For 1, you can use tumblr as your media CDN, i.e. post photos, videos and other bandwidth heavy stuff, and use the tumblr API to access and display them on your website / blog.
tumblr actually allows you to use custom domain, i currently have 4-5 domains where my clients only update once a year for an event. i make up a custom theme and them take it over. no fuss around with hosting it.
