Level 30 BLM gear?

[Ehr]

Tbh, vendor gear should get you by and to fill in pieces you don't get from dungeons. Most quests also reward gear.

always use food that gives a +30% exp bonus when crafting/gathering, you can find cheap low level food over at the npc in vesper bay till your culinary reaches the level to make it on your own.

All food only gives a 3% exp bonus, not 30%, but it's still a bonus. There are the crafting/gathering items that do give an exp bonus from GC.