Candice Warner Faux-Cialiser Interview

Candice Warner Faux-Cialiser Interview

As an athlete, full-time mum to two girls and wife of cricketing legend (David Warner), Candice has revealed her secret to juggling her busy lifestyle.

While a red carpet event or night out is always on the horizon, Candice is a self-confessed -faux-cialiser'** – happy to swap her heels for the couch and enjoy a glass of bubbly and a cheeky Connoisseur Choc Mousse. It's these little indulgent moments which keep her relationships healthy and allow her to -have it all'.

** cancelling social plans just to stay home to watch TV and experience the night we would have had via social media on our phones instead.

It's official. A night on the couch bingeing on a favourite TV series is the best kind of night! New research reveals we love treating ourselves to an indulgent night in, and we regularly bail on plans made with friends, work mates and family in the process. It's called faux-cialising and it's rampant across Australia!

According to the latest research from Connoisseur Desserts (who make deliciously indulgent Chocolate Mousses and creamy Panna Cottas), 73% of Australians aged 18 and over regularly faux-cialise - cancelling social plans just to stay home to watch TV and experience the night we would have had via social media on our phones instead. Belgian Chocolate Mousse with Salted Caramel anyone?

So what has prompted the rise of the faux-cialiser? Social commentator Mark McCrindle points to a hectic work schedule, the comforts of home, and entertainment at our fingertips which making faux-cialising an attractive and completely acceptable part of our (increasingly less) social lives.

'The research shows Australians fall four camps when it comes to their attitudes and behaviours towards social plans.

The Socialites, for whom FOMO (fear of missing out) is very real and interestingly this group is predominantly men, aged 25-54 (the group least likely to faux-cialise)
The Wait and Sees, commitment-phobes who are men and women represented by 43% of 35-54 year olds (who do admit to faux-ialising regularly)
The Bailers, legitimising a night on the couch as the entertainment option of choice. This group is embracing faux-cialism and is strongly represented by women (64%) aged 35-54 (72%).
And the Homebodies, those who preferring to stay home all of the time and are embracing JOMO (joy of missing out) as a way of life (79% aged 35+). This type of faux-cialiser is equally represented by both men and women.

I'm sure we can all recognise ourselves in these groups," he explained.

Highlights from the research show that despite these nuances, the typical Australian is making pretty similar choices when it comes to their social lives and (not) going on a night out, probably lured by the temptation of a delicious Connoisseur Dessert!" said Mark.

The Connoisseur Dessert research highlights:

Home is where the heart is: When asked what night was their favourite night of the week to stay in, a whopping 45% of Australians reported they prefer to always stay home. Only 1% said they'd prefer to go out every night.

Plans Schmans: When we do make plans, we're displaying a real fear of commitment! While we initially get excited about the opportunity to socialise on a night out, 62% of us will stall on making a decision, preferring to wait to see how we feel closer to the time or on the day. This rings true across all age brackets.

Dropping in: 77% of us report to dropping in on social events just to show our faces all, a lot or some of the time. Not surprisingly, the Homebodies and Bailers are the most likely to do the drop in. For nearly 20% of 20-34 year olds, a -drop in' often means attending more than one event on a night out – really making the most of rare occasion to socialise out of home.

Dropping out: 69% of us are happy to cancel plans in the week of the event, and 14% admit they'll drop out on the day. Seems old fashioned politeness goes out the window across all generations with one in three bailing on the day before/day off/at the time. Tutt tutt!

Me time: Self-care is the main motivation for cancelling plans with 42% feeling the need to relax and recharge and another 40% seeking the peace and quiet of a night in. Bad weather (30%) and not being bothered to get dressed up (26%) are the next most popular reasons to bail. Then there's always the temptation of a delicious sweet treat to complete the indulgence….

Avoiding the awkies: Seems some of us will go to extreme lengths to avoid the awkwardness that results from our bad bailing behaviour and will RSVP at the last minute (17%), send word with someone else (16%), avoid posting on social media what we're doing instead (13%), avoid all contact with the organiser (10%) or avoid telling the organiser altogether (7%). The worst culprits, 20-34 year olds.

What happened to mateship? The people who we are most likely to ditch are colleagues (41%) and friends (40%). Only 3% are most likely to bail on partners (phew!) and 16% on family events.
We are most likely to cancel our attendance at work functions (24%) and casual catch ups with friends (22%). Conversely, 34% of 20-24 year olds are more likely to bail on drinks with friends than on work functions (7%). Talk about workplace commitment!

Excuses, excuses: The fall back excuse for last minute cancellations is feeling unwell for 66% of us. Family commitments are the next most used excuse at 36%, and a sick family member at 23%. Lame excuses such as stuck in traffic (6%) and a sick pet (4%) make the list. Just 11% of people chose to fess up that they just don't want to go.

Loving our downtime: For most of us, cancelling plans to go out means we've chosen instead a nigh

t spent relaxing on the couch (34%), sleeping (32%), watching TV (23%), or hanging out with a loved one (30%).

Eat me! Food is a key driver for a great night in with 42% cooking themselves a nice meal. 22% opt for take-away. Both of which can be perfectly finished with a Connoisseur Dessert!

'It's really interesting to see the rising trend towards staying in. It demonstrates the impact that technology has on every aspect of our lives – including redefining our social interactions and what that means for human relationships in the future. An indulgent night in, eating a favourite dessert in front the TV – mine being the Connoisseur Belgian Chocolate Mousse - is fast becoming a much anticipated and preferred form of entertainment," added Mark.

http://www.connoisseurdesserts.com.au/

Interview with Candice Warner

Question: What's your secret to juggling a busy lifestyle?

Candice Warner: For me, it's all about sticking to a schedule and prioritising. It's tricky juggling my busy work schedule, friendships, children and husband (especially because he travels all of the time). What helps me is knowing that I can't be there for everyone and acknowledging that family and happiness comes first, it's easier to juggle the pressures of a busy lifestyle that way.


Question: What is faux-cialiser?

Candice Warner: A faux-cialiser is a person who chooses to embrace and savour the joy of a night at home, bingeing on TV and eating lovingly prepared meals. It's all about indulgence and knowing when you need to spend some time in rather than time out.

Question: Why are you a self-confessed faux-cialiser?

Candice Warner: Even though I regularly attend events and have fun doing so, I just love a night-in at home! To my friends I am a certified -bailer', always providing the stereotypical excuses of 'not feeling well" or 'sorry I'm stuck in traffic". As a mum there is nothing better than giving yourself the time to relax and recharge. During the week it's the time I give myself the opportunity to enjoy some sneaky indulgences, such as watching The Real Housewives whilst treating myself to some Connoisseur Choc Mousse, or if I'm feeling adventurous a creamy Vanilla, Raspberry and Pomegranate Pana Cotta.


Question: What does a night as a faux-cialiser involve, for you?

Candice Warner: I love to sit on the couch and enjoy a glass of bubbly and a cheeky Connoisseur Choc Mousse. It's these little indulgent moments which I consider as -me time'. A Connoisseur Dessert is the perfect indulgence to finish your day with. It's a little pot of pleasure to reward and unwind with.


Question: Can you share your advice for us to fit some more faux-cialising into our lives?

Candice Warner: Know when you need to take some time out! It's okay to be honest and admit to friends that you just need a night-in to relax. They will appreciate you much more for it!


Question: What do you like most about the Connoisseur Choc Mousse?

Candice Warner: It's just a classic! I love how deliciously creamy and decadent the mousse is. It's such a perfect practical treat for a night in!


Question: What inspires you to keep fit?

Candice Warner: My inspiration comes from the fact that I have always loved working out and the feeling that I get from it both mentally and physically. Working out provides me with the energy and confidence to achieve the things I want to do that day.


Question: What advice do you have for full-time mums who have fitness goals, this year?

Candice Warner: Set realistic goals and be easy on yourself! If your schedule only allows you to go to a class or go for a run once a week then do so, it's better than doing nothing at all! Also, use your children as a sense of motivation and tool to help you work out.

For example, I love taking my children down to the park and doing a simple fitness routine. My set includes a series of some star jumps, lunches and crunches, I finish it off with a cool down by running around with my eldest daughter around the park. Another important fact to remember is to be realistic being a mum means that you don't have as much time as you use to, so set aside some me time and give it your best!


Interview by Brooke Hunter