Valentino’s Italian Cookies

15/05/2026

Just a quick update ❤️

I’m finally home after visiting family overseas and was so excited to get back into baking✈️🍪

Unfortunately, I’ve managed to break my finger (the day after we got back)😅 so Valentino’s Italian Cookies will be taking a short little pause while I heal.

Thank you so much for all your support— I can’t wait to be back in the kitchen baking your favourites again soon 🍋❤️

-Mariesa 👩‍🍳

19/04/2026

✨ What would I book for my family right now? 👀✈️

✨ 🎁 Read to the bottom to see how to score $100 off your next holiday too ! 🎁 ✨

I’m trying to lock in my travel plans for this year and these two are on my personal short list!

I’ve priced specific dates below, but there’s plenty of other availability too.

Whether you’re dreaming big or just want something easy and relaxing — I’ve got you 👇

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🏝️ Maldives (yes… with kids 🤯)

📍 Club Med Kani
📅 26 Nov – 2 Dec 2026 (6 nights)
✈️ Flights + transfers included
🍸 ALL-INCLUSIVE (meals, drinks, kids club & activities)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family of 4
💰 $10,484 total for the whole family
🎯 Kids Stay FREE (saving ~$4,300)

This one honestly surprised me…

Maldives is usually so expensive for families, but this actually makes it doable. And being all-inclusive just takes the stress out of everything — no thinking about meals, drinks or keeping the kids entertained.

👉 If I was booking something special right now… this would be it.
It’s also not often you see Club Med run kids stay free offers like this.

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🌺 Fiji (easy, beautiful, no stress 🌞)

📍 InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
📅 28 Nov – 3 Dec 2026 (5 nights)
✈️ Return flights from Sydney
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family of 4
💰 From ~$4,717 total for the family

✔️ Buffet breakfast daily
✔️ Return airport transfers
✔️ VIP airport priority lane + welcome gift
✔️ Malamala Beach Club experience
✔️ FJD $250 resort credit

It’s close, it’s beautiful, and it’s just easy — especially with kids. This is one of the best resorts on the Coral Coast.

👉 Perfect if you want a proper break without a long travel day.

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🎁 Want to score $100 off your next holiday? 👀

Make sure you read this part 👇

💛 Like this post
💛 Follow the page
💛 Tag a friend in the comments

👉 You’ll go in the draw to win $100 off your next booking
👉 Bonus entry for every friend you tag 👀

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If you’ve been thinking about a trip lately… this might be your sign ✈️

📩 DM me for a personalised quote

-Mariesa 👩‍✈️

11/04/2026

✨ I’m planning a trip… want to come with me? ✈️

Hey everyone 😊

A little idea I’ve been thinking about…

This year I really want to do a small group trip with Intrepid Travel — they’re known for their incredible trips, local experiences, and smaller group sizes ✈️

Then I thought…
would anyone want to join me? 👀

👉 As an experienced travel agent at Flight Centre Armidale (and someone who loves to travel), I’d organise everything and travel with you — so whether you’re coming solo or with someone, we can head over together from Armidale or Sydney, and you’ve got support the whole way ✈️ Intrepid then takes care of the tour, and I’ll be there enjoying it alongside you!

Perfect if you’ve ever wanted to travel but didn’t want to go solo, or if you’re just looking to do something a little different this year!

🌍 A few ideas I’m tossing up:

🇯🇵 Japan
🇦🇺 Western Australia
🌎 South America

👉 Would you be interested?
👉 Where should we go? Any other ideas?

👉 Comment below — and feel free to tag any friends who might be interested 👀✈️ or send me a message if you want to chat 😊

– Mariesa 👩‍✈️

✨ I’m planning a trip… want to come with me? ✈️

Hey everyone 😊

A little idea I’ve been thinking about…

This year I really want to do a small group trip with Intrepid Travel — they’re known for their incredible trips, local experiences, and smaller group sizes ✈️

Then I thought…
would anyone want to join me? 👀

👉 As an experienced travel agent at Flight Centre Armidale (and someone who loves to travel), I’d organise everything and travel with you — so whether you’re coming solo or with someone, we can head over together from Armidale or Sydney, and you’ve got support the whole way ✈️ Intrepid then takes care of the tour, and I’ll be there enjoying it alongside you!

Perfect if you’ve ever wanted to travel but didn’t want to go solo, or if you’re just looking to do something a little different this year!

🌍 A few ideas I’m tossing up:

🇯🇵 Japan
🇦🇺 Western Australia
🌎 South America

👉 Would you be interested?
👉 Where should we go? Any other ideas?

👉 Comment below — and feel free to tag any friends who might be interested 👀✈️ or send me a message if you want to chat 😊

– Mariesa 👩‍✈️

( my normal travel buddy gives rave reviews 😂)

01/04/2026

Hey everyone!

If you’re putting together Easter baskets this year, make sure you pop into Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard 🐣🤍

You’ll find her at 161 Beardy Street Armidale (in the mall ) — such a beautiful little spot filled with the sweetest finds ✨

Think cute pins, stickers, handmade bears, little games and fairy garden goodies 🧸🌸

Perfect for something a little different (and special) to add to your Easter gifts 💛

I love supporting other small businesses in our community, and this one is definitely worth a visit!

👉 FUN IDEA: Pop in, take a photo of what you find and drop it in the comments below…
everyone who posts a pic gets a FREE cookie at my next market! 🍪✨

Can’t wait to see what you all find!

– Mariesa x 👩‍🍳🍪

28/03/2026

I’m so grateful to have been apart of such an amazing event today🤍 thank you to everyone who came past, supported, chatted, or bought cookies.

I can’t wait to be back again tomorrow at the Seasons of New England Expo — but just a heads up, I’m very low on Wedding, Lemon and Cannoli cookies… so if they’re your favourites, come early!

I completely sold out of my Gingerbread Amaretti today ..but somehow found the energy to bake a few more batches tonight, so there will be a limited amount available again tomorrow.

Come say hi, grab your favourites, and support some of the best in New England ✨

27/03/2026

Quality control is very serious in this house 😂🍪
6am start this morning with a busy kitchen🤍

I think we’ve got happy little taste testers here ✔️

Check out mariesatravels’s video.

27/03/2026

Fresh cookies will be at the Seasons of New England Expo in Uralla tomorrow 🍪

I’ll be there with a full table of fresh Italian favourites. It’s one of my favourite local events with so many amazing stalls, food, and a great atmosphere 😊

If you’re coming along, I’d love for you to pop by, say hi, and enjoy something sweet while you wander or grab a box to take home! 😋

Which cookie would you pick? 👇

25/03/2026

The headset’s off and the apron is on. 👩‍🍳

Dough is being prepped, oven will be working overtime, and I’m getting everything ready to bring you fresh cookies this weekend at the Seasons of New England in Uralla 🤍

There’s something really special about sharing my family’s recipes — the ones I grew up with, and now get to pass down to my own daughter.

This week was also my Grandma’s 92nd birthday 🥹🤍
(Happy birthday Grandma, I love you!)

Everything I bake for Valentino’s Italian Cookies comes from her — and generations before her — and that’s what makes this all so meaningful to me.

If you’re looking for a beautiful day out, the festival is on Saturday & Sunday 9–4 at Sunny Jim Mackay Park — filled with local makers, food, music, and so much to explore.

Come find me, grab your cookies, and support some of the best the New England has to offer ✨

Thank you so much for all the support — every order, share, and kind message truly means the world and helps my little business grow more than you know 🤍

If you’re heading to the festival, let me know below 👇 and tag a friend you’d bring along for a sweet day out 🍪

– Mariesa x 👩‍🍳

25/03/2026

Switching from travel consultant ✈️ to baker today 🍪
Getting ready for Seasons of New England this weekend!

Before I pop on my apron… here’s a little throwback from my Bali trip a few years ago 🌴😂

Not me thinking I was about to get personally humbled by the sea 💀🌊
…watch to see if it was worth it 😍

Travel chaos first, cookies coming next 🤍

Would YOU have done this ferry ride? YES or NO 😂👇

23/03/2026

💙 QUICK LIFE UPDATE ✈️🍪

Hey everyone! Just a little update from me 🥰

I’m still here, just not baking weekly at the moment as I’ve returned to my day job at Flight Centre ✈️

BUT… I’ll still be popping up with cookies when I can — I’m baking this week for Seasons of New England 🍪✨ and you’ll also catch me at a few markets and local events over the coming months!

Thank you so much for all your continued support — it honestly means the world 💙

If you love cookies AND travel, I’d love you to follow along over at my FC Armidale page too ✈️ I’ll be sharing travel deals, tips, and inspiration if you’re planning your next getaway 🌍

👉 Also don’t forget you can join the FREE World360 Rewards Program and go into the draw to win a gift card 🎁

Thanks again for being here — see you soon (with cookies or travel plans!) 💙

P.S. Here’s a little throwback from our last trip to Italy 🇮🇹💙 — lots of family time, way too much amazing food, and plenty of “we’ll walk it off tomorrow” energy 😄

— Mariesa 👩‍🍳👩‍✈️