Armelle Vincent is a French writer who lives in Southern California, where she is raising her three children. Not only does she contribute to publications such as Le Figaro, Le Point, Rolling Stone and Elle, but she crafts a very impressive blog.

Written in French, rue89/California Dreamin' showcases her talent as a journalist. Petite, effusive, engaging, pretty French journalists, you would imagine are writing about such topics as the trendiest restaurants and celebrity sightings in Hollywood, but not Armelle. It is shocking to sit down with her and listen to her describe her latest drive across the California border, into Tijuana, Mexico, where she continues to report back to us regarding her favorite story...narco-trafficking and the ever-escalating drug wars, which claim more and more civilian lives each month.

You want to tell her not to go anymore, it's just too dangerous. And then you read her blog. Compelling, resourceful reportage.
Armelle's writing is not limited to this crisis, however. She's got a knack for tracking down a good story, whether it's politcal or personal. Her piece about Anna Kashfi, ex-wife of Marlon Brando, living in a trailer near San Diego, California, will break your heart.

www.rue89.com/california-dreamin