JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<div id="menu">
  <ul>
    <li><a class="activ" href="#">HOME.</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">PORTFOLIO.</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">WHAT I DO.</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">CONTACT ME.</a></li>
  </ul>
</div>

CSS

* {
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

#menu {
  text-align: center;
  text-decoration: none;
  font-weight: bold;
  min-width: 550px;
}

#menu ul {
  padding: 15px;
  list-style: none;
}

#menu ul > li {
  display: inline-block;
  margin: 0 10px;
}

#menu ul > li > a {
  color: #6b4848;
  text-align: center;
  display: block;
  padding: 5px;
} 

#menu ul > li > a:hover {
  background: url('http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/originals/2012/Backgrounds_Circles_colors_035456_.jpg') no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;
  -webkit-background-size: cover;
  background-size: cover;
  color: #fff;
}