Author: Veronika Payevshchyk

My desk is my happy place. Whether I’m deep in a gaming session, browsing the latest releases, or just hanging out online, the right setup makes all the difference. Over time I’ve been pretty deliberate about what earns a permanent spot on my desk and today I want to share the three items that have genuinely levelled up my space. Spoiler: they’re all a mix of functional and adorable, because why settle for boring gear?

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Pebble Speakers

As a person who spends most of the time at my desk, I do enjoy to sit back and relax while watching a movie or playing a relaxing game. Using a headset full time can be a little tiring and this is why I cannot imagine my setup without speakers.

While I was searching for speakers, I stumbled across these CREATIVE Pebble 2.0 speakers on Amazon. The price is very nice and I love how cute and minimalistic their design is.

The best part is that the sound quality is very good considering how cheap they are.

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The Cutest Mouse Pad Ever

I am a girl who values aesthetic of my space a lot and as expected I love small and cute details in every piece around me. I believe that mouse pads play a huge role on the desk as it is literally in the center of the attention and takes almost half of the desk top. I experimented with a lot of different mouse pads but this GeekShare Star Wings Mouse Pad is my favorite.

It looks so good on my desk and somehow ties the whole vibe of my setup together. But beyond looking cute, it also does its actual job really well: smooth tracking surface, stays firmly in place, and the size is just right. It’s one of those things where you didn’t know you needed it until you have it.

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EPOMAKER x Aula F75 Keyboard

I am obsessed with this keyboard. The EPOMAKER x Aula F75 is a 75% wireless mechanical keyboard and it checks every single box. The gasket mount gives it that satisfying, bouncy feel that makes typing feel almost therapeutic. The Ice Vein switches are buttery smooth — perfect for both long gaming sessions and late-night writing. Then there’s the five-layer padding that keeps the sound deep and thocky rather than clacky, the volume control knob is so convenient, and RGB lighting with 16.8 million colors to really make your desk glow. Oh, and it connects three ways: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, or USB-C wired, so it works with basically everything. The 4000mAh battery means I’m not constantly hunting for a cable either. Sea Salt Blue is the colorway and it is gorgeous.

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Here are links for all the items on Amazon.com:

• CREATIVE Pebble 2.0
• GeekShare Star Wings Mouse Pad
• EPOMAKER x Aula F75

As much as I love digital worlds, there is something so satisfying about holding a physical piece of art in your hands. Lately, my desk has been taken over by card binders and booster packs. My collection is currently split into two worlds: the ones I keep for the aesthetic, and the one I actually play.

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Pokémon & MLP

For me, Pokémon and My Little Pony are all about the art. I love flipping through my binder and seeing the different illustration styles—it’s like having a tiny, curated art gallery on my shelf.

@tempacy

They are so cute 💕 #pokemon #pokemontcg #cutepokemon #cardcollection #tcg

♬ Girl Charm Ranking Board – Tomodachi Life Bitcrushed Old Speaker Lofi Mix – Nostalgiacore

While Pokémon was my first love, let’s be real: collecting it can get incredibly expensive. Between the chase cards and the scalpers, it’s a tough hobby to keep up with! Because of that, I’ve recently started a new collection: My Little Pony.

MLP cards are a breath of fresh air. They give me that same hit of nostalgia and beautiful, colorful artwork, but they are much more budget-friendly. It’s been so fun hunting for my favorite characters without breaking the bank.

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Riftbound

While my Pokémon and MLP cards mostly stay tucked away in protectors, Riftbound is the game that actually gets onto the table.

If you haven’t heard of it, Riftbound is a tactical TCG that I’ve really fallen in love with. It’s not just about how the cards look (though the art is great!); it’s about the strategy and the deck-building. It’s the perfect balance to my other collections—I get to appreciate the art while also using my brain to win a match.

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My Favorite Binder

Too keep my collection organized and pretty, I use Vault X Zip Binders. I love that they come in different sizes and colors so you can always find the one that suits your collection and style.

The size really matters depending on the collection and use. I prefer using 4-poket binder for my Pokemon cards because it is way easier to fill the pages up and nice to bring with you to different conventions. It will always fit in your bag and not heavy. But I do prefer 9-poket binders for my MLP collection and Riftbound since I leave them at home. I buy a lot of packs and booster boxes so I always have enough space in the binder.

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Here are links for the binder on Amazon.com:

• Vault X Zip Binders

We all know the standard definition of a “cozy game.” It usually involves a watering can, a few rows of turnips, and a soundtrack that sounds like a warm hug. But if you’re like me, sometimes the ultimate cozy vibe isn’t found on a farm.

Today, I’m sharing my top three “uncozy” cozy games. These are massive, epic RPGs that shouldn’t be relaxing on paper, yet they are the exact places I go when I need to decompress.

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

I can’t talk about gaming without starting here. Skyrim was one of the very first games I played as a kid, and it truly opened the door to the fantasy world for me. I still remember the first time I saw the twin moons in the sky and realized I could walk in any direction and find a new story. Those memories are tucked away in my brain like a favorite childhood book.

Even though it’s full of draugr and frost trolls, Skyrim is my ultimate “safety” game. There is something incredibly therapeutic about:

• The soft, ethereal chime of the soundtrack.
• Walking through a snowstorm and finally seeing the warm orange glow of a tavern window.
• The simple loop of gathering ingredients for potions or organizing my bookshelves in Breezehome.

It’s the game that taught me to love gaming, and it’s still the place I “go home” to when the real world feels a bit too loud.

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The Witcher 3

f Skyrim is a winter retreat, The Witcher 3 is like a gritty, atmospheric autumn. Yes, the world is “grimdark,” and yes, you’re often fighting literal nightmares, but have you ever just stood in the fields of Toussaint at sunset? Or listened to the wind howling through the trees in Skellige?

For me, the coziness comes from the immersion. Geralt might be a monster hunter, but his life has a rhythm that I find so soothing. I love:

• Playing a round of Gwent by a fireplace after a long day of adventuring.
• The clop-clop of Roach’s hooves on a dirt path.
• The “found family” vibes with Ciri, Yen, and the other witchers at Kaer Morhen.

It’s a game that makes you feel like a traveler in a living, breathing world, and sometimes the best way to relax is to just get lost in someone else’s story.

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Baldur’s Gate 3

The newest addition to my “uncozy” rotation is Baldur’s Gate 3. While it can be intense, gory, and strategically stressful, it has become my favorite place to spend an evening.

Why? Because of the Camp.

In BG3, your camp is your sanctuary. After a day of fighting mind flayers, there is nothing better than:

• Ending the day by the campfire and chatting with your companions.
• Watching your character pet Scratch (the best boy) and the Owlbear cub.
• The turn-based combat, which actually feels “cozy” because it lets me take my time—there’s no rush, no frantic button-mashing, just me and my coffee planning the next move.

It’s basically a high-stakes D&D session with your best friends, and that sense of companionship is the peak of cozy gaming for me.

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What about you?

Do you have a game that isn’t “supposed” to be cozy, but you find it incredibly relaxing anyway?