Picking up a copy of Ambrosia feels like ordering dessert. The magazine (along with it’s sister publication Drift) is truly a collectible work of art — gorgeous travel photography and writing, laid out minimally on the most touchable matte paper. It’s a luxurious treat for the eyes and soul. So when we found out that the pair behind the magazines were a real life couple, we pretty much had to meet them and find out more. Daniela Velasco González (creative director) and Adam Goldberg (editor in chief) are each highly talented creatives in their own right. Together, they’re a creative force to be reckoned with. Read on to discover how one cup of coffee turned into the partnership of a lifetime.
photographed by belathée
How did you two first meet?
Adam: Daniela will probably have a different version of this, but here it goes. The first time I met Daniela was in 2010 in San José del Cabo, Mexico, at her cousin Erika’s “welcome home” surprise party. Erika was living in Belgium and just returned home. My girlfriend at the time was friends with Erika and I came to the party as her guest. At some point that night I ended up sitting next to Daniela and heard that she just got into Parsons and would be studying in New York the following year. I was born in New York and went to school at Columbia, so I gave her a list of places to visit and things to do. That was it. Three years later, I broke up with my ex-girlfriend and moved back to New York, to the Financial District. By pure chance, Daniela had been living a few blocks away. I asked her out for coffee.
So Daniela, what’s your version?
Daniela: When he moved back to the city we went out for coffee to catch up, he then showed me the apartment he had signed the day before and asked me if I liked the color he was going to put on the walls. We’ve talked almost every day since but I had no idea I was going to end up with him back then!
How long have you been together?
Daniela: A little bit over 4 years, 2 as best friends and 2 since we started officially dating.
Adam, what was your first impression of Daniela?
Adam: Frankly, I thought she was really beautiful, intimidating and witty. I knew she had gone to high school in London and later at Bollettieri in Florida. It takes a fierce independence to be able to pack up and move to a different country by yourself to study and work. I found that really attractive.
And Daniela, what did you think of Adam?
Daniela: He was very spontaneous and fun to be around; he always had something interesting to say or show me. For instance, two weeks after meeting him he gave me his old iPod with headphones and a note that said “For your flight back home.” It had a 2-hour long mix, it was so cool!
We’re HUGE fans of both Drift and Ambrosia magazines. Tell us a little about your vision for each publication. Did the two of you come up with the concept for the magazines together?
Adam: Thanks! Yes we did. I have a food blog, A Life Worth Eating where I upload photos of recent meals. Around 2013, Daniela realized that I was fascinated by specialty coffee, even organizing my travel around visiting coffee shops–and she suggested that I do something about it. We played with the idea of creating a magazine for a year–exploring printers, paper stock, stories, photography style, article sourcing for awhile. We created the first version of Drift for Daniela’s senior design project at Parsons. But it wasn’t until we connected with my sister Elyssa, a truly talented writer and editor, that the print magazine took off.
Adam: Ambrosia is a bit different. We love going out to eat, but also to eat healthy. At times these two things felt mutually exclusive, and I felt they shouldn’t. Where were the healthful recipes from the world’s great chefs? I, along with Daniela and Elyssa, had some publishing and distribution experience from Drift and we thought, let’s try it. Our first issue on Baja, Mexico sold out. We just started shipping Ambrosia, Volume 2: Denmark on May 21.
What made you decide to pursue a print journal instead of focusing on something more web-based? (We’re SO glad you did, by the way. Can we talk about that incredible textured paper stock?)
Adam: Thank you! I studied engineering and worked at Google for awhile, so something web-based may have made more sense. But I really liked the idea of being able to disconnect from my phone and computer, to sit down with a hot cup of coffee and read through a magazine cover-to-cover without distraction. The paper stock, print quality, and lack of ads were very important components: we wanted to create something that we would want to read ourselves in order to create a great experience for our readers.
Daniela: I’m obsessed with the paper we use for the cover of Ambrosia, it’s uncoated and has an amazing feel to it. We liked it so much, we even printed postcards on the same stock.
We really admire couples who can travel together as much as you do. Were your travel styles pretty in sync from the get-go? Or have you both had to adapt? Any advice for being a good traveling companion?
Daniela: Fortunately, we both enjoy scouting a place in a very similar manner, however, there are some instances were we both had to adapt. For instance, he doesn’t like laying in the sun as much as I do, and on the other hand, I can barely stand on a snowboard and he loves doing black runs on skis. So, you can see how that can get in the way..
My advice to any traveling companion is to be up for any adventure and enjoy every part of it.
How do you take your coffee?
Adam: Black, usually.
Daniela: Black or with homemade almond milk.
What’s the one thing the two of you disagree about the most often?
Adam: We disagree about a lot, from the font size of the text in Drift to our dining room chairs. It’s pretty funny. I think the common theme is form versus function. You should see the kitchen chairs she bought. They’re gorgeous. But they’re also steel wireframe, and when I get up after dinner I look like I fell asleep on a ladder!
Daniela: Yes, we have different styles and that is sometimes really hard to manage. He is very focused on utility and I, on the other hand, very creative. I guess the middle ground is what works best. We just have to learn to put aside work problems from our relationship and vice-versa.
Daniela, what do you admire about Adam?
Daniela: Many many things. One is that he can solve any problem he encounters as big or small as it may be. He is also very caring towards the people he loves, and he often goes out of his way to help or do something for them. He is also very good with computers, like scary good.
And Adam, what do you love about Daniela?
Adam: Daniela has an effortless sense of style and design that stretches from what she wears to what she draws. The magazines wouldn’t be possible without her. Also, she is always smiling–and it’s pretty contagious.
Favorite travel memory together?
Adam: I took Daniela to Greece for a week last year, for her birthday. It was right after we submitted Drift to our printer, so we had a week to relax. The weather was perfect the entire trip, and the food light and healthy. I hope we can get back there soon.
Daniela: I have so many! Maybe dinner in Santorini at Sunset or Anguilla, when we woke up early, made coffee and walked to the beach to see the sunrise.
What’s the best relationship advice you’ve ever been given?
Daniela: To communicate every single thing, good and bad, without sitting on it for too long.
Adam: Be with someone who inspires you and helps you to become a better person.
What’s your idea of the perfect Saturday night together?
Adam: Sushi at Ushiwakamaru or Kosaka, followed by a glass of wine and a movie at home.
Daniela: Cooking together while drinking wine and then properly setting the table for a candlelit dinner. Or, going out to a sushi counter where we can talk about anything over a 2-hour relaxed dinner.
For single friends still looking for the one, what advice (if any) would you give on dating in the modern world?
Daniela: That’s a tough question. I would say to not get attached easily until they’ve shown they’ll be there for you no matter what.
Adam: Take your time. It’s okay being single. Use the time to figure out what you like to do and just do it–no excuses. The right person will find that attractive and you’ll be with someone who can help make you a better person.
follow daniela on instagram: @danielavelasco
follow adam on instagram: @alifewortheating
