Rockabilly Style At Bones & Botanicals

Rockabilly Style and a Witchy Cocktail Bar

Just inside the entrance of Bones & Botanicals

My dear friend Melissa happened to be in town for one more day before heading back to the west coast and gathered a handful of old friends together for a Saturday afternoon to catch up.  We needed to go somewhere that had tea, but after 2pm when one of us got out of work. Now most bakery/tea shops around here tend to close at about 3pm on a Saturday...that was not going to do. We could meet at a restaurant, but sometimes it can be loud and hard to hear each other. I did a google search of tea shops in the area, and found a place that piqued my interests---a witchy themed speakeasy in the middle of a strip mall in Wallingford that was open between 12-7pm. Everyone agreed it was very interesting and wanted to give it a shot. 

Occult shelf and glowing sarcophagus table

​Pahl and I were the first to arrive at Bones & Botanicals. I checked the website quickly to acquire the door code. I punched it into the box near the door and was immediately amazed by the dim light and glow-in-the-dark decor. There were about 2 open seats at the bar, and a bench that could maybe fit 4 people and the rest of the 6 chairs were already occupied.  Knowing that there would be 5 of us total, I grabbed the bench quickly and some cocktail menus. We talked a little bit with some other visitors who were facing the bench on the comfy chairs. Between us was a low glass topped table which held a glittering sarcophagus inside with glow in the dark sides and bottom. To the left of the bench were stacks of books and games that patrons could utilize and herbs in glass jars on a shelf above our heads. To the left was a curious assortment of decorations of an occult nature on a shelf along with two digital portraits whose expressions would periodically change. Straight back there were floating candles hanging from the ceiling with glass pentagrams hanging over the bar. 

Eventually I was able to get a comfy chair. The bar is behind me.

What I really liked about Bones & Botanicals is the atmosphere, decor, and the vibe. They have cocktails, mocktails, and regular tea, so there's something for everyone to try, even if they aren't imbibing. They also have some small bar snacks that you can purchase along with your drinks. Pahl and I ordered the "adult lunchable" that basically had mixed nuts, chocolate and pita chips in it. I honestly never thought I was into the "bar scene" or cocktails, but apparently if you serve them to me in a dark witchy themed secret access only speakeasy, I can be persuaded. 

Pahl and I decided the day before that we would dress up in Rockabilly style outfits to meet everyone with. Rockabilly fashion is a style of dress that takes its inspiration from 1950's American Rock and Roll culture. It is often characterized by bright colors, bold prints, and a mix of vintage and modern elements. Rockabilly music (which inspired the fashion) is a mixture of rock and roll music (think Johnny Cash and Elvis), hillbilly and country western aesthetics, and 1950's fashion with a little bit of punk thrown in. 

Image from YourSceneSucks.com

Pahl has got the faux vintage western shirt, black denim inside real motorcycle boots, with a vintage motorcycle leather jacket, and round sunglasses. He's basically James Dean from Rebel Without a Cause, minus the pompadour. Now my elements are a bit tricker to compare as it was January and still far too cold for pigtails, half sleeves, or open toed shoes. However, I did opt for a low cut black shirt tucked into a leopard print mini skirt with punk elements (see the straps hanging down). To go extra bold, I wore tights that have imagery of magenta lips tucked into over the knee suede boots with chunky heels. The boots and the beret are a bit more modern looking, but I just really wanted to wear them with the outfit. I was also hardly wearing any makeup-except for a bold red lipstick. 

Nell, Jess, Me, and Melissa

It was so nice to catch up with Nell, Jess, and Melissa. I hadn't seen Nell and Jess for over a year in person, and well Melissa we actually did see her a few times in August, but it's always a fun time. We had many engaging conversations about topics ranging from how our families are doing to artificial intelligence and how advanced it is already. 

Scorpio Risings

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It could have been the angle of the light coming through the window, or it could have been the fact that we are both Scorpio risings. The Scorpio Ascendent is a placement that is known for being mysterious, otherworldly, spiritual, and even attracted to taboo and occult topics. How fitting it was to capture this image at a cocktail bar that has all of these elements!