Amber Venz Box's Recipe For Success? Slow Living For Her Family *And* Her Business

ltk amber venz box interview

Amber Venz Box is no stranger to working hard to achieve her goals. After all, she and her husband Baxter Box created a multibillion-dollar business with content creator shopping app LTK. As much as the power couple pours into their business, they're also committed to their family of six. Specifically, Venz Box made it a point to be more intentional about the way she moves through life with her family — but it hasn't always been this way.

Prior to being the founder and president of LTK, a loving wife, and doting mama of four, Venz Box lived with her dad. "I was a personal shopper in the Dallas area who also had my own blog where I'd link out to different things I was wearing," said Venz Box. When I asked her if she had an idea LTK would grow to become as successful as it is, she smiled and laughed. "Honestly, I was living at home and my only goals at the time were to move out of my dad's place, and support my shopping habit." It was then that I knew I'd found a kindred spirit in Venz Box's realistic honesty.

Since growing LTK and her family to the level they're at now, Venz Box is ready to share how she's taking the time to recenter what matters so she can show up in the roles she's taken on.

Photo by Amber Venz Box

Before Venz Box sat at the helm of LTK alongside her husband Baxter, she was known as the young girl who crafted things for her classmates. "I was literally making and selling jewelry in high school. I figured out how to make the popular earrings Jessica Simpson used to wear and would sell them for $20 when it cost $18 to make them," she said with a laugh. It was her first hard lesson about learning how to effectively price items so she could profit from them.

From there, Venz Box's unique style inspired her to move to LA so she could learn the ropes of being a stylist. "I spent so much time carrying around heavy loads of clothes and realized it wasn't as glamorous as I thought it would be," she said. This caused her to pivot and turn her attention to blogging while working as a personal shopper in retail. She was also maintaining her jewelry business as a side-hustle.

"I was dating Baxter around this time and since he has a background in engineering, he helped me create the basis for what LTK is today. He was like 'You're doing all of these things for your blog but they're cutting you out of your business,'" Venz Box said. She never thought about it like that until he pointed out she could build something lucrative. Eventually rewardStyle was born, and the couple were able to secure brands like ShopBop and Net-a-Porter as the first retailers for the app. Eventually, rewardStyle became LiketoKnow.it — AKA LTK.

Photo by Amber Venz Box

Being a first-time mom means that I'm always curious about how other moms navigate having a family while working or maintaining their own hobbies. For Venz Box, trial and error have been the name of the game. "Honestly, my oldest daughter Bird is eight, and I'm just now figuring things out so that should tell you a lot," she said. On a more serious note, she says three things help her move through her roles more efficiently — prioritization, delegation, and boundaries.

"When Bird was younger, she was always with me whether I was traveling or being watched while I was in a meeting. But, my second son Boyce had digestive issues so I found I couldn't travel with him the way I could with Bird," Venz Box noted. In addition to trying to figure out a system that worked for her children, Venz Box realized she wasn't good at setting boundaries. She said, "Sometimes I would leave for work before my kids woke up and not get home until after bedtime. I was literally missing spending quality time with them in order to finish work. To make matters worse, I'm a people pleaser so I was having a hard time say no to just about anyone. Guilt always crept in."

When she learned to started prioritizing what matters to her — family first — Venz Box was then able to begin delegating work tasks to others and setting boundaries. "My number one rule is that Baxter and I don't work on weekends. That's time for us to spend together as a family and pour into the kids," she said.

Photo by Amber Venz Box

Prioritization, delegation, and setting boundaries led Venz Box to discover the art of slow living. "Being on the go all the time was not only starting to affect Baxter, but our kids were also becoming anxious," she said. She also mentioned they lived in a busy area of Dallas and this probably contributed to that anxious feeling her family was beginning to feel. The desire to make a change came to a head when Venz Box realized she wanted to consider moving in January.

"When I first told Baxter about my idea, he just laughed like he usually does when I present him with something big or wild. But, I made him listen so he knew I was serious," she said. Once Baxter decided he was on board with moving, Venz Box said she had a brief moment of panic. " We were watching TV so when he said he was ready to move whenever I was, my chest got a little tight. I thought, 'Oh no. This is really happening,'" she said.

With that, the family moved to a sprawling ranch in West Texas and continue to thrive as a result of slower living. However, not all of the kids were okay with it at first. "The two younger ones — Bizzy Jean and Boots — were super excited about moving and being able to go to school with their older siblings," said Venz Box. She shared that Boyce was fairly indifferent and only cared about being at school with his older sister Bird.

"Bird gave the most pushback out of anyone. She'd spent two years building a friend group in Dallas so she had anxiety about moving," she said.

Photo by Amber Venz Box

However, once the family got settled into their ranch, Bird opened up and she's been excited about where they live as well as her new school. Venz Box told me she feels the benefits of slow living have been presenting themselves for not only her family but for herself as well. "I'm finding I'm able to spend more time with my family, get rest and not have so many people coming in or out of the house. Stress is even reduced which benefits my overall health," she said.

Aside from being excited about school, her kids have been looking forward to activities outside of the house and don't have a hard time when Venz Box or Baxter have to leave. "We can do something as simple as leave to go to the grocery store and it doesn't result in meltdowns," she said with a smile.

Photo via Amber Venz Box

LTK also receives the benefits of Venz Box's more intentional approach to life. There 700+ global employees who are able to work remotely as opposed to being required to work in Dallas. They're still required to her in person — known as 'hoteling' — but remain remote for the majority of their employment. "This opens up the door for people to do things like take walks in the afternoon to refresh themselves and focus when it's actually time to work. There's also less of a disruption because they're not being interrupted at the office by constant doorbells, boxes being opened from deliveries and more," Venz Box said.

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Now that LTK's team is able to focus on being productive, they've been able to have incredible collaborations and rollout new features for the app that are going to benefit brands as well as content creators. During NYFW, LTK partnered with Influencer Management Firm Kensington Grey Agency Inc. to host a happy hour event and panel discussion that highlighted various Black creators. "So many of Kensington's influencers use the LTK shopping app and since we've been huge supporters of each other, it only made sense to collaborate in this huge way during NYFW," Venz Box proudly said.

Recent Rollouts — LTK Cart, LTK Marketplace and LTK Comments

Photo by LTK

LTK Buy Now With LTK Cart

One of LTK's first rollouts this fall was the launch of Buy Now with LTKCart. Creators will now have the opportunity to shop and checkout with select brands — including Lucchese Bootmaker, Misa LosAngeles, Buffbunny, and Roe Wellness. This not only helps creators have a more seamless app experience but it benefits the brands who are participating in LTKCart as they've seen a 2X conversion increase since the launch.

LTK Marketplace

Introduced at LTKCon, LTK Marketplace is a new feature that allows creators to submit proposals to brands whose campaigns they'd like to be a part of. Venz Box said, "For the last decade, Influencer marketing has been like a dating app where only one side gets to pick who they want to date. Now, vetted, professional creators get to pitch the brands they love to participate in their upcoming campaigns and this dynamic is industry changing."

Photo by LTK

LTK Comments

Also introduced at LTKCon, LTK Comments will grant creators the ability to comment on each other's posts for a more interactive experience. Of the new feature, Venz Box said "Creators have made emotional connections with their community, which serve as the heart of the creator-guided shopping experience. Empowering these audiences to connect provides a powerful engagement dynamic that furthers the trust and engagement shoppers have with the creators they have chosen to follow."

It's clear that Amber Venz Box's recipe for success — slow living for both her family and LTK — is paying off in more ways than one. Her last piece of advice for moms and parents trying to figure things out is to "...be clear about why you want to do something and why it matters in the long run." Things may not happen overnight but as long as you can find a way to prioritize what's important to you and set boundaries along the way, Venz Box firmly believes you can breadcrumb your way to your goals. It's clear she's found a way to be more present in the various areas of her life - especially the areas that truly matters — and that's always beautiful to see.

Do you think you'll start incorporating slow living or more clear intentions into your own day-to-day life? Let us know in the comments, and join the conversation on Facebook!

Lead image via Amber Venz Box

Oscar-winner, Michelle Yeoh just opened up to BBC Radio about her struggles with infertility amid her decades-long career. Fertility and motherhood are obviously complex, emotional topics — we've seen plenty of discourse play out in this space the last few months alone — so when Michelle described her inability to conceive as "a failure," our collective hearts broke for her.

Here's what the Wicked star had to say about why she felt like "a failure" — and the unexpected relationship that "blessed" her.

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On BBC Radio's Woman's Hourpodcast, Michelle shared her story of infertility — both how it hurt her, but also how she was able to come to terms with it over time. In discussing what she calls a "shattered mirror moment," Michelle explained that her lack of children wasn't for "lack of trying." She said that she loves children, babies, and even has six godchildren, but she simply wasn't able to bear a biological child.

"I believe that it's a woman's choice — it's your choice whether you want to have children, and shouldn't be imposed on you. Just because you're a woman, you should have a child — that should not be the case," she said. "But as a very personal thing, I wanted — I always wanted to have children."

She elaborated that in her first marriage with Sir Dickson Poon, it was a "very clear path about having children." When she couldn't conceive, she went to get fertility treatment "to aid in the process" — and she made it clear that the process was a very painful one for her. When describing her attempts at conception, she said, "And I think the worst moment to go through is every month you feel like such a failure."

"And then you go, why? And I think at some point you stop blaming yourself. I go, there are certain things in your body that doesn't function in a certain way. That's how it is," she continued. "You just have to let go and move on. And I think you come to a point where you have to stop blaming you."

While she may have practically moved on from her dream of carrying biological children — of that, she said, "I'm 62. Of course I'm not going to have a baby right now," — Michelle can't seem to help thinking of it still. She said, "Sometimes, honestly, I still think about it."

Getting to this place of peace and understanding for her fertility scenario came with a series of heartbreaks, though, as Michelle explained this likely ended her first marriage. Although she believed they loved each other, she knew in the next decade of the relationship, she ultimately couldn't give her ex-husband the family that he wanted. Now, she feels like it was "very brave" for the former couple "to admit" that they shouldn't "drag this out."

Thankfully, the end of her marriage didn't mar the love shared there — Michelle said she's actually godmother to Sir Dickson Poon's eldest child. And she even got remarried! Though her new husband, Jean Todt, proposed the very first month they were together, Michelle waited to marry until about 20 years later.

As mentioned before, Michelle is surrounded by plenty of beautiful children in her life — one of which is her granddaughter via her stepson, Nicholas Todt. In regards to that, Michelle noted, "Then you feel you're still very, very blessed because you do have a baby in your life.”

And as for having a little one in her life outside of children? Let's just say she has a golden boy of her own — and yes, I'm referring to the Oscar she won in 2023 for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Needless to say, Michelle is definitely not a failure. 🙌

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'Tis the season... for giving and getting things you (and your giftees) might not really need. With sustainability becoming a paramount concern for many and the drawbacks of overconsumption entering our collective consciousness, the idea of gifting thoughtful, handmade, and possibly even zero-waste gifts is becoming ever more appealing. The only problem? We're not all as handy as we might like to be. Don't worry though — you don't need to be an expert maker to craft these DIY Christmas gifts! From beginner to advanced, there's a homemade Christmas gift idea for giver and giftee alike.

1. Edible DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

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If you know your way around a kitchen, don't sleep on the opportunity to give your loved ones an edible gift. You know it'll get used (AKA eaten), and it's essentially a zero-waste gift-giving strategy.

We love making pretty desserts that work well as gifts, like this matcha yogurt bark, this peppermint bark, these super easy Christmas cookie recipes, and these edible gift ideas. Package them up with these creative gift wrapping techniques, or forego paper altogether and wrap them with a cute kitchen towel for a zero-waste approach.

2. DIY Craft Kits To Gift

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If you're a complete beginner to DIY and handmade Christmas gifts, it might be smart to start out with a kit. A DIY kit allows you to fashion a thoughtful gift that shows your recipient just how much time and effort you put into giving them something special.

This DIY permanent jewelry kit is perfect for someone who wants to give their bestie a one-of-a-kind present this year. You can also DIY Christmas-scented candles, grow your loved one's birth month flower, or construct a super-cute tiny house to be displayed as kitschy decor.

3. Handmade Christmas Gifts

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We love a good DIY. Our favorite presents are handmade Christmas gifts, and we've shared a ton of homemade gift ideas in our time.

A cute winter terrarium is perfect for the quirky decor lover in your life, while nothing brings the hygge vibes more than a hand-knit blanket. Give your favorite houseplant lover some gorgeous flora in one of these DIY cement planters, or embroider a pillow that'll add a cute touch of color to your bestie's home!

4. DIY Home Decor

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Speaking of your bestie's home, we've got plenty of ideas for DIY Christmas gifts you can give in the home decor category.

Spruce up a simple IKEA desk to give your work wife a WFH chair that's cute and from the heart. Make magazine wall art in your giftee's favorite colors to add a homemade, kitschy touch to their space. This Anthro-inspired DIY chandelier is another great option for artsy decor lovers.

A friend who loves hostessing will appreciate this pineapple cutting board, and someone who's into the beauty of organization will swoon over this DIY wall organizer.

DIY Jewelry

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Many of us adore jewelry, so why not give someone in your life a cute and colorful accessory this holiday season? These acrylic earrings are super colorful and adorable, while this DIY choker is '90s inspired and totally on-trend. We also love this geode statement necklace and this cute necklace made out of old tee shirts. Talk about sustainable style!

Love these DIY Christmas gift ideas? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for gift guides, recipes, and other holiday inspo!

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This post has been updated.

Britney Spears has been making headlines since the '90s, meaning her kids are no strangers to the spotlight. Despite how much they used to be with her everywhere, things haven't been smooth sailing for the family following the termination of the author's conservatorship in 2021. Still, there seems to be a lot love between Britney and her sons, and we were thrilled to learn she recently reunited with her youngest!

Keep reading for everything we know about Britney Spears' kids in 2024.

How many children does Britney Spears have?

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Thanks to frequent paparazzi shots of Britney Spears and her kids, we know that she has two sons! Sean Preston Federline was born September 14, 2005, making him 19 years old while his brother Jayden James Federline was born September 12, 2006 and just turned 18. Where did the time go?

Who did she have kids with?

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Britney Spears shares her sons with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. They got married on October 6, 2004 after a few months of dating, and their whirlwind romance led to the birth of their two sons (via Business Insider). The couple later divorced on July 30, 2007, but Kevin has spoken fondly of their relationship throughout the years.

He actually told PEOPLE in 2008 how much he loved the time they were together. "I pretty much realized that I was giving my life to her, and I was doing it without question," he said. "It was just something that was meant to happen. And probably my greatest moment with her is having our two sons."

Do Sean and Jayden live with Britney Spears?

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According to PEOPLE, Sean and Jayden currently live in Hawaii with their dad, Kevin as of 2023. And according to Kevin's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan, there's a specific reason why their sons were excited to move. "It's an opportunity for Kevin and his wife, and the boys are ready to get away from the L.A. microscope."

If you remember, Kevin gained "sole custody" of Preston and Jayden in 2008 due to Britney Spear's "mental breakdown," (via US Weekly).

There was reportedly a rift between Britney Spears and her sons after her conservatorship ended in 2021, but she just reunited with Jayden! A Page Six insider revealed "they have been spending a lot of time together,” while a source told People, "spending time together has made her happy."

What have Sean and Jayden said about their mom?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In 2022 Sean and Jayden shared their thoughts about their tense relationship with Britney. The Daily Mail reported Jayden said, "It's just going to take a lot of time and effort. I just want her to get better mentally. When she gets better I really want to see her again." Given Britney's breakdown and the news surrounding her conservatorship over the years, we can only imagine how much the public nature of their lives affected her kids.

What's the current status of Britney's relationship with her sons?

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There have been several ups and downs throughout the years, but Britney hasn't held back from publicly sharing thoughts about her kids. USA Today shared that Britney and Jayden have recently reconciled in L.A. which comes amidst reports she's finished paying child support for him (via TMZ).

However, Kevin's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan says they're not sure what's happening behind the scenes. "If there has been a reconciliation it’s news to Kevin," he told TMZ.

Don't forget to revisit everything we know about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' kids too!

It looks like we'll just be getting Jacob Elordi movies for the rest of time, and honestly, I'm thankful. (Even if that one cringy Kissing Booth scene still runs on a loop in the my brain). Before Swift Horses with Daisy Edgar Jones, Jacob is teaming up with another Hollywood titan you'll recognize from Pretty Woman: Richard Gere. And the movie looks incredibly emotional.

Here's all the latest info on Jacob Elordi and Richard Gere's brand new movie Oh, Canada.

What is the Oh Canada movie about?

Oh, Canada Plot

Oh, Canada follows the life of legendary (albeit fictional) filmmaker Leonard Fife. This story probably approaches Leo's career the way we think about Steven Spielberg's. AKA, he's very important. Leonard decides to tell his life story before he runs out of time. And even though he's got an impressive resumé, he also has to decide if he wants his Vietnam draft dodge and sticky relationships to become public knowledge.

"Leonard sits for an extended interview with his former student Malcolm (Michael Imperioli), relating candid stories about his younger self (Jacob Elordi) in the tumultuous 1960s and beyond," the synopsis says, adding that "at Leonard’s insistence, his wife and indispensable artistic partner, Emma (Uma Thurman), bears witness to it all."

How to watch Oh Canada?

Oh, Canada Release Date

Jacob Elordi's new movie is coming to theaters December 6, 2024 — the same day as Rachel Zegler's Y2K and Amy Adams' Nightb—ch!

Who's in the movie?

Kino Lorber

Oh, Canada Cast

The cast of Oh, Canada includes Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli, and Victoria Hill, while the movie is written and directed by Paul Schrader (who also worked with Richard on 1980's American Gigolo!

What has the cast said about the movie?

Uma Thurman has been vocal about how excited she is to be a part of the project and told Deadline the movie feels like a "reverie" and has a "lyrical, sort of loosely knit, poetic" quality about it.

"The cinematic hand of Paul, of course, carried the day, as far as bringing this sort of illusionary dream together into something that you walk away from with the strong impression of a story," she says. "Just the presence of a master like Paul Schrader on a set of any size, is as distinct as, I don’t know, a warm wind. It’s like the wind that hits you when you get off a plane in the tropics. There’s only one thing of its ilk, and he’s kind of a master like that. You could really be anywhere; you can’t miss it."

That sounds like my kind of movie.

Director Paul Schrader revealed he fell in love with Jacob's performance the moment he saw him — which was before he took the world by storm in Priscilla. “I saw his performance on Zoom and, if this was 40 years ago, this is the guy I would have cast for American Gigolo,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Are you excited to see Oh, Canada? Check out the other New December Movies you can't miss out on!

If you're looking for a winter wedding guest dress, then look no further! Winter is the perfect time to lean into your glam side, with a little shine, a sexy slit, or even a statement neckline on your dress. And while the typical palette may lean towards darker, deeper colors, that doesn't mean you have to opt for the same boring look. Instead, I found a ton of elegant dresses that'll land you the Best Dressed Wedding Guest award in no time — and you'll wanna rewear them as much as possible. Cheers!

Shop all the best winter wedding guest dresses here!

Nordstrom

Betsy & Adam Asymmetric Single Long Sleeve Gown

I'm sorry, but nothing is more elegant (or sexier) than a black gown with the perfect peek-a-boo leg slit down the front. When you pair that with this gorgeous asymmetrical sleeve situation, you really have the perfect winter wedding guest dress!

Abercrombie

Abercrombie Long-Sleeve Cowl Back Slip Maxi Dress

Cowl necks are always a classy look — but what about a cowl back?! This whole dress is giving "simplicity is elegance" at its finest. (And BRIDES: this little navy number comes in cream, making for a fabulous bridal outfit, too!)

Anthropologie

Bardot Adoni Off-The-Shoulder Fitted Stretch Lace Midi Dress

I know, I know — it's controversial to wear red to a wedding. But truly, I've never in my life heard that rule until recently, so it can't matter that much, right? I'll let you decide that for yourself, but while you're thinking about it...look at how gorgeous this off-the-shoulder number is!

Azazie

Azazie Atelier Bellini Grape Jacquard Satin Maxi Dress

I adore this deep, rich eggplant color SO much. It goes so well with this high neckline and jacquard fabric, absolutely emanating elegance. This looks fantastic with strappy gold sandals (like above), but I could also see this looking amazing with some pointed toe velvet pumps.

Lulus

Lulus I'm All Yours Black Tulle Ruffled Maxi Dress

I have this exact dress in burgundy, but I am totally into the black tulle. It gives an edge to the elegance that's so playful and COOL. Plus, who doesn't love a deep v neck like this? It's so freakin' good.

Target

Petal and Pup Womens Anabelle Halter Neck Midi Dress

Asymmetrical dresses are absolutely the moment right now. The draping on this Target dress is totally gorgeous, making you look effortlessly beautiful. Plus, if this shade of teal isn't your color, you have 10 other options to choose from — and at under $100!

Nordstrom

Ieena for Mac Duggal Sequin Long Sleeve Faux Wrap Gown

My mom wore this exact dress in black to my own wedding, and she looked like a total goddess. The shimmer could seem like a lot for some, but it's really quite lovely and just understated enough when you're in that glittering wedding environment. You'll definitely wanna dance the night away in this look!

Free People

Elliatt Calypso Dress

Looking for a shorter winter wedding guest dress? This Elliatt option is stunning! The body of the dress itself is really quite simple, letting the statement bow on the back do all the heavy (and very stylish) lifting for your look. I'd pair this with an Audrey Hepburn-esque updo and some pointed black pumps!

Azazie

Azazie Atelier Sara Marigold Maxi Dress

Let this marigold dress light up the room at the next wedding you're invited to! The floral pattern is perfect for winter, not leaning too spring, and giving this balloon sleeve dress a little extra life. (And do you see the slit? I'm telling you: it's the perfect way to accentuate your wedding guest look!)

Anthropologie

Norma Kamali Tara Long-Sleeve Deep-V Ruched Stretch Jersey Midi Dress

Norma Kamali knows how to make something simple oh-so sexy. This dress hugs your curves in all the right places, and the ruching gives the sleek silhouette some much-needed texture. Plus, the slightly off-the-shoulder of it all is just everything — it's giving old Hollywood glam meets modern babe.

Nordstrom

Mac Duggal Long Sleeve Pleated Satin Cocktail Midi Dress

Like I said before, winter doesn't me you can't wear color! This shade is just bright enough to make a statement, but just earthy enough to be perfect for the season. The pleats and the buttoned, ballooned sleeves are just gorgeous here too!

Anthropologie

By Anthropologie The Maya Ruched Cowl-Neck Dress: Stretch Velvet Edition

I seriously just love a high neckline! There's something about it that screams class (but a distinguished, polite scream of course 😉), which is totally what you're going for with your winter wedding guest dress. I also love how the stretch velvet will give you the space to sit, eat, and dance comfortably all night long — exactly what you need for a festive wedding eventing!

Nordstrom

Alfred Sung One-Shoulder A-Line Gown

Alfred Sung makes stunning gowns that are perfect for all your winter wedding guest needs! I wore a different Alfred Sung dress a few years back to a December wedding, and it made me feel totally elegant. This sleek design would look gorgeous on anyone, and the A line silhouette gives you plenty of room to hit the dance floor all you want!

Tuckernuck

Tuckernuck Black Clea Dress

She's giving Audrey Hepburn! She's giving Grace Kelly! She's giving EVERYTHING! Seriously, this neckline is incredible, this length is lovely, and the dress itself is the perfect canvas to make your own. Add some fun jewelry, grab a fun shoe, and let your hair down for an evening — in the most elevated way possible.

Anthropologie

Mac Duggal Sleeveless Rhinestone Flower Crepe A-Line Mini Dress

In case you're looking for another shorter option, I love this Mac Duggal dress! The flower on the hip is so unique, yet it's giving a timeless charm that would look amazing on anyone! I could totally see this with some stunning red tights, an updo, and some statement earrings.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.