyle/family oriented! I really hope I can gather a little momentum with my blog soon. Thank you for the encouragement!
Katy
18th July 2014 at 4:09 pmI love that your blog name is yours and your brothers names, but could also be Joli like the French word for “nice” or “pretty”! Double-meanings like that are brilliant x
Little Miss Katy | UK Lifestyle & Fashion
lily
18th July 2014 at 5:01 pmA lot of people have pointed that out too, a happy accident! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Naomi
18th July 2014 at 4:56 pmLily, I love the name of your blog!
Admittedly, I did think it was a word/phrase which I just didn’t know about… something fashion-y or style related, considering your blog is mostly about outfits and clothes you and your mum have made!
You must have been quite young in 2007 – I was 15 and am 22 now so… you must have been 9?! Definitely going to have a gander through the archives and aww at cute little you!
My blog name is self-explanatory, and probably a bit boring but I wanted something that would be timeless, in a way, and I’m hopeless at thinking of titles/headers/names for anything. It fits with my blog though, I think : )
Naomi xo
http://www.whatnaomiwrote.blogspot.co.uk
Monique
18th July 2014 at 8:48 pmI would name mine “A Lottery Winner’s Travel Journal”!
Hopefully it would be an accurate description. 😉
lily
20th July 2014 at 7:50 pmThat would be fabulous! Oh the places I would go!
Danielle Eskdale
18th July 2014 at 9:32 pmI had no idea that this used to be your mothers space of the internet. That is so cool!! As is the creation of the name and it’s lovely that you kept it.
My blog has had a couple names but it’s Underland to Wonderland that stuck. It simply comprises my love of Disney with the point of my blog which is to document the journey of my life from hard times in a bad place to good times in my own ‘Wonderland’ so to speak. 🙂
I’m off to rummage through the archives!
x
lily
20th July 2014 at 7:53 pmMost people didn’t! I saved myself the job of thinking of one! I love your blog name; it’s definitely memorable and the meaning behind it is so cute!
You’ll laugh going through the archives I’m sure!
Jojo
20th July 2014 at 8:11 pmI’ve been umming and ahhing over whether or not to change my blog name this weekend but it is such a faff. I loved hearing your blog name’s story. It truly is unique and quaint. Totally suits your little slice of the Internet well! You’ve inspired me to keep my blog name, it’s grown into a part of who I am these days ;D x
lily
21st July 2014 at 10:21 amI love your blog name! So recognisable on twitter too. I think my blog name is a part of me to!
Jen
21st July 2014 at 3:17 pmThis is a revelation for me as I always assume the name ‘Joli House’ was derived from the French word “jolie” which means “pretty” and certainly fits the bill ! 🙂 I love your posts Lily, whether about fashion interests to share with your co-fashionistas or worries over studies, or holiday magic, your blog is a unique ensemble rich in good taste, and intelligent words, blossoming with more interesting nooks of your life. Perfect as is.
My blog “Yarnings” had no real meaning in the beginning, when I started it in 2010 shortly after I started knitting seriously (though I had for decades, I just started to take it to a new level, and designing my first bits), it was a blog that was first and for a couple of years unlisted and meant to be about my documenting of creative experience to share with my friends & family. I had no clue I would get serious really fast and go for the indie designer thing. Since it has gone listed and the url has changed to very serious ‘hopeful’ url of jenjoycedesignDOT but you know… I still feel like the person back in it’s beginning, and I never want to lose my awe, innocence, and recognition that ” It is only knitting ! ”
Love your blog, it is an oasis of youth, beauty, freshness, and good writing in a stale sea of blah blogs. Keep up your spark kid. 🙂 xx
lily
21st July 2014 at 8:07 pmThis is actually one of the nicest comments I’ve ever had! I’d actually thought that any knitters who followed the ‘old’ Joli House had stopped reading, so it’s really lovely to know that some are still interested. Thank you so so much! I love how your blog has evolved; I think it’s part of the wonder of the internet that careers and growth can spawn from a little creative outlet. Your blog sounds (and is!) so professional so it’s cute to hear the back story!
Thank you so much again, you really have put a smile on my face!
lily x
chatting with the boys - Joli House
10th August 2015 at 4:34 pm[…] Lily:Â *insert answer here* […]
so you're thinking of starting a blog... - Joli House
28th December 2015 at 12:13 pm[…] If you’re struggling for a blog name, just use your actual name/nickname. Nothing wrong with keeping it simple! I think you’re far less likely to change your mind that way than if you struggle to pluck something out of thin air. My blog name has a personal story behind it here. […]