The holidays are fun, but between parties, dinners and shoots, I need nights where I don’t go anywhere at all. These are my favorite cozy night-in rituals, from what I wear to what I watch, eat and do before bed. Steal any of them. — Cami Del Toro
Why I schedule nights in
I used to think a free night meant I had to fill it. Now I put a night in on my calendar every week, the same way I would a workout or a brunch. December in LA is busy, and one quiet night is what keeps me happy and actually excited for the next party. If you want to see how the rest of my week looks, it’s all in my LA routine.
Step 1: Set the mood
It takes five minutes and changes everything. I turn off the overhead lights, light one good candle, plug in the string lights and put on a slow playlist. Soft jazz, old R&B or acoustic covers are my go-tos. My full list is on my playlist. I also put my phone on Do Not Disturb. Not forever, just for the night.
Step 2: Change into the coziest thing you own
My night-in uniform is a matching knit lounge set in cream or soft gray, thick socks and a big cardigan or robe. Hair goes up in a claw clip. Matching sets feel more put together than old sweats, and somehow that makes the night feel like a treat instead of a lazy day. It’s the same cozy energy as the knit looks in my fall outfit ideas, just with slippers.
Step 3: A real self-care hour
This is my favorite part. I take a long hot shower, then do my full night routine slowly instead of rushing it: oil cleanser, regular cleanser, a hydrating or calming sheet mask, serum, a thick moisturizer and lip balm. Dry winter air is rough on skin, so I add an extra layer of moisturizer on my cheeks. The full steps are in my skincare routine.
While the mask is on, I paint my nails. Deep berry or a glossy nude in winter, always.
Step 4: Comfort food that’s actually easy
I’m not making a five-course dinner on a night off. My favorite easy cozy meals:
- A big bowl of tomato soup with grilled cheese on sourdough
- Pasta with garlic, olive oil, lemon and lots of parmesan
- A sheet-pan dinner of chicken, sweet potatoes and broccoli
- Homemade pizza on store-bought dough with a simple arugula salad
For dessert, warm chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven. For a drink, hot chocolate with a little cinnamon or a cup of chamomile tea.
Step 5: The movie (or the book)
December is holiday movie season, and I have no shame about watching the same classics every year. I love a cozy romantic comedy, a big holiday family movie, and one old black-and-white classic for good measure. On nights when I’m tired of screens, I read instead, usually a romance novel or a memoir, under a heavy blanket with a candle going.
Step 6: Move a little
A night in doesn’t mean I skip movement completely. Ten to fifteen minutes of gentle stretching or yoga on the living room floor helps me sleep better, especially after a week of heels and long gym days. It’s the recovery side of my workout routine.
Step 7: Reset for the week
Before bed, I spend ten minutes getting ready for tomorrow: clean up the kitchen, lay out my clothes, fill up my water bottle and write three things in my journal. One thing I’m grateful for, one thing I want to do this week, and one thing I want to let go of. It sounds small, but it’s the reason I wake up calm.
A cozy night in with friends
Sometimes the best night in has company. My version of a girls’ night is a pajama dress code, a big charcuterie board, face masks for everyone, a holiday movie and a lot of talking during the movie. No one has to dress up, no one has to drive anywhere, and it’s always the night we remember most.
A rainy LA night in
When it finally rains in Los Angeles, it feels like a holiday. That’s when I go all in: soup on the stove, the window cracked so I can hear the rain, and my favorite blanket. For more of what I love about this season here, see my guide to winter in Los Angeles. And for the nights I do go out, my holiday makeup look is the one I always come back to.
Looking for the full map of my fashion and beauty posts? Start with my style guide.
For more of how I live in this city, open my Los Angeles guide.
Every holiday post in one place lives in my holiday season hub.
Hosting this year? Here’s my Friendsgiving guide with my menu, table and hosting tips.
Planning a night out? Here are my winter date night outfits, from first-date jeans to a dressy dinner.
FAQ
What does Cami Del Toro do on a night in?
My ideal night in is a lounge set, a candle, a face mask, a comfort-food dinner, a holiday movie and an early night with my phone on the other side of the room.
How does Cami Del Toro practice self-care in winter?
I keep it simple: a long shower, a full skincare routine, a little stretching or yoga, a warm drink, journaling and at least one night a week with no plans.