Touching grass
KITTY MEDINA • Camp’d Out
WORK • Thursday Routine
KITTY MEDINA • founder & designer • Camp’d Out
Neighborhood you work in: Pasadena & Downtown
Neighborhood you live in: Pasadena
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
It’s peaceful at the Cabin on Oak this morning, my home and workspace in Pasadena, California. I began the day with a meditation and journaling, with the cats inevitably joining in. My partner Matt and I share a French press and breakfast on the porch, talk through the day ahead, then get to work.
I’m the founder of Camp’d Out, where we curate tailored design-driven tented escapes. In October, we introduced an Adventure Gear collection designed for modern explorers who value timeless style, quality craftsmanship, and pieces that tell a story, drawing inspiration from the Great American Road Trip but with a quirky twist. The first piece is My Grandpa’s Jacket, a cattleman coat inspired by the one my grandfather wore for decades. Each jacket is patterned, cut, and hand-sewn in Los Angeles, made slowly and with intention.
My office space is cozy, especially during the winter months when I always put a couple logs on the fire. I work from a vintage McDowell & Craig desk, and an old Western painting hangs behind it, a quiet nod to my Midwestern roots. Along one wall, a rack hangs the latest production run of our cattleman coats, a reminder of how far we’ve come and where we’re heading.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’ll head downtown to check in on production and stop by the button shop to source trims for a piece we’re sampling for a spring launch. Lately, I’ve been fully immersed in the exploration of American craft and apparel manufacturing. This process has shaped the heart of the collection, and I’m committed to inspiring more people to see why there’s beauty in a product that lasts.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Matt and I love a date night! Our go-to spot during the week is Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock. Matt grew up going there as a kid so it feels like a second home to us and nothing beats their pizza and pasta. If it’s a warmer evening out, we’ll swing by Capri Club for an Aperol spritz and a Negroni.
We recently tried Betsy in Altadena and instantly fell in love. The space is cozy and aesthetically beautiful. We loved sitting at the bar soaking in the heat from the wood-burning stove and are still dreaming about the burrata. We also love grabbing a bar seat at Columbo’s. In my opinion, they have the best dirty martinis around. Other favorites: MIYA in Altadena, Woon in Pasadena, Bess in Sierra Madre, and Joy in Highland Park
How about a little leisure or culture?
Adam’s Pack Station. Park at Adam’s Pack station and hike one of the trails and loop back at the pack station for a cold bev and some donkey chin scratches.
Any weekend getaways?
Buckhorn Campground in Angeles National Forest. It’s less than an hour from the city, but it feels like a true escape. It also happens to be where Matt and I met while camping eight years ago, so it will always be one of the most special places.
What was your last great vacation?
Santa Fe, New Mexico. My picks:
Stay: El Rey Court. I love a hotel room with a wood-burning kiva fireplace.
Drink: La Reina Hotel Bar.
Shop / Explore: Santa Fe Vintage, curated vintage by appointment only and truly the best vintage shop I’ve ever been to. The Stith Collection, a hat maker’s shop down a little alley. Ask for Percy! DINEH for beautiful, handcrafted Navajo jewelry. I met the owner Samantha at Inspiration LA, and it was so special getting to visit her shop in Santa Fe.
Day Trip: Taos, a high-desert gem filled with galleries, historic adobe buildings, and views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Stay for a cozy organic dinner at The Love Apple, worth the drive.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Ludlow for beautifully curated vintage and handmade clothing. I became friends with the curator and designer, Madison, after shopping her line year after year at Pickwick Vintage Market in DTLA.
Sunday Morning Hair. I always recommend Courtney at Sunday Morning Hair especially for curly-headed folks. She completely transformed my curls and I also love that her salon is low-tox.


