Graza

Q: How would you describe yourself?

K: Hi, I’m Kitty! Based in Pasadena, California. I’m the Founder & Head Camper of Camp’d Out, where we create design-driven, tailored tented escapes and as of last month, we launched an Adventure Gear Collection!! 

Outside of being camp Kitty, you’ll usually find me surrounded by family and friends. I’m proud of my midwestern roots and can hardly stay away from Kansas City for too long. Happiest hosting cozy get-togethers at our little craftsman home in Pasadena that we named The Cabin on Oak. We’re always up for a spontaneous road trip, especially if it leads to stumbling upon small-towns with hidden vintage treasures. And while adventure is my love language, my perfect day ends in front of the fireplace with my boyfriend Matt and the cats. 

Q: Finish this sentence, cooking for me is… 

K: Served with a chilled red and roughly five times more garlic than any recipe dares to suggest…

Q: Take us on a ‘spark note’ journey of founding Camp’d Out

K: Camp’d Out was born from a lifelong love of the outdoors and inspired by summers on my grandparents’ farm in Missouri. Years later, a pop-up campsite in Byron Bay sparked the idea to merge comfort, design, and adventure.

What began as an elevated camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts has since evolved into tailored tented escapes for brands, TV sets, and wellness retreats. We recently launched our Adventure Gear Collection, honoring the spirit of the Great American Roadtrip with a playful twist, blending timeless style with function, all proudly made in Los Angeles.

Q: Do you have any camping nonnegotiables that you always pack?

K: Oh, absolutely! The list is long! I’m not what you’d call a light packer. For me, it’s all about creating a space that feels like home and looks beautiful. I never camp without cozy bedding, a trifold queen mattress, a fireside wool cabin robe, and my favorite ceramic mug to kit off a slow morning at camp.

Q: Can you share some favorite campsite recipes?

K: During cozy season, it’s all about soups for me. My go-to is a chicken chili verde I prep the night before. Or if I’m feeling lazy, I’ll grab ramen takeout on the way to camp, you can’t go wrong with ramen. We always bring our favorite ceramic ramen bowls and spoons. And always ending the night with a cast-iron dessert. My favorite currently is an apple crisp…heavy on the butter, of course.

Q: Describe your perfect camping trip? Where are you, who are you with, are you hiking, swimming, etc?

K: My perfect camping trip is hands down in Big Sur, California. It would be spent with my boyfriend Matt, who I actually met camping 8 years ago! We love camping along the stream at Pfeiffer State Campground, taking long walks beneath the redwoods, and sneaking in cold dips in the mermaid pools back at camp.

Afternoons usually mean beach picnics and sunset cheese boards at cliffside turnouts, passing binoculars back and forth. And we always save one night for dinner at our favorite roadside hotel, Deetjen’s…it’s truly unmatched. 

Q: What’s something we can always find in your pantry or kitchen?

K: Masienda blue corn flour…you will never buy store bought tortillas again. I literally kiss each doughy tortilla before eating them!

Q: Any words of wisdom, quotes, or mottos you live by?

K: “May we never lose the drive to pursue the things we love no matter how bumpy the road is.”

“If it scares you and excites you at the same time, that’s your gut telling you to go for it.”

Q: What’s on the horizon for you? 

K: The launch of our Adventure Gear feels like such a natural progression for Camp’d Out and also very personal, as the first piece in the collection is My Grandpa’s Jacket, a classic cattleman coat inspired by my grandfather J.R., the most fascinating cowboy I’ve ever known.

This collection marks the start of a new era for Camp’d Out, and I can hardly wait to see where we go from here. Follow along as we slowwwly release more intentionally crafted adventure gear, one piece at a time.