I must admit that for some strange reason, I tune in to Jersey Shore every Thursday night at 10 p.m. Call me crazy, but Snooki’s drunken escapades and Pauly D’s pranks somehow still crack me up.

As a native of New Jersey, I would love to deny that people seriously act like that, and worse, dress like that, but unfortunately I would be lying. Jersey fashion has not, and perhaps will never change. Here are three trends I couldn’t exactly say that I would be sorry to see go, but they’re still here anyway.

1) Bad dye jobs: Visible extension clip-ins and chunky blonde highlights are now things of the past. The hottest new hair trend is color - adding as many different colors to your hair as possible, that is. The trick is to make it look as colorful and unnatural as possible, so as to catch everyone’s eye when you’re walking down the street. Inspiration for this look: Skittles - see the rainbow?

(image courtesy of http://rescuemusicentertainment.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/ten-fashion-fads-i-hope-never-come-back/)

2) Uggs and shorts: Fashion loves contradictions, and this look epitomizes that. By pairing Uggs with shorts, you can combine looks from two different seasons, all at once. Think winter on the bottom, summer on top. This look is best worn in the springtime or fall, that way you won’t be too hot in your fur-lined boots, or too cold in your short shorts. 

(image courtesy of http://editorial.modnique.com/editorial/trends-to-keeptrends-to-toss/attachment/exclusivejennifer-love-hewitt-attends-an-hour-long-pole-dancing-class)

3) Leggings worn as pants: Many feared the shrinking of hemlines in fashion, but leggings worn as pants eliminate this fear altogether. Choose a tight-fitting cropped top instead of a long, flowing one that actually covers your assets. Also, be sure stick to leggings made of a diaphanous material because let’s face it, everyone wants to see which underwear you chose to wear today.

—Tina Ferraro

If you haven’t heard the crazy, and quite unexpected news, Nicole Polizzi, also known as “Snooki” on MTV’s Jersey Shore, is pregnant. Yes folks, this 4’9” self-proclaimed meatball is going to have a baby. It has also recently been reported that she is engaged to her baby’s daddy, and on-and-off boyfriend, Jionni LaValle.

The good news is that this new scandal certainly benefits MTV’s Jersey Shore, whose ratings have dropped significantly compared to previous seasons.

The bad news… well where do we begin? Snooki is a hot mess who finds no shame in peeing in bushes, drinking uncontrollably and acting rowdy in public. She doesn’t seem to have herself together on the show, so how will it be possible for her to take care of another human being, let alone a baby? Indeed, her actions on the reality show have not allowed viewers to formulate a positive image of her.

Though I am her biggest fan and I may be biased, I believe Snooki is a good person at heart. Despite her rambunctious personality and outrageous stunts, she truly cares about people. She has a good heart, as evident from her relationship with her roommates.

This pregnancy will hopefully turn out to be a turning point in her career, one that positively changes her behavior and attitude, and increases her maturity as an adult. The discovery of her pregnancy serves as the perfect wake up call for Snooki. She has a real responsibility now, and I have faith that she will step up to the plate, get her act together and be the best mother she possibly can.

People can change, and sometimes it takes circumstances like this to elicit change. Snooki’s craziness is just a façade — after all the Jersey Shore is a reality show. Deep down, she is a nurturing person with a big heart.

I believe in you Snooki.

—Mariann Yip