I have something terrible and gross to tell you. There is a mouse in my house. (My apartment, rather, but saying “house” rhymed.) And I am absolutely, positively terrified of mice. More than anything in the world. Horrified. I have lived in this apartment for over 3 years and have never had one until now and it is just awful. I am completely freaked out. I blame the construction that is going on in my building. And now everything is scary. If anything in the apartment moves (even Tyrion), I jump. I swear I’m actually seeing mice everywhere I look. It all began last week when I saw him scamper across my stove and then down under a burner. He came back again one more time before I called my super. My super and I spent an entire afternoon last week… pulling the apartment apart, finding holes, and plugging them up. We even moved the dishwasher and the stove! He didn’t visit for several days and then there he was yesterday afternoon… sitting on the stove. Spiteful little thing.
Every time I see him I scream bloody murder. My neighbors must think I’m insane. I don’t know how something this tiny could be so terrifying, but it is. My super gave me glue traps but those are inhumane so I bought some special closed off traps that Tyrion won’t be able to get into. (Tyrion gets into everything… this part about traps is what is particularly scary.) EUGHHHHH. I also bought some of those peppermint oil diffusers as mice allegedly hate peppermint. I would prefer to just scare him away, I don’t know what I will even do if I catch him. I can’t even think about that.
Oof. Have you ever dealt with this!? I don’t know how this is my first mouse (after eleven years in the city) but it is and ew, just ewwwww!!!
Outfit Details: Loro Piana Peacoat (a few years old but similar here, here+ here) // BP Tunic Sweater // Good American Jeans // Manolo Blahnik Pumps // Margaret O’Leary Scarf (really old, love this, this or this) // Chanel Purse // Celine Sunglasses // Pom Pom Hat // BaubleBar Earrings
Look for Less: Sweater // Jeans // Heels // Bag
But anyway, you come here to talk about pretty clothes and not mice so let’s do that instead, shall we? I own this cozy cashmere (blend) tunic sweater in three colors… heather camel, red mars (pictured), and black. It is the absolute best. Why? It’s crazy soft, the cut is great (long all over, but longer in back so you can wear it with leggings!), and it’s only $90. L-O-V-E. It runs big so size down. I am wearing a small and it fits perfectly.
And also… these earrings – I can’t. I just love them so much. They’re only $38… and for the record they are super super lightweight!
photography by Lydia Hudgens.
Now I can’t decide whether I should get a camel or a cream coat!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
Decisions, decisions!! 😉 xo
I just had my first NYC mouse a few weeks ago!! At least you made it 11 years…I’ve only been here 3 years and it felt like a blessing to have escaped it this long. But we got the closed off traps, too! And the little plug-in things that emit noise that’s supposed to scare off vermin.
Best of luck!! I hope he doesn’t return!! And I’m glad you talk about this stuff in addition to pretty clothes 🙂
Thanks, Crawford! They are just the worst – eeek. I thought about the noise thing but worried it would upset my cat! So hard trying to get rid of one animal while keeping another animal happy. Though my cat should really be stepping up to the plate here but that is another story for another day. He’s purely for aesthetic purposes.
You could also put drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls near places where you’ve seen the mouse. I basically covered our house in peppermint oil when I saw a mouse. Didn’t see it again, but the house did smell like toothpaste for a while
Thank you so much for the tip Tracey! I’d rather just scare it away than kill it!
Ah no mice!!! That is my biggest fear. You’re just so sweet they want to hang with you!! Anyways, your red sweater is gorgeous on you!
xo elle // https://splashofpreppy.com
They are the worst!! And thanks, Elle! xx
You’ve been lucky, Grace! Every NYC apartment I’ve lived in had a mouse at some point. I recommend the snap traps that are fully covered, so that you kill the mouse (humanely as possible) but don’t have to see it. The trap indicates when you’ve caught the mouse inside, so you’ll know. Then you can just dispose of the entire trap, including the dead mouse. It’s the best way I found. Once the mouse is gone, make sure all holes are properly plugged and you should be fine. If you get another mouse, you’ll know you’ve missed a tiny hole somewhere. It’s amazing the tiny spaces they can fit through. Hang in there!
Oh really? That is reassuring… I’ve never had one and was so ashamed of it! Thanks for all the tips. 🙂 x
I totally understand and share your same fear! My sister lived in the Pocono mountains and was prone to mice. She bought a special box and would fill with a piece of chocolate and then would release the mouse outside. You can call the Super for the release part. Good luck!
Haha I have already informed him that I will be WAY too scared to touch the mouse once we trap him. Ewwwwww!Thanks Bets 🙂
Red is your colour and suits you beautifully! I like your statement earrings very much!
https://lartoffashion.com/how-to-style-faux-fur-coat/
Thank you so much Natali! xx
You look great in this outfit!!
Aw, thanks Carly! Hope you are having a great week. 🙂
Oh no! That’s so frustrating, lady! I hope your peppermint and traps work!!!
Thanks friend. Truly the WORST!!
Love this look, Grace! That tunic does look amazing! And I’m SO sorry about the mouse. I haven’t had to deal with anything yet – but I hope he leaves soon! I’m actually more afraid of a roach in the apartment!
Pink Champagne Problems
Thanks Dana!!! I had roaches in my first NYC apartment a million years ago and wasn’t afraid of them! (a long, long time ago, in highschool, my honors science project was working with these oversized roaches but that’s another story for another day). Mice, however… TERRIFY me!!
Hi Grace! I just wanted to send you a quick note to say 2 things:
1) You look really fantastic in these photos — I don’t know if it’s the color of the sweater, or your trainer-led workout regimen, or just a good nights sleep, but you look BEAUTIFUL!
2) I used to live on Washington St. right below the Meatpacking District and had the “pleasure” of a mouse in our house. You’re right — any construction nearby definitely rustles them up! I have never heard my 6ft2″ husband scream like a girl until the little white mouse decided to visit our kitchen and rustled a bag! It was honestly hysterical. The super came and sealed off any openings around pipes, etc. and fortunately that did the trick.
I hope your little “roommate” vacates immediately!
Thank you so much Stella! That is so sweet of you to say!!!
And thanks for sharing your mouse story. Eeekkk, so terrifying!! Let’s hope he hits town. 😉
xoxo
I totally feel you on the mice–I have an old house and had a mouse problem last year (which I suppose is expected) but I would get so freaked out when I caught one I would have to have someone come over and throw it away. I couldn’t pick it up! And I used those plastic traps where you can’t even see the mouse but you know it’s there. So traumatic.
I am going to be the SAME EXACT WAY. Thank goodness for male friends as I don’t think I will have it in me to pick it up! Very traumatic indeed. Glad you agree. ewwwwww!
I love the scarf.
Thank you Sophie! xx
I love your coat and scarf so much! Makes your outfit looks so effortless and cute, I’m going to have to do some hunting to get some of my own!
Aw thank you Azanah!!!
I had a mouse a few years ago back at my apartment in Kansas City and he would get on top of the microwave and eat my bread! It drove me crazy. Then one night I was sitting on the couch and he scampered across the floor and I lost it. Luckily he disappeared on his own so I didn’t have to deal with capturing him and figuring out what to do then!
Eeeeeek – so scary!!!! You are so lucky he just went away!
Ughhh, I had a mouse in my office once, which was terrible but probably not as terrible as having a mouse in your living space. Eventually, our maintenance guy caught it. I was so relieved not to have to worry about it scurrying across our feet during the workday anymore!
Oh but that would be awful at work – screaming in front of your coworkers!!!!
Girl, I have been there! You’re so lucky you made it 11 years. We got our first one within our first year in our apartment! They freak me out SO MUCH. We ended up using a glue trap 🙁 since we were terrified and that’s what the exterminator put in. My roommate ended up dealing with it since she’s a teacher and we caught him in the middle of the day in the summer. (Owe her my life!) And then we had ANOTHER one like six months later. It was horrible! (And like, I pay too much money for this!!) Then we had the exterminator come in and close up every single hole and we thankfully haven’t seen one since (it’s been over a year.) I’m so terrified of them, even more so than roaches. I do think it’s just a part of the NYC experience. I’ve heard of people who live in super pricey luxury buildings getting them (that would make me SO mad, hahah!)
On the plus side, your outfit is super cute! Hahah. Hope you get that pesky guy soon!
Oh wow! They freak me out too. The glue traps terrify me and I feel so badly. I got a different kind (the covered up ones) as I worry about Tyrion.
It seems like everyone gets them… yuck! My traps went out tonight… hoping to catch the little guy. I feel so bad but I can’t coexist with him.
I’m a relatively new blog reader, and I wanted to let you know that I’m loving reading it. You’ve already inspired a few new purchases for my wardrobe (I may need to stop reading to save my bank account). Specifically, I bought the sweater from this post in the purple color and then today, purchased the red like you are wearing. I’ve only had the purple about a week and already wore it twice – once with black pants for work and once with leggings and fun jewelry to a play. It’s just so comfortable and easy! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh, and as for the mouse, I sympathize with you! I had a mouse problem in the rental I used to live in. I think they were well established before I moved in and it was so hard to get rid of them. I used the traps where the mouse goes in and is killed, but you don’t see it and can just throw the whole thing away.
Oh my gosh what a sweet comment, Jen! Thank you!!! This sweater is the best – it is so so cozy!!! I am glad you love it as much as I do.
I bought those same traps and set them up tonight. Here’s to hoping! xx
I can’t believe the roaches didn’t gross you out, but the mouse does! We don’t have roaches or many bugs in California, like you guys do in NY. I hate roaches! My BFF had a rat, when he pooped everywhere, even under his pillow, he lost it. The exterminator came, said it was gone and it wasn’t. He eventually moved, the place had other issues. Too bad Tyrian can’t help you. ( maybe if you don’t feed him one day?) 🙂 I know you will work it out. I’m so sorry , it’s unsettling.
On another note, you look so gorgeous in that color! I love this outfit on you.
I took Minnie( kitty) for her check up yesterday and she’s overweight. She has to lose a pound! An easy fix, I will just feed her less and play with her more. I wish I could lose a pound ( more! ) so easily!
Haha I know it’s totally weird. I worked with roaches in high school and so was never scared of them. Giant ones, like 2″ long. I’m revolted thinking about it now but I was super into it back them!!!
Thank you for the kind words. I set up a bunch of traps tonight… we will catch him! xx
I live in a brownstone on the UES and mice are always an issue in the building when the weather gets cold! Thankfully my two Siamese cats are rather enthusiastic hunters so they usually take care of the issue…(we’ve had two “catchings” so far this winter). I’m actually surprised that the mouse is so bold as to come out in plain sight though, in my research I’ve read that mice are sensitive to the scents of both cat dander and pee and will usually avoid it. Barring not emptying your litter box for a few days (gross), my best advice is to make sure there is nothing for the mouse to feed on – they can chew through all plastic bags, cardboard, etc to get at grains / pasta / non-perishables. I seal everything in glass or heavy plastic containers with lids. For the cat food, I don’t leave any dry food out when I’m not around. And one last note on litter, I used to use one of the all natural biodegradable / flushable ones but we found out in October that the mice were actually eating it! That fact alone made me switch to clay…I hate that it’s not great for the environment but I haven’t seen a mouse since the end of November so I have to think that it’s working.
Best of luck!
Marisa
You are so lucky that your cats are hunters!!! Tyrion has no interest, whatsoever. Thank you for all of the tips… so much information here – I had no idea about the litter – CRAZY!!
No! to the mouse! I feel exactly the same way! My brothers used to catch snaked (non-poisonous little ones) and one got loose somewhere when I was a child. There was a lot of climbing on furniture…
But those earrings are fantastic!
https://bybreannamarie.com/
Oh gosh that is so scary! I had a pet hamster growing up… she was always escaping! Funny that I loved my hamster whereas mice are so scary!
I work in a lab and handle mice regularly but I still can get nervous occasionally but my mentor always tells me “it’s a mouse not a lion!” Although seeing one in your home is less than ideal, I bet he’s more afraid of you than you of him 🙂
Haha a friend said the same exact thing. I know I’m ridiculous. Doesn’t make it any less scary though, sadly!! 😉
Those earrings are gorgeous! I am SO SORRY about your mouse! ugh! I feel for you! We had a huge hole in our backyard under our patio (just moved in), and the trapper had to come catch whatever animal it was (we would hear it digging at night)… low and behold… it was a MASSIVE rabbit. Literally, bigger than a dog!!!! So, we heard that all night clawing at the cage and trying to break free (the trapper comes in the mornings!). AH! I am so sorry! But for the record, you still look adorbs!
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
Thank you so much Mary! (For the kind words and the story). That rabbit sounds terrifying and I generally think bunnies are just the cutest thing!!
O.M.G. I still have PTSD from when I had a mouse in my apartment! Even in my new place, I think I see something run across the floor and my heart rate jumps. So sorry to hear you’re dealing with that! Ugh.
Ugh PTSD describes it accurately! Traumatic!!!
So pretty! Love this entire look and those earrings are everything! Need them now!
XO,
Emily
http://www.fortuitousfoodies.com
Thanks Emily!! I love them so much – they are so fun, but also nice and lightweight! xx
AHHH! This exact same situation happened to me last winter. Glad to know I’m not the only person with an irrational fear of mice. I had lived in my apt for seven years and never seen anything and then they started construction on a school across the street and all of a sudden, I couldn’t be home without seeing a mouse. I also tried the peppermint oil and now I can’t stand the smell of peppermint as I associate it with mice (I may have gone a bit overboard, oops!) Plugging the holes behind the stove and dishwasher is the key. Hopefully now that you’ve done that and caught the one that was stuck inside the apt, you won’t have any others!
It is SUCH A HUGE FEAR!!!! I still have another trap out just in case there are more but we did all of those things (plugged up the holes, etc) so I think, I hope that it will be okay. They are doing construction on my floor… this is my fourth year in this apartment and I’ve never had an issue til now! Yuck!!!
I’ve had a mouse. I think it got in through a vent since everything else was covered/ plugged with steel wool. One morning I found it in my bathtub but it couldn’t climb out, thank goodness. It was frightened, lonely, & left droppings in there overnight. It was happy to see me, wanted to play,& stood up on its hind legs. It must’ve been a baby. I ran to get 2 cups..let it crawl into one, sealed it off behind with second one. Then threw it into a plastic bag with trash/ food & tied it up. It ended up in Flatiron public trash can outdoors near a Korean deli that was shortchanging people.