If there is one recurring motif that I’ve noticed in many French homes, it would be souvenirs from Brittany – even if it’s just the one, token, statuette or piece of crockery.

Some will admit to being avid collectors of all things Bretagne, but for many others, the item is dismissed with a shrug as just being a random gift.

Of course, I read much further into it and was down-right jealous that everyone had a name bowl. Otherwise insignificant, these bowls have a standard folkloric design, with a little girl or boy in regional costume revealed at the bottom with the final sips or mouthfuls. There are two simple little handles on the side of the bowl that make it either a bowl or a cup, perfect for breakfast French-style – a huge steaming bowlful of hot chocolate to dip one’s brioche into.

Of course I had to have a name like Bettina (see September 23rd for any previous angst). I’ve only ever found a necklace with my name on it in Austria, and a mug in Germany. Not much name-kitsch to be had in English-speaking countries .

Nevertheless, we went on the quest for a “Bettina Bowl”. We scoured every tourist store in Carnac, and then, on a chance trip to Quiberon, we stumbled upon the holy grail of crockery – we found the “Bettina Bowl”! (I had a good feeling about that particular store when I noticed they also sold “Günther” and “Marlies”).

We also found (no struggle there) a Guillaume bowl, so now we have matching bowls. Are you feeling slightly nauseous yet? Don’t worry, the end result isn’t so cutesy. I just get in trouble every second morning for not checking and using the “Guillaume Bowl” for my muesli… (I’m still holding out against the French-style breakfast for some good old fashioned fibre!)